Will every day be a struggle for the next 4 years?
Now I am trying not to scream and shout about the hypocrisy of the Trump supporters. Let's face it: if Trump had won the popular vote but lost the electoral vote, his supporters would have gone ape shit. Naturally, fueled by his statements about the election being rigged, they would be demanding justice. Or, insist that Trump not concede the race. Having won the race they claim that the protesters are just sore losers.
I am also struggling with the Melania Trump support. The woman allowed herself to be photographed nude, and now people are jumping to her defense because she has a child. ???
And, Melania has chosen cyberbullying to be her cause. How odd, when she is married to a man who bullies people on social media.
I am trying to get through.
Saturday, November 12, 2016
Friday, November 11, 2016
Trying to find Solace
I have lost yet another night of sleep as a result of the election. Some have called me a bad loser, bitter, elitist. I am perhaps all or none. But I need a place to vent because I cannot wrap my hands around the neck of the special interests who allowed or forced this to happen.
First, let's look at the insurance hikes that so conveniently happened so recently. People were furious and decided to put Obamacare out of business. I too am upset with the rise of insurance costs, but I also know that if the people in office were more willing to work with the President to draft this law to ensure that a cap was in place, the rise would not have happened. Insurance companies are in business to make money. Illness takes that money away. But despite our medical advances, there are still far too many people who do not have access to healthcare. There are many who were in danger of having no healthcare because insurance companies did not like how much their illnesses would cost. Case in point: I know a woman who had to have a liver transplant about 15 years ago. She was not a drunk or drug user, she just had some bad luck. Now she is worried if she will be able to afford her medicine.
Perhaps I am being elitist when I say that many people around me seem to think that just because they voted for a new President their premiums will not increase.
Second, the gun lobby. I cannot comprehend the number of people who believe that a Democrat in the White House will take away their gun. It will not happen. Goodness, how many times must that be said????
Finally, the idea that one President will make America great again is truly problematic. One person cannot do the job. Also, do we all define greatness the same way? What is Trump's definition?
To me, a great nation is one that has good healthcare, good schools, good policies that serve all the people not just a few. A great nation is one that hears the needs of all. A great nation is one that works will all members. A great nation embraces all the people who live in it and creates policies that acknowledge the hardships some face.
It's true this is not a great nation. I struggle with the belief or faith that Trump and the people who put him in office can make it great again.
First, let's look at the insurance hikes that so conveniently happened so recently. People were furious and decided to put Obamacare out of business. I too am upset with the rise of insurance costs, but I also know that if the people in office were more willing to work with the President to draft this law to ensure that a cap was in place, the rise would not have happened. Insurance companies are in business to make money. Illness takes that money away. But despite our medical advances, there are still far too many people who do not have access to healthcare. There are many who were in danger of having no healthcare because insurance companies did not like how much their illnesses would cost. Case in point: I know a woman who had to have a liver transplant about 15 years ago. She was not a drunk or drug user, she just had some bad luck. Now she is worried if she will be able to afford her medicine.
Perhaps I am being elitist when I say that many people around me seem to think that just because they voted for a new President their premiums will not increase.
Second, the gun lobby. I cannot comprehend the number of people who believe that a Democrat in the White House will take away their gun. It will not happen. Goodness, how many times must that be said????
Finally, the idea that one President will make America great again is truly problematic. One person cannot do the job. Also, do we all define greatness the same way? What is Trump's definition?
To me, a great nation is one that has good healthcare, good schools, good policies that serve all the people not just a few. A great nation is one that hears the needs of all. A great nation is one that works will all members. A great nation embraces all the people who live in it and creates policies that acknowledge the hardships some face.
It's true this is not a great nation. I struggle with the belief or faith that Trump and the people who put him in office can make it great again.
Monday, May 2, 2016
The Long Term Effects of No Consequences
Last year my colleagues and I were pretty surprised to learn that students would not be suspended any longer.
