Inside the Inside

**TPFKACSW** · 08-25-2006, 12:21 AM

Share a nugget of what it's like to teach on the "inside" (of a maximum security prison). We teachers can have tutors, inmates who help us out. I hired two when I started, fired them, went without for awhile, then hired a couple students who went through my class and got their GED. Very handy to have around. The third one here is a tutor for another teacher but he helps my guys with math off and on. He's incredibly sharp with math and made a lot of money before he "caught his case." Pops, the first one, is 70 years old, served in Korea, and after he got his GED with me (to prove, as he said, to his kids that "he's not as dumb as they think") he didn't want to leave class! He loves learning. the middle one is origionally from Chicago and was a real TRUE gang-banger until he calmed down. Very personable and smart.
Don't believe everything you see on TV about "the inside." I'm probably safer there than in a public school (and if something ever
jumps off, I got Pops to defend me!). Wahahahahahahahahahahahaha........... Oh hell, I almost forgot the 4th one. He worked for me for a month and went to work in the chapel. He went through the GED program simply because the private school he went to in Virginia closed down and they couldn't find his records (proof of a diploma). In fact, he had a full ride football scholarship at a Big 10 school and played for 2 years before blowing a knee. His mug shot betrays his personality. Probably the nicest, most polite person in the joint (including staff!).......................

**JohnBoy** · 08-25-2006, 12:30 AM

Your links are not functioning.... :P

whoops..guess they are...

**Bitsy Griffin** · 08-25-2006, 12:37 AM

LOL JohnBoy, I must have been working on them when you looked the first time

You know, any of those guys in a shirt and tie could be a teacher . . .

**JohnBoy** · 08-25-2006, 01:55 AM

Actually, the last one would look about at home in my department. In fact, several of us have shaven heads and goatees...

**Ima Teacher** · 08-25-2006, 02:38 AM

That last one looks like the guy who used to teach next door to me. :lol:

**TPFKACSW** · 08-25-2006, 08:22 PM

These dudes are a laugh a minute. I figure after my 20 years getting jerked around in public schools, I'm going to go out having fun. Not to brag, but I have had more guys get their diplomas than any other teacher there in the past year - but it's a team effort and it's on them (students) to WANT it. I may be 10 % of the equation, but what I do offer them is serious learning in a fun environment. I stay busy as hell (uncommon for a state worker), have fun, and it rubs off I believe. If you provide the motivation the rest takes care of itself (not rocket science). Today's inmates are tomorrow's neighbors. Wish I would have found this job 20 years ago!

CSW