Teacher World

A recent article in our local paper addressed what has become a commonplace occurrence in most schools in Ohio, and probably nationwide; teachers are spending more of their own money to both prepare their classrooms and supply their students with what they need.

I’m sure some of you who are reading this blog are thinking, “Boo-hoo! Teachers get paid to work 9 months a year, so they have no reason to complain if they have to spend a little money on their classrooms and students.” So let me give those of you who are thinking, or worse yet saying this, an idea of everything I had to buy to get my classroom up and running this year. Here goes:

* 6 black line master books on specific reading standards
* 5 black line master intervention books on specific reading standards
* Math review game aligned to Ohio standards with hanging chart and game cards.
* An extra set of math cards for above game
* A mailbox system for student papers
* 4 bulletin boards for science
* 5 bulletin boards for math
* 10 new sets of bulletin board borders
* Staple gun for hanging bulletin boards on wall
* Bullying bulletin board set and No Bullying sign
* Star of the Week bulletin board set
* 5 new sets of die cuts for attendance board and welcome boards
* Wireless keyboard and mouse
* Multiple rolls of paper towels
* Multiple bottles of pump soap for my classroom sink
* 4 Sam’s Club bags of candy for rewards (And this is just to get me started)
* 3 boxes of treat bags to auction off (This will just be the beginning.)
* Gift bags for each student which contained glitter pencils, crayon pencils, erasers, a Rice Krispie treat, and several pieces of wrapped candy
* Popsicles for the students for the first day of school
* Multiplication Bingo game and Division Bingo Game
* Multiple packages of math flash cards
* Pens, highlighters, markers, pencils, and poster board paper
* 3 magnetic hanging file holders
* 3 clear plastic bins with lids for science materials

Again, I will reiterate that most of these products will only get me started. I will have to purchase or replace more of these items throughout the year. As far as supplies are concerned, periodically we will need to supplement those things that our students run out of and parents do not replenish. We already have a few students who do not have their supplies, probably because their parents cannot afford them. This is not unusual, and we will end up helping these students out.

The article reported that teachers in our area spend anywhere from $100-$2,000 a year on their students and their classrooms. Based on my experience, elementary education teachers generally spend more money than high school teachers in preparing their classrooms for school and providing student rewards and supplies. I am sure I have spent upwards of $700 this year already, as I have had to purchase so many new materials due to teaching all subjects. And I will spend much more before the school year is over. I think we all feel that we are spending more than we used to as our schools’ budgets keep shrinking. Even paper for worksheets is being carefully rationed in our district this year. So, as most parents and schools tighten their belts, teachers will continue to have to loosen theirs if they want to provide the same amenities they have in the past.

Teacher-World's Blog parents, school supplies, students, teachers

Okay, true confession: I hate Back-to-School ads and sales! Yes, you heard it right; I hate seeing them and hearing them, as crazy as that may sound! Let me explain myself further, and I am sure that once I do, many of you out there reading will admit to the same feelings.

Teachers love their summer vacations (those of us who get one, that is). It is such a looked-forward-to time. It’s a time of putting aside the previous school year, and reenergizing for the next. Reminders that we are heading back to school before that reenergizing process is complete are not looked upon favorably by most of us. And that is what those sales are; a way-too-early reminder that we are counting down the days till another year starts. Additionally, Back-to-School sales, like Christmas and Easter sales, are starting earlier and earlier. In our area, these sales started in early July. Really? Who is thinking of what they need to purchase for their youngsters that early? It’s pretty ridiculous! And all it does is force our minds to switch too early to another season of school. Can’t we slow down a little and just enjoy our vacation time? Do we really need to tarnish it with ridiculously-early reminders that another academic year is looming?

Don’t get me wrong. I take advantage of Back-to-School sales like everyone else. It is my time to replenish materials that have been used up or destroyed the year before. (I always need a new electric pencil sharpener!) And I love getting those items on sale, just like every parent out there. In fact, I plan an excursion today to my local Office Max store to do just that. But can’t we show a little restraint and hold off on any mention of Back-to-School sales until late July? Is that too much to ask, retailers? Or, if you must start your sales early for those eager parents and students who just can’t wait, do it quietly and discreetly. Come on! Show a little restraint for teachers (and probably most children) everywhere! Trust me; we will love you for it!

