perhaps I should just learn to shut up...

[Spectre]

:confused2: I really oughta....

I am ascended to the lofty position of enemy of the people...

Somehow, I knew this nutty teacher wouldn't stop. That sort seldom does. This morning, she confronted me in the parking lot because, she says, I took her parking spot. We don't have assigned parking spaces. I handled it calmly, told her I hadn't seen any names on the parking spaces. You see, someone had parked in the place where I usually do, but I wasn't having a tantrum over that. She then proceeded to blast me, calling me uncaring, selfish, etc etc. I simply left and walked into the building.

Later on today, I found out why she was so bold, even after being told by administration to lay off. Turns out she is "campaigning" against with the upper grades, telling them what a creep I am. The teacher who told me is also new at the school and is appalled.

But that isn't enough. I had to give my detractors more ammo to use against me.

We had a faculty meeting after school, where they told us about some new graduation requirements; a graduation project. I understand that a lot of states are requiring these. They want us to start training them up for it in middle school because so many high schoolers get to them and don't seem to know how to either do genuine research, haven't a notion as to how to write a formal research paper, and have little to no experience presenting, orally. to others. It sounds like a very reasonable request to me.

Some members of our faculty, most notably the oldies but goodies who have been at this school since it opened, pitched a fit.

"We have enough to do......"

"This isn't fair to the kids...."

"What's gonna happen to the graduation rate now?"

It is said that a wise man remains silent and is sometimes thought a fool, while a foolish one opens his mouth and removes all doubt.

I think that happened today. :idontknow:

I spoke up, said I had seen this process in action before and have served as a judge on a panel for them. The students I judged were seniors whom I had had in 6th grade, years before. I was utterly amazed at how much they achieved, at what these kids had done. In 6th grade, there was no way they could or would have done that. It came down to one word: expectations.

I said that. :D

I went on to say (as if I had not said enough already) that for too long in my state, our expectations had been lower than they needed to be, that we needed to free ourselves from a culture of low expectations.

There were more comments about how students would not graduate if we insisted they do this and my response was to say that we already "graduate" students who are functionally illierate. how could we do worse? We needed to raise the bar, not just talk about doing it.

By then I was getting a lot of stony faced stares from around the room...

Why is it I have to care so much? It's plain a lot of others don't, just want to collect a paycheck.

When am I gonna learn to just shut up???:angry2:

[Boxcar]

I think you should keep talking.

I don't mean that you should get yourself into a pickles. (Although, this really wasn't a doing of yours when looking at the big picture.)

I do think that it is important to point out things like this. You made good points.

Perhaps what you said did impact someone else's thoughts. People sometimes need things to sink in. Could it be that someone may decide you are right and give the new plan a fair shot?

[Brit]

there's probably at least one other person in the room who thinks what you said, but didn't have the guts to say anything.

[CanukTeacher]

I agree that you made some good points, but I also agree with you that keeping quiet would have been wiser. I think that creating divisions between young and old or new and experienced or whatever does not lead to positive change. If people get their backs up, they are less open to trying new things. I've put my foot in my mouth in similar ways, but am trying to use less direct approaches - like working with like minded people in a school and letting what we do well show others that this might work - let them come to us. I know that I do better in this model too. I think we all have trouble with change and sometimes resist it. Having time to process it and ask in a less public forum makes change easier for me.

my 2 cents

[Spectre]

There is wisdom in what you say. :)

Change can be tough for anyone, but particularly for someone who has been doing things a certain way for decades.
:laugh: That is probably some of the source of my own issues.

My nickname (one of several) while growing up was "Spartacus." I didn't push the envelope. Naw...I tended to bust through it, to punch holes. Here I am, gonna be 60 years old tomorrow, and I am still trying to "reform" the profession and save the world.:cool2:

Most of us have learned to cool their proverbial jets on that score, long before now. Not me. :shootme:

I got it honestly. They called my late "mother," the "rebel" because she championed every cause in the known universe, from animal rights to civil rights. And that last one was NOT particularly popular way back when. Got us run out of a small town because we dared to rent an upstairs apartment to a black air force sergeant and his family. :angry: Oh yeah. I recall that one. It was nothing overt. No men in white sheets on horseback or flamming crosses in our yard, but subtle things, like looks, shunning, someone opening up a fire hydrant up the street from us "accidentally" and causing our basement to flood. :angry2: Children's taunts and grocery orders that did not get filled in a timely manner.

