I just read an article that said that innercity schools are less funded than "white" suburban schools. Where? The public school system I live in has no problem diverting funds to the innercity/lower performing schools and cutting the funding to the suburban schools (especially when the school has the same name as the district). I'm sure it happens, but from what I have seen, the inner city schools have spent millions more...just not in the same place.
Inner city schools spend countless dollars on social programs (free lunch, social reform, things like that). The suburban school seem to spend money on the right things. So the probem is where?
Part of the problem is this "one size fits all approach". One size does not fit all and until we realize that collectively, schools will continue to have the appearance of being "underfunded".
America spends 7,000 dollars and more per child. Many countries have far better educated students and spend far less money. So are we really underfunded or just not spending the money right? Just something to comtemplate.
I know what you all are thinking "That new teacher guy has finally had the job catch up to him". Well, it's true, I am tired of school, but not where my job is concerned. Mostly with having to go to school and finish my credential just so the state can deem me an educator. A little piece of paper and suddenly I'm state-approved. Then what? Will I be lured over to the school district my parents surrender my childhood to? I don't know. I like the private school I teach at. I am allowed to step outside the box, take the curriculum at any pace, and challenge the kids beyond the parameters set forth by the state.
Furthermore, what some would call free time or non-academic time, usually end up becoming teaching moments. While my students love to play, we can usually find a lesson in everything they do.
"Mr. Josh, why are you always trying to teach us when we have free time?"
"Well, life is a learning process. If you want to know something new, what do you do?"
"Look it up or ask someone that knows."
"Exactly."
That simple conversation doesn't seem like much, but it has so much meaning. I hope that teachers have moments like this.
I had an opportunity last weekend to spend sometime at a casual get-together at a house some of my students were at. It was cool because I got to be on the students level. They had the opportunity to see me as a person and not just a teacher. I believe teacher's have become "to professional". They don't want their students to see them make a mistake. They want their students to think they are perfect. And, they are afraid to learn from them. My students once asked me a question I didn't know so we all looked it up. They found the answer before I did and the look of accomplishment on their faces was so worth it.
Anyhow, I think I've rambled to much. I hope you all are well as the School Year winds down.
**Please note the the keys on my aging computer often stick and more letters than necessary may end up in a word. While I do everything I can to remove the extra letters, I don't always catch all of them.**
The end of the first week back from Christmas break came a little quick. Mostly because I was out sick for 2 days, but also because it seemed like the time flew by. "Oh my, I'm ready for another break," says seasoned vets. But why? Can you really not stand your students? Personally, I find my students, even the youngest, to be some fascinating individuals. I think though many teachers miss out on the opportunity to just talk with their students.
Albeit, I have the luxury of working at a small school. But then, not every student is going to want to talk all the time. "That's what the school psychologist is for," say some. But, why would a kid want to open up more to someone who is almost a stranger?
During breaks, lunch, and after school, I am not the teacher that dashes out the door ready for a break (although I do get a break most days). Instead, I allow my students to come in and ask questions or simply talk.
And, this week was fun. I tried some new things and the kids got excited. Then I got sick so everything didn't go exactly as planned, but I'm looking forward to next week. I hear so often "school shouldn't be fun", and, "kids should be taught that life is not fun, it's serious". I was told that you are lying to them if you teach them that they will never like the work they do. But why does it have to be so? I love my job and don't want to do anything else. Why can't I try to instill that in the hearts of my student?
Life is learning and learning should be experienced. The more the teacher is in to it, the more the students will be. But, are we as teachers just kind of slothing along down a path of scripted curriculum? Everything is so political that many of us can't step outside the box and do new things.
So, I decided to not be so politically correct or "scripted". Sometimes you just have to be spontaneous, just to keep the students guessing a little.
Happy teaching, and learning.
God Bless!
Well, I knew it would hit me eventually and it did, about mid-day Wednesday. So here I am on Thursday trying to recover. Lucky me I got my 102 degree fever down to 99.5. This really sucks because of the way things were going this week. I had new ideas that seemed to be working and then, I came down with an illness.
To add to it, a new student started today and I wasn't even there! My co-teacher says she's got everything undercontrol, but I still hate being out. I'm one of those that would work sick if I could, but working with kids, that's out of the question.
Of course, I probably caught it from them anyway. Most of them were out that last week before Christmas Break and most of the rest I sent home in the course of the week because they came down with fevers. I thought I had dodged the bullet since I didn't get sick on the two week vacation. But, I was wrong. Why did I have to get sick now, the first week back!?
My students don't like it when either of us our out (my co-teacher and I). I know, most students look forward to a sub, but ours don't. Don't know why, it just seems to work out that way.
Anyhow, I wish I had more upbeat positive things to say, but mind is a fog.
Until next time!
Well, as Monday approaches, I suddenly realized that my 2 weeks of vacation are over...and not a moment too soon! I spent a week and a half pretty much in a vegetative state before realizing, what a waste. Yes, Christmas is an important holiday and I am sure the kids were delighted to have so much time off. Me, not so much.
