I think anyone would be frustrated if they were being micromanaged like that. I think teacher's should have a bit more freedom than they are being afforded.
I admire you for sticking up for what you believe in! It's just sad that your district won't listen to your concerns. And I have been there where the tears start flowing! It shows how passionate you are which is so respectable!
Doesn't that just sum up everything that's wrong with the education system today? Do what they tell you, use what they made, and don't question whether it fits what your students need. It's so ironic that being passionate about your job can put you on someone's blacklist. Ugh.
i'm sure you are an awesome teacher...and part of that comes from your willingness to ask hard questions. glad someone stood up to people trying to impose common core on us.
I disagreed with my principal at a faculty meeting 2 weeks ago. Big mistake when you work with a staff of 25. The snarky comment he made to me today made it quite apparent that he hadn't moved beyond it.
I love working in education, but I feel like so much is wrong in the system. Sigh.
Oh gosh, heaven forbid that a teacher cares enough to ask those questions! Sheesh, the district people sounds like a real pain! I'm sure you are a fabulous teacher, it shows in your writing when you talk about it! Sending you big hugs!
have your seen "the blacklist" - watching it now - probably not good to get on the main guy's blacklist -- but i think you will be okay - i think anyone who works in any type of organization with a structure of x, y, z where y and z tell x what to do but have no idea what it's like to be in x's position has to deal with disappointment and aggravation and then we finally push through. keep your head up - from someone who knows how it is, someone will stick it 'to the man' one way or another at some point. keep strong in your passion - i just know you are doing an amazing job - i cant tell you how lucky those kids are to have such a loving teacher.
Oh gosh, so sorry you had to go through that. And how petty of the district office to tell your principal. That sucks. I totally would have let the tears fall too. At least you seem to have the support of the people at your school. Keep doing what you do. And it's true, the district people will probably change or change their new curriculum more quickly than you can adapt.
Maybe I should take notes before I go into my curriculum writing session tomorrow wanting to tell them... "It all is horrible, and we should change every little thing." .... Public education... May the odds be ever in our favor!
It sounds like your district is a lot like the district a ton of my teacher friends work in here! One of them told me today that she got a similar conversation! Good for you for standing your ground :)!
Have you seen this video about the guy who was arrested for asking questions at a parents meeting about the common core standards?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2Ux44OgIUc
Apparently it's not OK to question. It's so scary that they would feel the need to 'tell' on you like that. Thought control, anyone? This is one of the major things I don't like about working in schools- you get treated like a kid yourself, like if you aren't kept under control then you'll just shirk your responsibilities and do a shitty job. Ignore them! Rachel ramblingrock.blogspot.com
I'm not a teacher *and for that everyone is thankful, including me* but I think the lesson to be learned here is take what you dislike about the system and switch it up in your classroom. For every "shush" you felt give your students room to voice concerns. For every "do as we say, not as we do" you observe, let those soon-to-be-out-in-the-real-world'ers an example to follow. Management always sucks Bon, it doesn't matter what the industry is.
Arg, I'm so frustrated for you! I know exactly how this feels. This is what I was so happy to be free of when I quit. Sometimes I forget how frustrating it can be and I really miss it, but I freaking hate all the hoops of being a teacher these days. In the end, is the order of books taught really REALLY going to change someone's life? No. They will only remember how their teacher inspired them to learn and to look at life. Keep on keeping on.
I think it's important to speak up when you have opinions. It's so sad to be told to be quiet and do things their way to avoid any fuss but we've all been there. I think this is exactly what it feels like to be Katniss! ;)
I can really relate to the crying part. Every.single.time that I'm confronted about something, my eyes automatically fill up out of my control. Inside I'm screaming, you're not upset so why are you crying?
And just like the head of the English department said, "WE GOT YOUR BACK!"
I just had a phone conversation with one of my good friends and former co-workers yesterday about the exact same thing. She had spent an entire day in curriculum training asking questions for clarification and despite being one of the most effective literacy teachers in the district, she was told she couldn't stray from the curriculum and that she should watch herself or she would get in trouble. My thoughts? Do what YOU know is best no matter if you might get in trouble. Don't let anyone "higher up" (I put that in quotes because they aren't higher than the teachers because they don't know crap) tell you that you don't know what is going on in your classroom. I can tell that you are an AMAZING teacher, so keep doing what you're doing and don't listen to those fools. The kids don't deserve anything less!
Wow to your district. You should always ask questions because I guarantee someone else in that room has the same one. I just experienced that last week with a technology training. I know the trainer and before he came into the room, another teacher was questioning something and someone told her to ask the person when he came because it was an important question. Well like clockwork when the guy got there she didn't ask it so I asked it for her because I knew he wanted us to ask questions. He loved it and she got her answer.
I absolutely love reading your blog. 3:00 or 7:00 or 5:00 in the morning...whenever you write, it just feels like I'm hanging out with a friend who has crappy days every now and then and is hilariously funny all the time. I'm sorry about the school issues and work drama. But hooray for you for getting a nice bundle of compliments from the head of the English dept. I'm sure those are a better reflection of what you're really doing. Thank always for sharing the ups and downs in your life and making us all feel connected to you. Happy Revolution!