The status quo and its proponents can be oppressive indeed.:confused2:

So yes, speaking up in public, like I did and, seemingly, tossing down the proverbial gauntlet, most likely is not the best way to win hearts and minds.

As you suggest, the best way to bring change or reform is to work with people, rather than running over them.

Still, I gotta wonder if we would have nominated, much less, elected a black man with a muslim sounding name as president of the united states if we waited, patiently, for those who opposed the notion to come to see the light....

The message isn't lost, canukteacher. You give sound advice.

That's just the "rebel" in me sounding off again. I guess I will never learn....:rofl:

[seastarmath]

Education in this country will continue to go downhill unless people speak up, just like you did. Keep it up, Spectre!

And keep making complaints about that teacher. The behavior you describe falls into several personality disorder traits. I just can't believe the admin allows it. Watch out! If you wait it out, you may have ammo yourself--to lodge a harrassment or assault charge!

And remember, the right stand is rarely popular.

[lynn bambusch]

I have learned, through many years of teaching that it isn't always what you say as much as how you say it. My principal recently sent me off to a meeting, knowing there would be disagreement about a student placement and said "Be firm but not blunt". I laugh every time I think of that. I have learned that the first thing that comes to mind, often needs to be "rephrased" before it comes out of my mouth. In Michigan we have new standards for high school graduation which many of my Special Ed students have little chance to pass. Everything is geared for people headed to college. Society will always need manual laborers. Those people need reading, writing and math, but not physics and Algebra II.
It frustrates me!

[CanukTeacher]

Glad you found it of some use. Just to clarify - I'm not suggesting waiting patiently. I think it is okay perfectly okay to disagree - but do it in the staffroom with colleagues - not with your principal in the room :) Do the stuff that will lead to positive change with teachers interested in change. That will change the school. Talking about it won't. Chances are stating your opinion to colleagues won't change their mind either, but it will make them aware that not everyone agrees with them and it might make them think. Saying it in a staff meeting (with your P) makes it look like you are saying it because you want something out of it (looking good for your P).

For awhile I thought I either needed to close my door and just try to get better myself or shoot myself because so many people seemed opposed to change. Now I think the best chance we have for change is working with other people who think that change is possible and letting others think/do at their own pace. Check out the committed sardines webpage.

[wig]

Good grief!!!! Our students start with short reports in elementary. In fifth grade they do a powerpoint with the last card being the bibliography. and in sixth grade they write one or two short research reports with a works cited page. They write longer ones in seventh and eighth grade. They write in language arts, social studies, and science and occasionally religion. Some do better than others. Set the bar high. Most students will reach it. You were right to speak up.

[Spectre]

Good grief!!!! Our students start with short reports in elementary. In fifth grade they do a powerpoint with the last card being the bibliography. and in sixth grade they write one or two short research reports with a works cited page. They write longer ones in seventh and eighth grade. They write in language arts, social studies, and science and occasionally religion. Some do better than others. Set the bar high. Most students will reach it. You were right to speak up.

Well, but sometimes, in "winning," you lose.

I've not heard any reprecussions for my words, yesterday. The Principal has said nothing.

Silence can send mixed messages.;)

I was so happy in my new assignment, then this....:o

[wig]

I have learned, through many years of teaching that it isn't always what you say as much as how you say it. My principal recently sent me off to a meeting, knowing there would be disagreement about a student placement and said "Be firm but not blunt". I laugh every time I think of that. I have learned that the first thing that comes to mind, often needs to be "rephrased" before it comes out of my mouth. In Michigan we have new standards for high school graduation which many of my Special Ed students have little chance to pass. Everything is geared for people headed to college. Society will always need manual laborers. Those people need reading, writing and math, but not physics and Algebra II.
It frustrates me!

