tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-445182336292537663.post7348725278228962275..comments2024-02-20T03:57:11.723-05:00Comments on Teaching Underground: Me, Us and ThemSteven Turnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01877542687619173741noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-445182336292537663.post-14222239535319437922011-10-05T22:55:00.962-04:002011-10-05T22:55:00.962-04:00Thanks for the comments and you make some great po...Thanks for the comments and you make some great points. I should have titled the post "Time"...but I have a draft of one with that title with a slightly different approach. I'd point out to my colleague and co-author to take note that you used the phrase "struck a chord"...pun intended. Time is perhaps top among "the" issues we confront in the changing landscape. How many of us sit down to dinner with our families anymore? We are so stressed that I worry that it does in fact trickle down to the kids as you suggest. What we lack is time to do so many things. <br /><br />I guess the next logical questions is what do we do? Short of jumping ship and heading to a private school or moving into admin how can we make things better? <br /><br />For us the teachers I think you can drink, laugh, not take it too seriously, steal ideas, find support networks and work smart. For kids the choices are less obvious. I suppose as long as they have caring conscientious teachers they'll be OK. Guess it's gotta stop somewhere or it'll come to an end.Rich Lindsayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07558608666418883974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-445182336292537663.post-59636719930219573962011-10-05T10:55:44.132-04:002011-10-05T10:55:44.132-04:00I agree, time is as precious a resource as money, ...I agree, time is as precious a resource as money, for children, parents, and teachers. We're in an economy where schools focus so much on money, they've begun to ignore time. I think that everyone in a school system should answer this question: "If you miss a day of work, how much more will you have to work (either before the absence to prepare, or after the absence to catch up) because of that missed day?"<br /><br />Teachers know the answer, because our work is as much in the preparation and grading as it is in our presence on the job. I'm sure that administrators often have duties and responsibilities that have to be met. But how many people in a given system can take a day, or even half a day off without having to plan ahead or work extra to make up. <br /><br />I think we look there to reclaim some of the lost time we suffer to larger class sizes and student loads.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-445182336292537663.post-34608004232115340682011-10-04T23:59:59.522-04:002011-10-04T23:59:59.522-04:00Your post struck a chord with me tonight...as alwa...Your post struck a chord with me tonight...as always. As I spend another night up late, "crafting" a lesson that can impart upon my students the knowledge that they need to know, in a rich and engaging way, containing a deeper level of understanding and with the time constraints that I constantly feel pressure to work under...I again wonder why I am working 11-12 hours a day with the only time for reflection and growth with my PLC partner is through late night and weekend emails. <br /><br />I know a lot of this is the pressure I put on myself...and I do not have nearly as many students as you have...and to be honest, I do not mind the expectations that are placed on me. I just need more TIME to "produce" the quality product that I do without feeling like I'm losing my mind. I need TIME to have a complete and deep conversation with my teacher/partner. I need REAL TIME to reflect with her about what worked with our lesson, what did not, and what her kids said and did.<br /><br />I am stressed by having to complete so much instruction (and assessment to ensure that learning has taken place) that the pressure to create just the most perfect lesson or task for my students is overwhelming at times. I cannot WASTE time in my classroom. Even handing out progress reports today and having some quick conversations with students created so much stress for me as I kept thinking that I was wasting class time. We need to finish this...we need to finish that...I won't get to my exit slip! When so many of my students needed me to congratulate, to reassure or to just check in with them regarding missing assignment or low test/quiz grades. I MISS being able to have the quality time to do that with my students.<br /><br />I have also had FOUR students cry in my class in the past week...FOUR...and they are 6th graders. I feel so much angst knowing that my stress...the pressure that I feel...is possibly overflowing over unto them.<br /><br />Well...I suppose that is enough venting for now...my work is done for tomorrow and the midnight hour is approaching. Do I go to bed and get six hours sleep? Or stay up and work on the quiz for the week? Not sure...guess it depends what is recorded on the DVR. <br /><br />Thanks again to both of you for your blog...I enjoy it and find it thought provoking and a port in a storm at time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com