A Teacher's Worth......Priceless!!!

On Friday, we gathered in the conference room to congratulate and say farewell to a fellow member of staff. As I sat there I reminisced on the times that we had together. It was a humbling experience as well as a remarkable learning moment.

The Principal began by sharing his first encounter with the staff member which was followed by multiple recounts by others. It was interesting  to note how many lives this individual had touched including students. One may have thought that the actions recanted were those that would have been publicly recognized but the recollections depicted that small acts of kindness and thoughtfulness are what really matters.  

This was truly powerful! Despite the haste to meet last minute deadlines, mark papers, submit grades, complete reports, write lessons plans, or planning for other activities, let us take time out to appreciate and spend time with others. We may never know how much it may mean to them. Imagine if we all engage in small acts of kindness? Wouldn't our work environment be more pleasant? There would be a feeling of togetherness and harmony despite differences. When this becomes  the norm it will further be transmitted to the students and eventually become entrenched in the culture of the school.

The memories were continued being shared as the room emptied leaving a few adults and students. I was impressed when I heard past students recalling some of the lessons that they have learned while under tutelage as they made real world connections......Priceless! I must confess that I got a few lesson ideas too. If I had to express my experience it would be the following:-

Don't underestimate the effect you have on others. It may make or break them. Be good to everyone including yourself but most of all be genuine!

What will be your acts of kindness?

Enjoy Your Week!

Petreno

Gone too Soon!

Last week our school community was rocked with the loss of a student to violence. Students both past and present as well as faculty members were shaken to the core. The interesting fact was that this student was not considered popular but was admired for the qualities that he embodied.

What though the radiance which was once so bright
Be now forever taken from my sight,
Though nothing can bring back the hour
Of splendour in the grass, of glory in the flower;
We will grieve not, rather find
Strength in what remains behind.

William Wordsworth

Everyone spoke about the zest  with which he pursued his passion and admitted that he was a positive role model for them. As we grappled with the thought of not seeing his smile and quiet demeanor we celebrated his life and what he meant to those lives that he had touched.

And so as we move forward the hope is that his positive influence will not diminish but further fuel and ignite the passion of all including faculty to strive for excellence in all endeavors. He left his mark, though so young. Gone too soon!

What will be yours?

Life is short. Let us live each day as if it will be our last.

Have a Great Week!

Petreno

Student Improvement vs. Academic Excellence

"I can't! I don't know this! I am going to give up! I'm going to drop out!"........"This is just too much!" These are just some of the expressions we hear from our more  mature, demotivated, and challenging students. The younger students tend to "zone out" or disrupt our lessons. How many Calvins do you teach? In desperation we may respond like Ms. Wormwood but is there a different way?

I was recently reading the book WHOLE BRAIN TEACHING for Challenging Kids by Chris Biffle. He introduces several ideas on how we can engage challenging students and maintain both an effective and positive classroom management style as well as environment. The ideas proposed are relevant especially today when we are striving to develop independent learners. Additionally, the methods presented may be particularly useful if we find ourselves in situations where there are not strict measures in place to address student discipline. The activities introduced are fun packed while simultaneously teaching discipline among other things.

According to Biffle

"......if a student's whole brain is involved in learning, there isn't any mental area left over for challenging behavior." 

More interestingly, I became more engrossed in reading when he  mentioned that "our best students do just enough to get by and our weakest students, because they know they can't win bail out." We see this in Calvin's final response and probably in our own classrooms. Biffle suggests that an environment that supports students in trying to beat their personal best is more advantageous than focusing on academic excellence. This is rather motivating! He further defends this by stating:

"If we focus on student improvement in academic activities and social growth, then scores on state tests will take care of themselves. Nothing will produce higher tests results than a class of students who are continuously striving to break their own personal records. In WBT, we want to set up a system in which every kid has an equal chance for success."

Does this seem too good to be true?

Academic excellence is predicated on testing. We live in an era that relies on testing. As a result, I strongly believe that the effect they should have is being lost on our students. They simply view taking a test synonymous to eating and drinking. There is no time for second thoughts or preparation. 

Is this what we want? What are your thoughts? 

Have a thought-provoking week!

Petreno

Are We Truly Interested in the Future of Our Children?

How can we ensure that every child is given a "fair" chance to succeed in today's society? Do we just sit back and do nothing? According to Plato "the direction in which education starts a man will determine his future in life". What then is the message being given when knowingly deceptive plans are being envisaged that will not benefit our children? 

Are we just concerned with statistics? Using figures to look good so that it can be said because of our "work" we have "improved" or exceeded the expected to the detriment of our children? Again, we are cautioned by Plato that "a good decision is based on knowledge and not numbers".

