BULLYING: THE ART OF BEING A JERK

BULLYING: THE ART OF BEING A JERK

Bullying is still a major problem according to the Boys and Girls Club of America's "Youth Right Now" survey. But let's be honest, bullying has been around since the dawn of time. Even cavemen probably bullied each other over who had the best cave painting. 

The survey found that 40% of youth report being bullied on school grounds in the last year. That's double the number reported in 2012. It's like bullies are multiplying faster than rabbits on Viagra. And to make matters worse, 18% of youth have experienced cyberbullying. So now bullies don't even have to leave their house to torment someone. They can just do it from the comfort of their own bed while eating a bag of Cheetos. 

But let's not dwell on the negative. Let's focus on the positive. The Boys and Girls Club of America's survey is helping over 5,200 Boys & Girls Clubs improve their services to youth. That's great news! Maybe they can start offering classes on how to give a proper wedgie or how to make a really good prank call. 

Licensed professional counselor, Nancy Lloyd, says that bullying can be particularly hard to prevent in school because of a lack of resources. But I have a solution! We should just hire a bunch of clowns to follow the bullies around all day. That way, every time they try to bully someone, a clown can pop out and squirt them with a flower or honk a horn in their face. It's foolproof! 

In all seriousness though, bullying is no laughing matter. Children start forming their identity and discovering who they are around age nine, so experiencing bullying at this age can have lasting effects. Parents need to be "emotion-focused," and have multiple conversations with their children to try and understand the situation. Or they could just give their kids a can of whoop-ass and tell them to stand up for themselves. 

In conclusion, bullying sucks. It's been around forever and it doesn't seem like it's going away anytime soon. But we can all do our part to help prevent it. Whether it's through education, clown squads, or just teaching our kids to be strong and confident, we can make a difference. And who knows, maybe one day we'll live in a world where everyone is nice to each other and we can all hold hands and sing Kumbaya. Or maybe not. But it's worth a shot.

Recent study finds number of students bullied at school has doubled since 2012 | WCIV https://abcnews4.com/news/local/recent-study-finds-number-of-students-bullied-at-school-has-doubled-since-2012-ecuation-news-school-abc-news-4-wciv 

Insights from the largest data set on kids and teens. https://bgca.org/en/about-us/youth-right-now 

THE MAD MAGA MONK OF OKLA EDUCATION RYAN 'RASPUTIN' WALTERS GIVES FINGER TO VETERAN TEACHERS

THE MAD MAGA MONK OF OKLA EDUCATION RYAN 'RASPUTIN' WALTERS GIVES FINGER TO VETERAN TEACHERS 

Ladies and gentlemen, hold on to your hats because the Mad MAGA Monk of Oklahoma Education, Ryan "Rasputin" Walters, has done it again! In a move that has left veteran teachers fuming, Rasputin Walters has announced a new signing bonus scheme aimed at attracting new teachers to early elementary and special education positions for the upcoming school year.

Now, before we get into the nitty-gritty of this new scheme, let's take a moment to appreciate the sheer audacity of this man. Here we have a superintendent who has presided over years of poor wages and working conditions for Oklahoma's teachers, and now he's trying to lure in new recruits with the promise of a signing bonus? It's like a slap in the face to all those veteran teachers who have toiled away for years without any such incentives.

But wait, it gets even better (or worse, depending on your perspective). Not only are these new teachers going to be getting signing bonuses, but they're going to be getting some serious dough. We're talking up to $20,000 for early elementary and special education positions in high-poverty or rural districts. And if that wasn't enough to make veteran teachers want to throw their chalkboards out the window, there's also a clawback mechanism within the program that allows districts to collect from teachers who fail to fulfill their five-year commitment.

Now, I don't know about you, but this all seems a bit fishy to me. Why is Rasputin Walters suddenly so concerned with attracting new teachers? Could it be that he's finally realized that Oklahoma's education system is in dire need of fresh blood? Or is there something more sinister at play here? Perhaps Rasputin Walters is secretly trying to create an army of loyal, indebted teachers who will do his bidding without question. Or maybe he just wants to be known as the superintendent who finally solved Oklahoma's teacher shortage problem (even if it means throwing veteran teachers under the bus).

Whatever his motives may be, one thing is clear: Rasputin Walters is not afraid to shake things up. And while some may see his new signing bonus scheme as a betrayal of veteran teachers, others see it as a sign of progress. After all, if Oklahoma wants to attract the best and brightest educators, it needs to offer competitive compensation packages. And if that means giving new teachers signing bonuses, then so be it.

