Join a Mailring at the
Teacher Mailring Center
http://www.teachers.net/mailrings/
Barb/2/NE - Hi Pat and Chilllly! Here for the Private School teacher's chat?
Pat - where does everyone teach
Pat - yes i am
Barb/2/NE - I'm in Nebraska.
chilllly - Yes. I have a question...do you have a technology curriculum in your schools?
Pat - where in nebraska
chilllly - I am in WV; but, teach in Ohio.
Pat - yes we do
Pat - i'm in FL
Barb/2/NE - Chillly, we have a wonderful technology teacher, she meets with our students once a week
chilllly - Oh...I wish I were in Florida
Pat - likewise here
Barb/2/NE - Pat, I'm in Omaha, .........what grade is everybody?
Barb/2/NE - Hi neddy! Welcome to the private school teacher's chat!
Pat - 1st
neddy - 2nd
chilllly - In a nut shell...what's the curr like. I have been delegated to develop one for our school. I meet with my principal tomorrow about it.
Pat - barb i'm from nebraska--alliance
Barb/2/NE - Pat, wonderful part of Nebraska, near carhenge!
Barb/2/NE - Chillly, our technology teacher uses 'ed-view' for our computer lab, she does alot of work on claris works with the kids
Pat - our student curriculum is not something i have a handle on but we have competencies that we have to become proficient in
Pat - yes barb very near
Pat - we being the staff
Barb/2/NE - Chilly, have you posted on the computer teacher chatboard? Maybe you can get some help there?
Pat - barb what is ed view
Barb/2/NE - Pat, ed view is a filtering system for the internet
chilllly - Yes, I have.
Barb/2/NE - neddy, do you teach at a private or parochial school? I'm at a parochial school
Barb/2/NE - chillly, and no response from the chatboard?
chilllly - not yet, anyway. I pulled the NC tech curr earlier.
neddy - i teach in a parocial school in suburban Chicago
chilllly - But, I want more than one example.
Barb/2/NE - Chillly, I saw their guide for Math, and it's great! Got some good games off of it!
Barb/2/NE - Lee Ann! Welcome!
pat - what are you long term goals chilly
Barb/2/NE - neddy, getting your kiddos ready for reconciliation?
neddy - this is the first year that 2nd is making reconciliation
Barb/2/NE - Is this the Lee Ann from Kansas?
chilllly - I have asked a few teachers in my building what they feel the students should know at their grade level.
Barb/2/NE - neddy, when do they make it? Ours is the first part of December. We did an activity with the Good Shephard and his sheep today
neddy - the kids always made reconciliation in 4th
pat - are you chairing the committee
chilllly - OUr 'puter lab is pretty pitiful. In fact, we lost our server 'puter yesterday. Anyone know of grants/funds to update labs?
neddy - we are sceduled for the latter part of January
Barb/2/NE - neddy, yes, some dioceses are changing the traditional years for their sacraments
neddy - we have always taught the sacrament but they never actually received it
neddy - we had a really wonderful Jesus Day celebration where the kids had a reconciliation with their parents and vice versa
Michelle/5/IA - Have any of you planned a grandparent's day liturgy?
Barb/2/NE - Thank goodness we have some color in here! LOL it was beginning to look like Halloween!
Barb/2/NE - neddy, really? sounds neat! where did they get the idea?
Michelle/5/IA - I am drawing a blank for good ideas.
neddy - we were trying to teach the abstract concept of reconciling with God and saw that it was really akin to our relationship with our own parents. It kind of grew from there
chilllly - WoW...it sounds as if you are allowed to make the liturgy interesting for your theme.
Naomi/notyet/NE - Do your schools celebrate reformation?
Michelle/5/IA - Well, we can have a little play/skit/something after eucharist.
Barb/2/NE - neddy, neat idea! I bet our Religious ed coordinator would like that!
chilllly - Our pastor doesn't like anything different. In fact, Mass is as it was 50 years ago.
