The Good
March 10, 2010
Last week I posted some thoughts about the state of our public school system. I had just come from a great speech and I was all fired up for reform, improvements, and making quality education available to everyone...especially my own kids. Laylee had been complaining of boredom and, although she talks frequently about how much she loves her teacher, I was worried that in first grade, she was already falling prey to a broken system. I wondered, "Maybe the whole way that education is set up, funded and supported in this country is not meeting her needs and although I feel optimistic that change is on the way, maybe it will come too late for the current generation."
I didn't realize that education reform would be such a hot button issue. I mean, I know that people have wildly differing views on how we should conduct reform but I didn't think that stating it was needed would make people feel hurt or offended. I thought, "Obviously if nearly 30% of American students never graduate from high school, then something is wrong." If, as Jeff Raikes stated in his speech, "Right now, in the midst of a historic recession, there is a gap of at least 12,000 jobs in STEM fields in Washington [State]. Double-digit unemployment, yet STEM industries have to look overseas for workers," then something needs to change to prepare American students to step up and fill those jobs.
When my sister, a former high school teacher, read the post, she said that it was an emotionally charged issue because when a teacher hears someone criticize the effectiveness of the school system or the effectiveness of teachers it's easy for that teacher to hear a personal criticism, which is difficult given how much many teachers dedicate to their profession and their students.
Many work long hours for very little pay, putting their heart and soul into educating my children, your children, children all over this country. Some are exceptional. Some are inadequate. I really think some have the potential for greatness but become so weary in the task that they are unable to perform at full capacity. Most teachers are undervalued.
Listening to her and reading your comments, even some harsh criticism of me and Laylee, I was prompted to give Laylee's teacher a call, find out what's been going on in the classroom, and talk to her about what I'd written. I've rarely met a teacher with as much energy and enthusiasm as "Miss Snop" and I didn't want my frustration with the big educational picture to come across as criticism of her specifically.
I asked her what she thought about Laylee's boredom in the classroom. We've met before and, as I've blogged in the past, she is fully aware of Laylee's strengths and weaknesses. She then began telling me all the things she's been doing in the classroom to meet Laylee's specific needs, singling her out for extra instruction, special assignments, different quizzes than what the other kids are taking, a separate reading group where she can read and grow above grade level. The list went on and on and I am humbled that she has managed to tailor Laylee's learning experience so much in a classroom with over 20 children when I sometimes struggle to meet the individual needs of my 3 kids.
She then told me about the new hands-on science curriculum the first grade teachers are planning for the kids and that she is excited to share with Laylee. This is the teacher who ran alongside her class in the school run-a-thon to encourage them to go faster and farther than the other classes. When Laylee cried at recess last week because she missed her grandma, Miss Snop invited her to stay inside and chat with her, sacrificing one of her rare breaks from the class. If the prognosis for Laylee's education looks bleak, then Miss Snop is a bright spot.
Her teacher last year was exceptional too. She's only a couple of years away from retirement and is still motivated to hone her skills with advanced training, stay current on the latest ideas in early childhood education, and invite guest specialists into the classroom to broaden the experience for the kids. Watching her dance with the kids and teach them reading and math through song, the whole room fully entranced by her, is amazing to watch.
Yes, I think there's a lot to do to make quality education available and relevant to all children. Yes, I'm still trying to figure out what I can do to help. Today I'd like to focus on what's going right. Have you or one of your children brushed shoulders with an inspiring educator? Please share.
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Public school needs foundational skills again
Amanda makes the exact point I would have written. My son is attending kindergarten at a private school and we payed his tuition in full at the beginning of the year (less than $2500). We also know that the four private schools in our area average a tuition fee of $3500 or less. This school has an excellent reputation and wonderful teachers. However, we are finding he is struggling and we are looking into homeschooling in a classical manner (a la "The Well-Trained Mind"). As for reforming public school, I generally feel that until the schools get back on track with teaching foundational skills (that would be reading, writing, math, history, geography, and science) with as little technology involved our children will always struggle. This is not the fault of our teachers. My other suggestion would be a school in every neighborhood.
