Education / Teaching thread

[Swamprat]

Going from a D to an A school will help to some degree, but there's no escaping some of issues in education, which I'm sure she likely already knows. But if the change in schools can help, that's a definite plus!

This afternoon my wife left her 4th grade school for the last time. A new chapter was overdue. This Fall she’ll sub at the ~7 elem schools within a few minutes of home and will determine which of them she would like to join and then go from there…

To keep going as-is was unsustainable and I’m really hoping this significant change will help make her happier.

 

[gboudx]

My wife is transferring from the Title 1 school where she has been teaching for 3 years. She got an offer soon after the transfer became known to other teachers and principals. She’s going to the school she had hoped from the beginning. She‘ll have to deal with helicopter parents and bored stay-at-home moms more now, but will have supportive admin. She’ll stay teaching ELAR, and move back to 4th grade. She’s been very excited to say the least. Oh, and the school is 5 mins away rather than 25.

 

[gboudx]

Bumping this thread in case anyone wants to discuss with the new school year starting soon. My wife starts back on Aug 2, students on the 15th. She met her new principal today and was told they're short teachers, so they need to move some around with larger class sizes. Her grade, 4th, was going to have 4 teachers, but will now have 3. The ISD is short 20 teachers and a couple vice principals. It sounds like it was confirmed what was predicted in the Spring, that there would be a large exodus from public education.

And in "this is effed up" news, the starting salaries for new teachers were increased. My wife got a 3% salary increase which brings her salary closer, but not at the same level of new teachers. So the new teacher going to 3rd grade, fresh out of college, will make about $1500 more than my wife who has 4 years of teaching experience. Seems fair right.

 

[Sun Wukong]

I'm starting at a new school this year. Moving from middle to high school. Getting a substantial pay bump. I'm hoping for the best but we'll see.

 

[bonnjer]

Bumping this thread in case anyone wants to discuss with the new school year starting soon. My wife starts back on Aug 2, students on the 15th. She met her new principal today and was told they're short teachers, so they need to move some around with larger class sizes. Her grade, 4th, was going to have 4 teachers, but will now have 3. The ISD is short 20 teachers and a couple vice principals. It sounds like it was confirmed what was predicted in the Spring, that there would be a large exodus from public education.

And in "this is effed up" news, the starting salaries for new teachers were increased. My wife got a 3% salary increase which brings her salary closer, but not at the same level of new teachers. So the new teacher going to 3rd grade, fresh out of college, will make about $1500 more than my wife who has 4 years of teaching experience. Seems fair right.

We start back on the 2nd, as well. Students back on the 4th. Our parish is short teachers, which is nothing unusual. What is telling, though, is the large parish next door that pays thousands more was short 75+ teachers. I was somewhat shocked by that, considering their pay. They even made it so that anyone with a degree (ANY degree) can teach. More and more places are doing something similar and basically tossing a warm body in the classroom. The exodus has definitely started and it's only going to get worse. Couple that fewer people majoring in education and things aren't looking so good.

 

[guidomerkinsrules]

And for some state legislatures these are features not bugs

 

[bonnjer]

I've been teaching for 24 years now and today is about the closest I've come to walking out and going home. We have to give these benchmark tests every 4.5 weeks, so this is the second one for the school year. This is for high school, state tested subjects. These kids are already burnt out on testing, but yet we pile on more. I have enough experience to know what my students traditionally struggle with. Even this early in the year, I can pretty much tell you what each kid will score on their end of year LEAP test for me. But because education has become an increasingly money-hungry monster, our district had to spend money on a benchmark testing company. Nevermind that the kids are burnt out already. Nevermind that this testing company is not aligned with Louisiana standardized tests and the questions being asked are not similar to what they'll see (meaning, these questions are quite a bit more difficult). Nope, disregard all of that. I have to give these and waste class time on data that I REFUSE to look at because it is invalid. I'm not one to complain to my principal, but I wrote an email to him, the assistant, and the instructional coach letting them know that I was seriously considering just not giving the next benchmark. He said that I was required to, which, by the time I calmed down a bit later, I understand is what he has to say. So when the next ones roll around, I'll be giving them, but they'll be on my terms and I'm going to let the students know not to bother trying. Put whatever, you've got 10 minutes, go. There I gave them. Now, I'm going back to doing my actual job of teaching.

 

[guidomerkinsrules]

I've been teaching for 24 years now and today is about the closest I've come to walking out and going home. We have to give these benchmark tests every 4.5 weeks, so this is the second one for the school year. This is for high school, state tested subjects. These kids are already burnt out on testing, but yet we pile on more. I have enough experience to know what my students traditionally struggle with. Even this early in the year, I can pretty much tell you what each kid will score on their end of year LEAP test for me. But because education has become an increasingly money-hungry monster, our district had to spend money on a benchmark testing company. Nevermind that the kids are burnt out already. Nevermind that this testing company is not aligned with Louisiana standardized tests and the questions being asked are not similar to what they'll see (meaning, these questions are quite a bit more difficult). Nope, disregard all of that. I have to give these and waste class time on data that I REFUSE to look at because it is invalid. I'm not one to complain to my principal, but I wrote an email to him, the assistant, and the instructional coach letting them know that I was seriously considering just not giving the next benchmark. He said that I was required to, which, by the time I calmed down a bit later, I understand is what he has to say. So when the next ones roll around, I'll be giving them, but they'll be on my terms and I'm going to let the students know not to bother trying. Put whatever, you've got 10 minutes, go. There I gave them. Now, I'm going back to doing my actual job of teaching.

Cool
Make it a race
Top 5 kids who can bubble all rows with non consecutive letters fastest gets Hersheys kisses

 

[buzd]

Cool
Make it a race
Top 5 kids who can bubble all rows with non consecutive letters fastest gets Hersheys kisses

It should be an art contest.

 

[bonnjer]

Cool
Make it a race
Top 5 kids who can bubble all rows with non consecutive letters fastest gets Hersheys kisses

That would make it fun, if we still gave tests on paper scantrons. No, no, all this is chromebooks through the testing company's app. These kids wouldn't know what to do with a scantron. LOL

 

[efil4stnias]

That would make it fun, if we still gave tests on paper scantrons. No, no, all this is chromebooks through the testing company's app. These kids wouldn't know what to do with a scantron. LOL

A
B
B
A

Or

A
C
D
C

Depends on teacher I found

 

[Goatman Saint]

Longest answer

 

[Goatman Saint]

Well half a year done in middle school it’s been interesting. Man I wish I could give a shout out to my principal and vice principal. These guys have been so amazing Turing around this school. Having a blast

 

[bonnjer]

This week has been excruciatingly long. Kicked it off with the storm system from hell, benchmark testing (forking waste of time) all week, and right before Christmas / end of semester so they're extra wild. Two more days next week and I pray for high absentee rates both days.