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West Virginia Teachers Chatboard

When is enough going to be enough

by teachtilidieorstarve

Feb 16, 2011

We have went four years without a pay raise, and if the legislature continues in the same direction then we might make that five years.

I'm not sure why neither of the teacher organizations has called on members to bombard the legislators with phone calls yet, but I started calling at lunch today. I plan to call every day at lunch, and aft...See More

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block I will tentatively speak to the portion about block.

I teach on the 45 minute traditional schedule.

I do tutoring for students who are on the block schedule (4x4, aka one semester of 4 classes only).

My students covered more curriculum than the other schools on the block. This was true in October, November, December, and ...See MoreI will tentatively speak to the portion about block.

I teach on the 45 minute traditional schedule.

I do tutoring for students who are on the block schedule (4x4, aka one semester of 4 classes only).

My students covered more curriculum than the other schools on the block. This was true in October, November, December, and by the end of the semester. My students still have 1/2 a year remaining while those other students (from four different counties) were on to another set of 4 classes. I then polled other teachers in two districts who are on the traditional 45 minute period and all were within a chapter of where I was at the end of the semester, or about 2 chapters ahead of students who were finished on the block!!!

All schools are in WV.

On 2/18/11, WOW wrote: > While I dont agree with everything you say I do see some of your > points. > > Maybe you can explain something to me. This thing called inclusion? > I understand putting children with disablities and things in class > with their class mates but shouldnt that only be in classes like PE, > Art, Music and such? When did they do away with grouping kids by > ability? Its been years since I was in school but we had our classes > broke down to four groups by ability. > > It would seem me need to go back to that system. That way each group > is taught at the level they require. I am not sure why schools > stopped doing this. > > Also I dont understand this thing about block scheduling. Why classes > are taught for longer time periods but only for one semester. I > believe they need to drop this system and go back to teaching each > subject all year long like it used to be. I do remember when WV > adopted this format other states laughed at us because they tried it > and it failed so they all switched back yet for some reason we had to > follow thier failures. > > Not sure how things are were you are but around here teachers refuse > to let parents help. They get act bothered if you want to help with > things in the school and are quite rude about it. Teachers here have > an attitude and treat everyone like they are low class and beneath > them. I think they all need to be required to take classes on > professional behavior and manners. > > > > On 2/18/11, been there @ WOW wrote: >> It is amazing that everyone is so quick to jump on the teachers for >> the low test scores. What about the administration that decides on >> the curriculum. What about the large class size. What about the >> many students who do not come to school unprepared to learn. How >> about the kids in the classroom who are there to disrupt and be >> foolish......teachers can do very little. The kid has an IEP so >> his behavior is excused. We had the same disorders 40 years ago >> but no one got away with being disruptive. How about the teacher >> having 30+ students who vary in IQ from 70 to 120+. The teacher is >> required to reteach material to the low level learners while the >> more advanced kids get bored and begin causing their own mischief. >> The teachers are cramming to get the required amout of time for the >> students in the computer lab. There are various test batteries >> through the year that take time away from teaching. The kids these >> days are also smart enough to know that the standardized test mean >> nothing to their grades, so many of them simply do not care. many >> of the parents do not care either. Some of the bright kids are so >> bored over going over the material for the test that they develop a >> negative attitude toward it. Oh, there are also the parents of the >> kids that cause trouble in school.......NO HELP AT ALL. >> >> I have belabored that to make the point. Teachers work in one of >> the most stressful work environments in America. They work 7.5 >> hours a day in school, then go home to an average of 4 hours of >> paperwork per night. >> >> On 2/18/11, Hmmmm wrote: >>> Dear WOW: >>> >>> As a classroom teacher I wish your comments were NOT true. >>> Unfortunately, you characterize many who are teachers. >>> >>> As for the test scores and salary: We were #1 in the world when >>> the Federal Department of Education was started. Now, our >>> HIGHEST ranking is in science at #23. Math is lower, and reading >>> is in the mid 40's. We could easily eliminate the $$$ spent at >>> the federal level, divide that amount by two and send half back >>> to the states and use the other half to pay down the debt. >>> Clearly the federal department of edcuation is useless AND >>> pointless. >>> >>> On 2/18/11, WOW wrote: >>>> When there is no money for anything or anyone due to the >>>> economy then their must be cuts. Teachers are no more >>>> special than anyone else and should have to go through the >>>> hard times the same as everyone else. >>>> >>>> Yes your job is important but it doesnt make you any better >>>> than the next person. People accuse the rich of being >>>> elitist but it is people in unions who act like they are God >>>> and Deserve everything on a silver platter and should not >>>> have to suffer like the rest of us common peasants. >>>> >>>> And lets look at the test scores shall we? All across the >>>> state scores are pathetic. That is all the proof we need to >>>> know teachers are not doing the job they are paid for. Pay >>>> should be based on performance and nothing else. Our kids >>>> suffer because 80 to 90 percent of the teachers are just in >>>> it for the money and not the kids. Those teachers are no >>>> better than lazy people on a welfare check because all they >>>> are doing is collecting a handout and doing nothing. >>>> >>>> I would agree that not only performance should determine pay >>>> rates but location and cost as living as well. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> On 2/16/11, teachtilidieorstarve wrote: >>>>> We have went four years without a pay raise, and if the >>>>> legislature continues in the same direction then we might >>>>> make that five years. >>>>> >>>>> I'm not sure why neither of the teacher organizations has >>>>> called on members to bombard the legislators with phone >>>>> calls yet, but I started calling at lunch today. I plan to >>>>> call every day at lunch, and after work. >>>>> >>>>> Does anyone have any ideas that might get the legislature >>>>> to move towards a long term solution to our ever >>>>> diminishing pay?