Of course, there are still concerns about how this new scheme will affect morale among veteran teachers. Will they feel undervalued and underappreciated? Will they start looking for jobs in other states with better compensation packages? Only time will tell. But one thing is for sure: Rasputin Walters is not one to shy away from controversy. And in a state where education is always a hot-button issue, that's saying something.

So what's next for Oklahoma's education system? Will Rasputin Walters continue to push the envelope with his bold initiatives? Or will he finally listen to the concerns of veteran teachers and work towards improving their working conditions? Only time will tell. But one thing is certain: as long as Rasputin Walters is at the helm, there will never be a dull moment in Oklahoma education.

Oklahoma teacher bonus incentive program raises concern | The Journal Record https://journalrecord.com/2023/06/22/oklahoma-teacher-bonus-incentive-program-raises-concern/ 

Big Bonuses, Bigger Risks: Oklahoma's new teacher sign-on bonus program raises concern | KOSU https://www.kosu.org/show/stateimpact-oklahoma/2023-06-22/big-bonuses-bigger-risks-oklahomas-new-teacher-sign-on-bonus-program-raises-concern 

Controversial ‘Teacher Signing Bonus’ is causing waves in Oklahoma Public Schools. https://www.kswo.com/2023/08/11/controversial-teacher-signing-bonus-is-causing-waves-oklahoma-public-schools/

 533 teachers take advantage of Oklahoma signing bonus program https://www.koco.com/article/oklahoma-533-teachers-signing-bonus-program-vacanies/45471501

Oklahoma State Department of Education speaks on Walters' Teacher Signing Bonus Program | KTUL https://ktul.com/news/local/oklahoma-state-department-of-education-speaks-on-walters-teacher-singing-bonus-program  

HISD TEACHERS GET SHAFTED BY MEATAXE MIKE MILES

 

HISD TEACHERS GET SHAFTED BY MEATAXE MIKE MILES

In a shocking move, HISD Superintendent MeatAxe Mike Miles has proven that he is not only an a**hole but also a complete jerk. The Houston Independent School District (HISD) teachers have been informed that they will no longer receive overtime pay for extra hours worked this academic year. And if that wasn't bad enough, the stipends for positions that are hard to fill have been slashed by thousands of dollars.

Last year, special education teachers who filled such positions received $5,000 stipends, while high school math and science teachers, along with career and technical education instructors, received stipends of $2,000. This year, each of those stipends has been reduced to $1,000. However, the stipend cuts in the compensation manual will take effect district-wide, not just at the 85 NES campuses. Teachers at other schools will not receive a raise and additional $10,000 to offset cuts to their stipends.

What's next? Will they start charging teachers for using the restroom? Maybe they'll start making them pay for their own pencils and paper. It seems like MeatAxe Mike Miles is on a mission to make the lives of HISD teachers as miserable as possible.

But wait, it gets even better. Teachers around the district received emails this week indicating they should not expect overtime pay this year. Miles said, when it comes to overtime pay, he's trying to change the mentality in the district. "Teachers teach, and they are exempt employees. That's the job. We are not clock-in, clock-out people," he said. "There is no culture here where we're going to pay teachers overtime hours for doing their job."

Oh really? So, teachers are exempt employees and they shouldn't expect overtime pay? Well, I guess that means that MeatAxe Mike Miles is exempt from being a decent human being and shouldn't expect any respect from HISD teachers.

It's clear that MeatAxe Mike Miles doesn't value the hard work and dedication of HISD teachers. He seems to think that they should be happy just to have a job and shouldn't expect any compensation for going above and beyond.

But let's be real here. Teaching is not just a job, it's a calling. Teachers work long hours, often staying late into the evening grading papers and preparing lesson plans. They spend their own money on school supplies and often go above and beyond to make sure their students succeed.

So, what can HISD teachers do in the face of MeatAxe Mike Miles' blatant disrespect? Well, they can start by banding together and demanding better treatment. They can speak out against these unfair policies and demand that their hard work be recognized and compensated.

And if MeatAxe Mike Miles doesn't listen? Well, they can always resort to giving him a taste of his own medicine. Maybe they can start cutting his salary and see how he likes it.

In all seriousness though, HISD teachers deserve better than this. They deserve respect, fair compensation, and a superintendent who values their hard work and dedication. It's time for MeatAxe Mike Miles to step up or step down.

