Mr Rugen - Second Year

[Diplomat]

Mr. Rugen--I am interested in your thoughts as you approach your second year as a teacher. Are your expectations and goals any different? Are you teaching the same stuff and grade as you did last year?

[Mr. Rugen]

Thanks for asking.

My expectations are high. I spent three weeks this summer at different conferences learning strategies and what not. I'm teaching different classes this year, with more computer and technology classes. I'm also teaching three different AVID classes, which is really where my heart is as far as the classroom goes. Overall I'm just ready to get going. This is a weird part of the summer. I'm communicating with teachers and administrators and I'm working a little (writing curriculum) but I'm still just kind of sitting around, working on the house and playing with the kiddoes.

[Ralphie the buffalo]

Thanks for asking.

I'm also teaching three different AVID classes

Don't they have metal/wood shop anymore?
I'm glad I grew up when I did.
Welding. Foundry. Drafting. Wood lathe. Power tools. Etc....
We are quickly becoming a nation of men who aren't at all handy around the house except for computers.

Nothing personal, Rugen.
Kids today couldn't drive a nail to save their lives, but they can edit vacation videos.

[Marty McFly]

Kids today couldn't drive a nail to save their lives, but they can edit vacation videos.
So what?

[Mr. Rugen]

The program I teach in isn't editing software. It stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination. It was originally started in California as a program to help low income minority kids from the academic middle to get into college.

[Tripe Face]

Don't they have metal/wood shop anymore?
I'm glad I grew up when I did.
Welding. Foundry. Drafting. Wood lathe. Power tools. Etc....
We are quickly becoming a nation of men who aren't at all handy around the house except for computers.

Nothing personal, Rugen.
Kids today couldn't drive a nail to save their lives, but they can edit vacation videos.

Ralphie, AVID doesn't refer to our editing/newsroom computer system. Count has explained it's a program for at risk young people.

[Spike]

Ralphie, AVID doesn't refer to our editing/newsroom computer system. Count has explained it's a program for at risk young people.

It teaches them to be sure their shirts are tucked in.

[News Is Broken]

It teaches them to be sure their shirts are tucked in.

And also, what a belt is used for. Apparently, there's a large number of today's youth that don't know.

[Mr. Rugen]

Ralphie, AVID doesn't refer to our editing/newsroom computer system. Count has explained it's a program for at risk young people.

I may have described it as "at risk" but it's really more like "underserved" kids. AVID looks for kids that are self-motivated, academically capable, low income or have parents that didn't attend college. I actually have a kid this year with two parents who graduated college, but he's not reaching his potential academically. I pitched AVID to him and he was very interested. When I met with his mom she gave me every reason why he didn't need AVID and then signed him up based solely on the academic rigor we instill.

I have another student who is financially okay but she has 9 siblings of whom she's the oldest and can't get herself organized because of all the chaos at home.

Basically, AVID is a class for kids who don't really have anyone to model academic success to them

[Tripe Face]

I may have described it as "at risk" but it's really more like "underserved" kids. AVID looks for kids that are self-motivated, academically capable, low income or have parents that didn't attend college.

I'm sorry if I misrepresented your program. It's quite admirable the work you are doing. I guess it offsets your choice of NFL teams. Almost.

[Mighty Dyckerson]

Nothing personal, Rugen.
Kids today couldn't drive a nail to save their lives, but they can edit vacation videos.


http://failblog.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/camerafail.jpg

[commercial hack]

I
Basically, AVID is a class for kids who don't really have anyone to model academic success to them

That sounds like a wonderful program. Does it teach basic financial success as well?

[product of communism]

I may have described it as "at risk" but it's really more like "underserved" kids.


Ah yes, because it's never the kids' fault.

I've met about 3 "at risk" kids in my life who were worth the effort. The rest of them are brainless thugs, with no determination or drive other than coating themselves in "bling".

But hey, at least you're making an effort.

[Ralphie the buffalo]

Ralphie, AVID doesn't refer to our editing/newsroom computer system. Count has explained it's a program for at risk young people.

Basically, AVID is a class for kids who don't really have anyone to model academic success to them

Okay.
Thanx for explaining.
It sounds like a great program.

I'm sure that many people assumed that a discussion about Avid on a television news website referred to the edit/computer information systems many of us use everyday.

And McFly is and always will be an argumentative dolt.
Every man needs to have at least rudimentary handyman skills.
Driving a nail is one.

[Mighty Dyckerson]

I'm sure that many people assumed that a discussion about Avid on a television news website referred to the edit/computer information systems many of us use everyday.

Nope, only you. Nice try, but you still fail.

[Mighty Snyckerson]

Nope, only you. Nice try, but you still fail.
And if anyone would know anything about being a failure, it's my daddy!

[Mr. Rugen]

That sounds like a wonderful program. Does it teach basic financial success as well?
It will this year. We're reading Rich Dad/Poor Dad for Teens by Robert Kiyosaki
Ah yes, because it's never the kids' fault.

I've met about 3 "at risk" kids in my life who were worth the effort. The rest of them are brainless thugs, with no determination or drive other than coating themselves in "bling".