Feb 19, 2011

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WV TEacher The administration should be held accountable to the same standards as teachers really!

On 2/18/11, Jeffferson County Teacher wrote: > Hello! I am a Teacher in expensive Jefferson Co. PS and I can tell you > that the administration can make a difference. > > Last year the principal from Jefferson HS , Howard Guth was caught >...See MoreThe administration should be held accountable to the same standards as teachers really!

On 2/18/11, Jeffferson County Teacher wrote: > Hello! I am a Teacher in expensive Jefferson Co. PS and I can tell you > that the administration can make a difference. > > Last year the principal from Jefferson HS , Howard Guth was caught > driving drunk from the Charlestown Race Track and got it away, what if > that was a teacher? > > The administration want us to do more with less basically. And many > times some in the admistration may take the side of the parents. Last > year there was EDLINE, this year is Live Grades, it is a constant > changing environment. Kids call bomb threats, come late to class, and > one of the Assistant Principals (Mr. Sites) holds referrals for days > rather than process them in the same day at Jefferson HS. And Ms. > Sites is a nurse at Jefferson HS too. > > > > > > > > > > > > > On 2/18/11, been there @ WOW wrote: >> It is amazing that everyone is so quick to jump on the teachers for >> the low test scores. What about the administration that decides on >> the curriculum. What about the large class size. What about the >> many students who do not come to school unprepared to learn. How >> about the kids in the classroom who are there to disrupt and be >> foolish......teachers can do very little. The kid has an IEP so >> his behavior is excused. We had the same disorders 40 years ago >> but no one got away with being disruptive. How about the teacher >> having 30+ students who vary in IQ from 70 to 120+. The teacher is >> required to reteach material to the low level learners while the >> more advanced kids get bored and begin causing their own mischief. >> The teachers are cramming to get the required amout of time for the >> students in the computer lab. There are various test batteries >> through the year that take time away from teaching. The kids these >> days are also smart enough to know that the standardized test mean >> nothing to their grades, so many of them simply do not care. many >> of the parents do not care either. Some of the bright kids are so >> bored over going over the material for the test that they develop a >> negative attitude toward it. Oh, there are also the parents of the >> kids that cause trouble in school.......NO HELP AT ALL. >> >> I have belabored that to make the point. Teachers work in one of >> the most stressful work environments in America. They work 7.5 >> hours a day in school, then go home to an average of 4 hours of >> paperwork per night. >> >> On 2/18/11, Hmmmm wrote: >>> Dear WOW: >>> >>> As a classroom teacher I wish your comments were NOT true. >>> Unfortunately, you characterize many who are teachers. >>> >>> As for the test scores and salary: We were #1 in the world when >>> the Federal Department of Education was started. Now, our >>> HIGHEST ranking is in science at #23. Math is lower, and reading >>> is in the mid 40's. We could easily eliminate the $$$ spent at >>> the federal level, divide that amount by two and send half back >>> to the states and use the other half to pay down the debt. >>> Clearly the federal department of edcuation is useless AND >>> pointless. >>> >>> On 2/18/11, WOW wrote: >>>> When there is no money for anything or anyone due to the >>>> economy then their must be cuts. Teachers are no more >>>> special than anyone else and should have to go through the >>>> hard times the same as everyone else. >>>> >>>> Yes your job is important but it doesnt make you any better >>>> than the next person. People accuse the rich of being >>>> elitist but it is people in unions who act like they are God >>>> and Deserve everything on a silver platter and should not >>>> have to suffer like the rest of us common peasants. >>>> >>>> And lets look at the test scores shall we? All across the >>>> state scores are pathetic. That is all the proof we need to >>>> know teachers are not doing the job they are paid for. Pay >>>> should be based on performance and nothing else. Our kids >>>> suffer because 80 to 90 percent of the teachers are just in >>>> it for the money and not the kids. Those teachers are no >>>> better than lazy people on a welfare check because all they >>>> are doing is collecting a handout and doing nothing. >>>> >>>> I would agree that not only performance should determine pay >>>> rates but location and cost as living as well. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> On 2/16/11, teachtilidieorstarve wrote: >>>>> We have went four years without a pay raise, and if the >>>>> legislature continues in the same direction then we might >>>>> make that five years. >>>>> >>>>> I'm not sure why neither of the teacher organizations has >>>>> called on members to bombard the legislators with phone >>>>> calls yet, but I started calling at lunch today. I plan to >>>>> call every day at lunch, and after work. >>>>> >>>>> Does anyone have any ideas that might get the legislature >>>>> to move towards a long term solution to our ever >>>>> diminishing pay?

