tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post2302756919446315413..comments2023-10-23T09:23:22.051-04:00Comments on Your Schools: What's real message of urban district scores?Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger115125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-38699448495083729822014-01-03T14:24:55.072-05:002014-01-03T14:24:55.072-05:00Shamash,
I have no doubt Sister Helene knew the de...Shamash,<br />I have no doubt Sister Helene knew the definition of pedagogue related to her own calling in addition to knowing something about Paul's letter to the Galatians regarding the role of the pedagogue. My advice to you would have been to avoid any sort of schoolboy shenanigans with Sister Helene. She was a smart cookie at the helm of a school she believed in. <br /><br />AliciaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-13030437285115620122014-01-03T13:50:28.485-05:002014-01-03T13:50:28.485-05:00Concerned parent, can you shoot me specifics at ah...Concerned parent, can you shoot me specifics at ahelms@charlotteobserver.com? Did this teacher actually quit, or is he/she just relying heavily on online learning? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-17241427115854109962014-01-03T13:25:17.590-05:002014-01-03T13:25:17.590-05:00Hey, Sister Helene probably knew the definition of...Hey, Sister Helene probably knew the definition of "pedagogue".<br /><br />So she would be off MY hit-list.<br /><br />I rarely messed with the smart teachers, even though I later heard that I scared a few (like my HS English teacher).<br /><br />Not sure exactly why, but I think it was because I once challenged her in class to explain why she gave me a 99 on a test diagramming sentences.<br /><br />I challenged her to use the word "Mexican" as an adverb (as she claimed it was on her test sentence).<br /><br />I labeled it as an adjective.<br /><br />(And properly so for the extremely long run-on sentence she used to try to confuse us).<br /><br />Her attempt to defend her position was ridiculous, of course. <br /><br />And here it is:<br /><br />"I went Mexican".<br /><br />(Used to describe her attire at a recent party.) <br /><br />Yeah, she deserved any grief I caused her.<br /><br />But, for what it's worth, I agree that it's rarely the teacher who is the problem in the schools.<br /><br />Most can teach more than the kids are willing or prepared to learn.<br /><br />I have more horror stories about the students than the teachers.<br /><br />Shamashhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06886687970259841873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-70479582262652568632014-01-03T11:41:57.186-05:002014-01-03T11:41:57.186-05:00I agree Barbara, but the problem is the powers to ...I agree Barbara, but the problem is the powers to be are under the delusion that parents and personal choice are not a factor. The administration, liberals and neoconservatives believe that schools and to a greater extent, government can fix the issues. It is a classic soslitic belief. Ronald Regain warned us of an academic elite controlling us. Education should be local. Not common core sent from Obama on high and then supported by and dictated to by Mcory, Tillis and the rest of the neoconservatives. Local.. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-63173749189463794822014-01-03T11:09:30.218-05:002014-01-03T11:09:30.218-05:00On the earlier topic of Catholic schools vs. publi...On the earlier topic of Catholic schools vs. public schools.<br /><br />I was not raised Catholic and never had any experience with nuns until I was asked to be PTO president at St. Ann's Catholic School not because I was remotely qualified for the position but because everyone else ranked higher on "the list" declined the offer. I'll never forget my first meeting with Sister Helene - the school principal. There she was in all her gray haired glory sitting behind her desk with some guy nailed to a giant cross directly above her. I don't recall Sister Helene (who actually had a wicked sense of humor) having too many issues with parents, the school board, or rascals like Shamash. Sister Helene had a way of getting her way. <br /><br />Alicia Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-27785311760031255752014-01-03T10:10:42.353-05:002014-01-03T10:10:42.353-05:00I wouldn't want to be a teacher nowadays, deal...I wouldn't want to be a teacher nowadays, dealing with a bunch of spoiled, undisciplined brats everyday. Parents need to start parenting, and children need to learn what it means to respect adults. Children are given everything and are treated as little adults now. Big mistake.<br /><br />Reading many of these comments, I don't think it's the teacher that's the problem, most can adequately present material to a class room of students. The problem is the over indulged, disrespectful children. Glad mine are grown and gone and productive citizens. I did my job properly. Barbara B.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-29801664721521947632014-01-03T09:49:24.754-05:002014-01-03T09:49:24.754-05:00I would love to see Gates, Tillis, Obama and Mcory...I would love to see Gates, Tillis, Obama and Mcory, try to teach in the inner city.... Good luck boys.. <br />Conservatives against TillisAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-60966695793079930322014-01-03T09:43:21.302-05:002014-01-03T09:43:21.302-05:00They blame it on the teacher.. It happens all the ...They blame it on the teacher.. It happens all the time. It comes from the Bill Gates Philosophy. Teachers have all the responsibility, very little power. Witch is kind of funny because Bill would loose his lunch money at most of CMS high schools. Look up Teach For America horror stories.. Some of the stories are funny.. <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-82437087593819071022014-01-03T09:30:07.546-05:002014-01-03T09:30:07.546-05:00Again, there are all kinds of "smart" ou...Again, there are all kinds of "smart" out there.<br /><br />Politicians only have to fool most of the people some of the time.<br /><br />Maybe a degree isn't even necessary to do that (and might even hurt).