Monday, October 25, 2010

The Union, Me and Jerry Brown

Voting boothImage via Wikipedia
During elections I can always count on my union to send out their totally biased and frighteningly unconcerned with balance voters guide. In the past I have found it to be very helpful, if not disappointing. After I have studied up, to the best of my abilities, trying to see who is actually who and what they really stand for or against, I look to my unions voter guide to help make any final choices.

This voting season has proved to me again that although I can think of maybe two times I have agreed on a political candidate or issue with my union, the guide does provide me with a useful service. If I am not sure if a candidate is a nut, I check my unions voter guide. If he or she is recommended by my union I know for sure I should not, under any circumstances vote for said candidate. This season my union is backing (surprise!) Jerry Brown because they fear Meg Whitman will "ruin education." Yet, the teacher's union will turn a  blind eye to the state of affairs that J Brown left the Oakland school district in . Not only did he create a $100 million deficit, push the district to the edge of bankruptcy, he is also a huge proponent of charter schools. I know charter schools are a wonderful fad and a tiny minority have been successful, but, on the whole they are not  more successful than normal public schools even with the ability to cherry pick high achieving students and jettison those who prove to be "challenging." Charter schools do not need to operate under union control or rules. Charter schools are not a pro-union alternative. But, my union will back J Brown because he is a Democrat.  

So, I call on my fellow educators to look beyond themselves, and not just let Jerry Brown and the Democrats fear you into voting submission. Why vote for someone who will tell you he will protect you and yet, toss you out in favor of the latest politically correct educational fad? 
Enhanced by Zemanta

Thursday, August 19, 2010

So long, and thanks for all the fish!

It's all over including the shooting. The online teaching experience was something I am glad I said I did, but I am not sure I will do again. It was new. It was different. It was grading, grading, and more grading.

I am sure the kinks will get worked out and the process will be refined. Students will learn and teachers will teach.

My greater concern now is to rest a few days before I hit the trail again. My beloved district is under fire, well, actually the teachers (me too) are under fire. Public comparisons of teacher effectiveness are being made at the LA Times. Check out some of my thoughts on this at http://www.thussaithme.blogspot.com.

For now, good night and good luck.

Enhanced by Zemanta

Friday, August 13, 2010

TGIF for Friday the 13th

TGIF (ABC)Image via Wikipedia
TGIF because I have a job.
TGIF because I have a great wife and wonderful children to go home to today!
TGIF because I have learned to teach an online class.


Happy TGIF to you all!
Enhanced by Zemanta

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Stardate: August 10, 2010

My RoomImage by ~Xu via Flickr
How late is too late?  The struggle for teachers is always how much time do you allow a student to complete assignments. Especially for summer High School summer school classes which I have been informed are "all about credit recovery." Even though I was given a standard grading rating system directly onto my online home page I am directed to score papers rather generously. Whatever, I'll adjust, I'll adapt. Hopefully the students are learning something. At the very least they are learning if they don't do it no one will do the work for them.

Enhanced by Zemanta

Friday, August 6, 2010

Stardate: August 6, 2010 TGIF!

The grading is endless in the Moodleverse...but,
Thank God it's Friday!
I get to take my kids shopping.
Because yesterday was payday and I want to buy new shoes :)

Question: If there is global warming why is cold in SoCal?

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Stardate; August 4, 2010

Achieving higher learning through the use of c...Image via Wikipedia
What did I do today? It feels like nothing. I did have actual live contact with two of my students. I answered everybody else's phone calls (that's what I get for nabbing the big desk by the window). Then there was the paper work, attendance for an online class?

One of my fellow teachers busted a student, mom actually, for plagiarism. Mom, was doing all the work and thought her only mistake was not using quotes on everything. That's why I say that the blockhead doesn't fall far from the cliff. Crocodile tears flowed and another one bites the dust.


Enhanced by Zemanta
I apparently have the most students at our site for an English class. No wonder I'm taking longer than everyone else!

That's all folks.

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Stardate August 3, 2010

An 1870 oil painting by Ford Madox Brown depic...Image via Wikipedia
Today I actually made an attempt at teaching in the Moodleverse. I am not sure if the student will even read the notations let alone try to incorporate them in the next assignment, but, it's worth the try.