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As promised, here is the last blog I will write about Arne Duncan’s speech to the Annual National PTA Convention in June. He made an interesting comment concerning the roles parents should play in their children’s education: they should be “partners in learning, advocates and advisors who push for better schools, and decision-makers who choose the best educational options for their children.” It is the last role I wish to address in this blog.

Clearly, it is every parent’s decision where their children will attend school. And I think it is safe to say that the majority of parents send their children to public schools for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is the fact that public education is free. But what do parents do when they become disenchanted with the school of their choice? Unfortunately, in my experience, a lot of these parents do not take the time to actually connect to their child’s teacher and principal in a constructive way to try to reach a remedy to whatever issues exist. Instead of trying to work out existing problems, some parents even threaten to remove their children from their present school and send them somewhere else. Now, that may eventually be the decision that is made, but parents should work through all available resources first before making precipitous decisions. Arne Duncan stated, “Parent engagement is, of course, a two-way street. Parents sometimes disengage when schools fail to welcome their input. Too often, parents come in to school only when there is a problem—rather than touching base regularly to see how students are progressing.”

So, parents, first and foremost, don’t wait till there is a problem to come in and spend some time in your child’s school in whatever capacity available to you. Get to know your child’s teacher and principal by helping in the classroom, being a chaperone, helping as a room mother or father, calling or emailing to find out what is happening in class, and attending conferences. Call for a conference if you have questions or concerns. Teachers will make time for you. Then, if problems pop up, you have already built enough of a relationship with your child’s teacher to be able to work together to solve it. It is unlikely if you follow this advice that you would ever get to the point of considering removing your child from their school.

Second, if you do not have the time to get to know your child’s teacher and a problem develops,set up a conference and do all you can to amicably resolve the issue. Do not go in loaded for bear believing everything your child has told you. Work together with the teacher to try to reach a compromise. And do not threaten to pull your child from school unless all other options have been explored and failed. It is not going to help your child to make drastic changes. So let that be a last resort, no matter where your child goes to school.

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Three more positives from Arne Duncan’s speech to the Annual National PTA Conference, and I’ll be through with the issues I agreed with. Let me emphasize some vital points he made to parents.

First, he appropriately brings up the overuse of televisions, and computer and video games in our students’ homes. He basically called parents out on the fact that many of them are not limiting the number of hours their children spend mesmerized by these forms of visual stimulation. Every Monday morning we start out by sharing what we did over the weekend. And it is always true that the majority of my students regularly reported spending most of their weekends glued to their television and/or game systems. They rarely get outside and seldom do anything physical. Parents, you need to monitor and limit the use of television and game systems in your home daily and engage in activities which will benefit your children and possibly even support their learning.

Second, he talked about why it was so important to level the playing field from state to state by having national standards which all students in the United States would be expected to master. “For years, we have been actually lying to children and lying to ourselves by pretending that 50 different standards, in 50 different states, will make America competitive and help our children succeed in life. We have to stop pretending. We have to tell the truth. And we have to raise the bar for all children,” Mr. Duncan stated.  “When you play basketball, the basket is always ten feet high. In football, the field is always 100 yards long. A 3-pointer is worth 3 points, and a touchdown is worth six points. Yet until now, we have resisted leveling the playing field in education. I’ll put it plain and simple: When you tell students that they are ready for college and they are not, you are lying to children when they most need your candor and help.” I have advocated for some time now that the standards be aligned nationally. It has never been fair that some states have way more standards than others that students must master. Now that there are national standards, I will be curious to see how this affects standard-based report cards and formative assessments. Will they remain aligned to their state standards or need revising in order to reflect the national standards? It will be interesting to see how that all shakes out!