Maybe it's just the first year in me talking, but two weeks is far to long for me to be outside the classroom. Now, with only half a year to go, I'm realizing that the long and boring Summer break is approaching...slowly but surely. Okay, okay, albeit, we all needed a break. But even after a break like this, why do I still see so many blogs of teachers that are dreading their return?
I for one am not! I can't wait to get back and try out all the new stuff I came up with while on break to really make the curriculum come alive.
Anyway, I wish every teacher the best as they return to work (if they haven't already). Remember, it's not about us in the big picture, it's about them. To some, we are the only encouragers they have. Remember that next time it seems you can't go on.
I know there are a lot of schools that try to shove the special needs kids off to other schools. We took one in, a 4th grade girl, and while it's been quite a rollercoaster ride, the successes that we have had have been tremendous.
This 4th grader has a learning disability and, when the going gets rough or she doesn't like something, she will shut-down and throw a tantrum. However, despite her problems (an a reading and speaking deficit), she gave an awesome oral presentation on a dinosaur! Albeit, she had to have a little help reading, but she got up there more confident than the kids who didn't have those needs or problems.
It's sad that teachers don't have the time or resources to work with these amazing children. I'm a blessed to be at a small private school where I can see these kids work with mainstream kids. It was like she was just one of the regular kids. The other kids clapped and cheered and even asked her questions about her report! My younger elementary kids were even intrigued and gave her their undivided attention.
Don't give up on these kids! They will surprise you in many ways if they are just given the opportunity to shine!
Alright, I know this freaks out some school districts and even some teachers, but I threw an entire chapter out the window in a few of my subjects. Sorry, can't stand the mundane.
Why is it that things have to drag on just because that's how they have always been? Where is the curriculum that engages the child's natural curiousity about the world? Apparently it doesn't exist, which is why I spent a Thanksgiving break retooling and redesigning the curriculum to fit the needs of my students. Do people who write curriculum ever actually work with kids? Do they really think they can sit there and take all that?
For you seasoned vets who do everything by the book, I didn't mean to step on any toes. I just don't see the need in lifeless curriculum. Learning should be active, not passive. That's why most of my history curriculum is null and void in my eyes. Who cares how the kids learn it as long as they learn it? Do I really have to sit them in rows and just feed them information only so they can spit it back out on a test every chapter.
Today, the first day back from Thanksgiving, was the first day of changing (gradually) my curriculum. The kids seemed receptive.
If it keeps working, then I will spend Christmas break changing the rest of it.
Thanksgiving, whether or not it had pure roots, should be a time when we reflect and appreciate the blessings we have. We live in the most blessed nation in the world, yet, we act like a bunch of spoiled rotten brats. I guess that's what happens though. When everything is handed to you or your demands are met in the name of political correctness, you tend to become spoiled and complacent.
Why are our holidays under attack? Because Americans get there way...or do they? Why does it seem that it's only a small handfull of people who want to change everything? Oh that's right, it's because all the honest, hard working Americans are to busy....well working.
Christmas has both Christian and non-Christian roots. Why then should there be an issue? As a Christian, I am not offended when someone comes up to me and says "Happy Hanukkah". I am offended as an American when I can't say "Merry Christmas". If you don't want to celebrate the Holiday, then don't, but leave the rest of us alone.
This craziness over the Separation of Church and state is under false pretenses anyway. After all, the Amendment reads: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..." It only prohibits Congress from establishing AND prohibiting ANY religion for ANY reason. However, it does not prohibit a STATE from declaring a state-wide religion or respecting any such holiday. And, as a matter of fact, it doesn't prohibit congress from acknowledging any such Holiday either.
So what if a Holiday has a Religious history!? Is it really going to hurt you if I call it Christmas? Is it going to kill you for me to say "God bless you"? I teach my students to respect the differences in people, but I shouldn't have to tell them "at the expense of your own beliefs".
We're only a few steps away from changing the first amendment. Is that what we want?
To all of you, Happy Thanksgiving!
Okay, this is my first post. Just wanted to get things rolling. I've been sitting here during Thanksgiving Break coming up with some new activities that will reinforce the lessons for the next few weeks. When that got exhausting, I started surfing the net.
Maybe it's just the freshness of being a new teacher, but I like to keep my students guessing. I encourage them to step outside the norm by doing something they are not expecting. Like taking a "trip" through history instead of just reading about it (boring). Sorry, if it bores me, it's probably going to bore the students.
Of course, I work for a private school, so I have a little more freedom with what I can do. Not that I am belittling those of you who work for a public school...you guys do an awesome job and have so much to deal with. Most of you though only teach 1 grade. I teach 1-5th grade, though, not at the same time. The other teacher and I have split the subjects we teach. That's the beauty of working in a small school I guess, but then, I don't really have any experience anywhere else besides the time I spent working in an afterschool program in one public Elementary School.
I'm sure some of you who are seasoned are probably thinking "ya, he's a new teacher, he'll lose the passion eventually and not be so excited." I certainly hope that doesn't happen. But, submit to you my 1st year. Perhaps by the end my attitude may change, but maybe not. A smile is contagious and it's amazing how just smiling at a child can brighten their whole day.
God Bless!