Quoting Mr. Bill Gates in the Washington Post, February 28, 2011.
"Over the past four decades, the per-student cost of running our K-12 schools has more than doubled, while our student achievement has remained virtually flat. Meanwhile, other countries have raced ahead. The same pattern holds for higher education. Spending has climbed, but our percentage of college graduates has dropped compared with other countries. "
Coming from a gentleman who attended school in a home and school environment with high expectations, including parents, students, administration, and teachers, I can see why he expects good teachers. Don't we all? It is a sad reality that bad teachers do exist, those teachers who are burned out and nearing retirement, or teachers who should have chosen another profession. I have been fortunate to work with really great teachers, and they are in an up-hill battle to undo what the bad teachers are done. So yes, Mr. Gates, I agree that we need good, no GREAT teachers, who are willing to go the extra mile, NOT teach to the test, and include project-based learning that provokes higher-order thinking. The sad truth is, every profession has bad employees, and teaching is not an exception. Good teachers is a large part of the puzzle, but only part of it. I believe our cultural belief about education is the missing piece.
In response to the quoted paragraph above, we need to study what those countries have done to improve education: many have created National Standards for every state. But the trouble lies in our culture's philosophy of education. If you have seen the video of education in China it is clear just how different we are from them: those who can't, fail. They are not given differentiated education but are left to sink or swim. China focuses on the high performing students and lets the other go. Also, pay attention to the school climate, every child comes to school with the fear of their parents in the back of their mind. Yes, I said PARENTS. I still stick to my belief that parents and society have a responsibility to uphold a high expectation of education. But as we know from my last post, there is a vicious cycle of (mostly poverty, according to research) lack of support for education, including early childhood and ongoing. Teachers can put in so much effort and motivate children, but when students return home to a parent who blows off school all together, that is the belief they are typically going to buy into, and the vicious cycle begins.
Back to China, so there is a culture of the intense requirement for students to attend school every day and work hard, then stay for the required classes after school, finally many attend test-prep classes until 10 o'clock at night. No wonder the suicide rate in China is so high. China goes to the other extreme of American's philosophy of education. We need to find a gray area.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
A Vicious Cycle
There are amazing parents out there, my mother being one of them. The moment the child is out of the womb they are singing to them and reading to them. They engage in conversation as the child continues to grow. They encourage responsibility by assigning household chores. Before heading off to school, they have already taught their little one how to count and write their name. These children have unknowingly been prepped and primed for the next 10+ years of their educational career.
What about those students who were never sung to, never held a pencil until they arrived on their first day of school, never learned social skills because they did not attend preschool, and never had a parent talk 'to' them but have been talked 'at' all their short life? We need to accept that poverty is a huge factor in this scenario. The situation becomes a vicious cycle as these children grow up and have children of their own, and they have little idea how to academically and socially raise a child.
This is a scenario that all too many inner-city teachers are faced with. Government is reigning down on them with negativity about successfully raising these students' test scores to meet the other schools who host families that worked with their children from a young age and continue doing so. Bottom line, it is time to hold the parents accountable too. This cycle cannot be stopped, but it can slow down. Parenting is a job and requires training. Much training is from childhood into adulthood as we watch how our parents raise us. So what about those children who have not been raised, but left to their own devises? The Department of Child & Family Services (DCFS) tried to intervene but are so inundated with cases they are forced to put the "minor" cases on the back burner. These are not minor cases! These children are being taught that neglect is acceptable and when they have their own children they are likely to become the same kind of parent.
If you have children and they are emotionally and academically stable, happy children then quick! pick up the phone and thank your parents. While you're at it, call your grandparents and thank them too for preparing your parents for the most important job in the world.
This post is dedicated to my mom and dad, and my 3 siblings. To me they are all the greatest parents in the world for my 6 nephews/neice.
