tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25424281.post9034672069388755547..comments2023-10-30T11:00:52.615-04:00Comments on Annecdotes: 20/20luckeyfroghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09338266098096236978noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25424281.post-20588105801658256422010-06-27T16:38:15.512-04:002010-06-27T16:38:15.512-04:00"Spend days in classrooms of highly effective..."Spend days in classrooms of highly effective teachers in all kinds of schools with all sorts of styles, considering your plan. Would your plan strip these teachers of the very strategies and personality that make their lessons successful?"<br /><br />I think that is a fabulous point. So many new "initiatives" constrict the ways we can teach. For some teachers, mediocre teachers, maybe they need that support, those confines. Maybe they benefit from it. For many other teachers though, <i>good</i> teachers, they may be more effective without before stuck in these new initiatives. By being told I need to spend x hours per day on x subject, and follow this scripted curriculum during that time, I cannot do what I know to be pedagogically best for my students. <br /><br />All your points are good, but this one in particular is really interesting to think about.Not Quite Grown Up...https://www.blogger.com/profile/04951305138138052610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25424281.post-23461768978951428222010-06-23T12:01:00.645-04:002010-06-23T12:01:00.645-04:00You, my friend, are deserving of a slow clap yours...You, my friend, are deserving of a slow clap yourself! Well said.Sarah Cooleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00824285841740386372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25424281.post-23284607409104101232010-06-20T14:43:29.824-04:002010-06-20T14:43:29.824-04:00ms. understood, you're so right. It IS one of ...ms. understood, you're so right. It IS one of those "easier-said-than-done" types of problems, and no one asks teachers to help them sort out practical solutions.<br /><br />I also think, Vagabond Teacher, that the teacher unions are a big part of what has made teachers the target. I think most teachers are in the union for security, which I'm sure most Americans can understand. But the public sees union initiatives as synonymous with what teachers believe, even when that's not true.<br /><br />Thanks for the comments! I'm glad to know I have some readers :) I enjoy both of your blogs, as well!luckeyfroghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09338266098096236978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25424281.post-56574523088946135952010-06-18T13:41:14.183-04:002010-06-18T13:41:14.183-04:00I imagine it to be a lot like confiding a problem ...I imagine it to be a lot like confiding a problem in your social life to a friend who's never had a similar experience.<br /><br />Picture a teenage girl and boy sitting on a park bench. "I just can't take it anymore," she says. "My boyfriend doesn't respect me. He is so jealous."<br /><br />This girl might have had any problem, but the advice given always starts the same way. "You know what you should do..." Usually, the friend could brainstorm several options. The problem is it is easy to say and tough to do. The girl would be wise to take his advice with a grain of salt.<br /><br />I feel like there are way too many politicians with a bad case of the You-Know-What-You-Should-Dos. The problem is that we have no option to take their advice with a grain of salt. We are subject to every whim. I watch local access and see our state brainstorming what to do about problems in education. It is scarily similar to the scenario I described above.ms.understoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08661886349768454375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25424281.post-39213572538197350222010-06-17T10:10:21.870-04:002010-06-17T10:10:21.870-04:00I've been saying exactly the same thing you...I've been saying exactly the same thing you're saying forever...even since before I was a teacher!<br /><br />I think the real problem is politicians looking for issues. Nobody will disagree with the idea that kids should be learning everything possible, and in order to make himself look proactive, the politician has to claim to be "fixing" something that is broken. They have to demonize something, why not schools. Who is responsible? Well, teachers, of course! Forget the fact that most of these politicians are products of public schools and think they themselves are pretty damned intelligent! They need an target that nobody can disagree with, and who wouldn't vote for someone who wants to create a better world for the kiddies?<br /><br />It's a hot-button issue for me, but I wont' take up space on your blog ranting...I'm enjoying your posts, though!Vagabond Teacherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01338053109988018465noreply@blogger.com