Michelle/5/IA - In previous years they have read/acted out "Giving Tree" or spelled Grandparents, but we want to do something new.
Lee Ann - yes, just trying to figure out this chat board :)
Barb/2/NE - Naomi, no, sorry, I'm at a Catholic school
Naomi/notyet/NE - Michelle how about focusing on Timothy and his grandmother Eunice?
Barb/2/NE - Lee Ann, you did it!
Naomi/notyet/NE - lol Barb no offense
neddy - it really is a wonderful day. there is never a dry eye in the place as far as the adults are concerned
Michelle/5/IA - I'm writing that down right now - we're planning tomorrow.
Naomi/notyet/NE - that his grandmother taught him
Barb/2/NE - Naomi, no! Good question though. What do people do?
Naomi/notyet/NE - Well at our school we have an All Saints Day party instead of Holloween parties
Naomi/notyet/NE - and since our family chooses not to celebrate holloween it is a viable alternantive
chilllly - Do the children dress as saints?
Barb/2/NE - Chillly, one person you can chat with at T.net is a teacher who goes by the name of REI, she's in Indiana and will probably be in Room 1, maybe tonight, she is a computer teacher
Naomi/notyet/NE - yes, or bible characters, or as something God has created
chilllly - thanks
neddy - we tried that at our school and some smart aleck 8th graders dressed as saints all right - New Orleans Saints
Naomi/notyet/NE - Last year my husband went as Matin Luther
Barb/2/NE - neddy, LOL!
Naomi/notyet/NE - lol neddy
Naomi/notyet/NE - that was cute of them huh?
neddy - it really was funny
chilllly - in the school I taught at previously the children had to tell 3 facts about the saint they were representing.
Naomi/notyet/NE - well that would be acceptable in our school...that is sports players
Naomi/notyet/NE - chillly did they do so?
Barb/2/NE - Does anyone get the REAP newsletter? It is full of religion ideas. It's collected and emailed by Joan who goes to the private school teachers chatboard
Naomi/notyet/NE - No Barb I don't
chilllly - no, I don't
Michelle/5/IA - I do! It's wonderful!
chilllly - yes, in fact the news always made it a point to be there to question the kiddos, esp the younger ones
Barb/2/NE - Naomi, REAP stands for Religion educators are Precious, I think if you ask about it on the chatboard, Joan would respond, it's very good,
Naomi/notyet/NE - what does REAP stand for?
Naomi/notyet/NE - lol
Naomi/notyet/NE - ok I will
Naomi/notyet/NE - oh wow chillly
Barb/2/NE - Michelle, our school is going to make a Jubilee Pilgrimage around our campus, thanks to Joan's school's idea!
Michelle/5/IA - That sounds great!
Naomi/notyet/NE - I have a question for the room
chilllly - go ahead
Naomi/notyet/NE - since I am new to the field of education and all
Barb/2/NE - Michelle, I was so excited when I read about her pilgrimage last May, that I told my principal, big mistake, LOL, guess who had to write it up.....me! *grin*
Naomi/notyet/NE - I have not been really told about what the relationship between the teacher and the prinicipal is to be like
Barb/2/NE - Bernice, just sharing ideas and asking questions! What grade level are you?
Naomi/notyet/NE - what is exactly the responsibilities of the teacher to the principal
Bernice - Middle School RSP
neddy - it dpends on the principal and the school
chilllly - be more specific..do you have a problem in mind?
Barb/2/NE - Naomi, it can be so different from one principal to another, I just know I have to do my best possible job for them and they will for me!
Naomi/notyet/NE - no chillly it just has not been made clear in my education courses
Naomi/notyet/NE - Are they your boss?
Naomi/notyet/NE - or is someone else
neddy - i've had principals who expect a lot (like now) and some who would rather handle everything themselves
Naomi/notyet/NE - what do you mean neddy?
Michelle/5/IA - I agree with neddy.
chilllly - totem pole...yes...but there usually others, too
Michelle/5/IA - I had a principal last year that wanted her hand in everything; every decision, etc.
