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Kathleen - Hi, Beth! Folks, here is our Moderator, author/school psychologist Beth Bruno
Beth Bruno - Hi all. How's everybody tonight. glad you're a teacher?
Beth Bruno - I've heard from quite a few people about their reasons for teaching
Beth Bruno - Would you encourage your children to teach?
Sarah - Maybe, but I would warn them
Kathleen - I don't think my children are suited to teaching, but if they were, yes
EMA - No, I would not encourage my child to teach.
mayfield - that would be entirely up to them
Mohoganee - I encourage my daughter and she graduated in May as a full fledged teacher, now teaching preschool and doing a good job.
marykay - my daughter is an education major in college
meeha/ece/tx - I think if my child (i don't have any other than those i "borrow" wanted to teach and seemed to have the aptitude to do so, yes, i would encourage it ...
Sarah - Hopefully the political backlash against teachers will end before my children would grow up to teach
Kathleen - Mohoganee, you are such a cheerleader for teaching, it's no surprise your daughter saw it as a good choice for her :-)
Beth Bruno - How much freedom do you have to teach what you want to?
Mohoganee - Teaching is the joy of my life. I teach 1st grade
Kathleen - Less and less freedom these days, test pressures
Mickie - She quit because she didn't feel she was getting the support she needed in her school and couldn't handle the discipline
Gidget/TX - I would not encourage any college student to go into teaching. I am working on my masters in order to get out of teaching!
Sarah - objectives are set by the district. It depends on the subject how much flexibility you have
mayfield - In special ed I have more freedom because other teachers have less experience
EMA - All the freedom I want, as long as test scores rise...
Beth Bruno - My son was in business for three years. Working long hours and making $$. Now he's teaching. poor but happy.
judyb - i have a lot of freedom, that makes it nice
Lynne/FL - I'm certified in social studies, my school has basically thrown my curriculum out the window and instructed me to teach reading.
Mohoganee - Too much testing especially with our new reading program called Literacy Place by Scholastic
Life - Yes...the state of Alabama expects high SAT9 scores...pressure
marykay - plenty of freedom here....just not a lot of time
Mickie - I teach first grade and love the kids. It has changed so much though in 23 years
Gidget/TX - I have a lot of freedom - when I actually get to teach! It seems that I have an ARD every other hour!
Life - Your son is a rich man if he is happy!!
Beth Bruno - What's an ARD?
Beth Bruno - Yes, my son would agree with you, Life.
Gidget/TX - Admission - Review - Dismissal
Gidget/TX - I teach special education!
Mickie - How many people in this room spend at least ten hours per day at school? Just curious...
Sarah - Is that against students-Gidget?
Beth Bruno - Does that mean you have a lot of kids leaving in the middle of the year?
jtck/WA - At school...no. Thinking about school...23.5.
Mohoganee - I'm at school at 8.00 and leave around 5.00pm, plus I am always there weekends doing odds and ends.
Beth Bruno - Someone said that social studies was replaced with reading. I hope it was reading social studies!
EMA - I'm with jtck...I spend an inordinate amount of time thinking about school...
jtck/WA - Why do we do that? Go above and beyond? Is it genetic?
Gidget/TX - This is the meeting that must take place before any steps can be taken with a child with a disability. My district has anniversary ARDs so they occur through out the year!
Beth Bruno - What are the most gratifying aspects of teaching for you?
Stanley - Gidget, have you considered reg ed? Should be less paperwork & assorted garbage!
mayfield - don't think so i think more and more kids are falling behind
marykay - I'm at school at 7:30 and leave between 4:30-5:00 (sometimes later)
EMA - the look on a child's face when s/he "gets it"
Kathleen - a child achieving success :-)
Mohoganee - We are a unique group, definitely not in it for the money, but because of our love and dedication.
Gidget/TX - I will never get out of special ed. The shortage is too great!
Beth Bruno - Personally, I get high on the kids' curiosity.
mayfield - to give hope knowledge, confidence, esteem, and self-respect
Mary K&1 - When little Katie say, "I think I'm getting the hang on this!"
