The Case of Ms. Taschini's murdered goldfish

The other day I was subbing for a Biology class for two consecutive days at Uplift High School in Chicago. For the first two periods I had as special education instructor helping me. He made a comment that the goldfish in the room was a pretty hardy speciman as he had survived most of the school year. I had subbed for this teacher before, and I had to protect him as a few students wanted to go over and mess with the fish.

On the second day, the special education teacher left the room and I was busy helping a few students with the assignment for the day. A few students wandered over to the fish tank and started screwing with the goldfish. I tried to get them away from the fish, but I was distracted by the students that were looking for help. A few minutes later the students had left and the fish was floating at the top of the aquarium.

I sarcastically congratulated the students on the murder of the goldfish. One of the students started doing a little dance and yelled "yes, no more goldfish." Wow, I thought, here is someone with no regard for life. I know that a goldfish is very low on the ecological scale, but I think it is pretty much proven that young people that torment animals are the ones you really have to be wary of. I have no doubt that these students have as little regard for human life as they do for the lives of goldfishes. I just hope to not meet these turkeys in a dark alley or on a deserted train platform in a few years when they are adults and are even more hardened and uncaring. If I do, I will run.

One thing I will never forget is there was this one girl in the class that is an absolute sweetheart. Every time I sub for her she comes into the class and smiles and says "hello, Mr. Nelson." Most of the students regard me with almost complete indifference. When the goldfish murderer was doing his little victory dance she gave me a look of such disgust that I will never forget. I am not sure what this look implied, but I think it was one of contempt and embarrassment toward her fellow classmates.

It reminds me that there are certain students that we just cannot help. They are already too damaged from their personal life for us to make a difference. Our job as educators is to protect the sweethearts and make sure they can circumnavigate the system, so that they lose the look of disgust and can continue to smile and say hello to Mr. Nelson.

Notes from my students to Mr. Nelson

When I was student teaching back in the Spring of 2004 I had this very difficult Junior U.S. History class. Our class was located in the band room on the 3rd floor of Prosser high school with no air conditioning and the heat was oppressive. It was also 7th period when they were getting ready to go home. I had to deal with an ornery group of unhappy students looking forward to summer break. I did my best in a not very good situation.

On one of my final day of classes my cooperating teacher, Mr. Sanders, told the students to get out a sheet of paper and write a note to me. The note could say anything. It could be a critique good or bad, advice, or just a note wishing me good luck. Unfortunately, no students that I gave a D or worse took up the offer. Here is what they said to me:

Marisol wrote: Mr. Nelson you were ok, but in the future you should try not to give so much homework. It was great having you in our class.

Anthony wrote: To tell you the truth I enjoy you! You may have talked a lot but I enjoyed you. I hope you make it. Stop being so nervous.

Zane wrote: You are a good teacher. Before you came I didn't know nothing about WWI and WWII. Now I know a lot of things about both wars. The most interesting was WWII. I hope you teach next year. Good luck.

Isaiah wrote: Mr. Nelson. . . I'd just like to say that your a kick-ass teacher! I'm not saying that to be a suck-up. I mean Mr. Sanders sucks! Your a hell of a better teacher then he is. You actually taught me something and I wasn't bored to tears. When you came into power I actually looked forward to coming to this class. Best of all your fair! Sanders is unfair, boring, and lazy. Keep up the gtood work. Thanks for rescuing me from Sanders reign of terror for the last 2 months or so. The next class will be luck to have you!

P.S. this what part of the alphabet wout look like if Q & R were elimintated.

Also, you have a great attitude and your are slow to anger. Thats awesome about you!

Oh, and don't listen to those jack asses that yelled at you. . . their just stupid!

Carlos wrote: I know we di not give you the attention you needed. Everyone did not care what you said or did. They blamed you for their mistakes. Saying that it was your fault for the h.w. when it was theirs. You assigned the h.w. and gave us time. I am sorry that I fell asleep many times in your class. The reason was tha I work and I get home at 12:00 am I get really tired out your an o.k. teacher. I was very interested when it came to war. I love learning about the war. I also loved the 2 movies you brought. Sorry for not paying attention to you and I wish you the best in your career.

Melissa wrote: It was nice having you as a student teacher sike! No for real I'm just playing. I hope you have fun being a teacher.

P.S. Don't let the students walk over you and listen to them when they ask 4 help. HOLLA

Fabiola wrote: Dear Mr. Nelson You will be a good teacher. You taught well to the students who listen. I know at times I didn't listen but that was only a couple of times not the whole time you were here

From your favote student

Maira wrote: First of all I want to wish you the best of luck. I know you will mak a great teacher. My advice to you is just to be nice but not too nice because some students take advantage & well be cool. Good luck again & I had fun having you as a teacher.

Steven wrote: In a grading scale from 1-5 you were a three. The reason is that your a good teacher but some of the things you do are bad, for example: your grading scale should change and use the other scale. But you do have a lot of knowledge conscerning history so thats why you are a three.

Krystal wrote: I'll be honest with you, you've done a pretty good job as a student teacher. I hope everything works out the way you want them to and become a great teacher. Just a word of advice, ty not to flood your students with so much work. Make your class interesting with games and other stuff to help them learn the material. Good luck and keep up the good work. I enjoyed the time you spent here. Take care and may God bless you!

Yours Truly,

Daniel wrote:

First off I would like to apologize for being a lazy student. It wasn't the lack of interest in the class. It was me being lazy. Secondly, I would like to congratulate you for your teaching skils. By all honesty, I learned more with you in about 2 months then with Mr. Sanders all year. Finally, I hope your proffessor agrees, and you come back to our schoold to teach as a permanent teacher. Good luck! Thanks!

Jasmine wrote: Good luck in becoming a teacher. It was fun to have you in class even though you always gave us homework. I wish you the best of luck in the future. I hope you do well as a teacher. Thank you for sharing your knowledge about U.S. history with us.

David "Big D" wrote: You've been a great teacher and a good friend to all of us. Only thing I can say is thanks for everything you taught me from yellow-journalism to the World Wars. So all I can say good luck and keep doing what your ding and you will be O.K.

Shanita wrote: I hope you enjoyed teaching us because I enjoyed you teaching me. I know some days I may not have been on my best behavior and I am sorry but everyone have their days. Even though you gave a lot of work you were still a cool teacher. I wish you the best of luck with your career and who ever you end up teaching they will be lucky to have you as a teacher. Good luck and never give up.

Your student,