Bernice - Naomi, I've never been told. I treat them like a boss
Naomi/notyet/NE - ok and that is not good?
Michelle/5/IA - This year my principal (I changed schools) gives more responsibility to the teachers.
Naomi/notyet/NE - I see Bernice
neddy - there has been a change inpolicy regarding tardiness. I now must give up two lunch periods a month to supervise the kids that violate the policy
Naomi/notyet/NE - and I am scared of not having lesson plans just so etc.
Michelle/5/IA - I personally didn't like the prinicipal who wanted to be involved in every little decision; to me it showed she had little faith in her teachers to carry out daily occurences.
Naomi/notyet/NE - oh that makes sense Michelle
Michelle/5/IA - I think it depends on the principal - every boss has his or her own little quirks.
Naomi/notyet/NE - but as a beginning teacher would I want that guidance or not?
Michelle/5/IA - And you learn them along the way.
Bernice - It makes me nervous if an principal is too interested
chilllly - you need to relax and focus on your class; but, at the same time meet the guidelines your principal has set for you
Naomi/notyet/NE - why Bernice? If you are doing a good job does it matter?
Gwen/5/PA - I have a principal who has no backbone and everyone walks all over him. It's sad!
Michelle/5/IA - I agree Bernice - I wonder why they are so "concerned" - seems like they have a little too much time on their hands.
Naomi/notyet/NE - and exactly what is the principals job?
Lee Ann - Bernice, I am the school administrator and also a teacher. I tend to be interested in what my teachers are doing, but only to make their jobs easier.
Bernice - I got burnt and now I am gun shy
neddy - as a beginning teacher you have to trust yourself and all that you have learned. If you come to a point where you need extra help look around at fellow teachers that you trust. they know more about day to day teaching than your boss.
Barb/2/NE - Lee Ann, I like that philosphy!
Naomi/notyet/NE - ok neddy that is good advice thank you
Lee Ann - We work as a team and don't seem to see me as a threat.
Michelle/5/IA - I did as well. I like having administrators interested in what I do, but I think an amount of trust needs to be in place.
Bernice - I had a bad year with 3 pricipals and it did not matter what I did it wasn't right
Michelle/5/IA - Last year it was teachers vs. principal; this year I don't see it that way.
Lee Ann - That's the key - TRUST!
Barb/2/NE - Bernice, 3 principals in one year?
Naomi/notyet/NE - oh that must have been frustrating
Gwen/5/PA - Good administrators know when to help and when to let new teachers experience some of the knocks that go along with teaching!
neddy - you are lucky Lee Ann to be able to see both sides and have a staff that is supportive
Bernice - very
Naomi/notyet/NE - So....what about when parents go against you to the principal..How is that handled?
Lee Ann - I think it has helped me to realize that one person doesn't make the school - it takes all of us.
Michelle/5/IA - exactly. Last year I felt that my principal didn't trust me to do the job I was hired for
Naomi/notyet/NE - Is a way to discuss problems between you and a principal and still keep your teaching position?
Michelle/5/IA - I think if both people are adults, it can be done.
Barb/2/NE - LuAnn, are you the LuAnn of Kansas and Postcard fame?
neddy - I have had mostly good experiences with parents, BUT those times when parents have been against me, it was always encouraging when the principal would side with you
Naomi/notyet/NE - thanks Michelle I appreciate your answers
Michelle/5/IA - It's no problem.
Naomi/notyet/NE - Oh I was wondering if everyone was tired of my questions
Lee Ann - Follow the Matthew 18 principle - go directly to your principal
LuAnn - It IS nice when you have a supportive principal. I've had some years when parents made me pretty miserable....