Houston ISD makes changes to teachers’ stipends, overtime pay – Houston Public Media https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/education-news/hisd/2023/10/06/465868/houston-isd-teacher-stipends-overtime-pay-changes/ 

HISD Superintendent warns teacher of no extra pay https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/education/article/no-extra-pay-for-nes-teachers-18411062.php 

HISD Compensation Manual 2022 – 2023 https://www.houstonisd.org/cms/lib2/TX01001591/Centricity/domain/50243/salary_tables/2022-2023/HISD%20Compensation%20Manual-2022-2023.pdf

TOP BANANA: TOP READS THIS WEEK 10-7-23 #tbats #edchat #K12 #learning #edtech #StandUpUAW

 

TOP BANANA: TOP READS THIS WEEK 10-7-23

Big Education Ape: BULLYING 101: OKLA SPI RYAN RASPUTIN WALTERS USING PLAYGROUND TACTICS TO FURTHER HIS POLITICAL CAREER https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/09/bullying-101-okla-spi-ryan-rasputin.html

Big Education Ape: STARVING TEACHERS CHOOSE THE RIGHT GIG JOB TO AVOID GETTING FIRED https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/10/starving-teachers-choose-right-gig-job.html 

Big Education Ape: TOP BANANA: TOP READS THIS WEEK 9-30-23 #tbats #edchat #K12 #learning #edtech #StandUpUAW https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/09/top-banana-top-reads-this-week-9-30-23.html 

Big Education Ape: THE BANALITY OF EVIL: TRUMP'S FOLLOWERS AND THE DANGERS OF BLIND OBEDIENCE https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/10/the-banality-of-evil-trumps-followers.html

Big Education Ape: PHILLY CHARTER SCHOOLS: THE BEYONCE OF EDUCATION OR JUST ANOTHER ONE HIT WONDER https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/10/philly-charter-schools-beyonce-of.html 

Big Education Ape: IDEA CLASH AT COLLEGE: ACADEMIC FREEDOM OF SPEECH VS. STFU MENTALITY https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/10/idea-clash-at-college-academic-freedom.html 

Big Education Ape: THE VIRGINITY COMPLEX: HOW ABSTINENCE ONLY SEX EDUCATION FAILS KIDS https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/10/the-virginity-complex-how-abstinence.html

Big Education Ape: OHIO EDUCATION: FROM A.B.C.S TO MAGA-ZED - THE ALPHABET SOUP OF CHAOS (AKA FLAMING VOUCHERS) https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/10/ohio-education-from-abcs-to-maga-zed.html 

Big Education Ape: TO AI OR NOT TO AI? THAT IS THE QUESTION AND THE ANSWER IS COMPLICATED https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/10/to-ai-or-not-to-ai-that-is-question-and.html 

Big Education Ape: ULTRA MAGA VS MEGA MAGA VS SANITY: THE HILARIOUS BATTLE OVER THE CARCASS OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/10/ultra-maga-vs-mega-maga-vs-sanity.html 

OTHER GREAT READS THIS WEEK FROM THE BIG EDUCATION APE

Big Education Ape: GLORIA JOHNSON STANDING TALL FOR TENNESSEE https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/09/gloria-johnson-standing-tall-for.html

#StandUpUAW

YESTERDAY

FROM BUCKEYES TO BUCKLE UNDER DEFUNDED OHIO PUBLIC SCHOOLS TAKE A DIVE IN ED RANKINGS

by Mike Simpson / 20h

Remember the good old days when Ohio public schools were considered some of the best in America? Yeah, me neither. It seems like just yesterday when our state was known for its stellar education system, but now we're no better than those red states that everyone loves to make fun of. How did we get here? Well, it's a long and hilarious story. According to a report from Policy Matters Ohio, our b

MORE SCANDALS: CHARTER SCHOOLS THE DODO BIRDS OF SCHOOLS CONTINUE TO LEAVE A NASTY TASTE IN EVERYONE'S MOUTH

by Mike Simpson / 21h

MORE SCANDALS CHARTER SCHOOLS THE DODO BIRDS OF SCHOOLS CONTINUE TO LEAVE A NASTY TASTE IN EVERYONE'S MOUTH Another day, another charter school scandal. It seems like every time you turn around, there's another story about how charter schools are screwing over parents, students, and the community at large. And yet, somehow, we're still surprised when we hear about it. It's like watching a horror