In the meantime, here is a quote from one of those studies:
"(M)any children face deficiencies in the years leading up to school entry in terms of emotional support, intellectual stimulation, or access to resources — due to low income or other factors — that can impede their ability to develop to their fullest potential." -Copyright © 2005 RAND Corporation
What about those students who were never sung to, never held a pencil until they arrived on their first day of school, never learned social skills because they did not attend preschool, and never had a parent talk 'to' them but have been talked 'at' all their short life? We need to accept that poverty is a huge factor in this scenario. The situation becomes a vicious cycle as these children grow up and have children of their own, and they have little idea how to academically and socially raise a child.
This is a scenario that all too many inner-city teachers are faced with. Government is reigning down on them with negativity about successfully raising these students' test scores to meet the other schools who host families that worked with their children from a young age and continue doing so. Bottom line, it is time to hold the parents accountable too. This cycle cannot be stopped, but it can slow down. Parenting is a job and requires training. Much training is from childhood into adulthood as we watch how our parents raise us. So what about those children who have not been raised, but left to their own devises? The Department of Child & Family Services (DCFS) tried to intervene but are so inundated with cases they are forced to put the "minor" cases on the back burner. These are not minor cases! These children are being taught that neglect is acceptable and when they have their own children they are likely to become the same kind of parent.
If you have children and they are emotionally and academically stable, happy children then quick! pick up the phone and thank your parents. While you're at it, call your grandparents and thank them too for preparing your parents for the most important job in the world.
This post is dedicated to my mom and dad, and my 3 siblings. To me they are all the greatest parents in the world for my 6 nephews/neice.
In the meantime, here is a quote from one of those studies:
"(M)any children face deficiencies in the years leading up to school entry in terms of emotional support, intellectual stimulation, or access to resources — due to low income or other factors — that can impede their ability to develop to their fullest potential." -Copyright © 2005 RAND Corporation
Thursday, February 24, 2011
To Homework, or Not To Homework, That Is The Question
A colleague and I were discussing homework, its effectiveness, and parent reactions. Much belief in homework depends on school and parent expectations. Let me explain: one school sets high standards for students, parents, and educators. Everyone is on the same page and work load is an expectation. The other school hosts some families who do not favor education, be it belief (yes, it sounds crazy but many children AND adults resist the idea that education will get you places) or they do not have as much time to work with their child each night due to hectic schedules. I have parents say, "Well, I work the night shift then sleep during the day, what do you want me to do?!" I would like to say, "Be a parent, following up on schoolwork (and dental visits, breakfast, and clean clothes) come with the responsibility." But that is a battle I do not want turning into a war. So I simply offer suggestions, like have the student leave their completed work in the same spot every night for the parent to check.
I have also had parents complain that I give too much homework and their child can't handle it. Again, I would like to say, "I understand. Your child is already quite behind in school since they have never been in a habit of doing homework in school, according to previous teachers." But I respond with, "This is standard amount of homework for your child's age and ability and they can complete it as the rest of the students in class do. I have some ideas to make this work."
You may be thinking this is harsh, but I have seen what lowering expectations can do, and it is not pretty. Many students come to me performing below grade level, but I'll be darned if I am not going to push the both of us toward progress. If not, then what a waste of many many hours in (and out) of the classroom that would be.
There is another side to homework; the effectiveness, and I have done my research. Before I go into the practicalities of it, let me share one concept...homework is not just to practice what is learned in the classroom. Homework is a task that teaches children discipline. Many careers require adults to take the initiative to sit himself down and concentrate on a number of tasks, often on a deadline. Homework teaches children to set aside time each evening, in a conducive space for brain work. Lack of this practice sets one up for failure for high school, college, then the adult life.
In conclusion, homework is a valuable task that penetrates a much needed skill for adults. In addition, consider playing a sport that you never practice...do you get better? Most likely not! When homework is linked to prior learning it allows students to continue the practice and transfer the understanding, even when sitting in a different setting. So, for those who argue homework does not support academic success, I argue that, but there is more to it. Besides, it is the big picture that needs to be looked at, not one year's worth of grades.
Here are some useful articles.
