Test Prep, Test Prep, and More Test Prep

Standardized tests are almost here, and I will be glad when they are done.  It seems like all I have done this year is to get ready for the tests, including teaching specially prepared lessons sent from the main office.  It's as if I teach an entire chapter in a single lesson. 

Are there any others out there like me who remember the days when teaching to the test was a bad thing?  When a low test score was a reflection of the student who took the test, not the teacher and school?  By blaming the teacher, all accountability for getting an education has been removed from students and their parents. 

Parents, make sure your children do their homework, get a good night's sleep, and come to school every day.  Students, pay attention in class, do your homework, and come to school every day well-rested.  I guarantee you, test scores will rise.

Charitable Contributions

There's been a lot of discussion in the teachers' lounge about whether or not we will maintain our past level of giving to charities.  Most teachers are responding to phone requests by saying, "I'm a teacher.  My wages were cut this year.  I won't be able to make a donation."  One charity that works within our district is United Way.  Many teachers returned their forms last week with a 0 in the donation box. 

John Q. Public, do not be surprised when contributions are down this year.  Teachers, as a group, are compassionate people and tend to donate.  Not this year.  You have bashed us in the press, cut our pay, erased our contracts, and treated us with a total lack of respect.  I am spending my reduced salary on my mortgage and my child's college fund.

Long Day

Made it through the twelve-hour day of conferences.  The hardest part is being ready to teach the next day.  I wish it were Friday.  I also wish the standardized tests were done.  It feels like we have been preparing all year.  Oh wait, we have.  What kind of system makes it my fault if scores are low?  What can I do if kids don't come to school or don't do their homework?  When do parents become responsible for their children?

Stolen Wallet - Part II

OK, so the student who stole the wallet was found, thanks to the maintenance staff watching the security videos.  Of course, no money or credit cards were returned.  The student claimed the amount of money the teacher reported was not accurate.  So now the teacher may get the money back through restitution, maybe not.  The kicker is,  the teacher wanted the student moved to another class.  Admin said it wasn't possible without disrupting the kid's schedule.  Imagine that, the thief should not have his schedule disrupted.  The teacher went back and insisted, so a change was finally made.  Remember the days when the teacher's welfare mattered?

Adding Insult to Injury

It's only October, and many of the teachers in my building are ready for June.  Morale is low, and several teachers are hoping to find jobs outside of teaching.  Kids are disrespectful, lazy, dishonest, and uncooperative.  Then teachers get the blame when test scores drop.  A fellow teacher had her wallet stolen yesterday by one of her students.  I don't know if I would have come back today.  She is trying to decide if she should continue teaching.  It's just one more kick-in-the-teeth.

Decreased Pay for Teachers

Teachers have now received their first decreased paycheck.  Comments are being made that some local business owners feel they are being boycotted by teachers.  We're not boycotting; we have 8-10% less income.  Did you really not think ahead that this would have an impact on your business?!  The figure being quoted last spring was about $7 million in loss of income in our county alone .  We can't spend what we don't have.

Message to Parents

The new school year has started.  Parents, this is a great article about what teachers want you to know in order to help your child be more successful in school.

Protest Jewelry

If you are looking for jewelry that makes a statement about what's happening to public education in Wisconsin, stop at the Glass Onion Bead Co. on College Avenue in Appleton.  The owner/artist is the mom of a teacher.  She has been attending protests and making jewelry that makes a statement.  I bought a great, stamped pendant that says, "Union thug."  There are other messages as well.  The owner will soon make a new batch of earrings that are a take-off of the Obama buttons that said HOPE.  The earrings have a picture of Walker with the word, "DOPE,"  on them.  Saw a picture; very cute. 

Stop in and introduce yourself.  Thank the owner for her support.

Letter to Gov. Walker

Gov. Walker:

As the son of a minister, you are probably familiar with the parable found in Matthew 25: 31-46, sometimes referred to as “The Sheep and Goats.”  It’s a parable about Judgment Day.  In this parable, God tells the “righteous” that whenever they have helped the lowly and needy, they have helped Him. 

You are in a position to serve God by serving the lowly and the needy.  Instead, you have chosen to serve the wealthy and the greedy.  I believe that there will be a Judgment Day.  On that day, God will hold you accountable for your actions.  I also believe that there will be a recall election day.  On that day, the voters of Wisconsin will hold you accountable for your actions.

Sincerely,

Public School Teacher   

Budget Signing

I attended the budget signing in Green Bay yesterday.  However, I was not one of the Lamborghini-driving CEO's or politicians invited inside to witness the signing.  I was one of the protestors standing outside, amid a wonderful crowd of children, nurses, teachers, sheet metal workers, firefighters, police officers, and others that will be hurt by the budget cuts Gov. Walker signed into effect. 

Take a look at the picture on the front page of the Press-Gazette today.  Identify your smug representatives standing there smiling.  Contact them and remind them that they represent the greater number of people outside that building yesterday, not just the few who were inside.  Remind them that the recall elections are coming.  Then get out and vote for a Wisconsin that works for all of us, not just a wealthy few.