I am developing an ability to "scan" the assignments and spot the blackholes that contain no response or an unrelated one.

After three weeks and nearly half way through the forth and I am almost caught up.

The teacher's lounge is now the entire campus. A few of my fellow teachers were discussing the joys of reading Romeo and Juliet and just how fun it was. Apart from almost making me blow chunks it was pretty funny to listen to. Usually teachers spend most of their time complaining about the bonehead of the day. It's good to discuss teaching rather than classroom management.

We sent out mid-term grades last week, so, we have a plethora of students who have completed squat diddly divided by two suddenly calling in asking if they can turn in their work. Good luck.
Enhanced by Zemanta

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Navigating the Moodleverse

Image representing Elluminate as depicted in C...Image via CrunchBase
Star date: Wednesday, July 28, 2010

OK, this is my third week as an online classroom "teacher" and I doubt if I have done any real teaching. I have, as I have whined before, done a boatload of grading.

On a cool note, I have begun to us a feature called "Elluminate." An Elluminate session is sort of a chat session that I, as the teacher, moderate. Of course, the first few attempts were just learning the ropes and figuring out how to use the different features. I think the greatest challenge so far has been getting the students to correctly log in and participate. What I have resorted to doing is having net-books on site and having students come in and showing them face to face how to navigate the Elluminate session.

What I envision is to be able to have set times for students to log in and ask questions live and I can go over specific elements of upcoming assignments. One baby step at a time, I guess.

That's all for today. See you in the Moodleverse.
Enhanced by Zemanta

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Online teaching: week 3

CUPERTINO, CA - MARCH 6:  (L-R) Scott Forstall...Image by Getty Images via @daylife
Wow, I am not sure if I have graded that much slopp in a like 21 years! I can not believe how many kids do not know how to use the spell check feature. About as many people who don't know how to use the turn signal feature on their moving vehicles!!! 

The online environment is not much different than the in-class seating as far as attendance is concerned. Some kids just are not motivated no matter what you do.  

I think most of the students are turning in pretty good work. 
 Ok, I am going to see if any adults can do this.
http://picasaweb.google.com/117118145137155948677/DropBox?authkey=Gv1sRgCIyG2dXD0-7WGQ#5491682928204834690


Click, read and respond.
Enhanced by Zemanta

Friday, July 16, 2010

TGIF

Thank God It's FridayImage via Wikipedia
Thank God it's Friday!
Teaching an online summer school class has proven to be a boat load of grading. It's money though.
One of my colleagues came by and said this is the first time he has had a smile on his face for more than 3 days at work in as long as he can remember. Why? No discipline problems.


Enhanced by Zemanta
I think it's great for that very reason.
All right everybody, have a great weekend!

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Stardate, Thursday, July 15,2010

The Thing (video game)Image via Wikipedia
Myth: the younger generation is much more technologically adept than some of us older folks. True they can text their thumbs numb and play noentiendo until their eyes glaze over and their minds turn to Jello. But, that doesn't mean they know how to cut & paste or upload a file. Being a "gamer" means you know how to play a specific video game not that you can construct a complete sentence using proper grammar.

As my odyssey as an online teacher continues I am shock that so many students do not know how to perform basic editing functions. I am not sure what they think that squiggly red line under a misspelled word means. But they find it easier to ignore than a parental request to clean their room. So, I must do what all good teachers do; teach them from the bottom up.

I am very impressed with the overall politeness and respectfulness the students are displaying in my face to face contact with my students. I have enjoyed their responses to my daily quotes and pictures. I have found their responses to be humorous and introspective. 

Tomorrow, grading...
Enhanced by Zemanta

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Stardate Wednesday, July 24, 2010

Online LearningImage via Wikipedia
"I need a book."
"How do I turn in an assignment?"
"When is the assignment due?"
These are just a few of the questions I have been answering in earnest for my online class.
It took me an hour to grade the first assignment for ONE student. Time to problem solve and streamline the online grading experience.