Why?
Simply because there were too many of them occurring. The educational reasoning was that students were losing educational time when they were suspended. It was educationally responsible to keep those students in school.
Isn't that swell? I wonder if anyone stops to think about the impact of that reasoning on the rest of the students in the class or grade or building. It's not a difficult task to see how poor, accepted behavior creates more poor, accepted behavior. Before you know it, all students think they can do what they want with little repercussions about their actions.
Is there a fix?
Sadly, I think the calm students get short shrift. They are forced to put up with the nonsense of the others and miss out on an education in the long run.
In my humble opinion, we will only look at the long-lasting impact of keeping poorly behaved students in the classroom when a student and his/her parent bring a lawsuit against the school. I am eager to see that happen frankly.
Schools cost a lot of money. There is no reason good students should have to continually suffer the consequences of being in a room with others who have no consequences.
Why?
Simply because there were too many of them occurring. The educational reasoning was that students were losing educational time when they were suspended. It was educationally responsible to keep those students in school.
Isn't that swell? I wonder if anyone stops to think about the impact of that reasoning on the rest of the students in the class or grade or building. It's not a difficult task to see how poor, accepted behavior creates more poor, accepted behavior. Before you know it, all students think they can do what they want with little repercussions about their actions.
Is there a fix?
Sadly, I think the calm students get short shrift. They are forced to put up with the nonsense of the others and miss out on an education in the long run.
In my humble opinion, we will only look at the long-lasting impact of keeping poorly behaved students in the classroom when a student and his/her parent bring a lawsuit against the school. I am eager to see that happen frankly.
Schools cost a lot of money. There is no reason good students should have to continually suffer the consequences of being in a room with others who have no consequences.
Monday, March 28, 2016
Improve Literacy and Cut the Librarian
We live in an age when the word "literacy" is the equivalent of educational gold. All teachers need to use it -- so instead of working on actual art and delving into the actual creative process, teachers need to add a reading -- literacy -- component to their work.
Swell.
Why then do the jobs of librarian so often wind up on the chopping block? Ask kids in inner city schools -- the kids who do not generally have money in their budget to buy books -- what they think is important and they'll mention the need for a good library that they have access to.
So, why do principals who supposedly embrace literacy get rid of the librarian? Is it because they think that job can be done by anyone? Is it because they feel the need to up the technology budget? Whatever it is, it makes no sense.
At my old school in Brooklyn, students were not allowed in the building without a book. No one stopped those kids to even ask them about the book they were reading. I caught an 8th grade boy reading 50 Shades of Grey; I caught a 5th grader using the book The Things They Carried as his pass to enter the building.
My principal's policy of using a book to gain entry to the building must have looked damn fine on paper. It was a joke in real life. But no one cared.
Well, no one cared until the literacy scores came in. Then the teachers were yelled at for poor scores. All the kids need is a book -- and access to it.
Go out and hire more librarians. Have them get kids involved in the LOVE of reading. Have them start book groups -- for students AND teachers. (Frankly, I find it suspect to work with teachers who claim they are too busy to read. ?????)
Swell.
Why then do the jobs of librarian so often wind up on the chopping block? Ask kids in inner city schools -- the kids who do not generally have money in their budget to buy books -- what they think is important and they'll mention the need for a good library that they have access to.
So, why do principals who supposedly embrace literacy get rid of the librarian? Is it because they think that job can be done by anyone? Is it because they feel the need to up the technology budget? Whatever it is, it makes no sense.
At my old school in Brooklyn, students were not allowed in the building without a book. No one stopped those kids to even ask them about the book they were reading. I caught an 8th grade boy reading 50 Shades of Grey; I caught a 5th grader using the book The Things They Carried as his pass to enter the building.
My principal's policy of using a book to gain entry to the building must have looked damn fine on paper. It was a joke in real life. But no one cared.