1. You've gotta read this! If you're a research junkie like me, you'll be enthralled with the research. Don't be afraid if you have an aversion to reading research, this one's an easy read and all results are in the beginning. Don't spare yourself this one.
http://www.nctm.org/news/content.aspx?id=13814
2. National Education Association's (NEA) link has additional homework articles at teh bottome of their link. Read and enjoy!
http://www.nea.org/tools/16938.htm
I have also had parents complain that I give too much homework and their child can't handle it. Again, I would like to say, "I understand. Your child is already quite behind in school since they have never been in a habit of doing homework in school, according to previous teachers." But I respond with, "This is standard amount of homework for your child's age and ability and they can complete it as the rest of the students in class do. I have some ideas to make this work."
You may be thinking this is harsh, but I have seen what lowering expectations can do, and it is not pretty. Many students come to me performing below grade level, but I'll be darned if I am not going to push the both of us toward progress. If not, then what a waste of many many hours in (and out) of the classroom that would be.
There is another side to homework; the effectiveness, and I have done my research. Before I go into the practicalities of it, let me share one concept...homework is not just to practice what is learned in the classroom. Homework is a task that teaches children discipline. Many careers require adults to take the initiative to sit himself down and concentrate on a number of tasks, often on a deadline. Homework teaches children to set aside time each evening, in a conducive space for brain work. Lack of this practice sets one up for failure for high school, college, then the adult life.
In conclusion, homework is a valuable task that penetrates a much needed skill for adults. In addition, consider playing a sport that you never practice...do you get better? Most likely not! When homework is linked to prior learning it allows students to continue the practice and transfer the understanding, even when sitting in a different setting. So, for those who argue homework does not support academic success, I argue that, but there is more to it. Besides, it is the big picture that needs to be looked at, not one year's worth of grades.
Here are some useful articles.
1. You've gotta read this! If you're a research junkie like me, you'll be enthralled with the research. Don't be afraid if you have an aversion to reading research, this one's an easy read and all results are in the beginning. Don't spare yourself this one.
http://www.nctm.org/news/content.aspx?id=13814
2. National Education Association's (NEA) link has additional homework articles at teh bottome of their link. Read and enjoy!
http://www.nea.org/tools/16938.htm
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Inspirational Reads
Calling all bookworms! These titles will get you ON the couch!
I thought I'd share a few authors/books that helped pave the way to who I am today and where my interests lie.
By the way, if you ever get an opportunity to hear Jonathan Kozol speak, do! He's entertaining and enlightening.
Finally, if you have any titles to suggest please add them in the Comments section below.
* Savage Inequalities, by Jonathan Kozol
* Letters To A Young Teacher, by Jonathan Kozol
* 'Tis, by Frank McCourt
* Teacher Man, by Frank McCourt
* Educating Esme, by Esme Raji Codll
* Learning Gap: Why Our Schools Are Failing And What We Can Learn From Japanese And Chinese Education, by Harold W. Stevenson
* Leave No Child Behind: Preparing Today's Youth for Tomorrow's World, by Dr. James Comer
* The Great Expectations School; A Rookie Year in the New Blackboard Jungle, by Dan Brown
* My Bloody Life: The Making of a Latin King, by Reymundo Sanchez (Chicago school student, takes place in a school where I taught)
* Up the Down Stair Case, by Bel Kaufman
* Schoolgirls: Young Women, Self Esteem, and the Confidence Gap, by Peggy Orenstein
* The Energy Bus, Jon Gordon (An easy must-read for ALL professionals!)
I thought I'd share a few authors/books that helped pave the way to who I am today and where my interests lie.
By the way, if you ever get an opportunity to hear Jonathan Kozol speak, do! He's entertaining and enlightening.
Finally, if you have any titles to suggest please add them in the Comments section below.
* Savage Inequalities, by Jonathan Kozol
* Letters To A Young Teacher, by Jonathan Kozol
* 'Tis, by Frank McCourt
* Teacher Man, by Frank McCourt
* Educating Esme, by Esme Raji Codll
* Learning Gap: Why Our Schools Are Failing And What We Can Learn From Japanese And Chinese Education, by Harold W. Stevenson
* Leave No Child Behind: Preparing Today's Youth for Tomorrow's World, by Dr. James Comer
* The Great Expectations School; A Rookie Year in the New Blackboard Jungle, by Dan Brown
* My Bloody Life: The Making of a Latin King, by Reymundo Sanchez (Chicago school student, takes place in a school where I taught)
* Up the Down Stair Case, by Bel Kaufman
* Schoolgirls: Young Women, Self Esteem, and the Confidence Gap, by Peggy Orenstein
* The Energy Bus, Jon Gordon (An easy must-read for ALL professionals!)
