Spring Break is upon us. Teachers use this time to renew and rejuvenate from the long stretch of January to April. Working with young people takes time and energy. Teachers are drained physically and emotionally every day.
This break is a time when we can actually not think about school 24/7. If you ask any teacher they will tell you that it is constantly on your mind. There is not a time when you are not thinking about school.
Since schools are closed to students during Spring Break, teachers can not only take a physical break but also a mental break, at least for a day or two.
As Brer Rabbit says "Sometimes I sits and thinks, and sometimes I jus' sits." Teachers now have the luxury of just sitting. WELCOME Spring!
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Monday, March 11, 2013
Okay, so I have been quiet for awhile. . . .
We, as teachers are entering that turbulent time called "getting ready for the test." I have to say to each and all of you. . .this is baloney!
Isn't all year long supposed to be preparing our students to succeed? I thought so, and still do. I teach. I hate being a "robot" in the classroom. The mad scramble by building administrators to make sure the kids are prepared for the test is so very frustrating!
I agree with educator, author and researcher Richard DuFour, "do whatever it takes [all year] and the test will take care of its self." If we are doing what our students need, then we should not have to scramble around, play reward games, interrupt instruction, pep rallies to get fired up about the test, ect. We do not need another gimmick. We need to teach!
A teacher from Louisiana read this letter to the Board of Education where she was employed, please read, she is speaking the truth.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2013/03/10/i-have-had-enough-veteran-teacher-tells-school-board/
And as for that, (teaching), it has changed in the last few years. It is no longer about learning or even about studying. Heaven forbid if I ask my students to study!
More and more demands are being made on the teachers, and less demands on the students. We are creating a generation of people who feel that entitlement is owed to them! They can not fail, they will always get another chance.
Isn't all year long supposed to be preparing our students to succeed? I thought so, and still do. I teach. I hate being a "robot" in the classroom. The mad scramble by building administrators to make sure the kids are prepared for the test is so very frustrating!
I agree with educator, author and researcher Richard DuFour, "do whatever it takes [all year] and the test will take care of its self." If we are doing what our students need, then we should not have to scramble around, play reward games, interrupt instruction, pep rallies to get fired up about the test, ect. We do not need another gimmick. We need to teach!
A teacher from Louisiana read this letter to the Board of Education where she was employed, please read, she is speaking the truth.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2013/03/10/i-have-had-enough-veteran-teacher-tells-school-board/
And as for that, (teaching), it has changed in the last few years. It is no longer about learning or even about studying. Heaven forbid if I ask my students to study!
More and more demands are being made on the teachers, and less demands on the students. We are creating a generation of people who feel that entitlement is owed to them! They can not fail, they will always get another chance.
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