In answer to your call of excellent educators, I withhold on principal that no one comes to my husband's work and tells him what an incredible order processor he is and gives him flowers or special gifts out of appreciation. Teaching is a difficult, stressful career choice, but so is being an air traffic controller, a waitress and the president.
Not that easy to reform...
... Having grown up in France, I find it very sad to read statistics about how students from one of the most advanced countries in the world fall behind their European and Asian counterparts... I am not sure why, I just know the level of public schools in general has fallen more and more behind.
However, I don't believe the government has a true incentive or ability to improve the level... it will come from the parents and the great, outstanding teachers you are talking about working together to encourage learning beyond the basic curriculum... one American child at a time.
I just think it's important
I just think it's important that when we talk about reforming the school system, we talk about EVERYONE'S part in it. We need excellent teachers to be certain, but we also need parents, students, school administrators and boards, and community members to do their parts too. I think a lot of teachers get sensitive about this topic because the onus of the blame often gets placed on their shoulders (seen NEWSWEEK lately?) when it really is a systemic issue where every participant has rights and responsibilities.
Is it possible that her
Is it possible that her boredom is stemming more from the difficulty in such a young child adjusting to the somewhat sedentary nature of a full day of school, than by the ease of the curriculum? It sounds like you have a great teacher there, but maybe your daughter misses having lots of playtime. My son is loving 1st grade, but I have to say, I wish the school day were shorter for this age. He's handling it well, but free play time is pretty limited when children go to school all day. My daughter, in Kindergarten is quite ahead of the rest of the class in her reading and language skills, but she is not bored, even though much is quite easy for her (and in public, half-day kindergarten, opportunities for tailoring education is a lot less than what is possible in 1st grade), because she simply loves pleasing her teacher, and the structure of the day. She is not a super-active child.
I think it's possible boredom can be physical as well as intellectual.
Good luck!
Trying to figure things out...
To Amanda.. Does that money include the wages of the teachers and staff too? Or is that just 185k in the classroom for the children...
My daughter is in the same classroom with Laylee and she has started to not want to go to school b/c of the boredom.. I know all these bored kiddos are getting together to revolt against the parents to see what we will do.. ey? I wish I could find your liking for Miss Snop, I can't. I am excited to see what you will find DYM about what others can do to help the schools/teachers.
Washington State spends an
Washington State spends an average of $7,432 per student (44th nationally) each year. Say you have 25 kids in a classroom. That's $185,800 PER CLASSROOM!!! Where is all the money going????? (This is not picking on WA specifically, just using the state stats from where DaringYoungMom lives.) Even if you spend $100,000 per year on books, supplies, curricula, extras, etc. (which wouldn't happen, as things are re-used year to year) there is $85,000 left over!!! Someone please explain to me how schools are underfunded?!?!??!?!! And WA is 44th out of 50 in per student funding! That means 43 states have a HIGHER per student average!
source: http://www.fundingwaschools.org/index_files/FundingStats_Funding_WA_K12_...
P.S. NOT an attack on you,
P.S. NOT an attack on you, DYM! Just general wonderings.
Fabulous Teacher
My son is in 2nd grade and has a fabulous teacher this year. Last year he too became bored, but this teacher thsi year has found some amazing ways to keep him involved and challenged. I love to be in her classroom and hear her teach a new concept to the children. It often makes me think of how I can be a teacher like her to my children at home. She is probably in her 50's and has taught several years and she still does new things everyday. She is always telling me about a new concept she wants to include in her curriculum--even though she has been doing this for years! I agree that the current state of education needs to improve, but I also agree that there are some amazing teachers out there doing fabulous things to help our children learn! Thanks for helping us remember to honor them!