MY dil teaches SPED In a middle school in Michigan. I know she shares your frustration. The math requirement is even ridiculous for the low average student.

My previous post was not including the special ed kids. I think the bar should be set high for them, too - not beyond their reach.

[Adrienne]

I would have stood and applauded you for even mentioning the idea of having higher expectations.

Most students (and certainly the majority of my own) will only do the bare requirements for a passing grade. Teachers in the past have let them get away with things like watching movies instead of reading novels, sleeping in class, copying notes from other students, and the list goes on and on. It's hard to change. It's definatley hard being a new teacher, much less a new teacher who suddenly expects things from them. But whoever said teaching was easy? Or should be?

Keep on talking, keep on complaining, and keep on demanding. Your students, at least, will be well educated.

:clap:

[Boxcar]

I think that teaching high expectations has to start early. If the children aren't expected to meet the requirements that are developmentally appropriate for preschools, pre-Ks, and Ks, they are going to be even more resistant later. Unfortunately, the EC field is still very varied in terms of training and teacher abilities.

Making a change can't just be in the middle schools, the high schools, or the lower schools. It has to start at the beginning and continue through the entire system. The segmented approach isn't going to work.

The only question is: How do you accomplish this? I wish I had an answer...

[SS Rocks!]

Gee Spectre, you sound like a real jerk. How dare you take your sweet little coworker's parking place!?!?!? :cool:

In all seriousness, this might sound somewhat corny, but reading your posts is an inspiration. I hope I can be like you in another ten, twenty, or even thirty years. There are too many experienced teachers that are content to collect a paycheck. I see teachers in their mid-30's pull the same lessons out of a binder year after year and constantly complain about how much more they have to do, rather than focusing on the kids. It is frustrating. I also hope I can become more vocal, like you, as I gain experience.

I hope things improve for you at your new school in the new year.

[Spectre]

Gee Spectre, you sound like a real jerk. How dare you take your sweet little coworker's parking place!?!?!? :cool:

In all seriousness, this might sound somewhat corny, but reading your posts is an inspiration. I hope I can be like you in another ten, twenty, or even thirty years. There are too many experienced teachers that are content to collect a paycheck. I see teachers in their mid-30's pull the same lessons out of a binder year after year and constantly complain about how much more they have to do, rather than focusing on the kids. It is frustrating. I also hope I can become more vocal, like you, as I gain experience.

I hope things improve for you at your new school in the new year.


LOL! Yeah, I'm a real Rhett Butler, I am!

And I am older than some may think. Today was my 60th birthday. Yup! It was, by far, the most rollicking one I can remember, too!

I got serendaded in my classroom, twice, in the lunchroom, by the entire 6th grade. My fellow 6th grade teachers baked me a cake. What really pleased me, though, were the handmade, personalized, birthday cards, so many of the kids made me. Even some from some 7th graders and I have never had them in class. One of them is in an after school club I have.

I must be a real cad!!!

Seriously, I was both humbled and delighted by all this. The personalized cards durn near had me in tears, a couple of them. 6th graders are still so very sincere and straight forward. They say what they think.

I only hope I am someday worthy of the things they said and did for me today.:cry2:

[Bananas]

Awww, Spectre. They love you. The kids know a good one when they see one.

That one teacher just won't let up. You just learn to consider the source. Good luck.

[Spectre]

Awww, Spectre. They love you. The kids know a good one when they see one.

That one teacher just won't let up. You just learn to consider the source. Good luck.

Oh but she will.

I didn't mention this is my previous posting, as I wanted to focus on the wonderful things that happened today.

I met with my administrator the day after our after school faculty meeting. Told him how I felt. I learned some interesting things. First, he told me that he agreed with what I said at the meeting, that he had no problem at all with what I said. He then told me he would take care of this issue with the teacher campaigning against me. It seems she has done this sort of thing before. :confused:

He came to my classroom, after school, closed my door (I figured I was in deep stuff right about then) and informed me that he had taken care of the issue, that he told this teacher (and another that it turns out was helping her in the "campaign") that they would stop, immediately, that if there was one more thing said, he would charge them with insubordination and would begin proceedings to have them dismissed. He also told them that he wanted them to look for another school to teach in next year.