The students have been remarkably polite and motivated. Yes, I know this is just the first real week, but, all things considered, not a bad start.
I really want to see how the students respond to this form of intervention. One thing for sure, I don't miss the classroom management issues.
That's all for now. Good night and God bless.
href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CUser%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml" rel="File-List">
Enhanced by Zemanta

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Online Adventures in Learning: Stardate July 13, 2010

Panorama Of George Julian Zolnay's Allegorical...Image by takomabibelot via Flickr
Today is day 5 of my online teaching experience. So far it has been more about getting the kinks out of the system than about actually teaching.

 The startling thing is that most of the students, high school age, are not very tech savvy. I guess it's a bit of a myth that all humanoids under 20 something innately know and understand all things Internet.  Of course this is a summer school class for students who did not earn a passing grade in English need to take. So, maybe this is the not-bound-for-MIT crowd...

I will say this, as the students have come on site to pick up their textbooks they have all been polite. I guess the online environment at least takes out the class clown element.

Enhanced by Zemanta

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Day 1, Day 2

This week I began teaching my first on-line class. Well, so far the on-line teaching experience has been more off-line than on-line. But, I think that we are working the kinks out as we go along. I think providing students with access to classes on-line is a great tool for learning.

The biggest obstacle thus far seems to be getting the students programed into the class. A fellow teacher figured out a way for the us to enroll the students ourselves. Fun, but time consuming.

I will update as we go along and try to get a few of my colleagues to post their experiences. 


Sunday, June 20, 2010

It’s good to be a Father.


One of the great issues of our generation is the value of men as fathers.  A lot  of people view men down as superfluous sperm donors. Women, so they are told, do not need men to raise their children.

On the other side of the coin, many men act more like boys. They do what they want to do, not what they have to do. Many men do not take responsibility for their children. They are too self-absorbed to love anyone but themselves. They are just boys in men’s bodies.

But, here’s to you fathers who understand that love is the proper balance of affection and discipline; keep loving, one day they will understand. I believe there is a special group of us who deserve special recognition, the blended fathers. Blended fathers are men who marry a spouse with children, sometimes referred to as an instant-family. I don’t like the term step-father because of the negative connotations. Men who can navigate the emotional minefield of not being the biological father and still love their children are truly heroes in my estimation.

Two thing I learned from my (blended) father: Do what is right even when it hurts because your reputation is worth more than money and never make fun of anyone less fortunate than you (he had a younger brother who died of polio) because how would you feel if you were in their place?

So men, be the father your children need, they will love you just because you tried.

That’s what I say. What about you?


Friday, June 18, 2010

TGIF


Thank God it’s Friday because:
·        It’s not Thursday (a la Ground Hog’s Day) (4/16/10)
·        Only 9 more left (including today) and tomorrow I get to watch my son race his pinewood derby car with the big boys ;) (4/16/10)
·        Only 8 more left and I’m tired of apparently being the Dean of Bonehead U. (4/30/10)
·        Testing is over & I will be hanging out with adults(5/14)
·        I took the day off (5/21)
·        Only three more Fridays left and even though it’s a furlough day, it’s still a day off. (5/28)
·        It the last one of the year. Culmination was great. Now to go enjoy my family. (6/18/10)

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

The online moodleverse

Well, I have begun taking an online class about teaching an online class. I have taken an online calss before, but, this will be my first time teaching one.So far, it has been interesting but overwhelming. I guess that is good for me to know how my students might feel when they take the class.
I will try to keep Hey You Teacher updated as to the progress of my  students. Right now I am learning the basics of life on the moodleverse. I hope to upload this post.

Using the reports tool is my current topic is. I plan on using the reports tool to both monitor and assess my students.