Lynne/FL - social studies curriculum was replaced with the reading curriculum, of course my love of social studies leads to "teaching reading in the subject area" but they keep sending me novels to read with the kids
jtck/WA - As a K/1 teacher...watching a kid become a reader and writer. They go so far in such a short time!
Kim/KS - The most satisfying part for me is seeing a child suddenly realize I CAN do this.
Sarah - I love to see their faces light up when they finally understand something
mayfield - then you know you have presented something they are interested in
Life - Gratifying moments each day when the 4 retained students read without "missing" a word!!
Kathleen - or, a little one saying, "You're giving me some really tricky ones!:-)"
Kim/KS - I also love to hear, "This is FUN!"
Beth Bruno - Seeing a child gain in confidence is a real high, isn't it?
Stanley - Gratification -- seeing exuberant, happy faces on children!
marykay - love to see the "light" come on!
Gidget/TX - It is great when a child with a 70 IQ reads a book to you!
Kathleen - A parent saying, "You'd better be around in 4 years when the next one comes to school!"
Mohoganee - I am fascinated with the glow in my students eyes when they read, especially the weak ones who have pulled off the strong ones. Oh what a glorious feeling!!!
Beth Bruno - I also like the experience of turning around a doubting, hostile parent.
Kathleen - Kids taking over the routine almost not needing me there :-)
Gidget/TX - The majority of my students are labeled ED - so I often feel like a parent!
marykay - yes, Kathleen...that is one of my favorites!
Mohoganee - When I come home evenings and reflect, I am convinced I am definitely in the right profession.
Kathleen - Beth, yes, I like that challenge too. A difficult parent? Give her/him to me, I'll work my tail off to turn that person around into a person who trusts us
mayfield - that requires time and a lot of points made showing consideration for them despite themselves
Beth Bruno - I invited a parent of a child to school (a dad) and he was sure I asked him in because his child was in trouble
Gidget/TX - Beth - as a psychologist - what has your experience been with children with emotional disabilities?
Kathleen - A parent filling out a survey asking, what is a good teacher, responding "YOU!" :-)
Beth Bruno - The boy had just transferred to the school, so I asked him to visit and meet everyone.
Beth Bruno - I showed him around and he kept waiting for "the other shoe to drop"
Stanley - Kathleen, One of the advantages of being a sub is having repeat assignments generated by Ts for whom you've worked. So I can understand your feedback from a parent.
Kathleen - Yes, parents swallow hard when they hear the teacher's voice on the phone, can't believe it when you say you called with good news
mayfield - good you made his first visit a pleasant one
Beth Bruno - It took him a long time to trust that there was no hidden agenda.
Kathleen - Stanley, ah yes, a good substitute teacher is in demand!
EMA - I only wish I could get a parent on the phone...I live in answer machine country!
mayfield - fantastic it did work
Beth Bruno - Does anyone answer their phone anymore?
mayfield - I answer my phone
EMA - Beth...I don't own one!....
Mohoganee - Yes, my parents know they can call up to 10.00 pm and as early as 7.00 am
Beth Bruno - Gidget asked about children with emotional problems - anything in particular?
Life - I teach, answer the phone, and chat!!
EMA - an answering machine I mean...ooops
Kathleen - EMA, yes and caller ID so they see your home number
Stanley - Kathleen, I also like your attitude of working extra hard with the difficult parent. I need to remember that one!
Kathleen - Mohoganee, you are really something :-)
Beth Bruno - If you bring a parent around, the whole family benefits.
bette/.tx - beth...but sometimes it is hard to bring that parent around..isn't it??
Beth Bruno - Is there anyone here who used to like teaching, but doesn't anymore?
bette/.tx - beth we have caller id..so we know who is calling us....
Mohoganee - I do weekly newsletters to keep my parents informed of the week's activities.
Kathleen - Stanley, it really is a special desire of mine. I know that most parents who "come off" as hostile are just feeling defensive, or inadequate. I wish every teacher could experience what a parent feels when called to the school, when brought to an official meeting to discuss child w/lots of educators present, jargon.
mayfield - i can see that they get not only the modeling of decent behavior and stability but also the presentation of goodness; could lead to better support
Life - I have taught in the same small school for 29 years...250 students..now teaching children of former students...makes it nice..like a family affair..