Finally, I was overjoyed to read this quote from Mr. Duncan’s speech: “Unlike in the past, our ESEA proposal also emphasizes measuring student growth, not just absolute test scores. I’m much more interested in growth and gain than in absolute test scores. I want to know how much individual students, schools, districts, and even whole states are improving each year.” Amen! This is so perfectly said that there is no need for me to belabor it other than to say. Well done, Mr. Duncan! And very well said!

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Tonight I am continuing to blog to you about my reactions to Arne Duncan’s speech to the Annual National PTA Conference in June. While I have so far been a strong proponent of some of his statements, I was both offended and annoyed by one of his comments to parents regarding teachers. Teachers, I am curious how many of you would react in a similar way to this comment: “…That is why schools should be places that honor and respect families-that meet parents on their own terms-even if it means teachers giving out their cell phone numbers to field questions at night and calling back the single mom who missed her parent-teacher conference because she was at work.” Wow! The first time I read this, I had to stop and reread it because I just couldn’t believe what is implied by this comment. So what is implied, you ask?

Well, first of all, did you distinctly hear the implication that we don’t already call back parents who miss their children’s parent-teacher conferences? Regardless of their reason for not showing up and regardless of whether they are a single mom, a single dad, or a happily married couple, if I set up a conference with them, I had a good reason, and I am going to be back in touch with them to communicate what needs to be communicated. I had one parent who missed three scheduled conferences. I contacted that father four times before I finally got him in to meet with me. Did I need Arne Duncan to tell me that this is part of my job as a teacher? And how many of you teachers out there haven’t done this countless times in order to communicate with a parent? So, I am offended that his statement might lead parents to assume that this is an uncommon or nonexistent practice and that teachers need to be pushed into doing something that most of us probably already do.

Now, why does this statement annoy me? Well, I hope it annoys all teachers to think we might be expected someday to give all of our parents our cell phone numbers so that they can reach us any time they need to. I spend countless hours in a week contacting parents by phone, sending and returning emails, and writing letters. I have even called parents when absolutely necessary from my home because it was imperative that I contact them quickly and couldn’t reach them during the day. But I only did that after careful consideration because I don’t want to disturb families at home. This is their family time after all. So, don’t teachers deserve family time as well? Most teachers put numerous hours in beyond their school day preparing lessons and grading papers. It is a rarity to find a teacher who doesn’t take work home which already cuts into family time. Sometimes I think my husband believes he is a widower. Now, I might be asked to take phone calls at home during a time which should be reserved for my own family and when I may need to help my own children with schoolwork? Frankly, enough is enough! Would you call your lawyer, your doctor, or your school superintendent, during the evening? So what makes it okay to interrupt your child’s teacher in the privacy of their home? Do we not have a right to privacy like anyone else?

So, Mr. Duncan, I respectfully disagree with this part of your speech, and I would guess I’m not alone. What about the rest of you teachers out there? This can’t just bother me! Weigh in: Do you want to give your cell phone numbers to your parents? And how do you feel about the implication that we don’t follow up with our parents who miss conferences? This is your chance to be heard. Come on, speak up!

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This is the second in a series of blogs that I am directly addressing to parents. These blogs stem from Arne Duncan’s speech at the Annual National PTA Convention on June 11. In his speech, he brought up a problem I believe most schools face today: minimal participation by fathers in their children’s education.

Interestingly, he noted that one of the biggest reasons for their lack of involvement is simply that they haven’t been asked. And, sadly, I think he is probably right. I think most of us assume that mothers:
A. have more time
B. are more interested in their children’s education
C. have a more flexible work schedule
D. are more into the kinds of activities that require parental help, such as parties, school crafts, field day, field trips, etc.

I thought a lot about my own classroom and how seldom I have had involvement from a father, and how awesome it was when a father did participate. We all know that we see more children all of the time who are growing up in single parent households, and the majority of those single parents are mothers. In addition, it is statistically less common to see many male teachers at the elementary level. Traditionally, they gravitate to junior high and high school. So we have many boys who are desperately in need of male role models. At no other time in history has there been a greater need to provide these kinds of role models in school.

