Welcome to My World
Monday thru Friday ~ 180 Days a Year
O.K. Here you have it...”The Cellblock.” This is my in-school suspension room, and I was not fooling when I told you it was in an old closet with no windows. It can hold 6 children, and as many more as need be on the floor.There are 5 stalls, a chair at the smaller desk backed up to mine, and yes, there’s the floor. Trust me....there have been those days when the floor was definitely in use.. At the far back is my rocker and an elementary school desk modified so I can set my personal Apple computer on it and not have to worry about it sliding off. Because of my back condition, I cannot sit at my desk for more that 10 minutes at a time so the rocker and the make-shift computer table are a necessity. You can see I have the phone back there, a chair for my carry-all, my heating pad hanging over the top, and a kitchen stool from home for a footstool. Yep...all the comforts of life without windows.
Here you see the stalls in use. The little sign at the top of the first stall and all the others is “The Golden Rule.” Believe it or not, these children do not have a clue as to what The Golden Rule is upon arrival in my room. Upon leaving they DO, and they also say "please," "thank you," and “Yes, Mam / “Yes, Ms. R" and “No Mam / “No, Ms. R!
Here is my lovely desk. The book with the plastic work tape is the sign-in book...and I guess you have already noticed my reading material...my PSE 9 notebook...though it is now PSE10. If you look on the right side you will see a door. That goes into the other side of the closet where all the main computers are housed sending LOTS of hot air into this side. I hung my school house baby quilt up there to add a bit of color. All the pictures are by my beloved Eloise. They are so cute, and they are everywhere. Since I do not get any breaks, I have a fridge, coffee pot, and microwave in the room...and the “john” is directly across the hall. I am with the little darlings from the first bell at 7:45 until the dismissal bell at 3:05.
This is Eloise's main piece of art just prior to starting first grade. In front of her house are her mommy and daddy and three kitties. It puts a smile on my face each morning when I walk in and see it.
thanks for sharing your 'cell block' work space. :) i'm glad the kids respect you - or at least learn to by the time they serve their sentence!
ReplyDeleteI now have a better understanding why you post as often as you do. I think I'd go bonkers in the cell block. No window...yikes!
ReplyDeleteYay for consequences, Please, Thank-You and respect!
ReplyDeleteI certainly do understand why you love to walk in the woods so much..Quite the opposite of the cell block. Perhaps your charges might learn to appreciate nature and the freedom it offers as well as manners. They are all the better for time spent with you.
I bet just a couple of kids in there can make it seem crowded. I don't envy you.....that's hard work. xo
ReplyDeleteKudos for mannners and the Golden Rule which I learned at home before kindergarten and still use even though I am 75. I say "yes, no ma'am, sir" to this day, and lots of "THANK YOUs" for open doors, etc.
ReplyDeleteWow that is hard work Genie! You are helping the kids a lot and I'm sure that helps, but oh my gosh you must get tired. I can't believe no breaks.
ReplyDeleteI fear I'd get claustrophobic in the cell bloc. My hats off to you.
ReplyDeleteIt almost sounds like you are being punished along with your in-school suspension children, Genie! I thought there were laws that all employees have to be given a lunch hour and break time during the day? It doesn't seem fair that you are not allowed a few moments to walk around the block at lunch for some exercise. Can't someone in the school that could relieve you? In any event I'm glad the children learn the Golden Rule and some manners while they are with you!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing great details of the work space. Without the window also place looks very nice.
ReplyDeleteI was a teacher, I raised four kids, but I don't think I could do what you do and I have great admiration for you! Hats off indeed! I got claustrophobic just reading your post and looking at the pics!! The world needs more like you, Genie! Hope you have a great week!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
Oh now I understand what a cell block is. It must be sad for the kids and stressful for you.
ReplyDeleteYes, a place designed to work perfectly. Not having windows avoids concentration errors. Greetings.
ReplyDeleteWow, you have a couple of big boys in there and it would be crowded. And I thought my work space was bad. I hope you love your job, it does make it better. Thanks for sharing your world. Have a great day!
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing your world. But could they not find a single room with a window? I´m not sure I could work in that space.
ReplyDeleteWhat s miserable surrounding to work in. I admire you do or have to do. A bit daylight is the minimum to survive a working day?
ReplyDeletePerhaps you would be allowed to hang some of your beautiful photos on the wall for some eye candy? :)
ReplyDeleteCell block indeed! I admire your work. Don't think I could do it. Also, I really understand the back problem!
ReplyDeleteYou made your "cell-block" like a small "window" of home. Although you cannot see outside, you've managed to bring the outside "in". Good to know the kids are learning " R.E.S.P.E.C.T." Good for you, Genie :)
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