Torn and Twisted

I work in a district that is not well off. In fact our high school is in phase five because we have not made adequate yearly progress. We are considered at risk. About 95% of our students are on free and reduced lunch and probably 75% come from single family homes. In my twelve year career here I have seen the schools consolidate and the student population severely decline. What is also sad is I have seen many quality families leave the district. Now, granted for some it is because there are no jobs in town, but there is also the “white flight”. What we have left is not what it used to be. My district has a bad reputation. When I respond with where I teach very often you hear “Oh.” There are other surrounding districts that complain when they get our kids. With that said, we have a very good curriculum, we may not have a ton of resources but we have adequate supplies, and we have teachers that give their blood, sweat, and tears to the kids, the school, the lessons, etc. (Granted there are some teachers that are less than desirable but you have that type anywhere and everywhere.) I believe in our schools.


Now the twisted and torn comes into play. As my own child approaches school age we are forced to make decisions. Luckily or maybe not so lucky we have choices since our state has schools of choice. We can send the boys anywhere. Currently they attend a phenomenal daycare in a city other than we live in. We started them there as infants for two reasons; One it is top of the line and two it is run by friends, family if you will, and I know they are loved every day. I have never once worried about my children. Now that they are leaving the safety of that environment we have to decide what the next step is. We have choices. We could send Jack to our home school district. This would mean he would need before and after school care, where I don’t know. Or Jack could attend school at my district. For me this was an easy decision. It’s the beauty of being a teacher; he can be in my building. He can hang out in my room before and after school. Then when he gets older and Ryan is ready for school we can transfer them back to our home district, that way they are together. Besides all that what better way to prove that I believe in what my colleagues and I do, then send my child there. If it good enough for my child it is good enough for everyone.


It has come to my attention that some of my friends and family are questioning this plan. I guess they have questions and concerns about whether it would be good for Jack.
• What about all the bad kids, do you want Jack around that?
• It’s _____________, really?
• Just because Carrie teaches there doesn’t mean you have to send your kids there.
• Why would you live in such a great district and send your kids there?
• Do you really want Jack to have his mommy right down the hall?
• What about having friends? He won’t make any in his hometown and then you will be going back and forth all the time.
• You pay taxes here; your kids should go here.
• Well I guess it would be okay for a little while but not forever.


All this questioning has me questioning. I guess one of my biggest questions is do these people think that what I do is like charity. Do they think that because I teach in a poor district the quality of education is poor? Do they think we don’t provide quality education? Are they really concerned about Jack or are they judging the poor area and students I teach?

My question is what is best for my child? Should he be his own person, in his own building with his mom being like every other kid in the class, the teacher will email me like everyone else not catch me in the hall? Do I care what other people think and I go with my professional opinion? I’m just not sure.

Battle of Green Beans

World War Vegetables has been waged in the Fisher household. The parties involved are Parents vs. 4 and 1/2 year old. (I add the 1/2 because anytime you ask Jack how old he is he mentions it. So I feel that it is important detail ;) ) So far the battles have only been fought on the homefront but if they continue I am sure will go over-seas.

Tonight's menu was pork, corn and green beans. I got smart and I had Jack and Ryan help me clean, prepare and cook the vegetables. I explained what the choices were and let him, choose which one he wanted to eat. Jack decided he would wage war against green beans. I obliged and cut them small as he asked. Dinner started off great, he ate all of his pork and biscuit and then by the time the rest of us were done, his beans were still untouched. I offered him corn, let him know he would have 30 minutes to eat the beans and begin to clean up the kitchen. With 10 minutes remaining he announced, "I am not eat them." This time Tom explained, that's fine but that means you will take your bath and go to bed and stay there for the rest of the night.

I looked over at one point and I thought I saw him playing with his napkin. I was almost excited that he was smart enough to hide them. But the napkin was EMPTY. Then I looked over and I noticed his hands under the table...was he feeding them to Casey? NOPE!! Wow is there something wrong with me that I am hoping he is smart enough to try to get away with not eating them?

The timer runs out and he is escorted upstairs by his father for his bath. The bath finishes and I hear the boys giggle as they avoid getting dressed. Then you hear Jack cry "I DON'T WANT TO GO TO BED."

I don't know if there is a winnner in this battle. He didn't eat the beans and we are going to have to listen to him.

Battle of Corn

Jack doesn't eat his vegetables on a regular basis. In fact his is generally a horrible picky eater. I have been re-reading Love and Logic and deciding that I need to stop fixing seperate meals for the boys. So tonight we had hot-dogs, corn on the cob, and grilled vegetables. I told the boys they had to have corn or grilled zuchini and squash. Jack has eaten corn 1/2 a dozen times before although lately he is boycotting it.

Enter tonights battle of wills:

Jack refuses to eat his corn and asked for carrots. Tom and I both told him his choice was corn or vegetables. Corn was put on his plate. He ate the hot dog and then wanted to be excused. Ryan asked to go outside, so Tom told him he would take him out after he was done with the dishes. Jack immediately jumps up. Tom reminds him that he couldn't get up until he ate his veggies. The tears begin.

J: I want to go outside.

T: Then eat your corn

J: I want carrots

T: Not one of the choices. I love you too much to argue.

He then takes Ryan outside and I am left to monitor the battle of corn. Jack begins screaming crying I want carrots. I send him to his room and tell him when he is ready to eat his corn he can come back down. After about 10 minutes he returns.

As angry he can be he yells "Why can't I go outside??"

Me: Because you won't eat your corn. Eat it and you can go outside.

J: You are breaking my heart in a million pieces. More pieces than this stupid corn.

Tom had divided the serving into two sections a large section and a section "this is what you have to eat." I look over and he is flicking all the corn from the "eat" section to the other section. After he has moved almost all of the corn over he comes over to me.

J: Look at how much I ate.

Me: You didn't eat it, you moved it over to the other side of the plate. Now move it back and eat it.

J: But then I have to touch it and I'll get it all over my fingers.

Me: You can use your fork.

J: I don't want to eat it!!! I want to go outside.

Me: Well I would eat it soon because I am sure Ryan and Daddy will be in soon.

He then sits there and stews some more still not eating the corn. He uses a variety of excuses to get up.

• I'm really really full
• I'm cold
• I'm hot
• I have to go to the bathroom
• I'm not hungry.

After 80 minutes the Battle of Corn was won!!

Mom and Dad :1 Jack: 0