Disengaged, Lazy Whiners

Associated Press Writer
"Disengaged, Lazy Whiners"
The Canadian Press
April 2, 2011

http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5io9WOXQO_JQjg-zwgMWYdwR4leiw?docId=6433897
Topic: Social Media interaction
This article highlights the importance and professionalism of not ranting or posting pictures of students online. Kind of a tale of woe.

Key Points: Perhaps not all truths should be posted.

Relevance: Teachers must take care to separate themselves personally from students online. To be treated as a professional, you ought to act like one.

Bill Turque
“McKinley H.S. principal reinstated”
Washington Post
April 1, 2011

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dc-schools-insider/post/mckinley_hs_principal_reinstated/2011/04/01/AFLoZIJC_blog.html?wprss=rss_educationTopic: “Professionalism”.

This is an update to an earlier post dated March 22, 2011. Apparently, they are having problems with the investigator who seems to have also uncovered either misallocation or misappropriation of $100,000 in addition to doctoring transcripts/grades. The result is that the investigator has been fired and the Principal has been reinstated despite the fact that the original investigation remains open.

Key Points: This update is troubling because it not only highlights other areas of concern but also now points a finger of suspicion towards the administration as well.

Relevance: At some point, I’m sure we will be faced with the chance to take a shortcut of some type, from whispering a test answer, to falsifying grades and it is at that point I will remember this tale of woe. Add to that, misappropriation of funding and it doesn’t bode well for building a reputation of professionalism.

U-Va law professors explain the art of public speaking

Robert Sayler and Molly Shadel
"U-Va law professors explain the art of public speaking"
Washington Post
March 22, 2011

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/campus-overload/post/tongue_tied_college_students_u_va_law_professors_explain_the_art_of_public_speaking/2011/03/22/ABgUNKCB_blog.html?wprss=rss_educationTopic: Public Speaking

Here is an article about improving public speaking from law professors at U-Va.

Key Points: The article has a list of good techniques to consider when improving your presentation game. It does not mention it, but Toastmasters is a great program which allows you to actually practice all the things this article talks about in the safety of friends. http://www.toastmasters.org/
Relevance: The smoother and more articulate we can be while presenting subjects to students, the better we will be heard and our lessons remembered. .

D.C. principal under investigation for allegedly doctoring student transcripts

Bill Turque
"D.C. principal under investigation for allegedly doctoring student transcripts"
Washington Post
March 22, 2011

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/dc_principal_under_investigation_for_allegedly_doctoring_student_transcripts/2011/03/22/ABsqz7DB_story.html?wprss=rss_education

Topic: “Professionalism”.

It is tempting to doctor transcripts, encourage students to cheat on tests or falsify test scores, especially when it means winning grant money for your school but, it’s a dangerous and slippery slope to start down. I have seen the results of being untruthful with students, or situations like this and even when the end results seem to justify the means, it just never works out.

Key Points: If we, as members of the education community want to be treated as professionals, we have to operate in a professional way and reject shortcuts such as this.


Relevance: At some point, I’m sure we will be faced with the chance to take a shortcut of some type, from whispering a test answer, to falsifying grades and it is at that point I will remember this tale of woe.

Fed up with the term 'status quo'

Diana Senechal
"Fed up with the term ‘status quo’"
Washington Post
March 16, 2011

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/post/fed_up_with_the_term_status_quo/2011/03/15/ABIaf2a_blog.html?wprss=rss_educationSummary:

Topic: An interesting discussion concerning change.

This is an interesting discussion about how one side of an argument can be marginalized through the use of one term, “status quo”. The world seems to be simplistically broken down into two groups, those who want things to remain as they are and those who want change.

Key Points: Marginalizing one side of an argument with the clever use of a term, stereotype or oversimplification is a very effective tactic politically or in a debate contest. If the point is to really improve things, then an open an honest discussion between all points of view must be made. Naïve…I know.
Sadly, the point rarely seems to be about actually improving education and instead, seems to be more about who holds the political power and controls the money. Perhaps, as Gatto seems to be saying, the answer to this cancer actually is to scrap the system and start over anew.

Relevance: The debate about the future of education, public education in this case, is raging on. Trying to understand the motives behind all the sides of the debate will be key as we move ahead.

The myth of the super teacher

Diana Senechal
"The myth of the super teacher"
Washington Post
March 15, 2011
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/post/the_myth_of_the_superteacher/2011/03/14/ABfRM4V_blog.html?wprss=rss_education

Topic: “Super teachers”.

This is a discussion about a program where teachers were given greater incentives to be extraordinary teachers. In this case, a salary of $125,000.

Key Points: The results reported here were somewhat negative however, I wondered why better teachers would not be attracted by better pay. If we capped baseball player salaries at some arbitrary level, say, $40K per year, would the level of competition remain the same? If you want to consistently be in the hunt for the world series, you will have to be able to pay for the New York Yankees. Why would that not be true for a school trying to put together the best team of teachers?

Relevance: Improving education and how to do that is a topic that will continue to be debated.

The real qualities of teacher excellence

Joanne Yatvin
"The real qualities of teacher excellence"Washington Post
March 17, 2011

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/post/the_real_qualities_of_teacher_excellence/2011/03/16/ABqodRh_blog.html?wprss=rss_education

Topic: Teacher Excellence

What makes a good teacher?

Key Points: This is a nice list of the qualities of successful teachers. Although test scores are not on the list, there has to be a place for them in some form. The fact is, without passing entrance exams, basic skills tests or doing well on college placement exams, none of us would have made it past High School…that is, as far as formal education goes. To not actually focus on preparing students to handle tests or acknowledge that this specific skill has some importance is a smidge naïve in my view.

Relevance: Discovering the qualities and techniques of successful teachers is key to success.

I Don't Think I'm Biased

Article Author name(s): Pat Clark
Title of article: I Don’t Think I’m Biased
Title of journal: Teaching Tolerance
Date of publication: Spring 2010
Volume of the journal: 37

http://www.tolerance.org/magazine/number-37-spring-2010/i-don-t-think-i-m-biased

Summary: When pre-service teachers are asked to become culturally competent it means being asked to consider their own lives and privileges and consider how they have shaped perspective. There are natural responses that occur when teachers are asked to reflect on privilege. Teachers must continue to challenge themselves to take advantage of opportunities to work towards social justice. A specific mindfulness and continued self-examination of personal biases is a key part of becoming a well-rounded educator.
Topic: Pre-Service teachers having the “multicultural encounter” that shapes attitudes about diversity.
Intended audience: Pre-service teachers and teachers, administrators

Teachers are working in the field who do not reflect the race, language traditions or communities of their students- this is making the diversity gap larger. For pre-service teachers there will be a specific “encounter” where teachers are able to consider personal biases. There will be “an experience or event that shatters a person’s current feelings”, and allows people to reconsider attitudes and beliefs. As a result of these reflections, most will experience a variety of responses that traditionally include disbelief, acceptance, discomfort and disclosure. It will be necessary for teachers to feel discomfort and address personal biases in order to expand our teaching abilities and better relate to our students.

Relevant because no teacher will be able to relate or identify with every student they teach. Classes and students and dynamics will constantly change from year to year, and it will be increasingly important teachers adapt to the needs of each class. In order to make these adaptations, teachers will be in a constant cycle of self-evaluation and improvement.