Good luck and good learning.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Obama's Race to the Toilet

Obama’s ‘Race To The Top’ Slows To A Crawl


Barack Obama’s $4 billion education gamble that he has dubbed “Race to the Top” isn’t turning out the way he hoped, rewarding just two states so far, producing many plans but implementing no new reforms and raising political suspicions the administration is playing with a marked deck.
The idea behind Education Secretary Arne Duncan’s brainchild is to wage a high-stakes lottery competition that will reward states who can come up with innovative reforms to boost student achievement with huge payoffs, courtesy of the beleaguered U.S. taxpayers.

www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=37401&page=1&viewID=1450517

Friday, May 28, 2010

TGIF


Thank God it’s Friday because:
·        It’s not Thursday (a la Ground Hog’s Day) (4/16/10)
·        Only 9 more left (including today) and tomorrow I get to watch my son race his pinewood derby car with the big boys ;) (4/16/10)
·        Only 8 more left and I’m tired of apparently being the Dean of Bonehead U. (4/30/10)
·        Testing is over & I will be hanging out with adults(5/14)
·        I took the day off (5/21)
·        Only three more Fridays left and even though it’s a furlough day, it’s still a day off. (5/28)

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Let's Make a Deal

OK campers, the natives are restless and we are making our way to the home stretch. The hot topic around the virtual cooler is what to do with the kids who have already decided to check out? You know the ones that the not so all wise counselor decided to tell them with a month left in school that the stand a snowballs chance in hell of graduating and walking the stage. The parents send them to school because they can't afford a big-babysitter.  I myself try the Let's Make a Deal Approach because the object is to get them to learn as much as they can and are willing to learn.

If you have any ideas, I'd love to hear them.

Friday, May 21, 2010

TGIF

Thank God it’s Friday because:
·        It’s not Thursday (a la Ground Hog’s Day) (4/16/10)
·        Only 9 more left (including today) and tomorrow I get to watch my son race his pinewood derby car with the big boys ;) (4/16/10)
·        Only 8 more left and I’m tired of apparently being the Dean of Bonehead U. (4/30/10)
·        Testing is over & I will be hanging out with adults(5/14)
·        I took the day off (5/21)









We must police ourselves

OK, I've been busy. High stakes testing, grading, and an added roll of helping in the discipline room which we like to call the "learning opportunity center." I am glad I have not received a pink slip or been bumped into a different position. 

I hear talk about teacher accountability. Lawyers have the Bar Association. Well, I guess until we learn to police ourselves we will leave it open to others to police us. How about a board of teachers from all over the state that rules on teacher issues?

Friday, May 14, 2010

TGIF!!!



Thank God it’s Friday because:
·        It’s not Thursday (a la Ground Hog’s Day) (4/16/10)
·        Only 9 more left (including today) and tomorrow I get to watch my son race his pinewood derby car with the big boys ;) (4/16/10)
·        Only 8 more left and I’m tired of apparently being the Dean of Bonehead U. (4/30/10)
·        Only 5 more left, testing is over, and I will be hanging out with adults this weekend (5/14)









Wednesday, May 12, 2010

What's the Big Deal?

It's approaching graduation time again. Apparently it is also the time of year when a few people show their lack of tolerance and demand that students should not be forced to hold a graduation in a rented out church sanctuary. Really? This is embarrassing to me as an educator. What's the big deal? No one is asking them to recite the apostles creed or come down and say the sinner's prayer. 

To not allow students the option of using a church is to send a message to people of faith that there is something negative attached to there beliefs.  That would also be an exercise of government control to not allow schools to use a church. 

One year I attended several district trainings held at Mosque. No big deal. I did not find it the least bit oppressive. What I have found oppressive is the constant barrage of political blather from my union, from district presenters at trainings, from fellow teachers at PD and from the media. I hear talk about teaching our students tolerance. Where is the tolerance in not allowing students to hold a graduation in a church or a mosque or on the football field?


Tuesday, May 11, 2010

My Kids Math is Driving Me Crazy


Is there anyone else out there who finds it a bit draining to come home from work and check your child’s homework? The math that they give 5th graders today is so far ahead of the math I did in 5th grade that it seems like she is already in High School! Last night my daughter was reviewing some problems with area and perimeter of complex forms. The first problem almost killed me. So, my question is why? Why are we, as a nation, torturing our children with ever increasingly difficult math in the name of higher standards?

I do not believe it helps our youth to be forced to attempt complex math, in elementary or even middle school, because for most of them their minds have not developed enough to deal with abstract notions of math. There is a reason why in the past we were not asked to solve mixed fractions until the end of 5th grade, the normal development of the brain. Yet, our children are being forced to attempt problems their minds may not have developed enough to fully understand.