<br /><br />Shamashhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06886687970259841873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-87098823103479575172014-01-03T09:21:07.785-05:002014-01-03T09:21:07.785-05:00Ann, please look into this issue for the parents. ...Ann, please look into this issue for the parents. What happens when an average teacher decides to stop teaching a particular class half way through the year due to constant behavior problems in the classroom that are not being adequately addressed by the middle school administration? Now the entire class has to finish the course on-line for the rest of the school year. This is happening right now at a suburban ballantyne middle school. Why weren't the behavior problems addressed or removed from the classroom so the teacher could teach and the "good" students could learn, complete the course and get the high school credit? I am questioning CMS policy and school administration on this issue. Thank you, From a concerned parentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-30503923520956304742014-01-03T09:06:39.253-05:002014-01-03T09:06:39.253-05:00Alicia,
You didn't seen what the other kids w...Alicia,<br /><br />You didn't seen what the other kids wrote on the board about Mrs. Hatter. <br /><br />I was being nice.<br /><br />(In a way that I was fairly sure would disturb her).<br /><br />From what I can tell, though, they kept her around for a while and even let her teach eighth grade.<br /><br />My other favorite mind game with her was when she was teaching geography.<br /><br />Her rhyme:<br /><br />Longitude goes up and down<br />Latitude goes round and round.<br /><br />Of course this dumb rhyme only describes the LINES and not the DIRECTION being measured, so I'd just repeat it the other way.<br /><br />But, Mrs. Hatter, when you're MEASURING, it's Latitude goes up and down, Longitude goes round and round, right?<br /><br />Oh, well, I was a bad kid, bur far from the worst.Shamashhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06886687970259841873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-38801794393242096062014-01-02T21:29:54.312-05:002014-01-02T21:29:54.312-05:00On the other hand, maybe the "better" to...On the other hand, maybe the "better" top dog college folks have it right because look what happens when you have a mayor and a governor with a degree among the ranks of Catawba College.<br /><br />AliciaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-31875357437228246322014-01-02T21:09:49.466-05:002014-01-02T21:09:49.466-05:008:09
I'm student teaching 4th grade through a ...8:09<br />I'm student teaching 4th grade through a post-bac. licensure program which includes Common Core long division. My comments were directed at the "gifted" crowd who don't think someone attending an average ranked university is qualified to teach an average 3rd grader. Welcome to Lake Wobbegon. <br /><br />AliciaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-26122397891607304802014-01-02T20:19:04.752-05:002014-01-02T20:19:04.752-05:00The people I know that are truly smart, do not tal...The people I know that are truly smart, do not talk about it. They do not talk about their degrees or accolades. They do not need to. I find that the people who do where just good students who studied hard and enjoyed school. Nothing wrong with it, just misguided.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-13865097710464256672014-01-02T20:09:19.592-05:002014-01-02T20:09:19.592-05:00Most of the truly smart people I know, never talk ...Most of the truly smart people I know, never talk about being smart. They do not talk about degrees or accolades. They do not need to. The people I know who talk about being smart, usually are just people who studied hard and enjoyed school.. Nothing wrong with it, just misguide.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-67555150626024784872014-01-02T20:08:40.487-05:002014-01-02T20:08:40.487-05:00long division is 4th grade math, not 3rd. and agre...long division is 4th grade math, not 3rd. and agreed, ivy league is not and should not be required for teaching. but showing some kind of competence in the material they have to teach would be a start...and below 500 SAT scores (which is a measure of high school skill level...not impressive ivy league standards) don't show competence, regardless of how much passion a teacher has. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-17823302713824116692014-01-02T18:32:56.057-05:002014-01-02T18:32:56.057-05:00Some TFA teachers are good, some are not... No mat...Some TFA teachers are good, some are not... No matter where they teach.. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-37313018623505500942014-01-02T18:20:22.816-05:002014-01-02T18:20:22.816-05:00Shamash,
You very bad boy. I'm writing you up...Shamash,<br />You very bad boy. I'm writing you up for insubordination and general thuggery on behalf of Mrs. Mad Hatter! <br /><br />AliciaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-65174146054541850912014-01-02T18:14:43.490-05:002014-01-02T18:14:43.490-05:00Shamash,
I think just about everyone has had a fe...Shamash,<br /><br />I think just about everyone has had a few college professors who weren't worth a flip despite having all the right credentials. No different than K-12 educators or people in every other field. <br /><br />I agree that simply having a degree and passing a test doesn't ensure that a teacher is particularly good. Just as I agree that having a degree from Brown vs. a degree from UNC-Wilmington doesn't ensure that a teacher is particularly good. <br /><br />AliciaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-25446789462850905462014-01-02T18:04:24.671-05:002014-01-02T18:04:24.671-05:00One of the worst teachers (as far as not knowing m...One of the worst teachers (as far as not knowing much) I ever had was in sixth grade. <br /><br />Her name was Mrs. Hatter. <br /><br />I'm sure she got her degree at one of the schools that accept nearly anyone.<br /><br />We could smell dumb all over her.