Tomorrow is the first day of training. I have two technology trainings tomorrow, the first as an intro to all the tech stuff they have and the second being a more in-depth look at the applications the district uses. Call me crazy, but I couldn't be more excited that my summer is over. I have one or two Friday's off the next three weeks, but it depends on the grade level I'll be teaching (still no word). I'm thankful to be getting down to business and not having to interview. Phew!
The schedule is booked now until June, bring it on!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Real Problems
I came across this blog post from over at NYC Educator today. Additionally, I went to the link in the post, which can be found here. The crux is that a high school student was shipped from a "public charter school" to a regular public school, largely because of inconvenience to the charter school (with there being many meanings to inconvenience in this case).
As a whole, I am conflicted about charter schools. They must be doing some things right, otherwise they wouldn't be getting all of the publicity saying they are the magic fix (right?!). I also have a friend that is a principal of a new KIPP school on the east coast (and when I say new, I mean just opening this fall... or next week). But, thinking they are the magic fix to our education woes is laughable at best. Additionally, there is a significant issue with regards to the statistical achievements they are often lauded for.
That really isn't the issue here for me. What kills me (no irony intended) is that charter schools can be allowed to ship students off because they are inconvenient. One of the teachers quoted in the secondary link is that many of the students she receives come with incomplete evaluations. What the??? How is that fair by any stretch of the imagination? They cry foul because they don't have the resources?! And the larger public school system does? Really?
As a whole, I am conflicted about charter schools. They must be doing some things right, otherwise they wouldn't be getting all of the publicity saying they are the magic fix (right?!). I also have a friend that is a principal of a new KIPP school on the east coast (and when I say new, I mean just opening this fall... or next week). But, thinking they are the magic fix to our education woes is laughable at best. Additionally, there is a significant issue with regards to the statistical achievements they are often lauded for.
That really isn't the issue here for me. What kills me (no irony intended) is that charter schools can be allowed to ship students off because they are inconvenient. One of the teachers quoted in the secondary link is that many of the students she receives come with incomplete evaluations. What the??? How is that fair by any stretch of the imagination? They cry foul because they don't have the resources?! And the larger public school system does? Really?
Monday, August 10, 2009
Writing Essentials
I've got 4 more days of summer... which includes today. Everything starts back up on Friday when I have an all day training on the technology in the district. Being that there are interactive whiteboards in each room, I'm excited to have the training.
But I am starting to parse through Writing Essentials today, looking at how teachers of different grades organize their respective days. Why? Well I got to thinking the other day about how 6th grade is so so so different than 2nd or 3rd grade, and how I have a feeling of being a little in the dark about what happens in those classrooms. Thankfully my wife talked some sense into me, telling me that teaching in 6th grade isn't all that much different than 2nd, 3rd, 4th etc. We get tricked into this feeling of difference, at least partially, because the books we read seem geared more towards primary. Couple that with student teaching in primary grades and the result is this feeling of fear that needs to be dispelled.
Just call me the wizard, as I am dispelling myths today.
But I am starting to parse through Writing Essentials today, looking at how teachers of different grades organize their respective days. Why? Well I got to thinking the other day about how 6th grade is so so so different than 2nd or 3rd grade, and how I have a feeling of being a little in the dark about what happens in those classrooms. Thankfully my wife talked some sense into me, telling me that teaching in 6th grade isn't all that much different than 2nd, 3rd, 4th etc. We get tricked into this feeling of difference, at least partially, because the books we read seem geared more towards primary. Couple that with student teaching in primary grades and the result is this feeling of fear that needs to be dispelled.
Just call me the wizard, as I am dispelling myths today.
Buzzing
Twitter and the blogosphere are all abuzz about an opinion piece (letter) entitled Why I Left Teaching Behind. The letter is an interesting read, particularly for someone that is entering year one of teaching. I can't debate the merits of the letter since it is her rationale for leaving, but I can't say her rationale is anything I haven't heard before.
Teaching is an odd career choice because of its position in society. The paradox goes as follows: it is always mentioned as one of the keys to our society, but it is treated as though anyone off the street could do it. Teachers are seen as integral to our societal success, but it is "so nice" or selfless to have chosen to teach.
I'm excited about the chance to teach a variety of different things each day, week, month, and year. I'm excited about seeing a myriad of different learners, and helping them succeed. I'm just plain excited, even if I don't know what grade I'm teaching... or where I'll be teaching.
Teaching is an odd career choice because of its position in society. The paradox goes as follows: it is always mentioned as one of the keys to our society, but it is treated as though anyone off the street could do it. Teachers are seen as integral to our societal success, but it is "so nice" or selfless to have chosen to teach.
