Yesterday all the new teachers in the district had a meeting with the superintendent. We were told now that we are nearing the end of the school year, it is time to buckle down, not let up. We were encouraged not to fall into the dreaded trap of easing up on the kids.
And so it goes, we enter the last lap, needing to go at full throttle and ready the kids to pass the Big State Test.
Everyone in the district touts following the lesson line. It is supposedly research based and incredibly sound. But since it was implemented, my school’s test results and scores have been steadily declining. I find myself torn. Of course, I want to follow the rules and adhere to the lesson line. But I know my kids. I have the students who scored lowest on last year’s state test. There are certain things that they do not know or get. I go back constantly to reteach lessons they were supposed to master in third and fourth grade.
Now as we near the fourth nine weeks of the school year. We will go back and reteach everything from the year. New lesson plans must be created. New group work activities must be planned. New tests must be aligned. I will be drowning in paperwork. By now, that is normal. What I am interested in is in finding a way for my kids to just get it. It will not come overnight. The students need to know sound devices and drawing conclusions. But as these things were taught and covered twice already. Nothing stuck. I hate falling back on the same trope I keep hinting at all year. In the fourth nine weeks, my kids still cannot read.
They go to the reading specialist for ninety minutes a day. Their reading has remained level since day one. They still mispronounce the same words. They still say “because” everyone they see “became.” The reading section on the MCT2 may just crush. Do I want to sound so harsh? No. But is it the truth? Yes. In class, I read t them often ad model how reading paragraphs should occur on our projector. All to no avail. Even my students refuse to admit they struggle with reading. I hear they just do not like reading or reading is boring. Even for those who volunteer to read passages stumble and falter over small or grade-level words. A misunderstood word can cost points on the state test. The reading accounts for half of the test.
Going back to the main point, the superintendent inquired of our struggles with the students. I remained mum. Yet I feel hopeless. How the heck does one get students to answer correctly seven questions based on a five-hundred word reading selection? As I monitor the kids come May during the MCT2, my heart will go out to them. They will ask Mr. Farmer to pronounce a word or what does so and so and such and such word means? I cannot say anything. They will circle any answer out of desperation.
In sum, my suggestion should have been that the district gets some great reading teachers in at the primary school. This situation I face is disheartening.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Considering MTC?
For those college seniors looking for something different after graduation or even those who finished college a few years back, MTC might be of interest for numerous reasons.
--If you want to teach and are passionate about teaching. If you find yourself wanting to lead a classroom and shape young minds, you’ll want to join MTC.
-- Indeed, if you want to be challenged by the occasional hopelessness of public education, MTC is the right fit. You will realize that your own upbringing and public education were not as bad as you thought. I know I did. You will find it that the administrators do not always do or know what is best for the students or the district.
--If you can give up your normal life and existence and dedicate them to students who will resist your instruction but come to realize you are there everyday for them, MTC needs you.
--If you want to live in a different part of the country (assuming you are not from the South), MTC beckons. The Delta has been described as a world unto itself, seemingly part of a state, but more self-contained than the tiniest of island nations. Even northern Mississippi offers much to the imagination. In the span of a few highway exits, you can easily traverse suburbs ad hill country in a stretch of ten minutes.
--If you want to give back or be of service, teaching in the corps is perfect. If throughout your life, you have committed to helping others, then a two-year commitment is just what you need.
On the other hand…
--If you need to something to do for two years, avoid MTC. The lives and education of children are not hobbies or projects. Futures are at stake. Stay home.
--If you are still trying to figure it out. That is, you are or have been aimless for a while hence, MTC seems likes a good idea or good fit. You may really want to teach.
--If you only want a free degree, don’t bother. Service is still expected of you. And you still have to teach every day, even in the summer.
--If you want two years of simply taking it easy, do not apply. You will never work so hard in your life. Be prepared to give up sleep, friendships, and sometimes a personal life. Strange though it may be, your students and your job become your everything.
--If you don’t like children, it is obvious. Do not even approach the website. It has children on it.
--If you like suggesting how to do things the right way at inappropriate times, stay put. Your bosses at the school may implement things that are silly or even frightening. It is your job to smile and nod.
It is my firm belief that joining MTC will change lives for the teacher and the students.
--If you want to teach and are passionate about teaching. If you find yourself wanting to lead a classroom and shape young minds, you’ll want to join MTC.
-- Indeed, if you want to be challenged by the occasional hopelessness of public education, MTC is the right fit. You will realize that your own upbringing and public education were not as bad as you thought. I know I did. You will find it that the administrators do not always do or know what is best for the students or the district.
--If you can give up your normal life and existence and dedicate them to students who will resist your instruction but come to realize you are there everyday for them, MTC needs you.
--If you want to live in a different part of the country (assuming you are not from the South), MTC beckons. The Delta has been described as a world unto itself, seemingly part of a state, but more self-contained than the tiniest of island nations. Even northern Mississippi offers much to the imagination. In the span of a few highway exits, you can easily traverse suburbs ad hill country in a stretch of ten minutes.
--If you want to give back or be of service, teaching in the corps is perfect. If throughout your life, you have committed to helping others, then a two-year commitment is just what you need.
On the other hand…
--If you need to something to do for two years, avoid MTC. The lives and education of children are not hobbies or projects. Futures are at stake. Stay home.
--If you are still trying to figure it out. That is, you are or have been aimless for a while hence, MTC seems likes a good idea or good fit. You may really want to teach.
--If you only want a free degree, don’t bother. Service is still expected of you. And you still have to teach every day, even in the summer.
--If you want two years of simply taking it easy, do not apply. You will never work so hard in your life. Be prepared to give up sleep, friendships, and sometimes a personal life. Strange though it may be, your students and your job become your everything.
--If you don’t like children, it is obvious. Do not even approach the website. It has children on it.
--If you like suggesting how to do things the right way at inappropriate times, stay put. Your bosses at the school may implement things that are silly or even frightening. It is your job to smile and nod.
It is my firm belief that joining MTC will change lives for the teacher and the students.
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