Well, THAT Was Quite a Learning Experience!

I met with Joe this morning about my two ‘favorite’ students. I have to say that I’m a little disappointed with the outcome of that meeting.

While I understand that there’s really not much that Joe CAN do at this point, I had kind of hoped for more than a “note in their academic files.” While my boss noted that we can’t take these miscreants out back and beat them (as much, he said, as he might like to), he has promised me that he and the head chef will meet individually with Dave and Tad and press upon them that their behavior this term has been entirely unacceptable.

Joe had both of these students before – in the public speaking class they failed before coming to my class last term – and understands exactly what I’m dealing with here. He assured me that none of this is going to come back at me in any negative way (as far as the college is concerned; he couldn’t promise that the boys won’t utter vile things at me under their breath as we pass in the hallway). He told me that, despite my feeling like a tattle-tale, I’ve done everything exactly right. “Keep all your emails from this class,” Joe said, “just in case there’s fallout from either of the boys or their parents.” Joe, however, is completely satisfied with the job that I’ve done thus far. Really, his opinion is the only one that concerns me at the moment; I couldn’t care less what either of these boys – or their parents – thinks of me.

I haven’t yet received an email from either Joe or JG, the head chef, about the Bozo Twins. When I do, rest assured that I will fill you in.

My ONLY regret in all of this is that I didn’t make photocopies of their completely inappropriate writing journal entries (where they talk of their favorite pornography genres, relate tales of drug and alcohol abuse, and ponder the sexual orientation of one of their classmates). I’m chalking that up to my inexperience as a teacher and am tucking that little learning experience under my belt; the next Bozo won’t get off so easily.

The Crusade Continues

There’s a car dealership located at an intersection on the way to my health club.  This car dealership has a large, lighted sign in the front yard that runs various messages, and I often find myself reading them as I sit at the light.

Two weeks ago, I was prompted to call the customer service line of this dealership because, for several weeks in a row, the sign had been cheerfully advertising that the store had all kinds of “Kia’s and Chevy’s and Pontiac’s and Ford’s” for sale.  I spoke to someone in the office of the dealership, explained that I’m an English teacher and that I noticed a grammatical error on the sign, and asked her if she’d get someone to remove the apostrophes.

They’re still there.  On my way to work yesterday morning, I saw that the sign still hasn’t been changed.

I submitted this email to their website this morning:

PLEASE fix the grammar in your sign.

“Kia’s” and “Chevy’s” – with the apostrophes – are possessive forms; “the Kia’s tires” or “the Chevy’s transmission.”  The intent of the message was that your store carries multiple choices of the brand, and should be plural; “We have many Kias and Chevys on sale.”

Good grammar makes good impressions; particularly when that grammar is placed on three-foot, lighted signs.

Seriously, fellas; the apostrophes make you look like ignorant grease monkeys.  The fact that you may actually BE ignorant grease monkeys is beside the point…

I also saw this on a photographer’s “shingle” outside the office door:

“Such-and-So’s Professional Photography.  Birthdays, Weddings, Anniversary’s.”

Sigh.  I’ll be looking up their number and calling them this afternoon….