Feeling stuck in the middle....

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Feeling stuck in the middle....

by Bill T 6 nc

Sep 12, 2012

A parent of a former student (from last year) copied an email to me that she sent to her daughter's 7th grade science teacher, lambasting the teacher for her daughter's low grades and for her "teaching" methods and comparing her ways of "teaching" to mine, last year. She pointed out that I was a very "hands on" teacher and her daughter "loved" science for the first time, last year.

I understand the mother's concerns, but I kind of wish she had not involved me in this dispute. Not sure, exactly, why she did, but suspect it might be two fold: she wanted me to know she had used my name and also, I think, believes I might have some influence.

The teacher in question is quite young, only in her second year of teaching, first in science (math last year); she has a biology degree, so she is no novice to the sciences, but, as many know, it is often one thing to be knowledgeable in a subject matter and quite another to be able to impart that knowledge to others, particulalry...See MoreA parent of a former student (from last year) copied an email to me that she sent to her daughter's 7th grade science teacher, lambasting the teacher for her daughter's low grades and for her "teaching" methods and comparing her ways of "teaching" to mine, last year. She pointed out that I was a very "hands on" teacher and her daughter "loved" science for the first time, last year.

I understand the mother's concerns, but I kind of wish she had not involved me in this dispute. Not sure, exactly, why she did, but suspect it might be two fold: she wanted me to know she had used my name and also, I think, believes I might have some influence.

The teacher in question is quite young, only in her second year of teaching, first in science (math last year); she has a biology degree, so she is no novice to the sciences, but, as many know, it is often one thing to be knowledgeable in a subject matter and quite another to be able to impart that knowledge to others, particulalry 7th graders.

In defense of the young teacher, I will say that my school system is pushing this reading literacy thing (across the curriculum) and has been pressuring our science and social studies people to use the "methods" (old, outmoded and tried before) in our classes. Some teachers have totally caved, in order to avoid the wrath of the district office, and all they use in class are these "methods." They put "notes" on the board, have the students copy them and give quizzes and tests every few days.

Please understand, I am NOT opposed to literacy. Why would I be? And I do use reading assignments, in class, with our science books, but always supplement them with activities, videos and, sometimes, outside speakers. It is my intent to make the sciences "come alive" for my students.

Some of the science "teachers" in our building already resent me, partly because students do tend to "love" my science classes (nuts...I love science classes too) and they always get compared with me.

I have no illusions. I am NOT the Bill Nye of our school or school system. But this is year #30 for me and the way I DO science is how I started out doing it, way back in the 80s. It's always been more than just a "school subject" for me.

I feel stuck betwixt the rock and hard place on this....

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Muinteoir Disengage from the drama, my friend. That's been my mantra for the last several months, and I feel a LOT better. Easier said than done, I know.

You know what's good for your students; you know the best combination of strategies and techniques for student learning in your classes - focus on that. You can't let the energy vampires get to yo...See More

Sep 23, 2012

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bill t (to strange) not that I am aware of...

Sep 23, 2012

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Bill T 6 nc On 9/23/12, Muinteoir wrote: > Disengage from the drama, my friend. That's been my mantra for the last > several months, and I feel a LOT better. Easier said than done, I know. > >***************************************************************************

Solid advice, Muinteoir....I was hoping you'd show up.

I'll not ...See More

Sep 23, 2012

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Muinteoir On 9/23/12, Bill T 6 nc wrote: > On 9/23/12, Muinteoir wrote: >> Disengage from the drama, my friend. That's been my >> mantra for the last several months, and I feel a LOT >> better. Easier said than done, I know. >> >> ***************************************************** >> ********************** > >...See MoreOn 9/23/12, Bill T 6 nc wrote: > On 9/23/12, Muinteoir wrote: >> Disengage from the drama, my friend. That's been my >> mantra for the last several months, and I feel a LOT >> better. Easier said than done, I know. >> >> ***************************************************** >> ********************** > > Solid advice, Muinteoir....I was hoping you'd show up.

I don't drift over this way much any more...too much to occupy me elsewhere I guess. You can always catch me on FB though.

> > I'll not change anything I do. Count on that. And thus > far, there has been no open "drama," as my > detractors choose to operate in the shadows, rather > than speaking to me directly. >

Weasels.

> Nuts....what would they say anyhow....STOP making your > students love science? How dare you make us look bad?

LOL. Yeah, and then what could you say? "Sucks to be you?" (sorry for the unladylike-like language)

> > I find the whole mess rather sad, anyhow.

True, but it's their mess, you don't have to own any part of it.

> > It's painfully ironic, because in retrospect, I really > should not have come to my current school. Had I known > it was being run like it is (like a little high school > and NOT a middle school) I would not have. There is > always some level of "territoriality" in > schools, but never seen it like I have there. > > No matter. Even if I don't choose to retire at the end > of this school year, as I nearly did last May (came > within 24 hours of signing the papers), this WILL be my > final year at this particular school. Jealous women > scare the he** out of me (that remark will likely earn > me a lashing for sure); I have been on the receiving > end of some of their vindictiveness before and it > nearly ruined my career once. I guess that is what I am > really scared of the most.

I get that. I've seen vindictive behavior drive good people out of schools. I hate that it does tend to be women, but maybe that's because there are more of them in education.

You have to protect yourself.

> > If I do end my career here in North Carolina, I might > just go about 30 miles, across the state line into > Virginia and see if there are any surviving middle > schools (real ones) there. Who knows?

I'd invite you to Texas, but the whole state is so messed up, I couldn't do it in good conscience. Not just education, everything. Education is at the top of my list though.

Sep 23, 2012

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A Few Years From Retirement On 9/12/12, Bill T 6 nc wrote:

I thought you taught history. The good news is in a year you're out of this. There are incredible pressures on us to do things in one way and there are few young teachers brave enough to buck the system particularly when they're not going to be out of it in a year. The e-mail the parent sent was an unknowing...See More

Oct 9, 2012

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