What teachers do. . . .

So, the majority of teachers are wrapping up their school year.  Some are completing state tests, some are completing End of Course exams (EOC), some are preparing for promotion activities and graduation activities; all are counting the days.

At the end of the year, I have a tendency to reflect over the past year, and think/ponder about what went well, what did not go well, and what I want to modify or change.  Of course, the breadth and scope of the whole year is overwhelming, so I tend to think about my year of teaching in blocks of time or by units.  As usual, I feel like I never really have had enough time with the students.  That is very true this year, and hopefully can be rectified for next year.

Time allotment and the protection of instructional time is the priority of the principal.  A good principal protects instructional time like a mother grizzly protects her cubs.  Although, not all principals are momma grizzly bears.  When we look at a school's data and determine whether or not it is a "failing" school, the first thing that should be examined is the manager of that school, the principal.  When I was taking classes to receive my administration degree and certificate, it was pretty clear from my classwork and from my professors, that everything that happens in a school goes back in a straight line to the principal's chair.  Yes, there are mandated regulations and curriculum and superintendents, but in reality, day to day work in a school is the principal's responsibility.  How a principal makes or fails to make that happen is the issue.

So, once again, we must examine how the school operates, before we have the "witch trial" re-enactments of colonial Salem, and begin burning teachers.  The teachers work under the direct supervision of the principal(s) in the buildings.  How are the teachers being directed and supported?

Thankfully, more and more people are beginning to have this conversation.  One such example can be found at:

http://theeducatorsroom.com/2012/08/its-not-always-the-teacher/