Rising College Costs

What is happening with budget cuts to education in Wisconsin makes me believe that this is a concerted effort by the wealthiest few to prevent the middle class from becoming well-educated.  Read this article for statistics showing the rising cost of college compared to the declining median income, when adjusted for inflation.

Time to Get to Work

Ok, I've had two days to recuperate from the end of the school year.  Now it's time for me and all other teachers in the state of Wisconsin to get to work.  Email your state representatives to vote no on vouchers in Green Bay.  Volunteer at the Democratic headquarters to help recall the Republicans.  Teachers, stand up for yourselves and for public education!

The End

I made it through the last day of students today.  It was a looonnngg day!  Tomorrow is a workday.  No summer school for me this year.  I took a class online during May.  Unfortunately, after tomorrow, I'm going to have to think about the changes that will be coming next year due to Gov. Walker and budget cuts. 

Teachers, get out there this summer.  Make your voices heard.  Work for and vote in the recall elections.  Let's stand up for the future of public education!

Vouchers in Green Bay

Another hit for public schools!  The Joint Finance Committee has opened the door for vouchers in Green Bay.  Read about the process put in place to make it happen.  Taxes would be able to be increased to pay for private schools, but not for public schools.  Green Bay Area Public Schools stand to loose another $1.5 million.  Why do the power mongers want to destroy public schools?  Is it elitism or just greed?  Don't they realize that well-educated citizens are good for the entire country?

Teachers are Targets

I do feel like I am wearing a target on my back.  Read this article suggesting that Gov. Walker should take the bull's-eyes off our backs.

Happy Memorial Day

It's Friday again.  I know; every week gets a little longer.  It seems as though I have reverted to the "don't smile till Thanksgiving" teacher I was the first few weeks of the year.  There are constant challenges throughout the day.  I don't know why.  Is it because I'm expecting middle-schoolers to learn about the surface area of cylinders on the Friday before Memorial Day? 

Have a restful weekend.  Enjoy that extra day.

Supporting Teachers

You'll want to read this article in supprt of teachers.  Who thought there would be something supportive on Fox News?  Thanks, Sally Kohn.  Your teachers are proud of you.

WI Budget Proposals

If you are interested on what is happening with the latest budget proposals and budget meetings, a good source of information is the Wisconsin Budget Project.  It includes links to the non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau and lists topics to be discussed at upcoming meetings.

Almost June

We have made it to another Friday.  Every day gets a little tougher.  It is a struggle to keep students on track and still learning.  I hate to see students regress in the last few weeks.  It tends to negate progress they have made during the year.  Hang in there, everyone.  Don't take it personally.  Maybe they're just staying up late because the weather is warmer and they're outside.  Maybe it's some kind of subconscious breaking away from you before they move to the next grade.  Whatever it is, keep on doing the great stuff you did every day all year.  Before you know it, you'll be waving to them as they get on the bus on the last day.

Teacher Evaluation

Here is the latest on using student test scores to evaluate teachers.  This brings me back to my earlier post on recalling Republicans.

Homework Completion

Sharing a great idea used by another teacher in my building.  She has a spot on the board for each class period.  On the days when every member of the class has his/her homework done, a letter, which spells out a reward, such as C O O K I E S, is added to the board.   Her hardest working class is now spelling  P I Z Z A.

I've used a simpler version.  I put the reward in a clear jar and put strips of colored electrical tape on the side.  When the tape is gone, the class gets the treat.

What works in your class?  Who remembers the days when parents made sure homework was done?

Bumper Stickers

Followed a car the other day.  One bumper sticker said, "Honor Teachers."  A second bumper sticker said, "Recall Republicans."  Are these dependent or independent events?  What's the probability that recalling Republicans will result in increased honoring of teachers?

Honor Teachers

I went to a benefit concert at a local college last week.  I was watching a young man schmoozing the crowd while I waited for the concert to start;  I assumed he worked for one of the businesses sponsoring the concert.  Eventually the young man approached the row of seats I was in and stopped in front of me.  He asked, "Do you recognize me?"  Of course, one of my former students.  We had a nice chat, and then he said he wanted to introduce me to the person behind me, who was the dean of the college.  The young man put his arm around me, turned to the dean, and said, "This is Mrs. ____, my sixth grade math teacher."   He said it as if I were the most important person in the room.   I went home feeling honored and appreciated.  Every teacher needs and deserves a moment like that.  There are students walking through your doors every day who feel the same way about you; they're kids, and they don't know how to tell you.  So, on behalf of all the students for whom you work so hard,thank you.  Keep up the good work.

Let the Games Begin

As part of a class assignment, I started a blog.  That blog was to be related to technology.  It gave me the idea of starting a blog on which teachers could communicate, just like the teachers' lounge.  My time spent in the teachers' lounge is what helps get me through the day.  So, teachers, here is a spot to talk about your job, your day, your worries about the future of education, or even great teaching ideas.  Communicate, share, laugh, and support each other. 

By the way, happy Friday.