What I've Learned

Working with kids is a challenge!

I heard the following somewhere around 15 to 20 years into my chosen profession. I NEEDED to hear it!!

"Parents send the BEST children they have to school. Children share with us the BEST parents they have."

Five years into my life as a teacher I was told, had to realize, we cannot 'save' every child. True but sad. Unfortunately, teachers always focus on the ones we lose. A few times we hear from the 'saved' and 'successful'....that IS nice!! I'd LIKE to have more SUCCESSES.

And, of course, the cruel reality; "Public education has NEVER had enough money and probably never will."

BUT...on the 'UP' side; I do think we're (the educational 'who's, who' and 'what's, what') are learning not to throw the 'baby out with the bath water.' We are standing up to the 'naysayers.' This accomplishment alone will be a tremendous boost for our kids.

Communication with the 'home front' is the main key to keeping the parents at bay. Get your version of the story told first. This 'shuts' down the 'spinning' factor that middle school kids have perfected. In the old days there were only two phones in the building, office and teachers' workroom. Certainly, email wasn't available and cell phones didn't exist. Getting the parents called prior to the student getting home was almost impossible. Today we have phones in the room, cell phones, and email. The best scenario is to have the student call while you listen....or you talk first and then give the kid the phone. The best strategy for this depends on the situation. But the important part is to communicate often and timely. Keeps your butt out of trouble and usually benefits the kid.

Curriculum: I know today what I teach is not my decision. In the past it pretty much was. Of course, the material in the math book was a given. Reading had the text and any number of supporting skills sheets. Topics in science and social studies were to be covered, but how to do this was left to the creativity of the teachers. In the 'old days' it was magical what happened in schools. Teachers are VERY creative people individually and collectively it is amazing! Now days we have to cover the textbooks completely and then Standards for the State and Feds. Often these have some over-lap, but the time restraints allow very little 'extras' or for that matter creativity. We're extremely good at 'following' the rules and teaching for the tests, but it is time consuming and the testing alone cuts into about 3-4 weeks of the school year.

I do know we are preparing our students for tests they will face K-12 and on into their post-graduate studies. I, also, know we are not allowing much time if any for creativity, inquiry learning. My hope is when students get done jumping through the hoops we have established, they will be qualified to decide what they want to do with their future and their creativity flourishes.