I am being flippant, but I just couldn't help sharing my warped sense of perception of an innocent phrase.
In today's Tribune, we have this article: After-School Centers May Seek Pay For Play
".....Jodi Grant, the alliance's executive director.
In Hillsborough, there were 2,694 children on the waiting list for the after-school program last year.
That means there are children who need the program who don't have access to it, Grant said. And that not only hurts the child, it hurts the community, she said.
"Most people think after-school care is about keeping kids out of trouble," Grant said. "
..... all well and good so far. I am sure Ms. Grant was not throwing the public school education system under the proverbial bus when she made the following statement, but it caught my attention.
"But there's so much more going on there. This is where learning comes alive."
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3 comments:
If learning is not alive in the classroom, ask yourself why?
Come to my school, walk into some rooms, come to the cafeteria. Look at all the silly assessments we have to teach to, review for and administer. I had a kid slap me when I tried to call the office to her her removed. I was criticized for not being consistent.
I know you were being funny and you know I respect you but in a very very sad way, the lady from the after school program is right.
Come with me to school. The change in the last 5 years has been dramatic. See how long you would keep alive.
I doubt I could be a public school teacher. I command respect from my students, and I have a lot of strategies to teach respect. I know with some kids, I "lose" in the beginning, but if I have enough time with them, eventually they learn the logical consequences of their behavior.
This includes contracts with the kids, the parents and sometimes kids and parents, if needed.
I doubt I could do that in the public school system, no matter what the age of the student.
There are too many agendas in the public school system and a rationalization of defense for each one.
While I readily admit that out-of-control students and out-of-control parents are part of the problem, the beauracracy of the system inhibits respected structure. Hard line but fair decisions by a school employee (teacher, principal, etc) are as easily overruled (and the employee reprimanded) as wrong minded and ill founded decisions by a school employee (teacher, principal, etc) are supported (and the employee is staunchly defended).
For every story about an "out of control" parent there can be one found about an "out of control school person".
Current example - Parents arrested for disobeying graduation decorum in one instance (Columbia, SC) - Parents not allowed in the building to see their child's graduation (Hernando High School)in another instance.
Detentionslip.org keeps a pretty good balance on both "sides".
Hidden agendas include statistics without true accountability. Skewing attendance records, expulsion records, grades, financial schemes, testing schemes, etc., weakens the credibility of the system and the individuals that work in it.
But, it is what it is.
I disagree. You would be a fine public school teacher. Everything I read here proves it. You would, no doubt, have the same problem I have. Not with the kids, they are merely apples fallen not far from the tree. They are amazingly resilient. They desperately want someone, anyone to give them limits and yes, even taught respect.
My students are the BEST part of my day!! I love going to work with them and they respond to me. I am tough, demand the best and treat them with respect. Unconditional positive regard.
I suspect you couldn't keep your mouth shut and there my friend is the problem. Unless you are willing to keep quiet, nod approvingly when you hear stuff that you KNOW is wrong, you will be branded an "non-team player". You will get the twice weekly visits from a principal out to tear you down and eventually you will comply or quit.
Or maybe you will publish your real name in other people's blogs. :)
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