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

TEACHERS HAVE A VOICE TOO!

Amidst the daily issues and controversy that currently overshadows education the Teachers' voice gets loss in the shuffle. It is true that while more accountability is being placed on the teacher there is still no system of support for teachers in the inner city that is truly meaningful.

It can be argued that accountability is needed but for whom? Is it for the inadequacy in some of our peers that makes it difficult for the rest of us? How about scapegoating others because of a difference in opinions and practices? How can teachers be held accountable ....... is it through the pay, loss of licensure or student performance? What about those teachers who go above and beyond yet the data measures are poor? Should we rely on bureaucratic definition of what constitutes student performance or growth? What is accountability?

These are all logical questions that are so profound I believe that can only be answered through a thorough and honest introspection of self, systems, and processes. While the public is clamoring for more accountability there are teachers who are working under extreme conditions to get their jobs done let alone survive! 

There are teachers who have no resources and are continuously faced with a multitude of adverse conditions that impact instruction in the classroom. These range from the inability to get help for students who are consistently disrupting the educational process and the procurement of appropriate programs for helping the lower level students because of budgetary constraints. Additionally, there are the hungry students, the student who has to work to take care of their family and was unable to complete homework, students who cannot stay after school or take advantage of other programs that will help improve their academic performance which will ultimately contribute to student growth. 

Will these hard working  teachers be penalized by the system? When will the voices of these teachers be brought to the fore? How will our inner city schools survive if teachers are unable to do their jobs the best way they know to produce results? Under the current accountability climate will there be a max exodus of teachers to schools where there is an abundance of resources and a strong parental support system as well as all the other conditions that are imperative for "student achievement"? Conversely, would these high performing schools hire these teachers?

Where do you stand?

Petreno

Let the Students' Voices Be Heard!

Isn't it interesting to hear students' views outside of the classroom?

I recently had a conversation with a student that was rather thought-provoking and somewhat disturbing.

I have always seen this particular student around school but have never had the opportunity of teaching in my courses.  Further, the student was always in and out of school because of behavioral issues. None-the-less I was impressed of how well informed and passionate the expressed views were about what was happening in the school.

The student was able to accurately describe the school environment and culture as well as the existing dynamics which was excruciatingly blunt. I could not help but think to myself Wow! How many other students are there in the school with similar views? Have we failed in engaging them appropriately in the teaching learning process? How can we effectively utilize the views of these students in school improvement?

Usually in any school improvement initiative the students' voices are often left out in this process yet it is often about them! Have we been getting this wrong? We have always thought that we know what's best for students often imposing rules, best practices, new curricula, and social services that we think will benefit them based on the research. Though these are all good........should we rethink based on the evolution of our student population of today? Are we truly addressing their needs?

The student disclosed during our conversation the need to pass required examinations which meant that there is an issue of being under-credited. Additionally, the hope that teachers can look beyond faults and provide what is truly desired ......... an education was aggressively demanded. If we are to successfully close the achievement gap we need to seriously listen to our students.

There are many articulate and brilliant students who are caught in this dilemma. How can we help them?

Have an Extraordinary Week!

Petreno