When do we begin to subscribe to our moral and ethical beliefs about what is fair and just?

The real question is DO WE REALLY CARE ABOUT OUR CHILDREN?

We stand on the crux of change or demise. As we end our celebration of Black History let us think of the moral and ethical issues that are confronting us today. There are no easy answers! In addressing the freshman class at Wiley College in The Great Debaters, James Farmer Sr shared that he believed that they were the most privileged people in America because they have the most important job of educating young people. Similarly, let us move forward and do the same. 

Have a Great Week!

Petreno  

ARE WE PREPARED TO TEACH DIFFERENT GROUPS OF LEARNERS?

Are you prepared to deal with diverse learners in the classroom? How do you determine your state of readiness? Can you ascertain the different learning groups present in your classroom? What are some of the strategies you currently use? How do you ensure that the educational process is fair and offers a variety of multiple entry points?

Recently, I was in a meeting where the academic performance of different sub groups were being discussed. As I surveyed the room I couldn't help thinking of both the students and teachers. If we are to succeed in helping these students to attain academic success it will require us to do things differently. The needs of these various learners must be addressed. Here lies our greatest challenge!

How do we proceed to ensure that the needs of these students are met? What are some of the programs or strategies that need to be in place to support our teachers, parents, and  students? Alternately, is it fair to assume that there are some teachers who are unable to do this successfully whether or not they are appropriately equipped? 

Over the years, I have observed that resistance to change comes in many forms. This includes placing the blame on students, equipment, programs, administrative support, as well as parents.

I am also reminded of the following quote from Bo Bennett:

"An excuse becomes an obstacle in your journey to success when it is made in place of your best effort or when it is used as the object of the blame."

So what will it be? Are you prepared to deal with diverse learners in your classroom? 

Have a Great Week!

Petreno

What Are You Willing To Do?

Last week we had our first faculty meeting for the Spring Semester. As I sat there, I was trying to figure out who would be the first to raise a legitimate concern that is impacting the instructional process. 

In approximately half an hour after the principal had discussed the data for the previous school year I got an answer. A teacher questioned the current procedure for addressing disruptive students. An example of a student being disruptive was proffered as well as how the teacher proceeded to manage the situation. While the teacher was articulating the problem there were a few teachers who gasped and whispered under their breath...."I don't have that problem!" Thus implying that it is the teacher's fault or simply classroom management issues. There were also those teachers who were experiencing the same problem who did not speak up in support of their colleague. 

We have all had those days when we have to deal with a disruptive student and sometimes there is need for immediate resolution or else the situation will impact the teaching/learning process. How then, do we move from it's not my problem but yours? How do we come together as a team to help each other? Ultimately, the instructional process must be preserved at all cost. Learning will simply not take place if there is disruption!

I was dismayed! Earlier that morning I read the article "Nine Reasons Teachers are Unwilling to Stand Up for Their Profession" by Nancy Flanagan in Education Week. She started off by quoting a teacher from Michigan:

"When I speak the truth in meetings about what is happening in public education, I am met with silence from my fellow teachers. It is the silence that is so maddening. I realize not everybody is as bold as me, but still—shouldn't the people working in this profession care about this profession? Beyond the four walls of their own classrooms? Am I crazy or what?" 

It is so amazing! I have often wondered why this is the case if we are all about impacting the lives of children. Ms. Flanagan gave some mind-boggling reasons for this including fear, "it could never happen here" syndrome, lack of information or misinformation, and teachers are too busy or distracted. How do we overcome these to move forward?

What are you willing to do for your students and colleagues?

Have a Fabulous Week!

Petreno

The Fate of Public Education

This week I spent a lot of time reflecting on public education. I am concerned about the students, parents, teachers, administrators, education policy makers, politicians, and the community. I came to the conclusion that the fate of public education is the responsibility of all. If this is the case, how then, do we work together to ensure that every child is successful?

Ever so often we hear of goals being set regarding literacy and numeracy of our children. Yet as the timelines for reaching these goals are being approached the data shows that there is no way these goals will be reached. What went wrong? Were the goals doomed to fail because of lack of participation of all stakeholders? Could the answer lie in implementation? Or a shortage of expertise and resources? Is it fair to say there may be other hidden agendas that will only become exposed in failure? Where are the checks and balances?

The inability to honestly address these concerns will lead to rather critical problems in the future. The fate of public education will require all to act. If we believe that all will be well and do nothing the pending result will be the ultimate failure of our children as we have been witnessing. The manner in which our society responds will indicate what we truly value.

How can I make a difference?

How can you make a difference?

Have a Great Week!

Petreno