I can not tell you a single time I have needed or used Algebra in the 32 years since High School. I have used some Geometry when I worked in construction in my teens and twenties. I have a Masters Degree. I have worked in construction, sales, restaurants, and in education. Yet, I can’t remember a time I have used or needed Algebra.

I attended a school in England for a year when I was 20. The people I met from other countries had a different experience in education.  In none of the countries that we are apparently competing against do they try to make all their students take Algebra. Actually, by the time kids are in middle school they are being guided toward education that might help them in trades or whatever they show an aptitude for. In a way I guess that system makes teenagers think about what they are going to do as a profession simply by training them for one.

How does that related to my child (and thus me and you) being tortured by higher math? In most other countries only students with an aptitude for math take higher math unlike here where we force all students to take Algebra. That might explain the higher scores other countries score in comparison to the USA! I am an educator in a Middle School. Nothing produces failure, low self-esteem and drop outs like the unnecessary and ill-conceived plan to force our youth to take Algebra in Middle School. Nothing. 

Our educational system should help not hinder our children.

Thus saith me.




Thursday, May 6, 2010

Sense?

I stopped expecting my district to make sense years ago. We are  what we are.

A few months ago we were told that a K-6 Charter School was going to be placed on our Middle School campus. Just imagine the kindergartners playing in the field with the 8th graders. There is a reason why normal elementary schools have the kindergartners in their own little gated area away from the general population! They'll get mowed down, stepped on, and probably lost! I mean the idea isn't even stupid. The concerns of parking, drop off and pick up of students, recess space, eating areas and library use all make the proposal a bit questionable to say the least. Political? 

Apparently, someone on a higher pay scale than me decided it might not be the ideal place for a charter school. I actually don't even care what the reason not to place a K-6 charter on my campus was because I doubt if it would make much sense to me anyhow.

Monday, May 3, 2010

What I Hate About the Teachers Cafeteria

Well, the food, that’s a given.
I hate the children’s meals with unsweetened ice tea. The pizza, the lasagna, the chicken nuggets…is it any wonder why students buy Flaming Hots to eat.
But, that’s not what I really dislike about the teacher’s cafeteria. It’s the whine, without the cheese. I appreciate a good rant every now-and-then, but, everyday it’s the same sad song. You see, if all you do is complain, whine and snivel about how bad your class is then that’s all you ever notice.
Did you ever notice that some teacher’s year-in and year-out have bad classes? “Oh, this class is awful! These kids don’t want to do anything! They are so disrespectful and their parents are no help at all!” Maybe it’s not the kids?
Successful people overcome obstacles rather than allow themselves to be controlled or limited by them. Negative people only see problems because it gives them an excuse for their lack of success.
I salute the teachers I know he consider every student failure a failure of their own and strive to help every student become successful. 

Friday, April 30, 2010

TGIF!!!!!!!!!!

Thank God it’s Friday because:
·        It’s not Thursday (a la Ground Hog’s Day) (4/16/10)
·        Only 9 more left (including today) and tomorrow I get to watch my son race his pinewood derby car with the big boys ;) (4/16/10)
·        Only 8 more left and I’m tired of apparently being the Dean of Bonehead U. (4/30/10)









Thursday, April 29, 2010

OK, Enough Already, Now Retire

About seven or eight years ago I began a master’s degree program in educational leadership. After a few classes I was accepted into a federal leadership grant for urban school administration. Very nice, I only had to pay for books and few classes to earn my master’s along with my administrative credential. All throughout the program I kept hearing how in five to seven years over 30% or so of the administrators for our district were going to retire.

Ok, times up. Where are all these retirees? Retire already and get out of the way!

So, memo to possible retirees: Retire already! Next year there will be pay cuts and more work. Isn’t it time for you to be relaxing, golfing, traveling, telling stories about back in the day?