Feb 20, 2011

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California NEH Workshops for Educators

by Dr. Laura Talamante

Feb 18, 2011

Dear Colleagues,

We invite you to join us for our one-week workshops in June 2011. As NEH Summer Scholars at the “American History through the Eyes of a California Family” workshop, you will use the artifacts and archival sources of both the Dominguez Rancho Adobe Museum and CSU Dominguez Hills Special Collections to trace the Domingue...See More

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Blame the Teachers?!?

by WV Teacher

Feb 19, 2011

Although I will be stating my own viewpoint, this post will be mocked and critiqued by other posters who do not know the truth (or do not want to hear the truth). I think it is extraordinary that some people consider themselves to be such educational experts. They do not have any educational background and have never worked in a classroom but they ...See MoreAlthough I will be stating my own viewpoint, this post will be mocked and critiqued by other posters who do not know the truth (or do not want to hear the truth). I think it is extraordinary that some people consider themselves to be such educational experts. They do not have any educational background and have never worked in a classroom but they have all the answers (and this includes the legislators). Some think that if they pound their chests and say, "teachers are to blame" often enough and loud enough that it will make it true. However, nothing could be further from the truth.

Those that are so quick to make the teachers into sacrificial scapegoats are quite aware that the teachers have very little say in any educational curriculum, policies, standards, tests, or laws. There is a movement by some in this county to privatize education and that movement is only part of the “blame the teachers" game.

I keep hearing that schools should get rid of teachers whose students are scoring low on tests. Then on the other hand, I hear that low performing schools should have highly qualified teachers. What highly qualified teacher in his or her right mind would want to go to a school and then be fired according to the test scores?

All students can learn. However, they learn at different paces. The current testing, policies, laws, and politicians do not take into account the small successes. All I see is penalty. For example, a 5th grade special education student must take the 5th grade state test. However, that student may be reading on a pre-primer or first grade level. That student (at least in this state) can have the entire test read to him or her EXCEPT for the reading portion of the test. That student scores novice on the test (big surprise) and that test score counts against the school (and teacher).

Another unfair practice in the school system, you may have certain districts that allow many special education students to transfer to certain schools. However, they do not balance the load and transfer students to those schools that would perform high on tests. What happens? That school does not make AYP (adequate yearly progress). It is not fair--and nobody cares.

Another instance of inequality, an administrator may favor a certain teacher and give that teacher a better class than another teacher. When it comes time for state testing, the teacher who has all the behavioral problems, special education students, and low socioeconomic children would have lower test scores. (Yes, this truly happens in schools).

So, what do tests scores prove? Absolutely nothing that really happens in a classroom. It gives a snapshot of what that child does--on that date--at that time—on that test. In addition, it is comparing the students from the PREVIOUS year to that current group of students.

People are saying that you should run schools as a business. Okay, let us look at it from a business angle. As a business student, I was taught that you can delegate responsibility but not authority. So, those in charge of setting the standards, policies, and educational objectives whether on a national, state, district, or school level must step up to the plate and accept the responsibility and accountability. Nobody is being held accountable--except for the teachers.

As a teacher, I will gladly take the responsibility and accountability for being the most qualified teacher that I can be with workshops, classes, lesson plans, teaching practices, or having National Board certification. However, I will not be held accountable for things that I cannot change.

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coteacher On 2/19/11, short answer wrote: > Short answer: > > STOP social promotion. If a student CANNOT do the work at > that level they do NOT proceed to the next grade. >

In general I agree with this statement - however, do you want your 11 year old daughter in the same building (middle school) as a 16 year old boy/young man who h...See More

Feb 20, 2011

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Still trying That's the way it's done. Whey they reach 16, move them to high school no matter what grade they're in. From that point, they either begin accumulating credits, or they will eventually drop out. Of course, IF we had adequate vocational training available, many kids may show more interest in school.

