My Two Cents

This week I was challenged to review the following sites and report back on my findings. We were given the task of answering a few questions and coming up with solutions to those questions. I am not saying I have the best solutions possible, but there has to be a change. I believe if you aren't part of the solution, you are part of the problem so here are my two Cents:

Rhode Island Teachers Fired

Collective Bargaining/Unionization

Idaho News

1. Where is the state of education heading? I think the "state of education" is heading towards more results and teachers are being held accountable for those results. While this sounds acceptable, the push for results comes at a price. Also, with a diminished union, teachers are losing their voice. I realize there needs to be a change but teachers need to feel protected too. Taking away their power, i.e. the union, demanding more results in a shorter window of time and providing less benefits and funds does not seem like the right direction for better results.
2. What are your concerns? I fear that the micromanaging will squelch creativity inside the classroom. This inhibits positive, fluid, meaningful results and may impact teacher's positions through no fault of their own. I also think that shortening school years is not going to solve the problem of higher education. Students need to be in school, they need to learn that learning is fun! If we keep larger classrooms, shorter school years and provide limited support, how are they supposed to feel about their education? We are setting students up for failure!
3. If you could say your 'piece' what would you say?
I would say, I agree there needs to be accountability with any profession. That being said, teachers need the freedom to be relaxed and teach their students without having someone else dictating their every move. If teachers are afraid of low test scores, they will focus on those areas which leaves other very important topics on the back burner solely for self preservation to protect their livelihood. Believe me, I've seen it!
I want to be a great teacher. I want my students to leave my class with the knowledge of a variety of subjects, not just those they will be tested on for the state. I want the freedom to be creative and make learning fun. I'm afraid the micromanagement will make teaching creatively not only challenging but my fear is it may make teaching effectively impossible.

I want to be THIS kind of teacher and get these kind of results: Good Morning Miss Toliver

4. What suggestions do you have to make things work?

• Allow teachers to be creative, don't micromanage! We need room to breath. Especially with larger class sizes, we need to get to know our students and teach them on their level. We DO need support though. As a Principal i.e. manager, you communicate openly with teachers, give constructive feedback and assistance when necessary. The accountability is already in place with the state guidelines, the poor teachers will be weeded out and the exceptional ones will flourish if you allow it. Personally, I am happy to come before school, make myself available during lunch hour and stay after school or whatever it takes to help students who are willing to receive help.
• Provide an even salary. I want to teach, I left a high paying job to do what I love. However, if teachers are now responsible to purchase supplies for their classrooms, they need a steady income to do it! This may need to be taken to the Federal level as I think it is unacceptable that teachers in Rhode Island are paid highly in a low income neighborhood and have less than stellar results. Teachers in our area have to take on second jobs just to pay their mortgages!
• Find a better way (outside of the school system) to cut costs other than school programs. I know a lot of students who only survived school BECAUSE of programs like: art, music and sports. Cut the programs and you will lose students interest in school.
• Adopt free word 2.0 sites and cut back on all of the paperwork. Last year alone, I received more paper handouts, worksheets etc. from my Kindergartener than I wrote in college! Other states have already taken this measure. I was informed the state of Oregon saved over $3,000,000 by this action alone?! This seems like an easy cost effective solution to me!
• Maintain a consistent school year. Cutting the time teachers and students have to cover topics for their growth and development not only hurts their learning, it sets them up for failure in higher education!
• Work on a partnership with parents. I understand parents are busy but children do not stop learning at home! Let’s embrace our co relationship with students and find a balance with parents. With so many new concepts coming out, parents may feel discouraged and unwilling to help their child. If we take the time to work through them with parents, we may find some would be willing to take on more tasks inside the classrooms. My goal is to utilize parents inside and outside the classroom. The hope is that this will not only help their child succeed in school but it could build stronger family ties.
  
• Allow teachers to have a voice. By taking away the union, teacher's legs are cut out from under them. Everyone needs to be heard. Communication is the best way to succeed. I should be clear that I do not support walk outs, picket lines and the like. In those instances, teachers are hindering their students of an education. But with the union powerless, teachers are too.
  

There are my two cents. I ask that you take the time to check out the links for yourself and see what you come up with. Together, we may be able to come up with a reasonable solution and protect our children's future!