But hey, at least you're making an effort.

Sorry you've had such a hard time with poor kids. I guess if we rounded up all the poor kids in the world and killed them you wouldn't have to worry your pretty little head about them. It sure does suck to be hated for something beyond your own control, like being born to poor parents or something else that people are hated for yet insist is beyond their control because they're born that way.

[Spike]

Sorry you've had such a hard time with poor kids. I guess if we rounded up all the poor kids in the world and killed them you wouldn't have to worry your pretty little head about them.

No, no. No reason to go to such extremes. Making them tuck in their shirts should solve that problem without bloodshed.

[Mr. Rugen]

I don't think you understand the reasons behind the tucking in of the shirt, Spike. If Tall-T's are against the dress code and a kid breaks the dress code by wearing a tall-t we make him tuck it in. It seems that you believe it was something more sinister and worthy of constant mention occured. Sorry you didn't help you understand the situation very well.

[Spike]

It seems that you believe it was something more sinister and worthy of constant mention occured. Sorry you didn't help you understand the situation very well.

No, I understand. I'm making fun of you for turning into the kind of teacher we all ridiculed when I was in school for getting his priorities all screwed up.

[Mr. Rugen]

My priorities are turning kids into lifelong learners, teaching them about respect and getting kids into college that others would write off as not worth the trouble. Kind of a weird thing to make fun of.

By the way, I'm sure you ridicule lots of things, so I'm not in especially exclusive company.

[Spike]

My priorities are turning kids into lifelong learners, teaching them about respect and getting kids into college that others would write off as not worth the trouble. Kind of a weird thing to make fun of.


Untucked shirts in high school never prevented anyone from getting into college. Kids know this, because they are not as dumb as you apparently think they are. You aren't fooling them.

Your colleagues who don't bother enforcing the arbitrary rules know this also. I suspect they think you need to lighten up.

[Mr. Rugen]

What are you talking about? There are untucked shirts all over the place. The problem is with these shirts:

http://208.112.59.49/ProductImages/ALT00.jpg
And if you walk into a college interview wearing one it will definitely prevent you from getting into college.

The people that do not enforce the dress code also do not enforce the no cellphones in class rule, the no iPods rule and rarely prepare lesson plans. I think those guys have "lightened up" enough for everyone.

[Spike]

And if you walk into a college interview wearing one it will definitely prevent you from getting into college.

Besides the fact that I have attended four different colleges (three of them major universities) and never had to submit to an interview, we're not talking about college interviews. We're talking about high school. Wearing an untucked shirt in high school never prevented anyone from getting into college.

You're really stretching for justifications for your arbitrary dress code. Just admit that it really comes down to a way for you to exercise your authority. It's not about the kids. It's about making yourself feel like a big man, because you can make them bend to your will.

When you first started talking about teaching high school, I figured you would be one of the good ones. What a disappointment to discover your true motivations. I guarantee you the kids know it too.

[Another side]

What are you talking about? There are untucked shirts all over the place. The problem is with these shirts:

http://208.112.59.49/ProductImages/ALT00.jpg
And if you walk into a college interview wearing one it will definitely prevent you from getting into college.

The people that do not enforce the dress code also do not enforce the no cellphones in class rule, the no iPods rule and rarely prepare lesson plans. I think those guys have "lightened up" enough for everyone.

I didn't know what "Tall Ts" were until this picture. Now that I do, I'm curious ... what precisely is the problem with them?

[Mighty Dyckerson]

I'm curious ... what precisely is the problem with them?

I'm more concerned about the kid on the right clenching his fist. Dude's got some anger issues.

[Angel's Hell]

Besides the fact that I have attended four different colleges (three of them major universities) and never had to submit to an interview, we're not talking about college interviews. We're talking about high school. Wearing an untucked shirt in high school never prevented anyone from getting into college.

You're really stretching for justifications for your arbitrary dress code. Just admit that it really comes down to a way for you to exercise your authority. It's not about the kids. It's about making yourself feel like a big man, because you can make them bend to your will.

When you first started talking about teaching high school, I figured you would be one of the good ones. What a disappointment to discover your true motivations. I guarantee you the kids know it too.


Do you take a laxative to unplug your chronic contstipation???? Try not to let it *show* next time you post!

[jhans24]

Besides the fact that I have attended four different colleges (three of them major universities) and never had to submit to an interview, we're not talking about college interviews. We're talking about high school. Wearing an untucked shirt in high school never prevented anyone from getting into college.

You're really stretching for justifications for your arbitrary dress code. Just admit that it really comes down to a way for you to exercise your authority. It's not about the kids. It's about making yourself feel like a big man, because you can make them bend to your will.

When you first started talking about teaching high school, I figured you would be one of the good ones. What a disappointment to discover your true motivations. I guarantee you the kids know it too.

Enforcing a dress code is not about feeling like a big man. It's about teaching them respect for themselves and respect for authority. Yes you have to follow this rule, just like you have to follow any other rule. No need to abondon your basic principles Spike to argue with Rugen, football season is almost here so we have the easy pickens coming.

