Thursday, September 15, 2016

How Can I Fight AT&T

Several months ago we decided to get Direct TV.  We had already broken our pledge to NEVER do business with AT&T when I had to get a new cell phone.  (I am NOT happy with their coverage!)  So we bit the bullet and got "satellite."  

We had not been happy with our local cable company's internet for a long time, so on a whim, we called AT&T to inquire about their service.  After being told that the installation of a line would be waived and the service would be cheaper, we decided to switch on the condition that NONE of our bills be bundled.  Jobs require separate bills for reimbursement.

Imagine our surprise when I notice that the Direct TV is not deducted from our account at it's normal time.  After calling to see what was up, we discover that our bills for the TV and internet had been combined onto one bill.  After a couple of attempts, we thought we had the situation settled.  It would take 3 months to uncombine and in the meantime, AT&T would credit us the amount of our internet bill that we could no longer submit for reimbursement.

Again....imagine our surprise when we not only get a internet bill, but get a internet bill that is not higher than the price we were promised to be locked into for 2 years!!!!  And a past due bill that we never received!!!!!  We went from owing nothing for two months to owing $150.00.  We had to track down a payment that I sent in because it was for the "old" account.  Now we have a "new" account.  We can't have the quoted locked in price because that was just for combined bills.  So we are now locked into a higher rate because we refuse to combine bills.  We were completely up front in the beginning that we didn't want to combine bills.  We were promise $150.00 in credit that never materialized.  And now, I owe more at one time than I am accustomed to paying...all because of their mistake.

Why can't my contract be voided based on false information or something?  Why must I be penalized for a big company's complete disregard of customer service?  This company has employees that flat out lied and will not own up its mistakes.  There has be some protection for the small consumers.

In two years...everything with AT&T on it will be out of my house NEVER to return!!!!!!!

Saturday, September 10, 2016

I Have Them Worried

So my assistant principal as been asking me everyday since Tuesday if I was good.  She is my friend on Facebook.  I have made some posts that indicated that I was none to pleased about the timing of the recent changes nor the delivery of said changes.

Yesterday, she came in during my planning period to have a heart to heart to just make sure I was all good.  She couldn't have the "staples" of the school upset.  I told her that given time I would be fine.  I explained how the timing was wrong to implement new formats along with new due dates because we were running a shorten week along with a mid week football game that affected a lot of teachers.  She explained that administration hadn't even considered all of  that....AND that, folks, is the problem.  Administration dreams up solutions to problems perceived without considering ramifications on teachers which will ultimately have ramifications on students....and not always in the good way administration wants.

But I have been in the game long enough to know how to play game and know that I will survive administration changes.  Administrators come and go because they are always trying to move up the pay ladder away from actual contact with students.  Some legit want to change the game, but the game changes them.

Heck....contact with students is where the fun is.  It's where you stay real.

I have them worried but what they don't know is that I'm not going anywhere....Someone has to fight for my kids.

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Really, Just Really

I am a 17 year veteran of the educational system.  I am not new to teaching.  I have been through one or two or ten principals and a couple of superintendents.   I know my content area.  I know kids.  I am tough.  My kids deserve my toughness.  They only have one year left before the big bad real world hits them square in the face.  I accept no excuses.

I spend my summers preparing for the upcoming school year.  I always feel prepared.  I am always ready.

Why am I so unprepared at this point in the year?  Why can't I seem to get caught up?  Why is the administration changing everything every week?  The paperwork is threatening to drown me.  The endless deadlines that have nothing to do with teaching are causing me to reach my breaking point.  I am constantly told how little money there is; yet I constantly see financial waste.  When did teaching become more about numbers and not at all about students?

Now I have to turn in lesson plans on Friday instead of Monday in order to make life easier on the principal.  But administration did make it easier for me to plan...they got my a binder filled with all kinds of resources...my binder has 20 sheets in it compared to other teachers' with over 200.

I still haven't contacted every one of my students' parents.  It's really hard when I don't get home until 7 because of band practice.  I guess I need to stop teaching one day in order to get caught up.

No wonder people leave the profession....I am a paper pusher instead of a grower of minds.

Momma, I don't wanna go to school today.  It's no fun there anymore.

Graditude

September 6, 2016

Three things I am grateful for today:

1.  I still have my job (not sure for how much longer)
2.  I have a wonderful 7 year old son who doesn't see all the negative in the world
3.  I can play Pokemon Go with my son without guilt.

September 7, 2016

Three things I am grateful for today:

1.  I have a wonderful church family who accept me warts and all
2.  I no longer am the only non coach in my PLC
3.  That today is Wednesday

September 8, 2016  (I am posting this late because a high school football game happened)

Three things I am grateful for today:

1.  I have an amazing Daddy who acts like a grizzly bear but is really a big ol'teddy bear!!!
2.  I have 5 rescue fur babies who have very unique personalities and make our house more a fun crazy zoo
3.  My life is insane and I have to remember that life is not about the job but the time away from 9-5

September 9, 2016 (Again posting late because work happened)

Three things I am grateful for today:

1.  It is Friday (Need I say more!!!!)
2.  We have a Sonic and there is a Route 44
3.  Audio Books on my phone!!!!!  (I don't think it's considered cheating the read the Book Club book through audio....Do you????)

September 10, 2016 (Again posting late because life happen)

Three things I am grateful for today:

1.  College football
2.  Clouds on really hot days
3.  Time spent with the family at The Rock

September 11, 2016

Three things I am grateful for today:

1.  Our Law Enforcement officers
2.  I have not forgotten 15 years ago
3.  There are those who are willing to lay their lives down so I will be protected both domestically and aboard

September 12, 2016

Three things I am grateful for today:

1.  For the sound of thunder...it promises the cleansing of rain
2.  Monday is only 24 hours long
3.  To Do Lists that get done

September 13, 2016

Three things I am grateful for today

1.  Crockpots
2.  It's almost Fall
3.  Gym memberships

September 14, 2016 (Posting late because I was beyond tired)

Three things I am grateful for today

1.  Air conditioned school buses
2.  Good friends at work
3.  Junk food at Church

September 15, 2016

Three things I am grateful for today:

1.  Amazing bosses
2.  Amazing kids
3.  Tomorrow

September 16, 2016 (Late posting because of a football game)

Three things I am grateful for today:

1.  Ponchos
2.  Short trips on school buses
3.  Older kids who don't mind little kids tagging along

September 17, 2016

Three things I am grateful for today:

1.  Lower temperatures....high 80's are better than low 90's
2.  Hard working band members who want new uniforms
3.  The generosity of strangers who just donate to a high school marching band car wash fundraiser 

September 18, 2016 (late posting....just a long day)

Three things I am grateful for today:

1.  Church
2.  Kids
3.  Quick trips to Walmart

September 19, 2016

Three things I am grateful for today:

1.  The last bell of the day
2.  Grandparents who can watch grandkids
3.  Sleep