So, Dads, we need you! As I said in my last blog, there are a number of ways you could get involved just like working mothers. Join PTA which usually meets in the evening, communicate with your child’s teacher in a supportive-want-to-know-attitude, show up for conferences, support your child’s education by providing a quiet place to do homework, help with homework if needed, know what your child is studying in school and talk about it with your child, take a vacation day to spend time chaperoning a field trip or helping in the classroom. Believe me, we know that all of this would require a sacrifice on your part; a readjustment of schedules and priorities. But we need you none the less, your child needs you, and your sacrifice would be rewarded. Your willingness to sacrifice tells your child that you value their education, and that is such an important message to send to them.

Dads, we desperately want to see you in our schools as positive role models and supporters of your children’s schools. Please, show up. Your children want you, and your children’s teachers want you. So, on behalf of teachers everywhere, consider this an invitation to jump in. And rest assured that we can’t wait to see you!

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I recently read Arne Duncan’s speech to the Annual National PTA Convention on June 11, which contained some very interesting comments and issues worthy of response. Much of what he said, I could not agree with more, and there were a few comments worthy of rebuttal. So over the next few blogs, I will be addressing parents as we analyze some of his salient comments.

One of the most important issues he addressed was the need for parents to get more involved in their children’s education in three critical ways: “as partners in learning, advocates and advisors who push for better schools and decision-makers who choose the best educational options for their children”. In this blog, I wish to discuss the first involvement: as partners in learning.

Arne advocates that parents need to get more involved in their children’s schools through visiting, helping in their children’s classrooms, communicating with the teachers and principal in a supportive way, being part of the PTA, etc. I am in total agreement that parents need to show their children that they are actively partnering with their school to help their child be successful. Now, let me start by saying that many of you parents out there are already involved in a variety of ways in your children’s schools. If I’ve described you, please ignore me, because this blog isn’t targeting you. But so often, as teachers, the only time we hear from many parents is upon the occasions when they are concerned about their child’s grades or unhappy with a decision we have made in regards to their child. And, frequently, those interactions are not pleasant, as the parent has heard only their child’s side of the story and, therefore, they come in or call already on the defensive.

Now, had there been open communication and prior understanding of what was happening in their child’s classroom as a result of spending some time there, communicating with the teacher through phone or email, or volunteering to come in to help in the classroom, much of this negative interaction could be avoided. I have always endeavored to meet with each of my parents at least by the end of the first round of conferences, and many are in way before that. Unfortunately, it is often the case that the parents I most need to meet with do not sign up or show up for conferences. And some never come even once during the whole school year to discuss their child’s progress. Parents, we need to communicate and work with you. We need your input and your support. And your involvement in your child’s classroom tells your child that you care about what they are doing at school.

Now, I know there are many of you who work full-time and would be unable to come into the classroom during the school day. Everyone can show support for their child’s education, just as Arne Duncan said in his speech, by setting aside a special, quiet place for their child to do their homework, help them as needed, check to make sure their homework is completed each night, and turn off the television and the video games and have them read to you or you read out loud to them. In a multitude of ways, you can send the clear message that you support their education and will do all you can to help them to succeed. And you also send the message that you support their teacher who cares about their success, too.

You owe it to your child to make this critical effort. Your children look to you to set the tone and to lead them. If you are positive about the education they are receiving, the chances are greater that they will be, too. So, get involved. Support your school in whatever ways you can. And by doing so, send a clear message to your children that their education is worth the dedication of your time and energy as well as theirs.

Teacher-World's Blog Arne Duncan, parents, PTA, students, teachers

Here is my latest pet peeve. I have a student who was absent for over a week, supposedly too sick to come to school. Yet this same student was spotted, during that same week, at a Cub Scout meeting. Apparently he was feeling fine that night yet was too sick to come to school either that morning or the following day. Am I the only one who has a problem with this?

In my house, my kids knew that I had a steadfast rule: if they were too sick to go to school, they would not be going anywhere after school. Period! No wiggle room! This simple rule tended to solve two basic problems. First, it helped us clarify pretty quickly just how sick we were. Often, my sick children suddenly realized that they weren’t as sick as they thought they were when reminded that they would be staying home all day and all evening. I will admit that there were times that I was as disappointed as my child that we would miss out on an activity which we had both been looking forward to. But the rule truly helped cut back on some of the times when they might have stayed home unnecessarily.