[tater]

What are you talking about? There are untucked shirts all over the place. The problem is with these shirts:

http://208.112.59.49/ProductImages/ALT00.jpg
And if you walk into a college interview wearing one it will definitely prevent you from getting into college.

The people that do not enforce the dress code also do not enforce the no cellphones in class rule, the no iPods rule and rarely prepare lesson plans. I think those guys have "lightened up" enough for everyone.

If you walk into a high school looking like that...you'd be likely to get beat up or made fun of.

[Another OMB]

I didn't know what "Tall Ts" were until this picture. Now that I do, I'm curious ... what precisely is the problem with them?

It's a gang thing. And, in the case of the picture, the red is for the Bloods and the blue is for the Crips. So, in a lot of cases, it's not a harmless situation of a teenager "just having his t-shirt untucked. What's the big deal?"

[Mr. Rugen]

Besides the fact that I have attended four different colleges (three of them major universities) and never had to submit to an interview, we're not talking about college interviews. We're talking about high school. Wearing an untucked shirt in high school never prevented anyone from getting into college.

You're really stretching for justifications for your arbitrary dress code. Just admit that it really comes down to a way for you to exercise your authority. It's not about the kids. It's about making yourself feel like a big man, because you can make them bend to your will.

When you first started talking about teaching high school, I figured you would be one of the good ones. What a disappointment to discover your true motivations. I guarantee you the kids know it too.
Of the four Universities I take my AVID kids to, three of them require an entrance interview. I don't know where your problems with authority stem from, but whatever they are you'd better get over them, or stay in college for the rest of your life.

Question my motivations all you want. You haven't got a clue what you're talking about. I worked with kids before I became a teacher and continue to work with them outside of teaching. It's not about being a "big man" it's about helping them learn the lessons they don't get at home. You can't always dress the way you want, you can't show up whenever you want, you can't talk however you want. I'm sorry you got bullied so much in school, you've talked about it before, but since you appear to be in your forties it might be time to get over yourself and realize everything's not about YOU.

[The Mockingbird]

Spike:

Think about every clueless intern who came to a TV station in flip flops and cutoffs on their first day, and tell me that some kids don't need to learn how to dress.

Rugen:

That's the last time, Bender. That the last time you ever make me look bad in front of those kids, you hear me? I make $31,000 a year and I have a home and I'm not about to throw it all away on some punk like you. But someday when you're outta here and you've forgotten all about this place and they've forgotten all about you, and you're wrapped up in your own pathetic life, I'm gonna be there.

Just don't be that guy.

Angel:

Do you take a laxative to unplug your chronic contstipation???? Try not to let it *show* next time you post!

I thought Spike was stalking you, Angel, yet here you are once again jumping in on a thread only to provoke Spike. Care to change your story?

[commercial hack]

It will this year. We're reading Rich Dad/Poor Dad for Teens by Robert Kiyosaki


Fantastic! Rich Dad/Poor Dad and Cashflow Quadrant are great books for the next couple of years.

Kids need to learn basic economics so they can survive. I wish our government schools would teach this. No wonder lack of savings and preparing for the future are at all time lows.

On my street there are a bunch of the economically-challenged mindset. In the last month, 5 people at the end of our cul-de-sac bought or leased a new car. A Mercedes, Escalade, Acura, Ford 2500 Truck, and a 1997 Jetta.
The Jetta is an exception, the dad bought it for his son. The rest of them have no business buying or leasing a new car.
One guy is an electrician, doesn't make a bunch of money, just had a new baby, has a pool, house and new car payment. So now he has to fuel an Explorer and Escalade. None of them are saving money.
The guy across the street owes the KGB, errr.. IRS 10K because they make too much money and won't buy a house, he's renting the current one. He also doesn't think it's worth the tax benefit. He has two mustangs, an 85 and an 06 and his wife has a Navigator. 3 of these wives (including the one who just had a baby) weren't working when they moved to our street 4 and 5 years ago, they were stay at home moms.

I have a 95 Camry (151K miles) paid for. A 2002 Kia Sedona Mini Van 85,000 miles, paid for. Both are running great. That money spent on new cars each month could really help with retirement.

Sorry about the rant. I just hate seeing people who are struggling keep spending and spending and have to live check to check or put their stay at home moms to work so they can afford their "new cars". I have no problem with moms working, my wife does. She goes to a part-time job after the kids go to school and gets home before they do. We're paying off debt not buying unecessary vehicles These other wives are working full time jobs.

[Mr. Rugen]

Rugen:



Just don't be that guy.

Not possible. The "Benders" are my favorite students.

[s'news]

At least the long shirts will cover up the pants that are hanging down low.

[Mr. Rugen]

At least the long shirts will cover up the pants that are hanging down low.
I wear my pants like that to school all the time.

[Mr. Rugen]

I didn't know what "Tall Ts" were until this picture. Now that I do, I'm curious ... what precisely is the problem with them?
The problem is the gang affiliation as well as the ability to conceal items.