Naomi/notyet/NE - ok Lee Ann thank you
neddy - how else are you going to learn, Naomi
Naomi/notyet/NE - The closer I get to graduation the more I think "is this really what I want to do/"
Naomi/notyet/NE - thanks for your support everyone
neddy - have faith-- i have said that many times in the last 20 years
Lee Ann - Naomi - I think we may all have felt that way before graduation!
chilllly - How much teaching experience do you have/
Naomi/notyet/NE - I just get nervous about it
Barb/2/NE - Naomi, what you will learn from an education degree, you can use anywhere! Just getting a college degree is great
Naomi/notyet/NE - chillly the only classroom experience I have had has to deal with practicums and teacher aiding...but I have had an in home daycare for several yrs 10 kids aged nb-13
barb - i teaach grade 2 at a all girls school
Lee Ann - I have been teaching for 24 years and administrating for 14
LuAnn - Wow, I didn't know they still had all-girls schools!
Barb/2/NE - barb, really? they have all girl grade schools? My husband teaches at an all girls high school
neddy - naomi, the fact that you are here means that you really want to a least try to make this your vocation
barb - i'm from montreal
Naomi/notyet/NE - When I am ready to start teaching I will be 40...so it is my 2nd career
Barb/2/NE - neddy, vocation! good word choice! I'd been out of teaching for 10 years raising my kiddos and I wasn't sure I wanted to go back, but it's a calling!
LuAnn - Barb...how long ago did you go back?
Lee Ann - barb, are you pleased with the Canadian educational system?
Naomi/notyet/NE - I am so looking forward to teaching, and I know I want to teach middle school and my concentration is in science
LuAnn - I taught preschool part time ten years while my kiddos were young....but teaching changed TOO much in the time I was gone....
Barb/2/NE - Luann, This is my second year, I have a teaching credential, but I'm working as an aide, so I don't have to bring home homework! (Papers to correct!)
chilllly - Barb...want some of mine to check?
Naomi/notyet/NE - but I am apprehensive and nervous at the same tiem
barb - the quebec school program is in a reform . grade k 1 and 2 are being implemented this year
Barb/2/NE - LuAnn, yes and no, teaching trends have changed, but I think coming to T.net has really helped me get current fast!
chilllly - Naomi....fear of the unknown...jump in, you'll love it!
Naomi/notyet/NE - this is such a supportive chat
Lee Ann - do you have 4 years of college to get your teaching credentials?
LuAnn - Barb, you're right about Tnet being a great resource...I was back for two years before I got connected, but once I did it made a lot of difference
Naomi/notyet/NE - I appreciate everything you have shared with me tonight
neddy - Hey Naomi give yourself a break!! every one is apprehensive at a new challenge. aloow yourself that luxury and gain energy from it.
Barb/2/NE - Lee Ann, yes, I taught from 1985 to 1988, renewed it in 1998, by taking 2 college courses
Barb/2/NE - neddy, did you say you returned to teaching after raising your children too?
neddy - yes i did
Barb/2/NE - neddy, did you jump back in feet first? or subing or aiding first?
neddy - i subbed for 2 years and then a second grade opened up and i took it
pgirl - There is a difference, Barb. It was amazing when I read the other chat. Can we have this once a week?
neddy - by the way both my kids were at the school at the time BUT were past second grade by then
Barb/2/NE - neddy, I subbed too, but the aiding thing is working great, my 6th grade son is having some problems and its not a problem to pull him out of school for an appointment, I don't have to find a sub
pgirl - I really need private school support. It is so different from public.
neddy - best of both worlds Barb
Barb/2/NE - pgirl, have you been to the private school chatboard
Barb/2/NE - Kaki, what grade level?
Kaki - 5th all boys school, you?
Barb/2/NE - Kaki, really? all boys! we have all boys high schools. I'm 2nd in Nebraska, thus the name!
Kaki - So you teach at an all boys school then?
barb - sadie what grade do you teach
Barb/2/NE - Kaki, no, a Catholic school
sadie - barb...grades 5/6
Barb/2/NE - Disney Cathy, how are your kinder's this year? How many?