Even the best teachers can't force a kid ...See More

Feb 20, 2011

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class size

by 1st grade teacher

Feb 23, 2011

Is it legal to have 27 students in a first grade class in West Virginia?

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1st grade teacher Thank you! This section seems to imply that since 1996, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade classrooms cannot have any pupils over the 25-student limit. Am I interpreting this incorrectly?

> Notwithstanding any other provision of this section to > the contrary, commencing with the school year beginning > on the first day of July, one thousan...See More

Feb 24, 2011

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hmm Another thing to remember is the size of your room. There has to be an X amount of space and clearance for X amount of kids or it is a fire code violation as well.

On 2/24/11, 1st grade teacher wrote: > > Thank you! This section seems to imply that since 1996, > 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade classrooms cannot have any pupils > over ...See More

Feb 25, 2011

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Complainers

by anyone else ???

Feb 28, 2011

I complain about the system like anyone else, but does anyone else have THOSE few people who seem to take sheer joy in constantly making fools of themselves in faculty/staff meetings? I work at a middle school where it seems like everytime we have a meeting there are 2 or 3 people that you can count on to run their yap about things as if they are s...See More

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FrancisFelus I find it best to get them pumped up before the meeting so that they are sure to explode. It is great entertainment. Then a group of friends and I place bets on how long it will take for those people to explode. It helps to pass the time. There are points on the adgenda where we are on pins and needles because we know that a freak out is emminent, ...See More

Mar 1, 2011

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Complainers and Egotists Some people like to run their traps because they have a captive audience. You cannot do anything about it and they know it.

For our Professional Learning Community, we had a norm that stated, "We will encourage listening by being succinct." At least two members would completely ignore that norm. They would talk for 10 to 15 minutes each o...See More

Mar 1, 2011

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Laws

by hey

Mar 2, 2011

Exactly what was passed this week in Charleston about teachers pensions and retirement?

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The Cold Hard Facts

by WVEA, Please help Us

Mar 2, 2011

[link removed]

To all of you out there who continue to want only an "across the board" pay raise for all teachers, please check out the above wv tax web site and check out each county's average dwelling value and cost per square foot. The eastern panhandle averages over TWICE the state wide value. THESE ARE THE COLD HARD FACTS. Therefore, ...See More

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FL Conch Republic Hello! The Eastern section could follow what the FL KEYS (Conch Republic ) have tried years ago to separate from the US with road blocks.

On 4/02/11, Jefferson Co. Teacher wrote: > Agree! Maybe we should join proclaim our independence and join VA > or MD? > > > On 3/05/11, JMO wrote: >> I would say that, based upon yo...See More

Apr 4, 2011

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Doubting Thomas Every county has benefits and drawbacks, if you are unhappy where you are, move. Raising salaries for a portion of the teachers in WV will only create more problems for everyone. Perhaps pay should be based on individual circumstances, if we let PEIA determine our wages maybe everyone can get a pay cut every time we get a raise, like I do. The hard...See More

Apr 4, 2011

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Does West Virginia need elementary teachers?

by Teresa

Mar 4, 2011

Hi All,

My name is Teresa and I'm from New Jersey. I have been applying to elementary teaching positions in NJ for 2 years now with no luck. So I have been researching which states in the US are in need of elementary teachers and West Virginia came up. Does anyone know if this is true, because I am willing to pack up and leave immediately ...See More

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JMO Yes! West Virginia needs special education teachers, math and science teachers, and generally all teachers that speak grammatically correct. I'm serious. I'm tired of student teachers who cannot speak the king's English but somehow are able to pass the Praxis.

If you meet the above criteria, bring your resume, and good luck!

On 3...See More

Mar 5, 2011

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Social Studies test prep

by Rae

Mar 5, 2011

Hello social studies teachers. I'd like to invite you to check out the website [link removed].

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How many tests do prospective teachers need to take in WV

by Me

Mar 7, 2011

Hi, What tests do you need to take in order to become certified in WV. Im transferring from another state and we only had to take one test. I emailed WV and they said I need to show proof of taking about 3 tests to become certified in elementary education. I have a BA already and am certified in my state. Is this true?

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Elsey On 3/10/11, NPteacher wrote: > West Virginia reciprocates with many states. Check with the > WVDE Office of Certifications. > > > On 3/07/11, Me wrote: >> Hi, >> What tests do you need to take in order to become certified >> in WV. Im transferring from another state and we only had >> to take one test. I email...See More

Mar 15, 2011

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