"We Are A Family"

This week we had the pleasure of meeting with Ms. Erin Gruwell, the teacher whose eclectic approach to teaching and a  "we are a family" belief was instrumental in changing the lives of students known to be authors of the "Freedom Writers Diary". A movie chronicling their story Freedom Writers debuted in 2007.

As she shared with both students and faculty her experiences that were depicted both on and off screen, one could not help but to be captivated by the struggles she faced as a passionate young teacher. She dared to challenge her students, colleagues, and ultimately a school district.

There are many untold stories similar to Ms. Gruwell's. Now more than ever, it is important that we make our own impressions in our "neck of the wood". I challenge you and myself included to strive despite the odds and criticisms to build our families one student at a time, one day at a time.

Have a Fabulous Week!

Petreno

PROMOTION IN DOUBT

I sat staring at those three words in disbelief: PROMOTION IN DOUBT. There were many questions racing through my mind as I tried to grasp the meaning of PROMOTION IN DOUBT!! What do these words imply?

Is this a stamp that will be forever placed on students at the beginning of the school year which will ultimately determine their fate at the end of the school year and possibly the rest of their lives? Does this mean that this is only a check point that is based on both qualitative and quantitative data or is it just a subjective conclusion? What is the significance of these THREE  words if there were no attempt at some form of intervention? Could it also be a way of expressing "you do not fit in" or "we can't help you"? Has school simply failed these students?

As I sat thinking about the many situations that could have led to this predicament. I could not help but wonder if these THREE  words PROMOTION IN DOUBT are the results of our own teaching practices? How well do we know our students? How do they learn? What are some of the learning challenges that they are experiencing? Are we providing a nurturing and stimulating learning environment that promotes inquiry and a passion for learning? Is it that we are just going through the motions "nothing more, nothing less"? Are we all victims of our circumstances?

What about the students whose lives we have been entrusted? How will their lives be impacted?

I am reminded of the many students I have taught who were not provided with the help needed to become successful learners when they were younger and watched them struggle. Some gave up and dropped out while others stayed the course and eventually graduated. Were those who gave up marred by PROMOTION IN DOUBT? Today, I see some of these students roaming the hall ways, acting out in class, disrupting the instructional process, others extremely quiet ....... trying not to attract attention to themselves but nevertheless are considered for PROMOTION IN DOUBT.

We are all prisoners. How can we help to bring about change? What do the THREE words PROMOTION IN DOUBT mean to you?

In concluding, as you go throughout this week think about the experiences of Brad Cohen in FRONT OF THE CLASS.

Have an inspiring week!

Petreno

Staying the Course...... Giving up is not an Option!

We don't know what lies ahead of us we but we can find out by staying the course.
Giving up is not an option!

We live in a society that is filled with a lot of stress and pressure to produce results. Results are equated to accountability. In this stressful environment if one is not strong they can easily succumb to the pressures that can negatively impact our health whether emotionally, physically, spiritually, or psychologically. 

While conversing with a veteran teacher this week, I could not help feeling her despair. Listening to her left me emotionally drained and physically tired. I felt her pain. She described to me the work she had done the previous year to get her students motivated. Sadly, this work did not produce much "results". This year she has a group of students who are performing at below the expected standards and have severe behavioral issues. How do we support this teacher whose spirit is so broken yet is willingly to do what it takes?

As I began to think about our conversation later, it became apparent that if we are going to experience success and contribute to the overall academic performance of the students who come to us daily we MUST work as a community. We will have to put aside all our differences and work together. "We are as strong as our weakest link". It is also imperative that we support each other. As we work towards satisfying national, state, and local mandates, we need to strive for some balance that will help us to keep our sanity while at the same time achieving by "staying the course. Giving up is not an option!".

Our profession has provided multiple opportunities for us to reinvent ourselves. It is even easier to do so when we align ourselves with others who share the same goals thus providing much needed support. THIS IS WHEN THE IMPOSSIBLE BECOMES POSSIBLE!

In concluding, let us think about the work of Leyman Gbowee, Lech Walesa, and Bob Geldof. Thanks to Errol Morris for producing these short films.  

Have a great week!

Petreno

A Teacher's Wish

Wouldn't it be great if we had all the things we needed to do the best job we can in the classroom? How about  a supportive climate and environment? Further, leadership that is fair, authentic, and believes that children can succeed given the right opportunities and environment?

After returning from an extended weekend I was taken aback when almost all who I had spoken to expressed that it felt as if we had been back in school for more than a month. Indeed it felt that way! I had my moment of revelation when I started thinking about the changes that we have been experiencing. Firstly, there was a change in leadership and secondly the results of the new teacher's evaluation system was released the previous week. The latter has been more difficult since now it is more apparent than ever that students' performance will be a determining factor in a teacher's evaluation. Teachers are currently being rated as ineffective, developing, effective, and highly effective. A consecutive low rating of ineffective may lead to a loss of licensure.

This combination of stress and pressure compounded by unfair evaluation practices have resulted in a toxic environment filled with resentment and fear thereby creating a staff that is divided. Teachers who have worked hard to improve students' academic performance and also have students' test results to attest to this were rated on the low end compared to those teachers  who had failed to show student progress! One wonders if these teachers feel comfortable knowing that they have received what is not justified or is it?

A Teacher's wish is simply to be provided with the appropriate working tools and be allowed to make professional decisions in the interest of students. Teachers also want to be supported and be led by leaders who are fair, instructionally savvy, knows about how children learn, believe in children, recognize the hard work that they do, and has the ability to inspire during challenging times.

Have a Great Week!

Petreno