I nearly dropped my jaw down to my ankles. :idontknow:

[Boxcar]

Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) :) :)

[Clearly Canadian]

Holy Cow!!! That sort of news from admin, would be enough to freeze you in your tracks!!! I, like you would have thought I was in deep poop if admin came in a closed the door. Yikes!!! I'm so glad to hear that they were supporting you. How do you think the other teacher will react to you now? Do you think the offending teacher will try to play nice with the other kids (mainly you) now that she has received this ultimatum?

Happy Birthday!

[Spectre]

Holy Cow!!! That sort of news from admin, would be enough to freeze you in your tracks!!! I, like you would have thought I was in deep poop if admin came in a closed the door. Yikes!!! I'm so glad to hear that they were supporting you. How do you think the other teacher will react to you now? Do you think the offending teacher will try to play nice with the other kids (mainly you) now that she has received this ultimatum?

Happy Birthday!

I hope the woman just stays clear of me. I want no further contact with her. She clearly has some kind of disorder and having grown up with an alcoholic "mother" with "wiring" problems, I know that kind can do irrational and destructive things.

I just want to do the best job I can for my 6th graders and all the intrigue and drama (or is it trauma?) is something I would rather steer clear of.

[Clix]

He came to my classroom, after school, closed my door (I figured I was in deep stuff right about then)

See, I've found that if you're in deep stuff, they ask you to come to THEIR office.

And then they close the door. ;)

and informed me that he had taken care of the issue, that he told this teacher (and another that it turns out was helping her in the "campaign") that they would stop, immediately, that if there was one more thing said, he would charge them with insubordination and would begin proceedings to have them dismissed. He also told them that he wanted them to look for another school to teach in next year.

WOW. Yeah, I figured the admin would be pleased about what you said at the meeting - after all, it sounded like you were sticking up for what they were planning to have everybody do! But to have them go to bat for you so decisively - that is just AWESOME!

Go you! You old-fogey-rabble-rouser, you! ;D

[Spectre]

Go you! You old-fogey-rabble-rouser, you! ;D

LOL!!!!:rofl:

Yeah, that's me all right!

[msstefano]

It's too bad that so much has to come from from what I think started before the parking lot. To my mind, I'd guess there is something so awesome about you, and totally intimidating to her, that she needed to find some way to be 'superior' to you in her mind. Way to go!...............................:clap:.praises, Kristine

[hweber]

WOW, congrats on a job well done. I am glad that someone has the fortitude (substitute a different word there) to stand up to someone like that. What is amazing to me is that even as adults we have to deal with bullies. Glad she found someone that won't take her stuff.

Happy Birthday!!

[Spectre]

WOW, congrats on a job well done. I am glad that someone has the fortitude (substitute a different word there) to stand up to someone like that. What is amazing to me is that even as adults we have to deal with bullies. Glad she found someone that won't take her stuff.

Happy Birthday!!

LOL! Yeah. I guess it is bullying. Never quite thought of it like that.

I am hoping things will die down now, but I've dealt with people like this before and they don't give up easily. This sort usually has control issues and I've seen that all too often.:idontknow:

I'm a child of alcoholic parents and, as such, don't like conflict and often try to steer away from it whenever it is anywhere close to possible. My opponent, in this case, has taken to being very direct, not offering much choice in the matter. How many times does someone want to "go to war" over a parking spot?

I fear this goes much deeper than that. :eek:

My grade level teammates have already concluded that this person feels "threatened" by my presence in the school and, in particular, the notoriety that I am getting.

I do not seek fame or notoriety. Indeed, I prefer to stay away from it as such a station in life tends to put great pressure on the recipient.

I am a mere mortal who seeks only to do his job properly. The welfare of my 6th graders is what is of importance to me, not my own stature.

Why must people be so petty and insecure????:o

[hweber]

People are petty and insecure because they have now self-esteem and feel threatened. She probably feels that her 'turf' has been infringed upon and wants to make sure that every one knows that she is the queen bee. Good luck going back to school!