Beg to differ with you on this "issue"

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Home : 2004 : March : 16

Beg to differ with you on this "issue"
By anonymous

First off, I read this at school and had wait until I got home to respond. I am appalled that you feel that you can write this to a bunch of other teachers. Have you no respect for your fellow colleagues? We are new teachers
looking for help. We get enough criticism from other places. This is supposed to be a safe place for us. Offer us advice, offer us solutions, but please don't criticize. We obviously are trying to do what's right by asking for help.
I am a second year teacher. I am also a 4th generation teacher. I know what's happened to education. I've had many a discussion with my parents

(both teachers), my grandmothers (both teachers) my great-grandmother (teacher) and my two aunts (also teachers!) about the issues facing teachers today. You mention that today's parents and students are different. You are right on there. That is about all I will agree with you on though. State testing is mandated in my state. If your kids don't pass it is possible you won't have a job. Want to talk about pressure there? Top that with no accountablilty for students behavior or work habits at home and sometimes it is a losing battle. But we still stick in there.

Since you appear to be a seasoned teacher, I would love to hear your advice to us newer teachers on catching up those students who are behind. I had 25 kids last year. 4 read at grade level. 2 above. The other 19, 2+ years below. What kind of advice would you have for me?
I couldn't stray from my district's curriculum.

Please also remember the purpose of special education. It is provided to allow all children a place where they can learn successfully. A student who is physically violent in a class needs different services than the rest. A self-contained behavior room will help that child succeed. Maybe not in reading, maybe not in math, but in life. Reading and math can't happen until they have a safe haven. A smaller class size gives them the attention they are screaming for.

I am an excellent teacher. My evaluations speak for themselves, but if you're not convinced here are other examples. I am a self-reflecting teacher who is there every day for the kids. I spend my weekends, freetime and even school breaks trying to better myself for students today. Are you sure it is not the stereotype that you have in your head that is "bringing people down?" Have you stopped to look in the classroom of a new teacher, ask if they have any questions?

Read the previous posts again. You will find teachers of all kinds who beg to differ with you. And in reality, are you really any different from those of us who need a place to release frustration? What did you just do with your post? You did the same thing we do. You vented and got it off your chest. That is the purpose of this board. I truly hope you are able to breath a sigh of relief now and move on. I know that I will and everyone else will as well. I'll even do so with a smile.