ALL HAIL SATAN BUT ONLY IF YOU'RE NICE ABOUT IT

by Mike Simpson / 22h

Welcome to the Satanic Temple, where we believe in individual liberties, secularism, and the right to not be physically or psychologically abused. And let's be honest, who doesn't love a good Satanic ritual every now and then? But in all seriousness, we have launched the Protect Children Project, which aims to provide students with a legal way to exempt themselves from abusive treatment in schoo

OCT 05

HISD MEATAXE MIKE MILES CUTS CURRICULUM DEPARTMENT THEN FINDS "PORN" IN SCRIPTED LESSONS

HISD reading lesson

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by Mike Simpson / 1d

Oh, boy! Have you heard the latest news from the Houston Independent School District (HISD)? It's a real doozy, folks! Apparently, there's been a bit of a scandal involving an eighth-grade reading assignment. And let me tell you, it's a doozy! So, here's the lowdown. The assignment in question contained some mature content. We're talking about a passage from none other than the legendary Maya An

TEACHERS PAY PENALTY REACHES RECORD HIGH, BILLIONAIRES CELEBRATE DEFUNDING PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND CRUSHING TEACHERS SPIRITS

by Mike Simpson / 1d

TEACHERS PAY PENALTY REACHES RECORD HIGH BILLIONAIRES CELEBRATE DEFUNDING PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND CRUSHING TEACHERS SPIRITS Attention all billionaires! Are you tired of public education being accessible to the masses? Sick of teachers having livable wages and benefits? Well, have no fear, the Billionaires Playbook for Destroying Public Education is here! First on the agenda, defund schools. Why waste

OCT 03

OHIO EDUCATION: FROM A.B.C.S TO MAGA-ZED - THE ALPHABET SOUP OF CHAOS (AKA FLAMING VOUCHERS)

Ohio education department overhaul delayed

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by Mike Simpson / 3d

Ohio's education system has become the center of attention, and it's not because they've discovered a new way to teach math that actually makes sense. No, it's because Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has passed a bill that is hell-bent on destroying the public school system. And, let's be honest, who needs an educated populace anyway? Ignorance is bliss, right? The bill, known as HB 33, is part of the sta

SCHOOL BOARD MEETING TURNS INTO JERRY SPRINGER EPISODE THANKS TO KAREN

by Mike Simpson / 3d

It's a tale as old as time: you elect a Karen to the school board, and suddenly you're knee-deep in restraining orders and court appearances. Such is the case with Darbi "Karen" Boddy, a conservative member of the Lakota school board who has caused quite the stir in her short time in office. Now, I know what you're thinking: "But wait, isn't 'Karen' just a derogatory term for entitled white wome

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Breakthrough Charter arrested

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by Mike Simpson / 3d

IT YOU AREN'T OUTRAGED YOU ARE NOT PAYING ATTENTION THE PROBLEM WITH NO ACCOUNTABILITY CHARTER SCHOOL BULLSHIT Charter schools have been in the news a lot lately, and not for good reasons. They've been charged with fraud, embezzlement, mismanagement, and child abuse. And now, to add insult to injury, one of the co-founders of Breakthrough Charter Schools in Cleveland, Ohio has been arrested and c

OCT 02

THE BANALITY OF EVIL: TRUMP'S FOLLOWERS AND THE DANGERS OF BLIND OBEDIENCE

by Mike Simpson / 4d

As we reflect on the events of January 6th, it's easy to label Trump's followers as red-eyed monsters, blindly following their leader into a violent insurrection. But the truth is much more banal and disturbing. These were ordinary Americans, blinded by their own prejudices and empowered by Trump's violent rhetoric. The concept of the banality of evil, coined by philosopher Hannah Arendt (*see b

PHILLY CHARTER SCHOOLS: THE BEYONCE OF EDUCATION OR JUST ANOTHER ONE HIT WONDER

by Mike Simpson / 4d

Ah, Philadelphia charter schools. The topic that's more controversial than a cheesesteak with ketchup. But fear not, dear readers, for I have embarked on a quest to uncover the truth about these elusive institutions. And let me tell you, it's been a wild ride. First off, let's talk about how charter schools work. They receive government funding but are managed privately by nonprofits. It's like

IDEA CLASH AT COLLEGE: ACADEMIC FREEDOM OF SPEECH VS. STFU MENTALITY

by Mike Simpson / 4d

Are college campuses friendlier to liberals than conservatives when it comes to free speech? According to a new poll conducted by the University of Chicago and The Associated Press-NORC Centre for Public Affairs Research, the answer is a resounding "yes." But why is that the case? And how can we ensure that all voices are heard on campus? First, let's address the elephant in the room: political

