Union Faux Pas

The last election in Ontario produced some teacher's union recommendations that bordered on scare mongering. One party was clearly favoured in the union's review of candidates in our region. But it went further. The alternative vote was deemed dangerous for teachers and tantamount to a serious work load increase and poor working conditions. It was not clear where the data was for these claims.
I take exception to teachers instructing other teachers to vote for a certain candidate "or else"....What if a teacher wants to vote for a candidate for other reasons besides working conditions for teachers, like care for the environment, job opportunities for the majority of citizens, responsible government, tax relief, etc? Some may want to vote for a certain party that all things considered, including teachers' concerns, represents best justice for all. Voting over a single issue seems short-sighted to me, and furthermore, I find these directives insulting to my good judgment as a thoughtful citizen. Let's put it this way: should the union be right in its conclusions, let the teachers use their own intelligence and good judgment and they will come to the same conclusion! No need to suppose we don't know how to vote in an informed and responsible way. 

Response to November 18, 2010 Thank you Beatrice Policelli

She Was Crying Outside My Office Door

2011 Beatrice Policelli

Her father being a college professor should have first hand experience and knowledge to know that all students have different styles and levels of learning and understanding. It seems that her father has very high expectations of his daughter but has he ever stopped to really see how hard she is actually working? When he talks to Charlotte is he really being present in their discussions? According to Buber’s theory being truly engaged and present as a teacher one needs to fully dialogue with the students, by really listening and observing them. If he is not able to be “present” with his own children, and parents are the # 1 teachers in children’s lives, how is he being an effective teacher in the classroom? The fact that she has a steady 75 % average and that her teachers see her working hard and dedicating herself to her work leads me to believe that her father is not in tuned with her schooling at all. Charlotte could be just struggling with this one particular unit, but has he asked her how she is doing and if she needs any help? Yes Charlotte is at fault in that she should have asked for help before hand, as this would have demonstrated her being proactive, and not just scrambling an hour before the test. It seems to me that she is so afraid of disappointing her father that it is effecting her study habits and that no matter how well she performs it’s not good enough for her college professor father who needs to be more in tuned with his own children.

Response to

Choosing between Groups of Students

As department head I was invited by the principal to attend junior commencement. The event took place on Wednesday afternoon in the gym. I arranged to have my classes covered through our "on call" system where teachers who cannot be in class get a colleague to cover their class in the cafeteria area designated as the study hall. This is arranged through the office and is common practice.
Five of my students were being honoured with awards that afternoon. The rest of my group was in study hall doing seat work under the supervision of the designated on call teacher. As I sat on stage, after having presented the award for my subject area, I began to feel strangely uncomfortable. Though I was pleased to be present to honour the five top acheivers of my class, what about the rest of my students who are not as successful and who are not receiving the benefit of meaningful teaching as they sit in the study hall?
I felt compelled to discreetly exit the stage (as other colleagues had done) so I could spend the time with the students who most needed assistance with their learning, but finally decided it would not be fair not to be fully present and engaged in the ceremony (the principal was on the stage a few chairs away from my seat).
Did I make the right decision?

A response to September 12th, 2011 -Thank you Rosie

Blog Response: A Teacher’s Bad Dream:

I can relate.  I too find that the stresses in my everyday life often times play out in my dreams.  The latest is one, which I haven’t had since University.  In it, I am a high school student again, taking an exam for which I do not know the answers.  The intense feeling of anxiety is sometimes so great that I often wake up out of breath.

In my case, I believe that my fear of becoming a new teacher and all it’s uncertainties has taken over my subconscious.  Consciously, I am aware that I am capable enough to learn the skill of teaching.  I believe that with practice, I will be an effective teacher.  If I didn’t think so, I wouldn’t be here.  However, I believe that my fear of not being competent enough or knowledgeable enough is at the forefront of my subconscious thoughts.

Having reflected on it numerous times, I have concluded that there is a positive side to my otherwise unpleasant and unwanted recurring dream.  It is that having the dream keeps me focused on my goal.   It motivates me to stay on top of things, manage my time, and ensure that I am prepared.  That anxiety and fear that I experience in my dreams is a constant reminder of what can happen if I do not strive to do my best.  In other words, it keeps me on my toes. 

Response to

When Caring is Hard

The other day I received a call while I was teaching from the office: "Please go to Room 143 at 1:20 and assist in the Associated classroom area. They need extra support".
I opened the door and nearly tripped over a book case. Another teacher was between the door and the book case observing a tall special needs student throw things all over the floor from the book shelves, desks, counter tops....He wasn't visibly emotionally upset, but the teachers had learned from experience not to try to stop him. Some of the ladies had been struck in the face. Two teachers were wearing jackets with shoulder and breast pads just in case....
The matter is being assessed by Board of Education staff, the school administration, the Special Education Head of department in consultation with the parents. Currently the matter is being discussed in terms of solutions for the safety of other students and staff and the education opportunity for this young man.
Sometimes care seems elusive in the classroom when behaviours are out of control. The flailing student does have a right to be in school, but how do we care for him and ensure the safety of others at the same time?