You definitely seem like an awesome teacher to me! I am all for joining your revolution against the District. So, if you are Katniss, does that make the hippie-ish teacher Haymitch? I think so.
All the way down your post I was thinking "Wow this is awfully like the Hunger Games, are the district going to ask you to choose a boy and a girl from your class to fight to the death too?" And then you made the Hunger Games reference right at the end, so glad we made that same connection. A similar connection would be "The Handmaid's Tale". Don't doubt anything or express any opinions because you will be thrown in the back of a black van and driven away! Keep teaching the way you want to! Ellie xxxx
Sounds exactly like my district! I grew up in a large district where most teachers and students are simply numbers. Its where I went to school. Its where I did my internships. I felt pretty comfortable there. But I ended up taking a job in a very rural community where everybody knows everybody, everyone knows your business, and you have no idea who is related to who. Talk about culture shock. I've been there 4 years now and I still feel like I have to bite my tongue at district level meetings. And the words from your principal sound a lot like the words I hear from my principal when we don't agree with what district is doing. Just hang in there. Once you learn their game, you'll know what you can push and what you have to just grin and bear. It does get better.
Ugh, that sounds awful. I've mostly heard negative things about the Common Core.
I cry really easily too, with just the slightest hint of criticism or even compassion! Everything will work out in the end. You're a great teacher. Just keep it up!
So even teachers don't like meetings with the principal......................lol When I was in high school and preferred the principal over the deputy principal as the deputy was a right so and so well at the time I thought he was...........lol
I think anyone would be frustrated if they were being micromanaged like that. I think teacher's should have a bit more freedom than they are being afforded.
ReplyDeleteI admire you for sticking up for what you believe in! It's just sad that your district won't listen to your concerns. And I have been there where the tears start flowing! It shows how passionate you are which is so respectable!
ReplyDeleteDoesn't that just sum up everything that's wrong with the education system today? Do what they tell you, use what they made, and don't question whether it fits what your students need. It's so ironic that being passionate about your job can put you on someone's blacklist. Ugh.
ReplyDeleteHaha I love the last two lines here! You're the katniss of the Utah public school English departments! I love it!
ReplyDeletei'm sure you are an awesome teacher...and part of that comes from your willingness to ask hard questions. glad someone stood up to people trying to impose common core on us.
ReplyDeleteI disagreed with my principal at a faculty meeting 2 weeks ago. Big mistake when you work with a staff of 25. The snarky comment he made to me today made it quite apparent that he hadn't moved beyond it.
ReplyDeleteI love working in education, but I feel like so much is wrong in the system. Sigh.
Oh gosh, heaven forbid that a teacher cares enough to ask those questions! Sheesh, the district people sounds like a real pain! I'm sure you are a fabulous teacher, it shows in your writing when you talk about it! Sending you big hugs!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you're going through this. If it helps I'd love to be in your English class. I bet you are awesome. You seem like a fun teacher.
ReplyDeleteIf it is of comfort to you- I totally see you as Katniss.
ReplyDeletehave your seen "the blacklist" - watching it now - probably not good to get on the main guy's blacklist -- but i think you will be okay - i think anyone who works in any type of organization with a structure of x, y, z where y and z tell x what to do but have no idea what it's like to be in x's position has to deal with disappointment and aggravation and then we finally push through. keep your head up - from someone who knows how it is, someone will stick it 'to the man' one way or another at some point. keep strong in your passion - i just know you are doing an amazing job - i cant tell you how lucky those kids are to have such a loving teacher.
ReplyDeleteOh gosh, so sorry you had to go through that. And how petty of the district office to tell your principal. That sucks. I totally would have let the tears fall too. At least you seem to have the support of the people at your school. Keep doing what you do. And it's true, the district people will probably change or change their new curriculum more quickly than you can adapt.
ReplyDeleteMaybe I should take notes before I go into my curriculum writing session tomorrow wanting to tell them... "It all is horrible, and we should change every little thing." .... Public education... May the odds be ever in our favor!
ReplyDeleteBe careful blogging from school...they may be tracking your online activity, and that could cause you a whole bunch more problems!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like your district is a lot like the district a ton of my teacher friends work in here! One of them told me today that she got a similar conversation! Good for you for standing your ground :)!
ReplyDeleteIt's important to stick up for yourself. Good for you! Politics of schools and offices and life are just plain tricky.
ReplyDeleteHave you seen this video about the guy who was arrested for asking questions at a parents meeting about the common core standards?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2Ux44OgIUc
Apparently it's not OK to question. It's so scary that they would feel the need to 'tell' on you like that. Thought control, anyone? This is one of the major things I don't like about working in schools- you get treated like a kid yourself, like if you aren't kept under control then you'll just shirk your responsibilities and do a shitty job.
Ignore them!