Kaki - O the worst, Just kidding, I attended one!
pgirl - Is anyone from an ACSI school?
Kaki - Sadie, I'm 5th
Lee Ann - Our school is ACSI - although not cetified just yet
sadie - kaki..that's a fun age to teach
Barb/2/NE - Kaki, do you teach all subjects? How big can an all boys school be?
LuAnn - (feeling dumb here....) What's ACSI?
Kaki - I love it. I only have 8 boys total!
Barb/2/NE - LuAnn, I'm in the same boat! LOL
pgirl - Lee Ann, do you go to ASCI conventions. Associated Christian Schools International.
Kaki - Barb, yes, all subjects it's a prep school, so it's like a university
Barb/2/NE - Kaki, wow! You can really do alot with a class size like that!
Kaki - 96 total and taking more all the time!
Lee Ann - American Christian Schools, Int. - an FANTASTIC organization for Christian Schools!
LuAnn - Thanks pgirl!
Kaki - Barb, My boys get A's not bragging though!
Barb/2/NE - Kaki, that's great to hear. It's nice to hear enrollment is up in private schools
Kaki - I wish the pay was better!
pgirl - My school was in danger of being closed this year due to a forseen $100,000 deficit
Barb/2/NE - Kaki, I bet they do and I know why, you can really work one on one and reteach/advance as needed
Barb/2/NE - pgirl, what did you do?
Lee Ann - pgirl - We attend the joint convention with MACS (MidAtlantic Christian Schools and ACSI ) I am letting some new teachers go and will stay behind to substitute for their classes. I really miss not going
sadie - kaki,,,that's a common wish of all private school...for better pay
pgirl - Lee Ann, my whole school closes and we all go to Anaheim, (across from Disneyland).
Barb/2/NE - This year the National Catholic school convention is in Milwaukee. Our school board is paying for 4 teachers and our principal to go!
Lee Ann - My school still has the dubious position of lowest salary - unfortunately!
LuAnn - I agree, sadie. Most teachers just can't end up very happy in a parochial school unless they feel a sense of mission....money alone just ins't enough!
sadie - pgirl....that's too bad for your school
pgirl - Anyone care to reveal their salary?
Lee Ann - pgirl - If our salaries were higher I would push for everyone going. As it is now anyone can go who wants, but many just can't take time away from their families.
pgirl - Sadie, we are still in danger if things don't pick up. We needed 8 more students to break even and now we just lost 3.
sadie - i've been teching for 16 years at the same school...this year my salary is $22,000
LuAnn - The $ topic comes up over and over on the chatboard.....some people write lovely responses....BTW I made 25,000 after five years of teaching.....
pgirl - Lee Ann, our contract says we HAVE to attend or not get paid those days. The school pays for the whole thing.
LuAnn - ....and 15 graduate hours.....
pgirl - This is my 8th year and I'm top dollar at just under $20,000.
Barb/2/NE - LuAnn, mission and vocation.......very important to the our school/teachers
Lee Ann - Our starting teachers are at $10,500 (rural area). As the administrator (12 months a year) I made $3,5000 on top of my teaching salary.
sadie - pgirl...when will you know if your school closes?
LuAnn - MY GOODNESS! Lee Ann, that's hard to believe! You are noble!
pgirl - Sadie, they are going to reevaluate after the first of the year.
Lee Ann - You have to love it and see it as a mission!
pgirl - Wow, Lee Ann, where do you live? Is that okay with your cost of living?
sadie - i also think mission and vocation is also important but i also think a fair wage is needed for our teachers
Barb/2/NE - sadie, true, but I personally don't want to become 'whiner's' like some teachers I know
Lee Ann - Not really, but there are so many farmers here who are struggling. Our tuition is about $1,700 per child.
pgirl - My first year teaching the school didn't have enough money to pay us for the summer months (even though our salaries are divided into 12 months). We went without pay.
sadie - pgirl...what a stressful situation for you
pgirl - Our tuition is $2900/yr
Barb/2/NE - pgirl, one month, we had to hold our checks til the bingo money came in!
sadie - lee ann...we also have many farm families in our school...that's hitting us hard
LuAnn - We don't have tuition. We're a tithing parish...and TOO MANY people are not tithing.....
pgirl - Anyway, SAdie, we have a sister school who's doing better. They have a teacher who is pregnant, and the principal said I could have her position if our school closed. But I sure don't want that to happen.
