I started this a while back and just recently rediscovered it.
VOTE "NO" ON THE CONTRACT. (yeah, I know: too late)
SCHEDULE YOUR DOCTOR VISITS or MEDICAL TESTS on a THURSDAY during school hours.
APPLY FOR A YEAR LONG SABBATICAL.
POLITELY DECLINE ALL EXTRA ACTIVITIES.
LEAVE ON TIME.
DO ALL SCHOOL WORK AT SCHOOL.
VOTE OUT THE INCUMBENT - except April - jury is still out on "Salsa". Go to "Burns For The Board" link.
WEAR DIAPERS - (actually thought about this one since going to the bathroom has become a scheduled activity)
DO NOT EAT BRAN or FIBER and LIMIT YOUR COFFEE (see above)
Dedicate the first 10 - 15 minutes of every class to subject-specific current event silent reading. Randomly give +/- marking to those who brought something that they read-see your Reading Coach, Specialist for newspapers or other materials. Pick one student (or allow volunteers) each day to give an oral summary of what they read and how it relates to the subject they are in. That student receives an "EXTRA credit grade" based on a simple rubric you designed.
Find a subject relevant video to show while you correct papers or do grades.
(see other teachers who teach the same level and coordinate show times and subject matter- bribe your media specialist - chocolate is universal)
The WALL is now open for creative suggestions. Please consider humor, educational acceptance, and curriculum relevance in your postings. You get bonus points for FCAT related skills and reading related activities.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
13 comments:
Susie,
While this is slightly off topic, I wanted to bring it up.
I am an intern who is currently working (final internship) in an SDHC high school. I am shocked and stunned at the 8 period day, to say the least. I have interned at SDHC high schools when there was block scheduling, so I feel I can be objective about my observations.
I can't see how a teacher can possibly do their job in 50 minutes a day per student. By the time everyone gets settled, bellwork or intro work is done, content is presented, and review/reinforcement is delivered, you are hard pressed to stay within the 50 minute limit.
Teachers I have spoken to seem resigned that this is their fate, and despite what the "superattendant" has said, appear to feel that no matter how hard they try, students will be the ones coming up short this year.
I have to wonder how the results of this change will manifest themselves, and when they do (and they will) how it will be twisted around to fall upon the shoulders of the teachers.
It's as if we're being set up to fail...
Are we allowed to go to the restroom?
I would invest in a 6/7 instructional diaper.
Suggested Slogans:
"Extends – Feel Secure All Six of Seven Periods."
Also, "Maxi-Extends – Extra Absorption for Faculty Meeting Days"
"Lecture in Confidence with Extends"
"Bell to Bell and Period to Period, Feel Confident with Extends"
4:45
You catch on quick.
I have worked both and as teachers we do find ways to adjust.
Yes, the kids are the one's coming up short.
Yes, it will be hung around our neck. One gets used to it.
You are lucky to have experienced both schedules. The experience will be of value.
I saw the partial answer that was sent to a teacher who submitted a question to the district about "researching" the effects, interviewing university professors about the change, and seeking direction from a variety of experts. The response was that they spoke to an author. Never identified the book or the person.
Maybe if enough interns started asking their advisors. Don't forget to let your fellow interns in on what you are finding out.
Stay under the radar if you're thinking about applying for a job though.
How about some illegal things to help you cope:
STRIKE
What right does the State of Florida have to say that it is illegal to go on strike? It is merely an exercise of our constitutional right to free speech.
To strike will cost you your job. The really "experienced" teacher tell me back in the 1970's (I think, it may have been the late 60's) the the teachers actually WALKED OUT over funding! Apparently it was expected that teachers buy classroom supplies.
They were FIRED! The PE and coaches did nothing. They crossed the lines and continued to work. Their payback was that they were promoted to administrative positions. I believe this since so many of the passed and older current administrators that I know were FORMER COACHES!!!!
How about it Ms. Lyons, would you like to address this?
To my readers, please consider my previous comment with the same scepticism you would apply to any oral history.
http://floridaschoolboss.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!1E56463A3B8792CF!209.entry
............"In the public sector, unions cannot strike... because the employees work for the government and the power to set government policy is ultimately held by the people, through their elected representatives. School boards are considered to have legislative authority in certain local matters. The philosophy is that the will of the people in public sector matters is determined by elections, not through hard bargaining or strikes. Of course, some northeastern and midwestern states have a tradition of teacher strikes. These strikes are illegal, and cannot last long without someone doing serious jail time. Florida had a statewide teacher strike in 1968. It didn't go particularly well for the teachers. Public support for these strikes has dimmed somewhat as the private sector union membership (which supported public sector strikes) has wained.
rt One
I touched briefly on the '68 strike in my 5-part series on teachers unions when I wrote:
"The last time I remember this kind of teacher turmoil was in the mid to late 60s when teachers actually went on strike for a few weeks. I was attending Anderson Elementary and I remember it was a blast. No teachers and all substitutes meant Wahoo! Gut the Bic pen and have a paper wad fight. Oh, those were the days. My buddies and I were accurate with those peashooters. We hit the clock on the numbers by the time the teachers returned. Ah man, them were good times!
Inevitably, all good things end. The teachers returned and took back control of the classrooms all over the county. Teachers are damn good at controlling classrooms full of students. I hope parents realize not everyone has that ability. On top of that, teachers carry on lessons in content and remind students how to behave. It goes on in thousands of classrooms all over this land five days a week—but I digress."
I don't remember any teachers getting fired, they just all came back to work when it was over.
To TheWall readers:
It's time to get my campaign going.
C'mon over to my place and click on a link to help.
It's time for a change. Let's make it happen. Together.
Teachers with balls arrested
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2001/dec2001/nj-d07.shtml
I believe teachers have systematically had their balls removed.
The link is incomplete. Damn. Looked good.
Some teachers have simply handed over their balls. I still love 'em though! They put up with more sh-t than one can imagine and still they teach on merrily. To watch them teach one would never know how dumped on they are.
It is a lot easier for the "man" to screw you when you bend over for them, and that is what so many teachers have done. They talked the talk last year, but did not walk the walk this year. It is a slap in the face for those of us who are walking the walking. The only thing that scatters faster than roaches when the lights are turned on are teachers.
It troubled me that so many high school teachers said they were giving up clubs, etc. and suddenly I see that this year there are certain teacher sponsoring THREE clubs!
Until we ALL wake up and realize how this attitude is undermining our profession we will continue to be abused.
Hell, even nurses walk off the job for better pay and working conditions. Do we think we are better? HA!!!!
Post a Comment