Teachers do deserve praise
While I realize all children are different, and some teachers have a style that resonates with some children but not others, we are fortunate to have had positive experiences with several excellent teachers at our local neighborhood (public) school. We have two daughters attending there, and each has their own strengths and their own learning styles. There is one teacher they have both had, and we love her ability to connect with all the different needs in her class. She’s not perfect, but she’s good at what she does and, most importantly, she loves it. That is evident any time you walk into the classroom. She has gone out of her way to make sure that my oldest daughter was challenged enough, and that my middle daughter finds school a fun place to be. Recognizing the personality needs of the students goes a long way in providing a positive educational experience. I believe teaching, above any other profession, does deserve all the praise we can give, because without teachers, we wouldn’t have air traffic controllers, waitresses, or the president.
I honestly only had one
I honestly only had one teacher with which I rubbed shoulders the wrong way. I know I was blessed with the teachers I had for my schooling, and I can still remember every single teacher, for every grade, and their personal teaching styles...
Being an educator is a tough gig...just knowing that you love what you do isn't enough, because you're hemmed in by regulations, requirements, restrictions...
I honor my teachers each day in my parenting, and can only pray that my own children, should we decide to not do home-schooling, will be blessed the same way I was!
So - Mrs. Gollaher, Mrs. Winters, Mr. Callahan, Mrs. McGannon, Ms. Kennedy, Ms. Chase, Ms. Cox (elementary) - thank you for providing such a strong foundation and excitement for learning. And to all 21 of my Junior High School teachers, and all 32 of my High School Teachers - thank you for continuing to inspire, motivate, drive, challenge, and push me to always give my best, never letting me settle to just slide by.
@Amanda
Generally, "per student" funds have to cover EVERYTHING: building, utilities, maintenance, etc...not to mention teacher/admin/support staff salaries and...yeah, last but not least...student materials. I think of it as a jumbo mortgage with a massive electric bill...there's not as much left over for "extras" as you want...
I had the exact same thing
I had the exact same thing happen last year when my 3rd grade son complained that he was bored. I met with his teacher and brought that up, and she proceeded to show me all the extra and interesting and creative things she had set up for him (or any other such child) to do when they were done with their assigned work. I purposely did not present it as though it were in any way her fault and that I wanted to know what I could do to help, but she still was initially defensive and I felt bad about that. It turned out, all he wanted to do was sit and read his book but she was limiting him on that so he could expand his horizons, so I told her I fully supported that and had a talk with my son. At his (public) school, that teacher was probably my least favorite of the 5 he's now had but was still very good.
I had a few bad teachers, many good ones, and a few great ones, and I have a PhD, so I think there's a lot more involved in a person's education than what any one individual teacher provides. That being said, I am truly amazed at what teachers do every day and think most are just awesome. Any reform has to deal with all aspects of the educational system.
My hardest, scariest teacher
My hardest, scariest teacher was an 8th grade English teacher. Everyone "hated" her class because she demanded a lot and looked for perfection and taught well, not because she was mean. She demanded work be in on time. She said we would look back and thank her in the future--that she would be remembered as one of our best teachers. She was right. I learned more grammar and English in her class than in any other class I've taken, including college courses. And it has been helpful. I thank her up and down and all around. I can't think of her name right now, but she was older when I took her class many moons ago, and so probably will only feel my appreciation waft up to the heavens, where she no doubt currently is! Teacher-I SALUTE YOU!
I guess they're just like
I guess they're just like us, humans, we all have the same feelings. The only differences are the intense and duration. By the way, Imagine your child saying the following, “Dad, can we look at the electric bill? I think I can help shave off 10-20%.”... Support Green My Parents: The Youth Movement to seed the Green Economy! Earn over $100 at home for families and save the Planet! So vote for 1 million youth to win $250k at http://pep.si/vote4gmp then join us on Facebook at http://bit.ly/gmp2fb. Thanks.