Inspiring Reads
Calling all bookworms!
Books that will get you ON the couch!
I thought I'd share a few inspirational reads/authors that have helped pave the path to my interests today. By the way, if you ever have a chance to see Jonathan Kozol speak, do! He's entertaining and enlightening.
If you have any titles to share with everyone please do post them in the comments below.
* Savage Inequalities, by Jonothan Kozol
* Letters To A Young Teacher, by Jonothan Kozol
* 'Tis, by Frank McCourt
* Teacher Man, by Frank McCourt
* Inside Mrs. B's Classroom
* Learning Gap: Why Our Schools Are Failing And What We Can Learn From Japanese And Chinese Education by Harold W. Stevenson
* The Great Expectations School ; A Rookie Year in the New Blackboard Jungle, by Dan Brown
*Leave No Child Behind: Preparing Today's Youth for Tomorrow's World, by Dr. James Comer M.D.
*My BloodyLife;The Making of a Latin King, by Reymundo Sanchez (a school where I taught)
*Educating Esmé; Diary of a Teacher's First Year by Esmé Raji Codell (Chicago school)
*Schoolgirls: Young Women, Self Esteem, and the Confidence Gap, by Peggy Orenstein
*The Energy Bus, by Jon Gordon
*Yet More Everyday Science Mysteries: Stories for Inquiry-Based Science Teaching,
(2011) by Richard Konicek-Moran
Books that will get you ON the couch!
I thought I'd share a few inspirational reads/authors that have helped pave the path to my interests today. By the way, if you ever have a chance to see Jonathan Kozol speak, do! He's entertaining and enlightening.
If you have any titles to share with everyone please do post them in the comments below.
* Savage Inequalities, by Jonothan Kozol
* Letters To A Young Teacher, by Jonothan Kozol
* 'Tis, by Frank McCourt
* Teacher Man, by Frank McCourt
* Inside Mrs. B's Classroom
* Learning Gap: Why Our Schools Are Failing And What We Can Learn From Japanese And Chinese Education by Harold W. Stevenson
* The Great Expectations School ; A Rookie Year in the New Blackboard Jungle, by Dan Brown
*Leave No Child Behind: Preparing Today's Youth for Tomorrow's World, by Dr. James Comer M.D.
*My BloodyLife;The Making of a Latin King, by Reymundo Sanchez (a school where I taught)
*Educating Esmé; Diary of a Teacher's First Year by Esmé Raji Codell (Chicago school)
*Schoolgirls: Young Women, Self Esteem, and the Confidence Gap, by Peggy Orenstein
*The Energy Bus, by Jon Gordon
*Yet More Everyday Science Mysteries: Stories for Inquiry-Based Science Teaching,
(2011) by Richard Konicek-Moran
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Waiting For Superman?
I haven't seen the movie, nor do I feel I could control my Greek temper were I to watch it. All it took was Geoffrey Canada's grammatically incorrect statement "The kids are getting stupider every year..." for me to realize it may not be worth my time. Perhaps his own education needed reform?
Anyway, I think this blog has some insight into the movie, and if you do, please post your comments.
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/answer-sheet/guest-bloggers/what-superman-got-wrong-point.html
Anyway, I think this blog has some insight into the movie, and if you do, please post your comments.
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/answer-sheet/guest-bloggers/what-superman-got-wrong-point.html
In The Weeds
Have you ever heard people say you should never eat at a restaurant until you try being a waiter/waitress first? If you have, you most likely sympathise more with your server during the "rush hour" or when you see them "in the weeds" as they multitask 20 different things.