THE VIRGINITY COMPLEX: HOW ABSTINENCE ONLY SEX EDUCATION FAILS KIDS

Anti-abortion sex ed

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by Mike Simpson / 4d

Okay folks, buckle up because we're about to talk about everyone's favorite subject: sex education! Specifically, we're going to dive into the wacky world of Texas public schools and their partnership with crisis pregnancy centers to teach sex ed. Yes, you read that correctly. The same centers that try to talk women out of getting abortions are now trying to teach our kids about the birds and th

OCT 01

STARVING TEACHERS CHOOSE THE RIGHT GIG JOB TO AVOID GETTING FIRED

by Mike Simpson / 5d

Attention all starving teachers! Are you tired of living paycheck to paycheck? Do you want to have a little extra cash to splurge on those overpriced lattes or avocado toast? Well, fear not my fellow educators, for gig work is here to save the day! But wait, before you go signing up to perform on a pornography website like our dear friend Brianna Coppage , let's take a closer look at what gig wo

TO AI OR NOT TO AI? THAT IS THE QUESTION AND THE ANSWER IS COMPLICATED

by Mike Simpson / 5d

AI or Artificial Intelligence, as the teachers call it, is a fascinating technology that has taken the world by storm. It has revolutionized the way we live and work, and it has also changed the way students learn. However, there seems to be a bit of a disconnect between how students use AI and how teachers perceive their usage. Let's take a closer look at this hilarious situation. According to

ULTRA MAGA VS MEGA MAGA VS SANITY: THE HILARIOUS BATTLE OVER THE CARCASS OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY

by Mike Simpson / 5d

In the wild and wacky world of American politics, where elephants and donkeys roam free, a new battle is brewing within the Republican Party. It's a clash of epic proportions, pitting the Ultra MAGA wing against the Mega MAGA wing, with Sanity Sanity coming in a distant third. And leading the charge for the Ultra MAGA wing is none other than the flamboyant and always entertaining Congressman Mat

SEP 30

US DEPT. OF EDUCATION SENDS MISSOURI CHARTER SCHOOL CHAIN A 36 MILLION STARTUP MONEY BOMB

St. Louis charter group awarded $35M grant

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by Mike Simpson / 6d

In a move that has left Missouri public schools reeling, the Biden Department of Education has sent a charter school startup money bomb to the Opportunity Trust education reform group in St. Louis. With $35.6 million in federal grant money, the Opportunity Trust plans to open 16 charter schools over the next five years, serving an additional 5,000 students. While some may see this as a positive

JUSTICE FOR TUPAC: DUANE 'KEFFE D' DAVIS HAS BEEN INDICTED FOR THE MURDER OF TUPAC SHAKUR

by Mike Simpson / 6d

The world of hip-hop has been rocked by the recent news that Duane "Keffe D" Davis, a former gang leader, has been indicted for the murder of Tupac Shakur. The 1996 drive-by shooting of the rapper has remained one of the most enduring mysteries in music history, with countless theories and speculations surrounding the identity and motive of the shooter. But now, it seems that justice may finally

SUPREME COURT JUSTICES CLARENCE THOMAS AND SAMUEL ALITO ARE POSTER BOYS FOR CITIZENS UNITED CORRUPTION

by Mike Simpson / 6d

In a world where money talks and politicians listen, it's no surprise that billionaires have become the new kings of American politics. From Sheldon Adelson to George Soros, these wealthy individuals have the power to sway elections and shape policy with their vast fortunes. But who are the real winners in this game of political chess? The answer might surprise you. First, let's take a look at t

TOP BANANA: TOP READS THIS WEEK 9-30-23 #tbats #edchat #K12 #learning #edtech #StandUpUAW

by Mike Simpson / 7d

TOP BANANA: TOP READS THIS WEEK 9-30-23 Big Education Ape: BULLYING 101: OKLA SPI RYAN RASPUTIN WALTERS USING PLAYGROUND TACTICS TO FURTHER HIS POLITICAL CAREER https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/09/bullying-101-okla-spi-ryan-rasputin.html Big Education Ape: OKLA MAD MAGA MONK SAYS RED DOESN'T WORK FOR HIM IN OKLA PUBLIC SCHOOLS https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/09/okla-mad-maga-mo