irony

english teachers play a lot with the word irony. understanding it gives them a world perspective that some people don't have.

today's real-life example of irony:

i work and work and work with the seniors each day to make sure they "get up outta herre." i came to school on saturday and spent ALL day here working with my seniors who were a week late turning in their research projects, i've stayed after school with them countless times, and i actually teach the materials. all they have to do, really, is put in a little bit of effort and they pass. really. seriously.

i have four seniors who still have not turned in their work. procrastination and laziness have been their biggest enemies on this. one of them has yet to show me that he wants to pass. he hasn't turned in ANYTHING and he stares at the computer screen for what seems to be decades when i pull him into remediation. i feel like a shrew because i'm about the only teacher who hassles him, who doesn't just accept that he's sloooooooowwwww... (not sped, just slow)

here's the irony: a teacher that i think is WAY too hard on his kids (read that: they get SUSPENDED if they don't turn in his work) told me today that i was being too hard on him, even though everybody involved has said that i'm being too nice to this kid with all of the extra chances he's gotten. he needs this to pass, and i'm not willing to just let him slide through. was that my job? today's motto: personal responsibility. growl. stupidheads.