Well, no one cared until the literacy scores came in. Then the teachers were yelled at for poor scores. All the kids need is a book -- and access to it.
Go out and hire more librarians. Have them get kids involved in the LOVE of reading. Have them start book groups -- for students AND teachers. (Frankly, I find it suspect to work with teachers who claim they are too busy to read. ?????)
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
Connect Kids to Good Books
I used to love teaching To Kill a Mockingbird. Unfortunately, after my time in Brooklyn, I realize that it's a very difficult book for weak readers. Why make them read it?
Okay, I made an error. It's a great book. But it's only great to read if you are a strong reader. Too few students are strong enough to wade through Scout's long-winded considerations about the Southern culture in which she lives. It's a bygone era that fails to engage current readers who have difficulty imagining what's happening.
If we really want students to be able to read the classics, we need to give them surer footing. A great way to do that is to offer current books. That means having a budget to pay for new books and to hire teachers who are readers (who else will recommend these books after all?). When I was in an all-boys classroom, I spent time with some readers. I strongly recommended Edward Bloor's book Tangerine (and gave copies to those interested), and a funny thing happened: the boys read the book and liked it. I read The Crossover by Kwame Alexander to my class -- they sat and listened! Imagine if we took the time and money to engage kids with reading they wanted to do.
Special classes are often on the chopping block when it comes to tight budgets. On the surface it appears that in our climate of testing, it's okay to shave art and music from the budget. It's been my experience, however, that these cuts are hurting students. When asked to read a passage about the skills needed to forge a piece of art, it would be helpful for students to know the artist who is being forged and the techniques one would use to paint such a forgery.
Anyway, I believe that we need to put literacy in the front of our minds. Tech seems to reign supreme, but it can't hold a candle to a good book.
Okay, I made an error. It's a great book. But it's only great to read if you are a strong reader. Too few students are strong enough to wade through Scout's long-winded considerations about the Southern culture in which she lives. It's a bygone era that fails to engage current readers who have difficulty imagining what's happening.
If we really want students to be able to read the classics, we need to give them surer footing. A great way to do that is to offer current books. That means having a budget to pay for new books and to hire teachers who are readers (who else will recommend these books after all?). When I was in an all-boys classroom, I spent time with some readers. I strongly recommended Edward Bloor's book Tangerine (and gave copies to those interested), and a funny thing happened: the boys read the book and liked it. I read The Crossover by Kwame Alexander to my class -- they sat and listened! Imagine if we took the time and money to engage kids with reading they wanted to do.
Special classes are often on the chopping block when it comes to tight budgets. On the surface it appears that in our climate of testing, it's okay to shave art and music from the budget. It's been my experience, however, that these cuts are hurting students. When asked to read a passage about the skills needed to forge a piece of art, it would be helpful for students to know the artist who is being forged and the techniques one would use to paint such a forgery.
Anyway, I believe that we need to put literacy in the front of our minds. Tech seems to reign supreme, but it can't hold a candle to a good book.
Saturday, February 6, 2016
School Reform -- One size doesn't fit all
Many of my thoughts about school reform stem from my years of teaching -- particularly from my t years in urban schools in Las Vegas andNew York City.
Reform of public education is well beyond due, but the problem is that we are seeking a one size fits all fix. As we continue on that path, the goal drifts further and further away. To truly make change, the situation must be closely monitored, analyzed, and then solution should be put in place. And then the solution should be monitored and altered or discarded as need be. When I taught the book To Kill a Mockingbird for several years, I found myself no longer liking it. I had a particular class that had difficulty reading so instead of forcing the issue, I dropped the book from the curriculum for that year. there is no law that says change cannot be made periodically especially when the professional sees that there will be a problem.
Anyway, let me be more clear.
In Las Vegas where the class size was around 40 students per class, there was a huge problem with students dropping in or out of classes. I would begin the semester with a given set of students and finish the semester with a different group. Obviously moving from one class (or school) to another during any given year will have an impact on learning. However, making a policy change to address that issue would be futile in my school in NYC. There, I very rarely had class roster changes.