The other advantage to this rule was that it kept truly sick kids home in the evening so that they did not infect other people. I am always amazed that parents will allow their children to be around healthy people when they are clearly sick because they don’t have the courage to make a stand that is best for their child and everyone else.

Parents, we need to be parents in the tough times as well as the fun times. It is so much easier to just give in to our kids because we don’t want to upset them. But we send the wrong message when we do so. The parent of my student, who went to a Cub Scout meeting but could not come to school, either taught their child that an after-school activity is more important than an education or that it is okay to expose other people to their sick child’s germs. If their child was not too sick to attend school, they have also conveyed a not-so-subtle message that it is okay to lie about being sick and use it as an excuse to stay home. You don’t have to be a fortune teller to predict that this will bite them in the butt someday.

So, parents, protect your butts and teach your children an important lesson at the same time! Keep them home after school if you are going to keep them home during school. Period!

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It’s that time of the year again; the time to consider what changes we need to make in our lives for the New Year. It’s the perfect time to turn our attention to work resolutions, too. So, let me share a few teacher resolutions for my New Year with you.

My Teacher New Year Resolutions

* To begin each day with a smile and a sense of humor
* To be patient even when my students are at their worst
* To always be willing to go that extra mile for any student who needs that extra mile from me, even when they are not very gracious about the extra mileage I am chalking up on their behalf
* To work tirelessly to find alternative ways to present curriculum in order to meet the various learning styles and learning difficulties in my classroom
* To be willing to share what is effective and admit what is not to my co-teachers in order to foster an atmosphere of collaboration
* To show my gratitude to those parents who teach their children the need to put their education and school work first and extracurricular activities second
* To commend parents who understand the difference between directing their child to find answers rather than directing them to write down the answers they are freely giving them
* To strive to be more forgiving of interruptions to my teaching day
* To be willing to volunteer my time to serve on committees but only for those activities that I am passionate about
* To do my best to make subject matter relevant and interesting
* To take the time to show my concern for my students both academically and socially
* To do my best to leave each day with a smile and a sense of humor

I hope you and your family have a wonderful New Year! May this be an awesome year for you at home and at work. Good luck with your resolutions, and I’ll see you in 2010!

Teacher-World's Blog New Year Resolutions, parents, students, teacher

In my first blog concerning President Obama’s speech to our nation’s children scheduled to air on Tuesday, I touched primarily on the reaction from our parents over the upcoming speech and the decision made by our school system as a result. While some of the anger expressed by parents was purely political in nature, in fairness to parents, some of it was undoubtedly fueled by the Department of Education’s suggested lesson plans for teachers to use as follow-up activities after the speech. Before I even discuss the initial lesson plans that were suggested, can we address the obvious? Isn’t the Department of Education a non-political entity? Their very involvement in this issue muddied the waters, as far as I am concerned. Did the DOE suggest lesson plans after Reagan or Bush’s speeches? Why this time?

At this point, what seemed like an important message to our students becomes something suspicious and tainted. Especially in light of the originally suggested activities. For example, in grades K-6, it was encouraged to have students “write letters to themselves about what they can do to help the president. These would be collected and redistributed at an appropriate later date by the teacher to make students accountable to their goals.” Furthermore, it was suggested that teachers “build background knowledge about the president of the United States by reading books about presidents and Barack Obama”. Whoa!!!!! Suddenly a speech about doing well in school and staying in school takes on a whole new meaning! Are we concerned about our children, or are we influencing children to support Obama and his future policies? And should our children by writing letters about how to help their president or how to help their country? This seems like dangerous territory to me, as I’m sure it did to parents.

To the Department of Education’s credit, they did realize their mistake and amended the suggested lesson plans to something more palatable, but by then, the damage was done. As a result, many districts like mine are probably being told not to show this speech. And unfortunately, if the message is powerful, which is very likely knowing President Obama’s style and eloquence, our students will be the losers. A sad ending to what I think was meant as an innocent and relevant appeal!

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