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

A Day Off….Campus

Off-campus training can be nice sometimes. Yesterday was almost one of those days. The speaker was great, my colleagues were good, and it was at a local school so I didn’t have very far to drive. But, with all the cut backs we had to have the meeting at a local school auditorium and buy our own lunch. They did have coffee, well, the teacher’s cafeteria version of a coffee-like substance. The seats were hard, cold metal.

Now, I guess I am like Bilbo Baguns, reaching middle age and beginning to be stout. So, being subjected to sitting in a cold, hard metal chair is more of a torture experience than anything else. I just might agree to anything after a couple of hours in one of those devises.

One thing the speaker said that I thought was timely was that we as teachers often forget that our attitude often dictates the mood of the class. She is from the south and in their state they don’t have a union and a surplus of teachers. Her point was that in light of the current economic state we should all be thankful that we have jobs. She’s right. Even in my state and district where we have a union, there are bills being passed that will make it easier to cleanse schools/districts of underperforming teachers.

By-the-way, the training was on discipline. Good stuff.

I am blessed to work at a pretty good school. Most of the staff plays well with others and tries to get along and help each other. I do thank my God, for a job.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

I Got You Babe

I would like to give a "blogout" to my lovely wife!
Thanks for being such a great wife and putting up with me for the last 14 years.
Thanks for being a spectacular mother to our children.

Here's to love that lasts a life time and in the words of Sonny Bono, it's always good to know, "I got you babe."

PTVoice

Friday, April 23, 2010

TGIF!!!!!!!!!!

Thank God it’s Friday because:
·        It’s not Thursday (a la Ground Hog’s Day) (4/16/10)
·        Only 9 more left (including today) and tomorrow I get to watch my son race his pinewood derby car with the big boys ;) (4/23/10)

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Another One in the Books

Tonight was Open House, one of the true “joys” of teaching. This year I have had the absolute pressure, I mean pleasure, of teaching a reading intervention class to struggling readers. One class is my saccharin class, sweet and low. Another class is my future felon’s class. Usually, at an open house only the students who want their parents to see how they are doing show up. Tonight a student and his parents showed up who I’m sure he did not want them to see how he is doing. To his parent’s credit, they showed up and expressed sincere concern. The boy sat down and put his head in his hands. I almost felt sorry for him. Usually the block head doesn’t fall far from the tree. I was pleasantly surprised to be wrong.


The rest of the evening I caught up on some house cleaning issues and finished some reading. Not bad for a necessary evil.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

21 Forever? Doesn’t Look Like It

I suppose everybody knows someone who fails to come to grips with the reality of aging. My school has one. She is obviously 50 something and enjoys dressing like a 20 something year old barfly. I think it is apparent that she also employs certain devises to attempt to defy the laws of aging and gravity.


She is a teacher’s assistant by job title only. Everyday when I arrive at work she is in the attendance office using a school MacIntosh computer to look up sites on Latino boxers or trying to find deals on clothes for twenty something year olds who are 50 something year old broads.



In the classroom she does 0 ÷ 3, on a good day. She complains that the students don’t respect her and are very bad; unaware that they think she’s a joke.



I share a room with a teacher who suffers with her services. The few times I went into the room while my fellow teacher was in there, she was sitting at the teacher’s desk, you guessed it, using a school computer to look up sites on Latino boxers or trying to find deals on twenty something looking clothes for 50 something broads.



Twenty something…divided by at least two.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

A Bit Jealous

Sometimes it is hard being both a parent and a teacher. I work in an urban school district. Most of the students come from families of modest means. I live in a nice community with nice schools. This week, at my children's school, it is teacher appreciation week. I think it’s flax jacket week at my school. So, I admit, I’m jealous! This is what the week will look like for my son’s teacher.



Monday: Receive thank you note with a nicety attached. (I may send out detention notices.)



Tuesday: Receive flowers. (I received flowers once from a family, but I think they thought they were coming to my funeral.)



Wednesday: Receive something movie related such as popcorn, candy, or movie tickets.

(I can look at the acceptable use policy for movies if I want something movie related.)



Thursday: Receive something Disney related. (I could take my family to Disney and shell out hundreds of dollars.)



Friday: Receive something timeshare related. No, seriously, receive a gift card.



What can I say? I’m just a bit envious.