Teaching is a profession of constant multitasking. In any one moment you may be listening to 3 students talking to you at once, handing out papers, making your way to the corner where two students are acting up, and still dole out directions for the next task.
I have had people critize how easy my job appears to be. To those people, walk in my shoes for one day.
Teaching is a profession of constant multitasking. In any one moment you may be listening to 3 students talking to you at once, handing out papers, making your way to the corner where two students are acting up, and still dole out directions for the next task.
I have had people critize how easy my job appears to be. To those people, walk in my shoes for one day.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Edutopia: To Inspire Students
I just want to share this link with you. Teachers are the best at sharing ideas for the classroom, and I do the same in politics and advocacy. Many authors have great ideas and not so great ideas. Either way, they support a thoughtful discussion!
This article, (edutopia.com, 2/17/11, by Suzie Boss)has so many great concepts that I want to speak out about, such as "keeping the end in mind" when teaching...the problem is, that end has not been student skills for life, but students scores for tests. Wiggins and McTighe (Understanding By Design) are most likely very disturbed by this reality. Fortunately many teachers still refuse to teach to the test and continue teaching for real life experiences.
Read this article, enjoy, and add some of your comments about it here on my blog!
This article, (edutopia.com, 2/17/11, by Suzie Boss)has so many great concepts that I want to speak out about, such as "keeping the end in mind" when teaching...the problem is, that end has not been student skills for life, but students scores for tests. Wiggins and McTighe (Understanding By Design) are most likely very disturbed by this reality. Fortunately many teachers still refuse to teach to the test and continue teaching for real life experiences.
Read this article, enjoy, and add some of your comments about it here on my blog!
Times Are-A-Changin!
We have a conundrum, we need to cut the budget, but do so at the risk of slashing the throat of education. 20 years ago (and more) having large classrooms of 40 students was manageable. But that was a time when students had a responsibility to behave and listen to their teachers. A call home put the fear in a child. At the risk of sounding old, "times have changed". We live in a society where (some) parents have a disregard for education. A teacher calling home results in a challenge from the parent. I have had parents threaten my verbally and physically, one in front of my class of 25 1st graders. The parent did not like how I handed her child her paper. The following year a 6th grader touched me inappropriately and his mother did her best to hide him from the school administration and police so he was not pressed charges. Don't even get me started on report card pickup meetings. Those of you in inner-city environments know exactly what I'm talking about and are probably chuckling. What society have we created?! These are harsh stories, but they are reality and teachers endure these experiences daily.
In summary, teachers decades ago had their challenges, so I speak only of my experiences. I recall sitting quietly in classes of 30 listening to the teacher lecture. Today's children in many classes have not learned manners such as attentive listening. When a teacher spends his/her time on classroom management and teaching basic social skills, academics is placed on a back burner. So firing teachers and creating larger class sizes is not the solution. As Jon Gordon said, "Education is the best investment." Politicians, meet Jon Gordon.
In summary, teachers decades ago had their challenges, so I speak only of my experiences. I recall sitting quietly in classes of 30 listening to the teacher lecture. Today's children in many classes have not learned manners such as attentive listening. When a teacher spends his/her time on classroom management and teaching basic social skills, academics is placed on a back burner. So firing teachers and creating larger class sizes is not the solution. As Jon Gordon said, "Education is the best investment." Politicians, meet Jon Gordon.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Changes In Childhood
"Once upon a time, before education was mandated and became a public responsibility, children witnessed and participated closely in the daily life of home and community. In the process, they developed some understanding of how things worked in the adult world-from concrete, physical experiences of starting a fire, drawing water, or spinning yarn to the more distance" and general rules of governing family authority, relationship, and community responsibilities. Children's lives then, though integrally involved in the adult work..."
Though the point of this article is about play ethic, I was taken by this first section. Education is a complex topic and quick reform is unrealistic. Today's children are born from young parents, many children themselves. Children (and adults) focus much energy into the "boob tube", video games, and even facebook. Many of us are guilty of these pleasures.
