Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Do you remember what teaching was like before MCAS?? - by Nancy Smith
To my retired teacher friends - do you remember what teaching was like before MCAS?? I do - we were allowed to have reading groups, give art, and music lessons, take the kids out for recess - go on a field trip just for the "fun" of it. Back in those days NBHS won an "excellence" in educatiion award and Gomes School won an award and was written up in a national magazine. Back then we knew a lot of the kids were not going on to college, and that was all right because many of them did finish high school and most them went on to find decent-paying jobs. Every aspect of teaching back then was not based on standards, rubrics (who even invented that ridiculous term) and how well your class scored on one single test. And guess what - our kids learned a lot and there was less stress for the teachers and their students. I am glad that I do not have to teach anymore and I feel badly for anyone who chose this as a profession - looks like your job depends on how well your class performs on MCAS. Try to have a good school year even though it seems impossible to me.....especially if you teach in New Bedford.
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17 comments:
This statement comes from a teacher I admire . Nancy...you changed my granddaughters life by seeing that she was placed in the wrong class and having her put in your class where she learned to love learning.
Wish teachers were allowed to do their job
Right on Nancy... teachers should be allowed to TEACH....
Well stated.
So true!!!
Agree 100%!!
so true...so stressful for teachers today...accountability!!!...when are the students and parents going to be accountable??...
So glad I am retired.
And they learned!
Well said, Mrs. Smith.
For the teachers, it was fun to teach. For the students, it was fun to learn.
All the CREATIVITY AND SPONTANEITY vanished, along with the FUN!!!!
Well said Nancy. You were a wonderful teacher.
First, I notice the only one who feels safe in posting their opinion is someone who was able to retire from our profession before it felt unsafe. I have always admired my predecessors and now I find I envy them. The school system in New Bedford, and many cities and towns in this country have become places to kill dreams. How sad for us all who, feel a sense of dread each morning and a sense of being overwhelmed each evening. This profession is killing my spirit and thus slowly deteriorating my health. I don't even think I can wait for the madness to end. I believe I have to figure a way out or I will be taken out in a body bag.
We all learned, graduated high school, college and got jobs. If you didn't go to college, the majority took on a trade. We did it WITHOUT Rubrics, data, MCAS,etc.
The big difference was that we had parents who cared and valued education.There was no choice for most of us except to succeed and go on to college.Wish we could go back to when teaching was enjoyable.
Yes. Why should feelings play a part in influencing children? I am sure that when they are our leaders and caring for us as we age, we would much rather have a data driven person than an empathetic one. Of course I am being sarcastic. However, how did we and children before us ever lead the world in industry and education without MCAS? We had teachers who were allowed to be passionate about what they were doing, and use themselves in unique ways to help us learn. I am not old enough to retire; and young enough to remember being a student in classrooms that had the "reading groups, arts, music, recess, and field trips just for the fun of it." Now there is only pressure to meet a number.
Clearly, most teachers, counselors, clerks, custodians, nurses, and therapists are not showing up for work everyday because of the external rewards (i.e. money and praise).What did Mark Twain say? "Lies, damned lies, and statistics". Statistics are only used to bolster weak arguments.
Many of our children need exposure to things outside the border of the classroom curriculum and the city. How many of us have been asked a question by a student that led into a lesson not on the curriculum - but yet an equally valuable lesson - that inspired every student to participate. Those moments are what keeps all of us motivated to continue showing up for the children.
Adults, as well as children, need to feel a sense of belonging, of connectedness, and of being accepted. It can positively influence participation, and success.
The current atmosphere is not conducive in forging a sense of camaraderie between staff, students, parents, and community. There seems to be a lack of administrative support in our schools. Our administrators have shown a lack of appreciation and empathy for its teachers and counselors, and the situations that we continue to face on a daily basis. We need support in implementing strategies in our classrooms, helping find solutions to problems, showing appreciation for the hard work we are doing, creating an equal voice for all of us, and respecting our time and maintaining an orderly school environment. I can't remember a school committee member taking time out of their day to visit our school unless invited.
Finally, why is the failure of the school system falling on the shoulders of those of us who have been present for these children. Is the failure of the President of the United States and its leaders the result of the citizens? When our school committee and administrators can put their personal agendas and affiliations aside, then and only then will we see improvement.
I remember when the school environment produced an infectious sense of belonging to something bigger. It was a place where I dreamed of wonderful things to come, as a student and as a counselor.
I hope that I will be around to see this come to be again.
It is time that the parent and the children are held accountable for their own success! If you want to do well in school, you will prosper. The teachers can't follow your children home and make sure they follow up their day with the assigned homework. That is the
parents job. After all, they gave birth to their children. Not all parent are lack luster-I know a group of amazing parents who really get it!
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