I'm excited about the chance to teach a variety of different things each day, week, month, and year. I'm excited about seeing a myriad of different learners, and helping them succeed. I'm just plain excited, even if I don't know what grade I'm teaching... or where I'll be teaching.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Damaged Goods
I have returned from my much needed break from blogging and all things education. While I was still reading postings in my google reader, I stopped writing and reading anything else. Like my wife, I professed to take a break until August 1st... and I'm back!
Since I don't have a grade level or school yet (but do have a contract), I've started by reading more background stuff. I'm finishing To Understand by Keene (co-author of Mosaic of Thought), which has been a good start. My wife is finishing Results Now, which is next on my list, and then there is a chapter from the Morning Meeting book that I am going to read. In my starred blog posts is one about classroom blogging, which I am excited to read a bit more thoroughly (as well as doing more classroom blog research- Learning is Messy etc).
Psyched to get rolling, and psyched to be back. I'll leave you with this comment from Pat Conroy (another google reader nugget):
Dishonored and "unpraised" (sic)... hmmm.
Since I don't have a grade level or school yet (but do have a contract), I've started by reading more background stuff. I'm finishing To Understand by Keene (co-author of Mosaic of Thought), which has been a good start. My wife is finishing Results Now, which is next on my list, and then there is a chapter from the Morning Meeting book that I am going to read. In my starred blog posts is one about classroom blogging, which I am excited to read a bit more thoroughly (as well as doing more classroom blog research- Learning is Messy etc).
Psyched to get rolling, and psyched to be back. I'll leave you with this comment from Pat Conroy (another google reader nugget):
I have yet to meet an English teacher who assigned a book to damage a kid. They take an unutterable joy in opening up the known world to their students, but they are dishonored and unpraised because of the scandalous paychecks they receive. In my travels around this country, I have discovered that America hates its teachers, and I could not tell you why.
Dishonored and "unpraised" (sic)... hmmm.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Buying Stock in Futures
The joys of summer. It is a great time to have a summer job, particularly one where you sling coffee beverages to folks and have little responsibility. I'm caffeinated, I'm happy, and I get to talk to a variety of people (I'd say wide variety, but most are corporate/business types). This is the perfect time to relax a bit, let the pressure of the past 2 years release. This is the first time in 2 years that I am not working and going to school, doing each in a part/full time capacity (it worked out to a 40-10 split as far as hrs roughly). Work, at current, is a nice respite.
But I'd like to start getting ready for the year. Where do I start though? Normally I'd start digging through the curriculum sets, and seeing how the year is typically laid out, thinking about potential adjustments. This year I'd want to start setting up my classroom, as it would give me a head start- and extra hands from my wife (who has to setup her classroom too) and her family. But I can't really do that either. So what to do?
My plan right now is to start going through some of the books on my bookshelf about reading/writing/math instruction. I also want to go through some bigger picture stuff too. My wife has a book she is borrowing from her principal called Results Now, which I think I might read as well. I'll also start to go back through some of the Starred blog postings and see what other teachers have been doing (or are/were thinking). At least that's a start...
But I'd like to start getting ready for the year. Where do I start though? Normally I'd start digging through the curriculum sets, and seeing how the year is typically laid out, thinking about potential adjustments. This year I'd want to start setting up my classroom, as it would give me a head start- and extra hands from my wife (who has to setup her classroom too) and her family. But I can't really do that either. So what to do?
My plan right now is to start going through some of the books on my bookshelf about reading/writing/math instruction. I also want to go through some bigger picture stuff too. My wife has a book she is borrowing from her principal called Results Now, which I think I might read as well. I'll also start to go back through some of the Starred blog postings and see what other teachers have been doing (or are/were thinking). At least that's a start...
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Hired
That one word says it all. I've been hired into a teaching pool. It is different than applying to a pool, since I actually have a contract in hand. Not sure what grade level, or school yet, but I should know by the time the new teacher institute starts (at least I would assume).
It isn't in Seattle, but that is ok. My motto is: have certificate, will travel. Very excited to get going, with the fun starting the 14th of August and the New Teacher Inst. Should be doing lots of tech stuff as well because of the tech resources in the district.
I had a position as a sub in Seattle lined up as a deep fallback (as I feel like jobs will open up in Aug/Sept). No need anymore!
It isn't in Seattle, but that is ok. My motto is: have certificate, will travel. Very excited to get going, with the fun starting the 14th of August and the New Teacher Inst. Should be doing lots of tech stuff as well because of the tech resources in the district.
I had a position as a sub in Seattle lined up as a deep fallback (as I feel like jobs will open up in Aug/Sept). No need anymore!
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