Stanley - Mohoganee, How long have you had your calling hrs, so to speak? Have you had any parents abuse the privilege?
Beth Bruno - The weekly newsletter is a great idea. The kids can contribute articles, too.
EMA - I don't like it as much as I used to...the teaching I love...the junk and baggage...not so much
mayfield - I like teaching but only in the elementary grades
marykay - i also do weekly newsletters....parents love them....really keeps communication open
jtck/WA - I'm back. Newsletters are required in my school.
Kathleen - I don't like the increasing pressure to push too much too soon (bringing curric down)
bette/.tx - marykay that is if you get the parents to ready them...
EMA - I have 157 students...cannot do newsletters....
Beth Bruno - When my son was tested because of adjustment problems in the first grade, I was a wreck.
Kathleen - I do a daily letter
Mohoganee - No one has abused the privilege. Actually I have a good group of supportive parents.
bette/.tx - jtck it use to be when i taught at a pre-school..but not now at my private school
Life - I had some years where I thought of quitting and going to nursing school...but finally I am "at home" in 2nd grade..like a being re-born....loving to teach again!!
Kathleen - Moho's life is her class. :-) She is the most devoted teacher I've ever known
jtck/WA - I must say that while I've olny been teaching for a few years, the changes at K alone make me crazy. There's no real kindergarten anymore!
Stanley - Good pt, Kathleen! I think we don't often look at things from the parents' perspective.
bette/.tx - beth i have a child with LD and medical problems i understand how you felt...
marykay - bette..the trick is to put kids' birthdays, thank you notes etc. in your newsletter...and they will be looking for their own child's name
Kathleen - Beth, you felt out of place and uncomfortable in PPT, right?
mayfield - yes the medical model of learning and behavior hurts students and their parents
bette/.tx - Life that is so well put...
bette/.tx - jtck kindergarten is like what first grade us to be like
Beth Bruno - I felt like the group was looking for what was wrong with my son instead of for what was right that they could build on.
Kathleen - I learned soooo much from teachers I DIDN'T admire
bette/.tx - marykay out of 8 students..only 4 would...i have done that and they don;t look for the newsletter..the schools puts out one weekly and i put it in their work folder and folder comes back not looked at....
Susan - bette, I agree and so do a lot of other teachers I know.
jtck/WA - Yep. We are expected to have all kids reading at RR level 3 at the end of the year. Full day AND half-day!
mayfield - yes with more understanding of socialization differing and continually changning circumstances we can begin to see doors for improvement
Beth Bruno - They also never considered the possibility that the teacher's approach might be part of the problem.
bette/.tx - beth..we where the opposite we knew what we wanted for our child just getting was hard...
marykay - bette....that is sad....have you tried classroom newsletter
Stanley - Kathleen, Would that we looked at things from the parents' perspective more often!
mayfield - yes, especially if it is bound in permanence or felt - without change
jtck/WA - Boy, if ever there's a behavior/adjustment issue, I look real hard at myself first!
bette/.tx - marykay yes every monday with the weekly work....
Beth Bruno - That's important, jtck. We as teachers can always learn to change and adapt, too - to try a new approach if need be.
Beth Bruno - For those who have big classes - do parents respond if you call for volunteers?
Gumbo/K/La - no beth.....just me and the kids......we usually have 28-30......
marykay - beth....not always
Gumbo/K/La - parent volunteers I have this year do more harm than good......going to tell them not to come anymore........
Beth Bruno - I have found that parents really want to help if they know what you need.
bette/.tx - beth even with our small private school we don't have a lot of parents volunteering..i volunteer in my daughters school ....even thou i teach in another
bette/.tx - beth not mine to busy working....
Kathleen - mayfield, maybe the classroom could revive those parents, tap talents they didn't realize they had, give them a whole new attitude and mission
Beth Bruno - parents who don't know what you want and need can cause problems, it's true.
Susan - I believe that many of my parents are intimidated by school. I must say that I don't often request their help as volunteers in the classroom because I'm not sure how I would use them. I need to work on this.