In NYC, kindergarten students read a book called Life in a Pond . Unfortunately, many of those students don't have first hand knowledge of a pond. What it looks like or smells like. Here is a problem where the curriculum doesn't suit the population. Now, I'm not saying students shouldn't read the book (or have it read to them), but to maximize the learning, it should be a given that all students who read that book have the chance to visit a pond during the course of study. It's a simple solution, not a school reform.
We need to stop wasting money on public education before the rich get fed up and decide to stop funding it altogether. Then we'll be stuck back in the old days when only the fortunate got an education while the less fortunate were forced to work in dead end jobs.
We need change. But we need that change to be well-thought for each situation.
Reform of public education is well beyond due, but the problem is that we are seeking a one size fits all fix. As we continue on that path, the goal drifts further and further away. To truly make change, the situation must be closely monitored, analyzed, and then solution should be put in place. And then the solution should be monitored and altered or discarded as need be. When I taught the book To Kill a Mockingbird for several years, I found myself no longer liking it. I had a particular class that had difficulty reading so instead of forcing the issue, I dropped the book from the curriculum for that year. there is no law that says change cannot be made periodically especially when the professional sees that there will be a problem.
Anyway, let me be more clear.
In Las Vegas where the class size was around 40 students per class, there was a huge problem with students dropping in or out of classes. I would begin the semester with a given set of students and finish the semester with a different group. Obviously moving from one class (or school) to another during any given year will have an impact on learning. However, making a policy change to address that issue would be futile in my school in NYC. There, I very rarely had class roster changes.
In NYC, kindergarten students read a book called Life in a Pond . Unfortunately, many of those students don't have first hand knowledge of a pond. What it looks like or smells like. Here is a problem where the curriculum doesn't suit the population. Now, I'm not saying students shouldn't read the book (or have it read to them), but to maximize the learning, it should be a given that all students who read that book have the chance to visit a pond during the course of study. It's a simple solution, not a school reform.
We need to stop wasting money on public education before the rich get fed up and decide to stop funding it altogether. Then we'll be stuck back in the old days when only the fortunate got an education while the less fortunate were forced to work in dead end jobs.
We need change. But we need that change to be well-thought for each situation.
Thursday, December 17, 2015
The Joys of Unemployment
It's stressful to be unemployed. However, when you feel less stress when you're unemployed than you felt when you were employed, then that's saying something.
A case in point:
My birthday fell on a Saturday. I took a class in the morning, took a hike in the afternoon, then went to a really nice dinner in the evening. In between I enjoyed a visit from my brother.
If I had my old job, I would have done all the above, but I wouldn't have been able to enjoy my time because I would be worrying about the work that needed doing.
Another case in point:
After a great family get together for Thanksgiving, and several days off with my husband, Sunday night came rolling around. I realized as I was getting into bed that at that time last year, I was getting nervous about dragging my butt back to work. Instead, I was able to reflect on the time we had and enjoy.
I guess I need to remind myself that while having an income is nice, staying home is nice too. And I should consider that there is joy in staying put and being available to family when they need me.
A case in point:
My birthday fell on a Saturday. I took a class in the morning, took a hike in the afternoon, then went to a really nice dinner in the evening. In between I enjoyed a visit from my brother.
If I had my old job, I would have done all the above, but I wouldn't have been able to enjoy my time because I would be worrying about the work that needed doing.
Another case in point:
After a great family get together for Thanksgiving, and several days off with my husband, Sunday night came rolling around. I realized as I was getting into bed that at that time last year, I was getting nervous about dragging my butt back to work. Instead, I was able to reflect on the time we had and enjoy.
I guess I need to remind myself that while having an income is nice, staying home is nice too. And I should consider that there is joy in staying put and being available to family when they need me.
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