Ineffective Rating

From the Webster Dictionary:

Full Definition of INEFFECTIVE

1

:  not producing an intended effect :  ineffectual <ineffective lighting>

2

:  not capable of performing efficiently or as expected :  incapable <an ineffective executive>

The teacher is in school every day.  Even when the weather is horrendous, he gets in his car and makes the dangerous commute.  He spends hours preparing lessons and exams.  His free time is spent tutoring his students.  The kids like him, some love him and for the most part, do well. Of course he is not reaching them all.  No one can unless, of course, the classes are stacked.  He is kind and caring and gives 100% of himself every day.  His AP doesn't like him  After 30+ years she has decided he is an ineffective teacher.  Two ineffectives are pushing him into retirement, something he is not ready for.

His students don't care if his questions are not phrased perfectly.  They understand what he is teaching and respond well in class.  He will be replaced by a newbie, someone hand picked by the AP, straight out of college.  Someone who might be an excellent teacher one day but lacks the experience of this teacher and the skill that comes from years of being in front of the classroom.  This teacher is far from ineffective according to the definition of ineffective.

The teacher was recently observed by an independent evaluator and the lesson went well.  The kids answered appropriately and worked well in groups.  The lesson went exactly as planned.  Will the evaluator be objective when the lesson is written up or is this independent person really not so independent at all?  The teacher felt good at the end but the person observing never bothered to say one word to him, good or bad, so he does not know what will happen.  Was this just another gotcha?  What is the purpose of torturing the teacher?

(Zebra from Bronx Zoo--no relevance to post)

Dread

This is my 5th year free from returning to work after the summer but those memories are still clear.  I was sad to see my days of lingering in bed and having lots of free time end but I was also excited about the new year, seeing colleagues and former students and meeting new ones.  Oh, don't get me wrong even after 30+ years I still got butterflies in my stomach and didn't sleep much the night before but walking in that door the first day was a high I will never forget.

I am blessed because I still get that feeling the first day of classes in the college and whenever I get a call to cover another class.  I won't say I don't enjoy the money because it is very nice but I wouldn't work if being there didn't make me feel so good.  (Thank you pension for providing me with the means not to work, the pension that cost me blood, sweat and tears.)

I listen to teachers who went back this week who dreaded going back.  They knew no matter what they did the year would not go well.  Supervisors who had been gunning for them last year have already written up this year's review.  Their fate has been predetermined.

Principals and assistant Principals are supposed to care about the students in their charge.  They are supposed to want the best for them but how can this be when they make the people in their immediate care so miserable?  How can a teacher be expected to do a great job when their is someone pointing a smoking gun at their head?

All you incompetent, miserable APs and Principals, you guys know exactly who I am talking about.  You, with little or no experience.  You, who took licensing exams multiple times.  You are getting your kicks now but your time will come.  May you have as many sleepless nights and stomach problems as the ones you are perpetuating on good, caring teachers.