Beth Bruno - The toughest parents are the ones who say, "yes, but..." to everything.
mayfield - in the working class world of these people you are looking at 10 hour days
mayfield - yep that is true, they feel so inadequate themselves, they fear the isolation of their children
Beth Bruno - The better you are, the more you get the toughest kids placed in your class. That's a burn out issue, isn't it?
Gumbo/K/La - what would make me leave teaching is the continued disrespect and maligning of our profession......we have allowed politicians to make educational decisions.......we have lost control of our own profession........
Stanley - Life, with large K classes I think the kids get a more chaotic 1st impression of school than they do, with say, <20. I think ALL the later grades pay for that 1st impression!
bette/.tx - jtck so is that why parents turn to private schools for small class sizes...that is the number one reason why students come to our school...
mayfield - but kathleen you are right we can help parents help us with their own children
EMA - Is it "normal" to want to leave...I mean, this is just my 2nd year...and I made a midlife career change...
Life - Many of our parents are on welfare..and sometimes don't feel secure in the school...don't attend PTO, etc. So when they do come to pick up a sick child, etc., we try to make them feel very comfortable, etc. Hard for some parents to identify..
mayfield - yep that is true but thank goodness for the canter system at least in the early grades
Kathleen - The same parents who say in polls about the state of education in the US that there is a problem rate their own children's teachers higher
Kathleen - EMA, the first years are the toughest!
mayfield - this helps to alleviate problems of burnout in elementary school
Susan - I taught 28 in K one year with an aide--the aide was helpful but there were still too many children in the class, not enough room or time to meet all their needs
Beth Bruno - Yes, it's normal to want to leave, especially if you're not getting the support you need.
Kathleen - mayfield, I'm not in favor of Assertive Discipline in early grades. Especially the name on the board stuff
Beth Bruno - But maybe you could try a different school, rather than leaving the profession alltogether.
Stanley - Kathleen, How long do "the 1st yr" generally last?
Susan - Life, I'm in the same situation--we had about 4 parents at our last PTA meeting.
EMA - Beth, ah support...I was promised a mentor last year...got ziclh...thank the good lord for T.Net...
mayfield - quite so true in the middle and school grades where headcounts and financial agendas outweigh academic and safety considerations
Life - Our Head Start program leaves the children acting "wild"...just too free..not going by rules..They come to K..not knowing how to remain in seat, etc.
marykay - i'm not in favor of Canter's Assertive Discipline...we tried it several years ago...was not good!
Kathleen - Stanley, I think it depends upon the support and resources you have. But the first 2-3 years are the most difficult, and each time one changes grade levels, or schools. Big adjustments
bette/.tx - Life my daughter was in head start for her LD and health problems ...and i agree but they don't want you to "teach"
mayfield - I feel the system has been pushed so much in terms of financial gain that only a town with different values could achieve this
Beth Bruno - I heard about a teacher who offered her kids an extra "A" in the record book if they brought a parent (or aunt, uncle, grandparent) to parents' night. The turnout was great!
teacher5 - my first three years i taught next door to a teacher who was at the end of her teaching career and she eventually retired because of all the new pressure and standards the state was implementing....she continues to tell me to get out of the teaching profession!
Life - Kat..some of our K's come to school not knowing how to behave...I mean..like they have never been expected to follow any rules...the name on the board can help some of them
Stanley - EMA, Your lack of a mentor STINKS! Were most of your colleagues @ your school also relatively new?
mayfield - sure would help make their average go up if not the learning
mayfield - and maybe save a semester of summerschool
teacher5 - after four years of teaching i am so fed up with the road blocks that teachers have to deal with on a regular basis
Mohoganee - You hang in there Teacher 5, you will not regret it.
Beth Bruno - I have to agree with all of you about Teachers.Net. It's a wonderful environment to discuss all kinds of things going on in our profession - with so many knowledgeable and energetic colleagues!
teacher5 - lack of support and funds needed
EMA - Stanley, no....a engorged district and a year round school and a desperate need for teachers....I even changed schools this year...still no support...
bette/.tx - Life you should see me when i came to kindergarten..last yrs teacher was a Drama teacher with not early childhood experience..i am told there is a big difference in the class.and the students that went to first grade are having trouble with the class work and setiing in chairs..etc...