<br /><br />One day she left the class and I wrote the following on the chalkboard:<br /><br />"Mrs. Hatter is a pedagogue"<br /><br />I suspected she wouldn't even know what that meant.<br /><br />Sure enough, she came back into the classroom and blew up, demanding to know who wrote that about her.<br /><br />No one would tell her.<br /><br />It was truly comical to watch, but then she took it up a notch (when no one would tell her) and brought the principal in to show him what someone had written.<br /><br />He just looked at it and said, "well it's true" with no further explanation and left the room leaving her even more disturbed than before.<br /><br />She might have been able to teach third graders, but probably not much.<br /><br /><br />Shamashhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06886687970259841873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-15046396673062839592014-01-02T17:54:22.857-05:002014-01-02T17:54:22.857-05:00I think education degrees are better for elementar...I think education degrees are better for elementary school while subject knowledge and/or degrees are better for high school (and some middle-school).<br /><br />I think one of the problems teachers have is that just about everyone has had a few really bad teachers over the course of their schooling.<br /><br />No matter what their degrees were in (and it was usually education), they just weren't worth a flip.<br /><br />I remember having several, so I don't buy the argument that having the degree and passing the standardized tests ensure that teachers are particularly good.<br /><br />Maybe they can teach third grade long division, but I wouldn't want them teaching Algebra.<br /><br /><br />Shamashhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06886687970259841873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-5857880748566797052014-01-02T16:58:34.721-05:002014-01-02T16:58:34.721-05:007:13
If you've been paying attention, then you...7:13<br />If you've been paying attention, then you know that there are people here who think that having a master's degree in education is useless. This summer's NC Republican controlled legislature apparently thinks the same. I hold a master's degree from the School of Education and Human Development at George Washington University that I received on full tuition scholarship plus stipend. I taught undergraduate classes at GW as a graduate TA before teaching at the college level at the Univ. of the District of Columbia and Penn State University in addition to the Prince George's County MD pubic school system as a lateral-entry teacher. I wrote my master's thesis on the topic of arts in education. I also ran teacher in-serives through an artist-in-residency program for the Harrisburg PA County Public School System. <br /><br />I think what matters most at the secondary level of education (grades 7 - 12) is how knowledgable a teacher is in their specific content area in addition to other intangible factors that simply can't be measured on a standardized test. Where a teacher went to college is far less important than what a teacher knows about their subject area. I don't buy that being the "best" elementary school teacher requires a $60,000 a year degree from Princeton. The history of public education in America doesn't support this argument. For example:<br /><br />My brother holds a degree in physics from Yale Univ. and a law degree from UConn. My father holds a PhD from Columbia University (from the School of Education) and a law degree from UConn. My father is a retired public school superintendent. My mother earned a B.A with honors in her late forties from UConn after transferring an associate degree she earned at our local community college. The funny thing is, no one in my highly overeducated family had the so-called benefit of a single Ivy League educated K - 12 teacher. The vast majority of our K - 12 teachers attended traditional public teaching colleges like Keene State, Potsdamn Univ., and other state schools with similar rankings. Yes, I think it would be smashing to have more Ivy League graduates among America's teaching corp. ranks but to suggest that a committed, passionate and talented teacher from UNC/Charlotte, Johnson C. Smith, Queens Univ. or Belmont Abbey College who's passed all of the required coursework and national standardized testing for state licensure is automatically less qualified to teach 3rd grade long division than someone with a degree from Harvard is absurd. <br /><br />Alicia<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-428907467502226352014-01-02T16:42:18.222-05:002014-01-02T16:42:18.222-05:00Why should a minority kid study?
They've been ...Why should a minority kid study?<br />They've been told by the race hustlers they have no chance. They've been told by NAACP, Jesse and Al the only way to success is blackmailing corporations. <br />My empathy goes to the minority students who do put out the effort and truly earn their way. Other minorities make fun of them. Others assume they are in the group that achieved only because of hiring and college set asides.<br />When will we understand the race hustlers play a major role in the demise of several generations of children.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-25050336775794127852014-01-02T12:59:11.135-05:002014-01-02T12:59:11.135-05:00Being "smart" is a relative term.
Havin...Being "smart" is a relative term.<br /><br />Having a Master's degree in education means nothing if you can't actually teach, get along with peers, students and parents. <br /><br />Give me a teacher that has a clue, doesn't whine about their professional lot in life and is effective at what they do and I could care less what credentials they have.Wiley Coyotehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16966764080565903720noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-30299369943926400282014-01-02T11:52:33.995-05:002014-01-02T11:52:33.995-05:00the most important qualities a teacher needs to ha...the most important qualities a teacher needs to have are enthusiasm and passion. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com