A significant difference between the "old days" and children today is the work ethic. I am fortunate to have grown up in a house with an immigrant father who instilled a strong work ethic; we would not get anything unless we put forth extreme amount of honest work and effort into it. That was the way he did it, that was the way we did it, and that is the way my children will do it.
I work with children that do not appreciate education because they have been taught that they are entitled. So the question is, how to we begin to redirect this ethic of entitlement back into a Work Ethic throughout society?
Excerpt from p. 28, NEA Today, January/February 2011. Written by Deborah Meier, Brenda S. Engel, & Beth Taylor
Though the point of this article is about play ethic, I was taken by this first section. Education is a complex topic and quick reform is unrealistic. Today's children are born from young parents, many children themselves. Children (and adults) focus much energy into the "boob tube", video games, and even facebook. Many of us are guilty of these pleasures.
A significant difference between the "old days" and children today is the work ethic. I am fortunate to have grown up in a house with an immigrant father who instilled a strong work ethic; we would not get anything unless we put forth extreme amount of honest work and effort into it. That was the way he did it, that was the way we did it, and that is the way my children will do it.
I work with children that do not appreciate education because they have been taught that they are entitled. So the question is, how to we begin to redirect this ethic of entitlement back into a Work Ethic throughout society?
Excerpt from p. 28, NEA Today, January/February 2011. Written by Deborah Meier, Brenda S. Engel, & Beth Taylor
Inspirational Quotes
In all professions we can benefit from inspirational words. Please sign the Guestbook to share some of your inspirational quotes!
We cannot solve all of society's ills through our schools
Introduction
I Am A Teacher. I have been all my life. It all started as a young child when I would force my 2 best friends, Kelly & Courtney, to play my students. Time came to choose a college degree & my choice was clear: Elementary Teacher.
Through my travels I experienced a variety of elementary school settings including Montessori. I headed south for a 6 month student teaching adventure before heading back to the midwest to graduate. I went straight to an inner-city school district. During undergrad. I spent a week as an apprentice in an inner-city school. The classroom windows were boarded up because of gun shots blowing it out, the students never had enough pencils and the teacher, who already spent $1,000 that year, also was running out of money for upkeep of supplies. I remember telling a student to use a bookmark, and he replied that he'd never owned on. I made every student in that class a bookmark with an inspirational message, as well as a personal promise to return to teach in an inner-city setting.
10 years later I am still in that setting, having won a scholarship for dedication to inner-city teaching, accomplished 2 masters degrees in ESL & Reading Specialist, and am months away from becoming (hoping!) a National Board Certified Teacher.
With all these personal accomplishments I am burned out. It's true that inner-city teaching has high teacher overturn because of burn-out. I am faced with the decision to continue with my passion in this setting, or to move on to a less stressful teaching environment. But can I turn my back on those children that drive a purpose in my life 5 days a week?
To get some insight into what I do each day, see Gajewski Classroom. You'll see it's not just an 8:00-3:00 job. It's a passion!
Through my travels I experienced a variety of elementary school settings including Montessori. I headed south for a 6 month student teaching adventure before heading back to the midwest to graduate. I went straight to an inner-city school district. During undergrad. I spent a week as an apprentice in an inner-city school. The classroom windows were boarded up because of gun shots blowing it out, the students never had enough pencils and the teacher, who already spent $1,000 that year, also was running out of money for upkeep of supplies. I remember telling a student to use a bookmark, and he replied that he'd never owned on. I made every student in that class a bookmark with an inspirational message, as well as a personal promise to return to teach in an inner-city setting.
10 years later I am still in that setting, having won a scholarship for dedication to inner-city teaching, accomplished 2 masters degrees in ESL & Reading Specialist, and am months away from becoming (hoping!) a National Board Certified Teacher.
With all these personal accomplishments I am burned out. It's true that inner-city teaching has high teacher overturn because of burn-out. I am faced with the decision to continue with my passion in this setting, or to move on to a less stressful teaching environment. But can I turn my back on those children that drive a purpose in my life 5 days a week?
To get some insight into what I do each day, see Gajewski Classroom. You'll see it's not just an 8:00-3:00 job. It's a passion!
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