Here is all the drama you need in a day - crammed into a minute or so...
http://youtu.be/316AzLYfAzw
Friday, April 20, 2012
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Further Devalued?
The educational system already has been given a black eye by the guvmint. OK, while it's true that there truly are those teachers that should be doing something else, the profession - as a whole - is an honorable one.
The new evaluation system(s) put 100% of the learning onus upon teachers while, in fact, 90% of it should be upon the student and his/her support system. (We used to call that "parents" but what the heck does that mean anymore?)
It's oft been said, "You can lead a horse to water..." etc. A student who cannot, or will not, learn unfortunately reflects poorly upon the educator - even if that teacher is wholly engaged, learned, compassionate, and driven.
An oncologist is going to lose a certain number of his/her patients; that is a given. In this fallen world - full of the cancer of apathy, greed, drugs, in short, sin - even the best educator is incapable of being 100% effective. Certainly there are those who are fortunate enough to teach in an "educational Disneyland" but most are in schools that lack adequate facilities and are filled with marginally motivated students with parents that care but seem incapable of helping light an educational fire. Yes, there are those incredible success stories of those who seem to be able to teach the unteachable. Those stories are rare - and what isn't shared is the toll it takes upon their families, if they have them, and the burnout that inevitably results.
Teaching is not a job, it is a calling - and not for the faint of heart. It can be quite enjoyable much of the time (there are still those days I can't believe they pay me to do what I do; then, of course, there are other days). However, to take what was once an honorable profession and denigrate it to the point that morale is virtually non-existent, then while said morale is already low the "powers that be" want to further gut-kick educators, is unconscionable.
The article "Downgraded by Evaluation Reforms" outlines the further degradation of the profession.
The new evaluation system(s) put 100% of the learning onus upon teachers while, in fact, 90% of it should be upon the student and his/her support system. (We used to call that "parents" but what the heck does that mean anymore?)
It's oft been said, "You can lead a horse to water..." etc. A student who cannot, or will not, learn unfortunately reflects poorly upon the educator - even if that teacher is wholly engaged, learned, compassionate, and driven.
An oncologist is going to lose a certain number of his/her patients; that is a given. In this fallen world - full of the cancer of apathy, greed, drugs, in short, sin - even the best educator is incapable of being 100% effective. Certainly there are those who are fortunate enough to teach in an "educational Disneyland" but most are in schools that lack adequate facilities and are filled with marginally motivated students with parents that care but seem incapable of helping light an educational fire. Yes, there are those incredible success stories of those who seem to be able to teach the unteachable. Those stories are rare - and what isn't shared is the toll it takes upon their families, if they have them, and the burnout that inevitably results.
Teaching is not a job, it is a calling - and not for the faint of heart. It can be quite enjoyable much of the time (there are still those days I can't believe they pay me to do what I do; then, of course, there are other days). However, to take what was once an honorable profession and denigrate it to the point that morale is virtually non-existent, then while said morale is already low the "powers that be" want to further gut-kick educators, is unconscionable.
The article "Downgraded by Evaluation Reforms" outlines the further degradation of the profession.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
16 and 17?
17 Years and a voice like this? Kinda scary. The two sound great together - Jonathan is just not right. This kind of voice and talent doesn't come around all that often. Blessings upon them both!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