Monday, April 19, 2010

Why Keep Me? Can districts, should districts save us all?

I have a question. The district I work for has been losing students, also known as a decrease in enrollment. The number is vague but it looks like at least 10%. I am not worried about where they are going, because they probably moved out of state (like my wife wants to do). My question is this: Why keep teachers for students the district no longer services?


Before I became a teacher I worked in construction, sales, and restaurants. In business profits are controlled by costs and costs usually consist of supplies and labor. A business, if it wants to be successful and profitable, does not purchase supplies or labor it does not need or use. The cost of running a school district is directly, if not mostly related to the cost of labor, also known as teacher salaries. So, my question becomes this: If the district has lost 10% of their students which, via ADA (Average Daily Attendance) supplies the funds for teacher salaries, have we reduced our teaching force in due manner?



For fun, let us just say over the last 5 years we lost 100,000 students. Even if we assume a ratio of 30:1 that would mean about 3,333 teachers are no longer needed. If the teachers are not let go what does the district do with them? If the district holds on to said teachers to provide smaller classroom sizes many would believe that to be a good idea. How small do we go? Can the district afford to do such a magnanimous gesture (to the teachers or the students)? What might get sacrificed to allow this option?



My fellow teachers and I just agreed to a form of a pay cut. The result was that thousands of teachers were not let go. Sounds nice, but if there are not students for them to teach, why keep them? Why keep you? Why keep me?

Friday, April 16, 2010

TGIF!!!!!!!!!!

Thank God it's Friday because:

  • It's not Thursday again (a la Ground Hogs Day)

Thursday, April 15, 2010

A Few Good Shots

Staff meetings....oh what fun it is to listen to them whine....the parents aren't supportive...these kids don't respect me....the administration/district/(insert monolithic bureaucratic entity) does nothing to help me...

I guess I am just surprised that some people expect rock heads to miraculously turn into brain surgeons and rocket scientists or upstanding citizens just because they are lucky enough to be a student of theirs. 

To me the students I have are the students I have. The parents that the students have are the parents they have. The administration/district/(insert monolithic bureaucratic entity) I work for is what it is. I can't pick my students, change their lineage, or get my administration/district/(insert monolithic bureaucratic entity) to do as I wish. All I can do is the best I can with who I have and where I have them. Complaining is a colossal waste of energy and time.

Teaching is a bit like a round of golf. I may not have broken par (or maybe even 100) today but, there was a few shots I felt pretty good about and that is why I will play again. I may not mentor the next president, but a few of my former students seem to be doing well.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Thanks to my Union

Unions are sort of a necessary evil in the world of education. I appreciate that the union seeks the best possible pay and benefits for me and my fellow educators. But, what they do with my dues greatly concerns me. For example they give large sums of money to a group that seek homosexual rights. No problem. Except I have never in 21 years seen these people in support of teachers. I have never heard from them in support of teachers politically. To me, it is just money to keep them from hassling us.

They are also a great guide for me when I vote. Whatever my union recommends, I vote the opposite. Since most unions make no pretense of being open minded or neutral it makes it easy for me.
Thanks.

The Good, The Bad and the Goofy?

I have this little theory. The theory is that in every class 95% of the students are good kids and 5% are bad, either goofy or evil. My problems occur when I let the 5% take up 95% of my time. 

This year I have one class that is challenging those assumptions. I think the balance is off. It may be 60/40 rather than 95/5. Most students have something they want. Something they care about. But, what do I do with those who actually don't care? What do I do with someone who has not come to the realization that doing nothing will result in nothing? 

My other classes prove the theory true. When I work the 95% who are good, the 5% who are not eventually come in line. 

Maybe I just believe...

It's funny how our choices, even in Middle School can so effect the rest of our lives. 

Monday, April 12, 2010

Who Are Schools Designed for?

After teaching for a few years and seeing so many students struggle I wondered who schools are designed for. I knew for sure that they were not designed for me. As a teacher I am thoroughly convinced that they are not designed for the vast majority of students. Schools have been custom designed for those who can teach themselves.

