Solutions?

Okay, so everyone knows that I am a teacher. 

It is a thank-less job. 

I am tired.  I am exhausted, I am stressed, I am physically sick . . .it is only the first nine weeks of school.  I have already gone through 2 doctor's visits and 2 prescriptions for antibiotics.  I have a dehumidifier in my classroom and it is full every day. . .the work environment is adding to my sinus infections, the stress is adding to my sickness. . .

I am a teacher, not a miracle worker.  Everything that is wrong today can not just be fixed by teachers, even though society tells us all the kids problems are the teachers' fault.

Here's a link to an article that elucidates these ideas better than I can. . .

Exhaustion of the American Teacher

As a teacher, if I point out a problem and suggest a viable way to fix the problem, then I am told I am not being professional.  If I object to the way things are being run in our school, then I am told I don't want to reward kids, help kids, etc. 

What I do as a teacher is always based on my students.  I want them all to succeed and when they do I want to reward that success.  What I don't want to do is to teach them that just showing up, socializing with their friends, not doing their work, bullying each other, disrespecting adults and breathing are what they get a reward for doing.

What happened to being proud of doing hard work and taking pride in that work?

The connection between handwriting, reading and success in school

Once again, I have been reading.  I have witnessed students that have poor handwriting skills that also exhibit poor success in acquisition of new knowledge and of the ability to produce and explain coherently complex thoughts.

That has led me to explore the development and instruction of handwriting.  I have come to the conclusion, through reading multiple studies and research articles that handwriting and learning are definitely  connected.  The connection between handwriting and reading acquisition is definitely evident. Without the acquisition of adequate handwriting skills students will habitually struggle with conveying complex thought on paper and developing an ability to analyze complex thoughts which they read.

I know the argument is (with the development of computer technology) "why teach handwriting, you don't need it."  I object, I believe otherwise.  The physical act of typing on a keyboard is extremely different from handwriting the letters.  The sensory processes that are involved are complex and involves many different areas of the brain to produce handwriting.  The learned processes in the brain that are activated during automatic handwriting leads to the greater ability of the student to produce complex thought.  Without practice and the mastery of handwriting skills the brain struggles with the process of writing, thus using memory that can not be used in more complex higher order thinking.

That being said, the process of cursive writing or writing in long hand, is conducive to more fluid thoughts being expressed in essays and papers.  The automaticity of the act allows for the student to not only express more complex ideas but also to write more physically.  This skill will benefit college students during lecture.  Early education should build the foundation for success in those students who do continue their education through college.

So, is you child learning manuscript and cursive?  Perhaps they should be. . .especially if they are poor readers or are not experiencing success in school because they can not write legibly.

Tony Danza, an apology to teachers

So, I have read another book.  When visiting a local bookstore, I picked up Tony Danza's book "I'd Like to Apologize to Every Teacher I Ever Had."  The book is about his year that he spent teaching at a high school in Philadelphia and the A&E production "Teach."

I believe that about half of the stuff in the book would not have happened with out the celebrity Tony Danza; but I also believe that 100% of the stuff in the book would not have happend without Tony Danza, the man.  I believe that Mr. Danza's integrity to the students shines through, and without that, it would just be another celebrity "pet project."

I think Mr. Danza is being sincere in his book.  I think Mr. Danza actually learned what is like to be a teacher in today's environment.  Mr. Danza did not have a "full load;"  he only taught one block (90 minute) class.  Therefore, he did not experience the "real" thing. Mr. Danza realizes this, and he speaks about this in his book.  I applaud him, he has done what a lot of folks have not done, he attempted to "walk" in a teacher's shoes for one year.

The epilogue in the book really does speak to me as a veteran teacher.  Mr. Danza nails the issue directly on the head.

As a teacher, I have been so discouraged by the media, whether it's about a "bad" teacher or situation in a school, but also the back lash we teachers have to deal with in the classroom.  Education is not valued.  The media, TV entertainment, popular music, politicians and pundits do not follow through; yes, they may say education is important, but how do they back that up?  With more complaints about teachers in American classrooms?   We know what it will take.  Where are the people willing to make that happen?  We need more teachers to lower the student-teacher ratio, we need more support in our schools from school boards, administrators, parents, and local communities.  We do not need more rhetoric about data or accountability when the data or reports of accountability are not used in a valid manner.


I'd Like To Apologize To Every Teacher I Ever Had

Who's driving this train?

You know, I've been thinking about leadership for some time. 

I look at leaders in my field and consider what they are promoting.  If a leader makes a statement, pro or con about a belief, then doesn't that represent them?