Life - teacher5..things have certainly changed...pressures and standards....some just can't handle it well....
Mohoganee - Tough times never last, tough teachers do!!!
mayfield - yes it is and everyone is very honest and open about their fears and weaknesses
Kathleen - I'm not as concerned any more about parent involvement being parent presence in the school. Some of the busiest, least visible parents are doing the best job being "involved" by working w/ child at home, or just establishing standards, goals, aspirations
teacher5 - i love teaching! and as of now couldn't imagine doing anything else
Stanley - Thanks, Kathleen. But some new Ts are changed yearly! I'm personally quite concerned about getting jacked around like that!
bette/.tx - beth..i teach private and get no benefits and low pay but i love the job....
jtck/WA - I'm wondering...are we dealing with the same roadblocks? I mean, where you teach and the principal, etc. can really make a difference...
Beth Bruno - Do you suppose parents could even help with grading papers (at home)?
Kathleen - Stanley, yes, changing grade levels is changing jobs, hard work and stress
mayfield - lol I would not go that far. We have to know what the student is lacking and what we need to do to correct their problems
Kathleen - We send little tasks home for parents who wish to help but can't come in
Stanley - EMA, In what part of the country do you teach?
EMA - Stanley, I teach in Clark County Las Vegas, NV
Beth Bruno - Have some of you come into teaching from other professions?
Life - I know of private schools that could learn a thing or two from public schools..
Susan - Kathleen, I agree, but when you have only one relative show up for open house it tends to send a signal to the children that school is not very important--don't you think?
teacher5 - parent's are the key to the child's success and unfortunately, we are dealing with many parents who don't give a rip about their child's education! School takes place from 9-3 and have the idea that it is our job not theirs to teach their child..
bette/.tx - kathleen out of the 8 students only 4 would do it if i sent it home i would never get it back from the other 4..can not get report cards back...
Peter/HS/PA - I've always been a teacher
jtck/WA - I had some ESL parents come in, apologize for not being able to help in the classroom, and asking for things to do at home. I really am blessed by our school community.
Kathleen - Yes, I was a supermarket cashier before finishing school ;-)
mayfield - parents would not know what the student needed and what we would have to do to correct academic problems
teacher5 - susan i agree with you...i had a curriculum night at the beginning of the year and only had 3 parents show up
Stanley - Life, I 2nd your comment re Teachers.Net!! What a Godsend! I'm just glad I don't get charged by the download! :-)
Kathleen - bette, for sure, there are all kinds of populations, you have a challenging task
bette/.tx - Life yes..i try to give good advice but i am the new teacher...so i donlt want to rock the boat yet...
Life - My parents and siblings sometimes do the homework!!
jtck/WA - I was in advertiasing before going into debt and becoming a teacher.
beckyr - WOW I feel blessed. I had 22 out of 23 parents show up for parent snight
Mohoganee - Parents need to be held more accountable. If one of my students are having an academic problem, I am on the parents like gravy on rice. They must assist me in meeting their child's needs. I make them aware, I cannot do it by my self.
EMA - Life...I know what you mean...last year my parents did some really nice work!
bette/.tx - kathleen it is hard for me ..these parents are paying tution and not wanting to help..i would like to see my tution money in the working...
Life - Stanley..LOL..this site is just amazing...find something new each time I check it out..
mayfield - it was not until I had learned to over my speech impediment and responsibilities to my mother and sister that I was able to teach
beckyr - I have at least one parent in the room every day working with kids
Susan - I felt like crying on open house night--you work so hard to prepare and it feels as if no one cares! Thank goodness for the children, they always appreciate you!
Beth Bruno - The worst year I ever had was the year the school was being renovated all around us. It was awful - not to mention the effect on our health!
Kathleen - bette, they pay tuition and don't want to help, that's surprising, and sad
EMA - I've been involved in several careers...last was law...hoped this would take me into my golden years...not so sure now!
Mohoganee - If the parents don't come to see me, then I will go to see them, even if its on their job.
Kathleen - Susan, yes, I guess we often console ourselves with "Well, I do it for the children."
mayfield - I think what maybe what made it so bad was not really renovation but perhaps other circumstances which were going on also
teacher5 - beckyr sounds like you have a great community and group of parents Way to Go!
bette/.tx - Kathleen..yes that is hard for me to understand...they are too busy i guess.can not even bring a snack for the classroom.