Lee Ann - I keep hearing how well the economy is - but I just don't see it in our area!
pgirl - Bingo HA HA. I've heard of that happening before.
sadie - we have fair share tuition
Barb/2/NE - LuAnn, we too are a tithing parish, and we are doing ok, we have a big stewardship round up each year, and each child has a $500 book bill
Lee Ann - "fair Share" ???????
sadie - lea ann...where are you?
Lee Ann - Northeastern PA
leelee - Hey, I am new to this...does anyone have any advice for a new teacher?
Lee Ann - Barb - why a $500 book bill?
Barb/2/NE - leelee, we all teach in a private school setting, is that something you would be interested in doing?
Barb/2/NE - Lee Ann, since we don't have tuition, but tithing, it's one way to make sure some money comes in
Lee Ann - leelee - prayer works wonders :)
leelee - yes, I grew up in a private Christian school in Denver and am interested in teaching in a similar setting :)
sadie - fair share tuition is when some people sit down with each family and explain what it costs to educate a child in our school...then the parents are asked to pledge how much they will pay for their child...example...it costs roughly $2500 to educate a child
Barb/2/NE - sadie, I've heard of that play, how well does it work!
Lee Ann - sadie - does everyone seem to hold to their commitment?
Barb/2/NE - leelee, that's great! have you seen the private school chatboard? lots of great advice!
Lee Ann - leelee - are you teaching now?
leelee - no, i've actually never visited a teacher's chatroom before
sadie - lee ann...yes they do...i don't think anyone pledges the full amount though
leelee - I'm actually in my last year at a Christian college...I will be student teaching in Feb.
Lee Ann - That's great! I have a pastor that I am trying to get to pay up on past debts. How sad.
Lee Ann - leelee - Where are you going to school?
leelee - barb, are you a teacher right now in a private school?
Lee Ann - sadie - where are you from?
Barb/2/NE - leelee, yes, 2nd grade in a Catholic school, my children also attend this school
leelee - I go to Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI
sadie - lea ann..in wisconsin
Lee Ann - I grew up in Mich. Had a relative in the "olden" days who was one of the president's of Calvin College.
leelee - I know that I should not be concerned about money, but I have heard that private schools do not pay nearly as high as public schools...should I let this influence my decision in where I teach?
Lee Ann - sadie - are you in a rural area? Most of the people from Wisconsin that we met in Mich were farmers.
Barb/2/NE - leelee, our pay is about $5000 to $3000 off from public school teachers, but the rewards are great!
Lee Ann - leelee - I think it may depend on your school loans and financial situation. My daughter is in a Christian college and could never afford to teach at our school!
sadie - lea ann...yes a very rural area...lol
BizzyJoan - I think it would depend if that was your only income... hubby? only bread earner?
Lee Ann - sadie - is the farming situation improving at all in your area? Our school origionally had farmer's children attending.
Barb/2/NE - leelee, you're learning fast!
leelee - No, I hope that this would not be my only source of income... My boyfriend (hopefully husband by the time I teach) does quite well :)
sadie - when i started at my school, my hubby wasn't working so it was a struggle...still is a struggle
BizzyJoan - That's something to consider, leelee....
BizzyJoan - Much of our married life, I have been the main bread winner....
Lee Ann - how large is your school sadie?
Barb/2/NE - Well everyone!
Chatboards Lesson Plans K12 Projects Teacher Blogs Mailrings Classified Ads Teacher Jobs Live Chat Live Meetings Articles Harry Wong Printables
Other Chatboards in this Category...