My oldest son was a great student. A freak of nature actually, my wife and I never had to tell him to do his homework (my other three children are normal).   In high school his second year Spanish teacher thought she was quite good. She even played tapes of herself teaching lessons from the past and used them as lessons in the present. She never moved from behind her desk, not even during a parent conference or Open House! According to my son she would inform the class of the chapter(s) to be covered and then quiz the students. My son received an A. He taught himself well.

My second son said he usually did not understand his Trigonometry teacher. I asked him if would like a tutor because I knew I would be unable to help. He said, “No, thanks. If I read the chapter I can figure it out.” Another A. He taught himself.

I have spent time outside the classroom the last 5 years and have listened to many a complaint by parents like my wife and I concerning teachers who are not teaching their children. These teachers usually point to the one or two students who are doing well and use them as proof of their own viability as an educator.

“A” students teach themselves most of the time.

So, as a teacher I ask myself, “Who is my class designed for?”

Thursday, April 8, 2010

What's Your Problem?

I often wonder what is actually going through my students minds. Sometimes I'm pretty sure I don't want to know.

Yesterday, K-nut decided she was going to be a class A punk-ette. I did the usual redirection, "get back on task young lady" thing. I was checking student work while going over the page we were covering. Two of my other girls were passing a note back and forth. So, I took it, stuffed it in my pocket and forgot about it until after class.

The contents of the note were very interesting. While I can't quote it exactly I can give a decent replication.
The note read, "What the *!?@ is wrong with K-nut? What's her #@&*? problem?" I thought, "How eloquently spoken. I don't know if I could've expressed it much better. It's good to see that most of the students know a punk-ette should just be ignored.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Whose is the Real Teacher?

I am a teacher. I fancy myself to be a pretty effective teacher. I generally have a great rapport with students and parents. I do my best to provide each student with as many opportunities to understand, learn and master the content as time allows. I believe the data says I am doing much better than most, if not all professional baseball players’ batting averages.

I am also a parent and a realist. I have been in education over 20 years. What is the reality? Good parents produce good kids.

If you read to your children until they want to read to you and then read with them until they start to read alone, they stand a much better chance of success than if you do not. Most parents who do this would also place them into an afterschool tutoring program if they were not being successful.

Two truths: 1) you, the parent are your children first and most important teacher and advocate 2) kudos to you parents who make sure your children understand what I the teacher do not always make so clear. 

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Thank You Teachers of the Past

Thank you to those who chose before us:


· For saying, “No thanks” to the first new deal.


· For choosing a privatized retirement system and plan.


· For saying no to social security


· For not putting those who would come after you at the bottom of the worlds largest pyramid scheme, also known as social security.


· For giving me a better future.






What are you thankful for?

Monday, April 5, 2010

Corporal Punishment vs. the Time Out

Student discipline…time out vs. corporal punishment, most commonly experienced as “the swat.” I would really like to know how many parents and teachers are in favor of corporal punishment or not. 

I am actually surprised by how many of my colleagues would seem to be in favor of a good swat now and then. Especially considering most teachers were the good kids who always did their best, strived for their teachers approval and never came close to experiencing the seat of correction.

Personally, I think it is less abusive than most of the of the psychological warfare - time out - talk to the kid until they give in or we deem them incorrigible methods. Also, I think most teachers use the time out for themselves not the student. But, that’s just me. What about you?

Who is in favor, who is not? Are you a teacher of a parent? Post me your opinion.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Hello...this is Maxine...are you there?



 The class looked so intent; as if they were actually connecting with whatever I was attempting to teach them. Then I noticed that they were trying not to look to my right. I was moving around the room like a good teacher should when I noticed Maxine Smart. Maxine is one of my special students who often seems like she is in her very own orbit, around her very own star. She had a plastic bag on her head and a shoe in her ear. “Hello…hello…is anyone there? Can you hear me?” Maxine spoke softly into her shoe phone. I looked around to see if anyone was answering the call. No one seemed to be on the other end. I told her to hang up the shoe and get back on task. Maxine tried one more number but, no one seemed to respond. She hung up the shoe, took the plastic bag off her head, put her shoe phone away and slowly got back on task.

Learning happens…
*All names are fictional to protect…someone…maybe me…