Rachel
ramblingrock.blogspot.com
I'm not a teacher *and for that everyone is thankful, including me* but I think the lesson to be learned here is take what you dislike about the system and switch it up in your classroom. For every "shush" you felt give your students room to voice concerns. For every "do as we say, not as we do" you observe, let those soon-to-be-out-in-the-real-world'ers an example to follow. Management always sucks Bon, it doesn't matter what the industry is.
ReplyDeleteArg, I'm so frustrated for you! I know exactly how this feels. This is what I was so happy to be free of when I quit. Sometimes I forget how frustrating it can be and I really miss it, but I freaking hate all the hoops of being a teacher these days. In the end, is the order of books taught really REALLY going to change someone's life? No. They will only remember how their teacher inspired them to learn and to look at life. Keep on keeping on.
ReplyDeleteI think it's important to speak up when you have opinions. It's so sad to be told to be quiet and do things their way to avoid any fuss but we've all been there. I think this is exactly what it feels like to be Katniss! ;)
ReplyDeleteFee
http://www.greenlovinggirl.com/
The world needs people like you! Keep doing what you're doing.
ReplyDeleteI can really relate to the crying part. Every.single.time that I'm confronted about something, my eyes automatically fill up out of my control. Inside I'm screaming, you're not upset so why are you crying?
ReplyDeleteAnd just like the head of the English department said, "WE GOT YOUR BACK!"
Stories like this one are the reason why I quit teaching.
ReplyDeleteI just had a phone conversation with one of my good friends and former co-workers yesterday about the exact same thing. She had spent an entire day in curriculum training asking questions for clarification and despite being one of the most effective literacy teachers in the district, she was told she couldn't stray from the curriculum and that she should watch herself or she would get in trouble. My thoughts? Do what YOU know is best no matter if you might get in trouble. Don't let anyone "higher up" (I put that in quotes because they aren't higher than the teachers because they don't know crap) tell you that you don't know what is going on in your classroom. I can tell that you are an AMAZING teacher, so keep doing what you're doing and don't listen to those fools. The kids don't deserve anything less!
ReplyDeleteWow to your district. You should always ask questions because I guarantee someone else in that room has the same one. I just experienced that last week with a technology training. I know the trainer and before he came into the room, another teacher was questioning something and someone told her to ask the person when he came because it was an important question. Well like clockwork when the guy got there she didn't ask it so I asked it for her because I knew he wanted us to ask questions. He loved it and she got her answer.
ReplyDeleteKeep on keeping on :)
I absolutely love reading your blog. 3:00 or 7:00 or 5:00 in the morning...whenever you write, it just feels like I'm hanging out with a friend who has crappy days every now and then and is hilariously funny all the time. I'm sorry about the school issues and work drama. But hooray for you for getting a nice bundle of compliments from the head of the English dept. I'm sure those are a better reflection of what you're really doing. Thank always for sharing the ups and downs in your life and making us all feel connected to you. Happy Revolution!
ReplyDeletei totally kept thinking hunger games every time you said district. so yes - go you! be your inner katniss. cuz she's cool and stuff ;)
ReplyDeleteno but seriously, i don't know you personally outside of blogworld but you seem to be an excellent teacher and i fully support what you do!
I am on board with this revolution! Thanks to putting into words what I have been feeling lately.
ReplyDeleteYou definitely seem like an awesome teacher to me! I am all for joining your revolution against the District. So, if you are Katniss, does that make the hippie-ish teacher Haymitch? I think so.
ReplyDeleteAll the way down your post I was thinking
ReplyDelete"Wow this is awfully like the Hunger Games, are the district going to ask you to choose a boy and a girl from your class to fight to the death too?"
And then you made the Hunger Games reference right at the end, so glad we made that same connection. A similar connection would be "The Handmaid's Tale". Don't doubt anything or express any opinions because you will be thrown in the back of a black van and driven away!
Keep teaching the way you want to!
Ellie
xxxx
Sounds exactly like my district! I grew up in a large district where most teachers and students are simply numbers. Its where I went to school. Its where I did my internships. I felt pretty comfortable there. But I ended up taking a job in a very rural community where everybody knows everybody, everyone knows your business, and you have no idea who is related to who. Talk about culture shock. I've been there 4 years now and I still feel like I have to bite my tongue at district level meetings. And the words from your principal sound a lot like the words I hear from my principal when we don't agree with what district is doing. Just hang in there. Once you learn their game, you'll know what you can push and what you have to just grin and bear. It does get better.
ReplyDeleteUgh, that sounds awful. I've mostly heard negative things about the Common Core.
ReplyDeleteI cry really easily too, with just the slightest hint of criticism or even compassion! Everything will work out in the end. You're a great teacher. Just keep it up!
So even teachers don't like meetings with the principal......................lol
ReplyDeleteWhen I was in high school and preferred the principal over the deputy principal as the deputy was a right so and so well at the time I thought he was...........lol
This made me laugh Bonnie... I just love you. :)
ReplyDeleteaaaaaaaahahaha. this made me laugh. Sorry you had a rough day, but I think all teachers can relate to this in one way or another!
ReplyDeleteGosh Bonnie! And I was just thinking how fun it would be to teach---
ReplyDelete