I do not understand.

Through the use of logic, training, education and practical experience I posses, I have come to realize that effective leadership is "hard to come by."  Some of the most ineffectual leaders are in the educational field (speaking from my own experience). 

There is a trend in education to use teachers in leadership roles.  Well, that's really great, if they are truly given the autonomy to do that with guidance.  Is leadership always doing what you are told? or is leadership compliance?  Does leadership operate from a basis of inducing fear?

I don't know. . . what I do know is . . .

True and effective leaders always have their eyes on the horizon and facilitates the establishment of goals that are worthy and achievable.  The true leader maintains those high expectations, and is also aware of and facilitates the workers by not only giving them tools to do their job, but including support to the workers.  The true leader grants autonomy to the workers in reaching the horizon, rather than stifling creative and productive problem solving. A true leader is really a servant to those that they lead.

What is school culture and climate? How does it impact learning?

The culture and climate of a school has significant impact on student and teacher learning.  What does that mean?  How does the school operate?  What are the actions of school administrators and teachers that define the culture and climate?

To the best of my knowledge, I believe that every school has a mission and a vision statement.  Some schools also have belief statements.  That is great, and if the school's action reflect those statements it is even better, and is exactly how it should be. . .

For the most part though, many students, teachers and even school personnel can not quote any of those things if asked. 

What will tell you more about a school than any statement that they have published are the actions and words of school staffs and administrators.  This will give you some indication of the culture and climate.  Are the actions and words about student learning?  Are the actions and words about success on the test?  What is the language used to describe the school?  How are you greeted when you visit a school?  What do you see people doing when you come in to a school building?  What is the "business as usual scenario?"  

The culture and climate of a school can be anything from an enriching learning environment to a culture of a circus or to a rule of a tyrant or to be extremely toxic to professionals and students.  Who is in charge in the school?  It is not always the administrator.  A weak administrator allows others to not only influence critical decisions but to also actually make them.  A weak  administrator leads to teacher burn out, turn over in staff, discipline issues of students, poor communication with the community and poor decisions for the school as a whole. 

EVERYTHING that happens in the school goes directly back to the Principal's chair.  The principal is the one person in the building who can make changes. . .albeit, good or bad.  All actions of the school are directly related to the principal and their decisions and actions. 

Something to think about. . .

Well, it's that time of year.  We are all headed back to school.  As usual I've been reading. . .

If you have email and belong to any organizations, you get notifications, newsletters, right?  Well, I have received an email that is really more than a notification, it is a newsletter.  I don't always read the entire newsletter, but really pick out the articles that interest me.  So, a "hot" topic mentioned in the title to one of the articles piqued my interest.  I am including a link:


http://neatoday.org/2012/05/16/bullying-of-teachers-pervasive-in-many-schools/?utm_source=neatodayexpress&utm_medium=email&utm_content=bully&utm_campaign=1207

While reading the article, I kept questioning myself, have I experienced this?  The answer is yes, at all levels.   I have witnessed examples of this between others and aimed at myself.  New teachers are much more "attractive" targets for the bully, because they don't have tenure and are afraid to speak up.  Teachers with experience and multiple degrees are becoming targets, due to the cost of employing teachers with experience.  In this situation, no one wins.

Value added evalutions

The more that I read about "value added" evaluations, as promoted through Race to the Top, the more concerned I become about the welfare of the quality of education in America.

I am concerned that Race To The Top is more about money and political clout than quality education for our children.  There are too many questions for us to implement these "innovations" across the board.  There are too many instances where abuse and mishandling of funds could exist.  There are too many instances of political partnerships with philanthropic organizations and the possible existence of graft and control for profit.  There are just too many questions.

Do we need some reforms?  Yes, but we need to be cautious.  Lack of funding is straining our schools to support our students.  As I said in my last post, one proven method of improving student learning is student teacher ratios.  The lower the ratio, the more success and learning for the student.  It is pretty easy, and no "for profit" organizations would be involved.

Please read the articles at these links and see what you think.

http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/living-in-dialogue/2012/07/the_gates_foundations_leverage.html

http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/living-in-dialogue/2012/07/the_gates_foundations_educatio.html


On a more positive note, I have recently read an article about schools extending their day.  This makes sense, and I will follow their progress.

http://www.ednewscolorado.org/2012/07/16/40526-dps-launches-extended-learning-pilot

I am familiar with PEBC (Public Education and Business Coalition).  I have attended professional development with PEBC  consultants.  I have found PEBC to have sound practices which engender rigor in learning for students.