A leader or a louse?

Today I had the joy of sitting through a Professional Development designed to help teachers. I was reminded of a present my wife and I received for our wedding. The givers had forgotten to take their names still on it. The classic re-gifting. Well, the more that things change, the more they stay the same. 

I could take the repackaging of some old ideas. What I found really hard to take was the five minute video pep talk from the District Superintendent. First of all the cold forced smile. Never trust someone who smiles too much. How do you respect someone who admittedly falsified information on their resume? How can you listen to someone who is threatening to cut your pay via furlough days by another 20 days? 

The nerve to mention that older teachers might have lost their fire and that some re-do of old ideas on a "guide" would help. Cutting pay takes away desire. Adding layers of administrative fat on the district level while siphoning funds from schools sites by reducing staff (clerical, teaching, administrative and maintenance) and then suggesting that teachers take a pay cut is diabolical. But, with a School Board with more a severe shortage on personal integrity but obviously not on calorie intake, what do I expect. 

I don't even think I can string together a coherent string of thoughts to express the disdain, contempt and anger I have towards the nepotistic self absorbed fools that choose leaders like drunk monkeys throwing darts.

Can anyone make sense of the state of education? Tell me what you think.

Just Set the Bar Lower

Last week, my school, like all the others in the great state of California, participated in the Great Shake disaster drill. All went well. The administrator over the drill announced that it was highly successful. Really?

Two thoughts. One: AW Tozer said that the worst form of deception is self-deception. True indeed. Two: If you set the bar low enough, anyone can jump over it. 

Here's the deal: I was over said event at one time and I, like all of us participating who have been involved as members in different capacities, realize that a lot of details were completely glossed over and ignored. For example, several members were new to our school or to being an emergency team member. They were supposed to practice going to assigned areas and check rooms to see if they were clear or some one needed assistance. No, all we did was sign in at the "command post" and call it even. 

I have been in education 22 years and been at several schools and an evaluation sheet is filled out by every teacher and staff member after every drill. Not this one. The administrator in charge ipso facto declared the drill highly successful. Heaven help us all in the case of a real emergency.

Little Help Please

I taught an intervention class this morning. It's amazing how much some students are NOT understanding in their regular classes.

Off the Hook

It's spring time baby and the kids have gone wild! Love, inhalants and just plain foolishness are the order of the day. It's a good thing "the district" is cutting deans and counselors.

The Dumpster

We all have worked with at least one. You know, the administrator who fancies themselves as a very affective delagator. I work with a friend who truely believes he is a great, not good, a great delegater. He dumps without explanation, warning, or discernable reason.

Sometimes, because of the ability and competance of those he dumps on, myself, the coordinators and counselors, things work out.  If we don't understand his signals...he discribes us as incompetent.
Frankly, he's great with numbers but awful with people.

The Union, Me and Jerry Brown

Image 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? 

So long, and thanks for all the fish!

Cover via Amazon

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.