(Similar posting on Packemin HS--If you read that, skip this. I was just a little more specific over there.)
It is getting harder and harder to write on this blog knowing it is being read by so many people and by people in authority. I don't want to write anything that will incriminate or reflect on anyone. Even psuedonyms can be figured out. I'm going to try not to mention things that make me sound like I am blowing my own horn. And, mostly, I am not going to act like a know it all and give advice to people who don't need or want my advice. All of this is the reason the original posting was on Packemin. Schoolgal thought the ideas in that post ought to be shared. I hope I made this one generic enough without pushing any agenda. That is the reason I am waiting until staff development day starts to post this.
Special education students are now being required to take the same courses their mainstream cohorts are taking. The special education teachers lack the training and education needed to teach these subjects. Their training has predominantly been in teaching to the needs of kids with special problems. This is not fair to the children or the teachers.
Resource room teachers need help so they can help their students. No one can teach every single subject and it is not fair to ask these hard working individuals to try. They need help.
One resource room teacher offered to buy me a beer and I could teach him the math while we sipped away. As much as I love him (and beer), I hate to mix the two. I hate to taint my bar experience with work.
5 comments:
Hi Pissed, what happened? Did suit discover you? I deleted some of my best entries because I think the Bx. UFT knows about my blogging. I think it is ridulous because don't we have a right to freedom of speech? I have been under attack constantly lately. I think the UFT is behind it. I am scared because I have a 16 year old daughter, and I am the sole bread winner. Things are really bad for seasoned, out spoken teachers!
We have a new principal who reads this blog. I guess I am lucky that he told me so I can censor what I write. I'm also writing on a new blog. That is the stuff I don't want everyone to read. Let me know if you want an invite.
I can't believe the stuff you are going through. Wish I could help you.
What you left out of this posting is the fact that Special Ed and general ed teachers want and need collaboration.
This is something the administration in all schools can set up. I don't blame you for not wanting to meet with teachers after work, but I am sure their is room in the budget for this meeting to be per session.
I love the writings of Linda Darling-Hammond who has done much research in professional development. She writes that successful schools are schools where teachers can collaborate rather than schools where staff development topics are issues top down. These schools show an increase in student achievement levels. Many of these schools set up time so teachers can meet at the end of the day while students are in "specials". While I understand this couldn't be done on the High School level, per session meetings after school can.
Your staff has shown a desire to collaborate, now it's up to Mr. Hula to decide if this is a good thing for the students.
Schoolgal
I agree with you--many of us would love to be able to work together. Right now, I never even see people in my own department to work with them.
Elementary schools have built in as the professional period time for grades to work together. Unfortunately many admins are using this as an excuse for weekly meetings which is illegal under the contract. (Grade meetings are usually once a month.) It's when admins don't meet with the teachers that much more satisfying work gets done.
Schoolgal
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