Rules For Posting To This Blog and Weekly Blog Question

1. Only use your first name (no last names, addresses, IM screen names, etc.)
2. Show respect and consideration of others when posting and commenting. This includes individuals, students, organizations, political parties, colleagues, etc.
3. Check all posts for spelling and grammar errors before posting.
4. Protect the privacy of others. Gain permission from other people before you write about them. Avoid sharing someone else's last name. Use job titles or pseudonyms when writing about experiences with your co-workers or students.
5. Watch your language. Use politically correct and non-offensive language.
6. Make sure you write about things that are factual.
7. Keep your postings education-oriented. Avoid discussing plans for the weekend, etc.

FINAL BLOG POST - OUR "DAILY TRIPLE" (DUE 12/1).
This week I would like you to use your imagination. You have just won the lottery and will leave your teaching post immediately to travel around the world. As you leave your keys you meet your replacement. You are asked to give this new teacher just ONE piece of advice. What would that be, and why? Enjoy your world expedition!

Blog Post - Week 7
This past week in my own teaching I felt a little disconnected which prompts my question to you, "What was the moment (or moments) when I felt most disconnected or disengaged as a teacher - the moment(s) I said to myself, I'm just going through the motions here?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 6
For the past couple of weeks you have experienced asynchronous online learning (doing modules by yourself). Previously this semester you have experienced synchronous online learning (all together in the Collaborate room). Which do you think is more effective and why do you think that? Which do you like better, and why?

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 5
This week we have what we call "open mic." You can write a post about anything related to your teaching that you would like responses from your classmates.

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 4
Here is this week's question: "What was the event that most took me surprise this week - and event that shook me up, caught me off guard, gave me a jolt, or made me unexpectedly happy?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 3
Please write a post about the following question, "In thinking about my past week teaching what is one thing I would do differently, and why?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 2
Please write a post about the following question, " In thinking about my teaching activities this past week, of what do I feel most proud? Why?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 1
Describe something you used in your program in the first weeks of school that you learned in the summer NTI program. How did it work? Did it get you off to a stronger start than last year?

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Role Reversal

I believe the roles of the school have changed tremendously. There has been a lot of blaming in the last few years in regards to the role of the school and the role of the family/home/parent. My theory is, If parents were more accountable or at least mandated by law to be more accountable, the role of the school could be better defined. With all of the cultural, economic and educational disparities, learning and the idea of school mean different things to different people. As a minority woman from a single parent home, education meant the world to me. It was the difference between leaving my poverty stricken neighborhood for a better life overflowing with opportunities or becoming another statistic in my neighborhood- an uneducated teen mother. My mother stressed the importance of education, manners, home-training, respect and everything else associated with raising a child during that time. She was one of the biggest supporters of all of my teachers that I ever knew. She never sided with me instead of the teachers. The school knew if we got out of line...one threat of a phone call home would cause my brothers and I to "tighten" up. Why do you ask?? We were afraid of being embarrassed in front of our peers. We were also afraid of our mother coming to the "school-house" and tanning our hide, going home and getting another "licking" and then going to grandma's and getting an even harsher scolding. It was clear to us that the school was a place to excel in learning and also a place to make our family proud of us (and not in sports but academics). We were taught that you didn't go to school to play. You went to school to learn. You get your socialization at recess and not in the classroom. Today, many students come to school to socialize. If they learn something oh well...if they don't so what. There's no one in the home that bothers to ask "how was school today?" or "what did you learn today?"
As for my answer for the purpose of the school today...in all honesty....I have no idea. I've seen the penduluum swing in both directions with the students being caught in the backswing. Some are able to catch on and hang on for dear live while others are pushed to the side and pushed thru the system. With all of the "new program" ideas that come at a high price, the value of education has been sacrificed. I think some school systems have wasted funding on nonsense ideas of the powers that be that were short lived, costly and worthless to the masses.

At the end of this semester, my pathway will be phased out. While it is bitter-sweet, I am ready to go back into industry. Being an educator in the public school setting has exposed me to a lot as a parent. Now I am a bit more prepared and ready for the state of my child's education. It has caused me to re-evaluate my purpose as a parent. Learning begins in the home, it is highlighted at school and those highlights are re-enforced again at home and in our community.

3 comments:

Angel said...

Hello AJ,

After reading your post I must say you have told the whole story. I totally agree with everything you stated. Teacher,parents,student argue back and forth on whose's responsible for the child's education. No one wants to truly take FULL responsibility for the role. I believe all parties have a vital part for student learning. The problem is parents are not there,School are not/can not acommadating all student therefore they push them through. The want Teacher to work for free(furloughs). There are so many distractions in the home and at school. Our Students/Future are falling through the cracks.
Thanks for your comment AJ.
Angel

Wyndell said...

I appreciate you opening up your heart today. Having grown up nearby I totally feel your passion and I feel that our community needs a community leader with your convictions to help inspire parents to become the devoted parents that you were reared by. Our students need to hear of your determination to overcome the environmental challenges that most students have been brought up in Dooly County. With your permission, I plan to share your comments with my classes. I am totally blown away by the news of your pathway being done away with. After having met you in Jan, I realize that you are uniquely blessed and I feel that you must be a wonderful teacher. I know that you have concerns about the future but I know that God has a special work in store for you. I personally hope that it involves teaching if this is your desire.

Sincerely,

Wyndell

Anitra said...

Thanks Angel and Wyndell for reading my post and sharing my sentiments. I am truly disappointed with the state of education today and the roles parents and students fail to play. In every lesson, I try to warn my students of the "Ides of March", the "setting of the son" and "the day of the geechie"..yes I use humor...(after all laughter is the best medicine..;)Another scare tactic I try to use to get their attention..

Students and families need to start appreciating education because it was not alway available to all..and this is what burns me up but I digress..
Wyndell, I know you are familiar with Dooly County and the state of education in that area amongst other things. I feel priviledge to have "made" it out and I take it as my duty to show others the way out. I am saddened about my program's untimely demise and my students are equally bothered but as an adult I am beginning to understand and as I was told by my principal.."this is business..nothing personal". Imagine that. Who would have ever thought the business of education would affect the personal development of our children???

Well it's off to fighting the bad guys..Hmph...I have a strange feeling that I will see 50% of my students again in a compromising position and they will say to me.."it's business Mrs. J. ..nothing personal.