Beth Bruno - Good for you Mohoganee - don't take "no" for an answer. Parents have to engage with you at some level.
Kathleen - LOL! gravy on rice! That's you, Moho!
peg - I love teaching and have been doing it for more than 35 years. TNet refreshes me and gives me lots of support that is definitely missing framong my peers. There is now so much pressure on schools, teachers, and kids to raise test scores that it is sometimes hard to love what we do.
teacher5 - oh my goodness mohoganee what grade are you dealing with....you sure have the heart to want to make these kids successful!
Stanley - I hear you, Life. I'm just trying to come up with an organizational system so I can intelligently retrieve all the stuff I save!
Susan - I was a secretary and a video store clerk.
Peter/HS/PA - I'm a teacher and single dad...i have to say that i really wish that schools would come into the present and stop acting as if full family stay at home mom was the norm...
Mohoganee - I teach grade 1 and I love those precious Munchkin Pies and their parents have to help too.
Kathleen - I'm all over parents to live up to their responsibilities. By the time they leave me, they are broken in ;-), know that if homework, etc. isn't returned I will be relentless, but not rude, until it comes back. Snack is a required supply every day
bette/.tx - peter what do you teach?
Kathleen - Peter, yes, I have to remember not to expect every family to be able to do homework (project) in one evening
Peter/HS/PA - high school English
Stanley - EMA, If you ever run across a PE Prep T with the surname "Hoersch" that's my cuz!
mayfield - i think with my parents its the way I teach, talk, and help my students that creates parent acknowledgment
Beth Bruno - There are very few stay-at-home moms and dads, it's true, but that doesn't change the fact that parents have to find ways to be part of their child's schooling.
bette/.tx - kathleen i ususally give them a few nights to return...
mayfield - yes parents model the stability, and various other values which greatly affect learning in the classroom
bette/.tx - kathleen same here..but get complains about doing it..to much time or we forgot or the dog ate it...
Kathleen - Peter, it's really just tasks that help the parent make time to sit with child, to see what we're doing, to make projects to share at school. One assignment recently: go for a walk together and find twigs and branches in the shapes of letters of the alphabet, stuff like that
Stanley - I'm 52 & don't think I ever had homework until Jr. High. When & WHY did that change? Any ideas??
Kathleen - jtck, you'll have to balance the risk against the work it will be. I've moved a dozen times, you get good at it with practice. can be fun setting up a new environment
bette/.tx - stanley at my school it is required in 1st grade to give homework
Peter/HS/PA - I've been teaching 20 years...the workload in elementary has steadily racheted up, and I have to honestly say that I see NO effect on the product that I get in 11th grade...
Kathleen - bette, I had the kids set up their sticks on tables for displays and the kids walked around to view them all, so cute and effective
Kathleen - Stanley, it changed with testing
jtck/WA - Ah, the homework thing again. It's a drag, but let's talk about a grade card that's the same K-5, with the term Algebraic Sense for Ks! Our conferences were all about explaining the terms, and so much of it was developmentally INappropriate. Ah, standa
Kathleen - Peter!!! thank you for saying that!! I'm convinced that all the pusing and pressure are not producing what is intended!!
Beth Bruno - That would be a great topic for a chatroom, EMA, the topic of fair grading
Peter/HS/PA - well, kathleen, it helps parental egos anyway....
Susan - It seems as if they continue to increase paperwork, teacher workload but don't seem to understand that that leaves you less time for planning and teaching!
Kathleen - bette, one year, a family that had a REAL difficult time keeping up with homeresponsibilities really got into that assignment, they send driftwood in shape of upper case A and B!!! incredible. Different tasks allow each family to shine in some way, to spark their interest
emma - jtck! I agree many of the questions on the WASL are developmentally inappropriate!
Beth Bruno - This chat has been dynamite. I feel like we could go on for another hour easily!!
Beth Bruno - I wish I could stay longer, but I have a couple reports to get to tonight. See you all next time!! Watch for the announced topic of next month's chat. Good night!
