"Chalk" notes

Chalk is an interesting comedic view of teaching. It really brings out the humanity in teachers. They are not perfect robotic teaching machines. They were flawed to say the least, but ultimately all of them wanted to make a difference in their student’s lives. The PE Teacher cares too much, but atleast she pushes her students. Mr. Stroopes thinks too much of himself, but seems to really reach his class. Mr. Lawry was a mess at first, but by the end of the year he was an okay teacher. The Assistant Principal did her job, but hated it and just wanted to go back to teaching. It will be important that my paper reflects some level of consideration towards the teachers who are only human.  It kind of comes back to my thoughts of most large organizations. They kind of take on a life of their own, struggling, adapting, and reacting in order to survive. No single person holds responsibility, and we cannot simply look at the teacher who is in fact only human for a cure to our education problems, this will require a complete reamaging or a "rebirth" of this beast we call the education system.

(you can ignore the rest)

50% of teachers quit within the first 3 years of teaching.

First day of class, teachers laying the ground rules and trying to reach students. They seem less than enthused to be back in class.

Teachers are eating lunch together, there only common ground seems to be mathematics and how they struggled with it and used their own styles to succeed.

Mr stroopes goals with the board are his Sarcasm, cleanliness and organization, and a lesson plan. He doesn’t seem all too interested in doing a great job, just getting by.

The new assistant Principal is breaking up her first fight, yelling for the perpetrators to go to her office. The students are laughing at her.

The PE Teacher has had a few instances the students assume she is gay because her hair is short. Not all PE teachers are gay.

The new History teacher is struggling to control his students; there is yelling, and rowdiness.

The teachers are told not to have a friendship but a relationship, and the teacher is having a problem telling the difference. “I care about you, you can trust me, and I have your best interests in mind.”

The new teacher is continuing to lose control of his class.

The new AP (assistant Principal) is working really late nights, and isn’t spending much time with her family.

The principal is telling the AP another war story completely unrelated to school.

The PE Teacher(Webb)  pulls a teacher from her class to inform her that one of her students came in late and needs to go to PRC. She informs her that she has a walking group in the morning.

The new teacher is struggling to gain the respect of his students, and stops teaching. So a student begins to teach the class.

The new history teacher is reading a book on classroom management.

The AP cannot go to her friends the PE Teachers happy hour. She is too busy at school.

The History teacher pulled a couple of students aside to tell his students that they know too much, and that they need to damp down their participation in class.

PE Teacher is teaching yoga. The students are joking about the positions.

The new teacher is incorporating humor to enliven his class, and is dwelling on jokes.

PE Teacher has found a crush; she is enjoying work more because of him.

 The janitor dropped the piano.

Staff meeting, Mr. Stroopes is asking a bunch of theft related questions, and no is admitting to it except himself. Than he addresses it as a negative thing, ultimately it comes down to his missing stapler. Saying there is no integrity, and they are all role models.

Teacher lunch, AP and PE teacher are talking about relationships. Ms. Webb asks if she is pushy. AP tells her that she is passionate and knows what she wants and that is what makes her a good teacher.

Mr. Stroopes calls one of the too smart kid’s parents to inform his parents that his grades are pitiful. It turns out he didn’t call anyone, but next time there will be.

The new teacher is daydreaming about the PE teacher and them being in a relationship.  His dream is interrupted by the AP who is worried about him. She asks him if he is single, and leaves it at that. He has been divorced for almost 2 years, and finds the subject of dating keeps coming up at work. Teaching is hard enough that he can’t imagine having a personal life.

Mr. Webb is out in the woods shooting, he says “it’s like teaching in the sense that you do your best but you are not going to get every kid.” 6/10 kids walk away with a college education. You practice you aim, you hone you skill, you let it fly and sometimes you hit it.

The new teacher asks why kids have cell phones “What is possibly so dire that you have to get a hold of a 15 yr old at that moment.”

A students cell phone goes off, and he asks for the phone and begins getting into an argument. “If you bring your phones into my classroom then just get out.”

A group of teachers are out at happy hour; the new teacher is uncomfortable being there but eventually settles in.

Mr. Webb “I have made no bones about it, you guys are my favorite class.” He is trying to convince his class to help him become teacher of the year.

The new teacher is talking to his students parents, the one who had a cell phone go out. The mother starts talking to him about his teaching style, and his lack of authoritative figure.  She offers him a glass of wine. They drink the whole bottle, and he has to call a cab.

The AP is still working really late.

Ms Webb is complaining to the AP about the teachers letting their students come into class late, and they debate as to whether it is black and white or gray area.

Ms Webb is frustrated that her friend the AP is not bridging the gap of teachers and administration. Teachers are always complaining about the other teachers. Now that she is in a position of power she feels like people are trying to manipulate her because they are friends.

Mr. Webb is sending a spy to the other nominated teacher of the year.

Teacher of the year debate, Mr. Webb is trying to show stage presence. He is speaking out like a politician.  He is making promises that he cannot keep. He claims to be sweating out of passion.

He did not win teacher of the year. He throws a fit in class because he did not win.

Ms. Webb is complaining about not having uniforms for her volleyball player. AP blows up in Ms.  Webb’s face, and then walks off.

The AP is substituting for teachers, and she loves teaching, she hates being AP.

(Mr. Lawry) New teacher has just made a deal with his students, the “spelling hornet” a spelling bee of slang words. He has agreed to partake as long as his students coach him. He wins the spelling hornet.  

At almost the end of the year Mr. Lawry finally gained his students respect.

It also gained some common ground with staff members.

He is not so sure he is going to teach another year.  

Ms Webb “ I learned that some people are very insecure… I need to find a way to approach people… I need to encourage people”

Mr. Stoopes is upset he lost the election, but more upset that he lost his cool during class.