1 + 1 = 2

I've got 34 kids in my class this year, though our contract states that the cap is 32. I'm not alone. Most of the intermediate teachers (grades 4-6) at my school have 34 in their classrooms. We "filed a grievance" with the teacher's union, and they fight for us, but it's CHEAPER for the district to pay off the grievance than to hire another teacher. CHEAPER!!! This kills me. It's so sad. I'm doing crowd control all day and can show you the bruises on my legs from bumping into desks packed into a room built in 1964. Next time you watch a movie that shows a classroom, do a quick headcount. Most movies and programs show classrooms with about 15-20 kids. That doesn't happen most places. In some districts they strictly limit class sizes. What does this mean? Kids get more attention from the teacher, can be heard in the classroom, and have a better chance for participation and learning. My sister teaches middle school in another district and she averages 40 or more students. And they have raging hormones too. Yikes!

I also have 2 grade levels this year. The dreaded "combination class". Agh...don't get me started. But here's a question for all you logic fans: How many teachers does it take to teach a year's worth of curriculum to 2 grade levels? If you said TWO, good for you. You're right! So why do some districts (including mine) insist on making combination classes where one teacher is expected to teach 2 grade levels, 2 separate lists of standards, in the same amount of time that another teacher teaches one grade level? This is a big elephant in the room, the emperor and his new clothes...whatever. It's a joke. Even if you're SUPER teacher, you are still only one person with 34 kids. You do the math, my friends.