Thursday, June 30, 2011
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
Friday, June 24, 2011
Adults Squabble-Kids Lose Over Dollars & "No Cents"
http://www.chicagonewscoop.org/school-board-approves-record-salaries-for-cps-leaders/
While the City Officials, CPS Administrators and Teachers squabble over dollars, it is clear they have no "cents". Can't they see that it is still the kids who lose?
If I was yet a CPS contracted teacher, I would gladly take a 1 year pay freeze if necessary for my students, school and district. But let's be honest- the 712 million dollar deficit is not the fault of the teacher's and their modest salaries. And if the deficit was really the center issue, Rahm's new board wouldn't be approving record salaries for the CEO and other leaders.
It's not about balancing the budget for the kids. It's about the City Officials/School board battling it out with the Teachers and Union- making a statement- a slap in the face to them really. This charade will likely muster up the support and grounds for the first CPS teacher strike in over 20 years. And then again, IT WOULD BE THE KIDS WHO LOSE! Who would miss out on valuable instruction time. Who would be caught in the middle, defenseless and without a voice. Who would still be in an under-performing district that is millions on debt, and now with distressed and angry teachers.
This key point from the attached article states, "Brizard will be the first CPS CEO with a performance-based contract. However, the bonuses, worth up to 15 percent of his salary, will be awarded at the Board’s discretion, rather than having an explicit connection to the goals outlined". If the bonuses are awarded at Rahm's Board's discretion, and not based on quantifiable gains or qualify-able goals, then they really aren't performance based are they?
Regardless if the CPS Leaders "deserve" the competitive salaries ("NOT pay raises") they shouldn't come at a time when CPS is millions in the hole and denying teachers their contracted raises because of said budget deficit.
Rahm has a lot of good ideas and policy changes for CPS, but this just turned most against his education reform plans. I'm all for longer school days and balancing the budget, but not at the expense of the teachers. You can't fight fire with fire. In the end, everyone loses, most importantly the kids, and it makes no "cents".
While the City Officials, CPS Administrators and Teachers squabble over dollars, it is clear they have no "cents". Can't they see that it is still the kids who lose?
If I was yet a CPS contracted teacher, I would gladly take a 1 year pay freeze if necessary for my students, school and district. But let's be honest- the 712 million dollar deficit is not the fault of the teacher's and their modest salaries. And if the deficit was really the center issue, Rahm's new board wouldn't be approving record salaries for the CEO and other leaders.
It's not about balancing the budget for the kids. It's about the City Officials/School board battling it out with the Teachers and Union- making a statement- a slap in the face to them really. This charade will likely muster up the support and grounds for the first CPS teacher strike in over 20 years. And then again, IT WOULD BE THE KIDS WHO LOSE! Who would miss out on valuable instruction time. Who would be caught in the middle, defenseless and without a voice. Who would still be in an under-performing district that is millions on debt, and now with distressed and angry teachers.
This key point from the attached article states, "Brizard will be the first CPS CEO with a performance-based contract. However, the bonuses, worth up to 15 percent of his salary, will be awarded at the Board’s discretion, rather than having an explicit connection to the goals outlined". If the bonuses are awarded at Rahm's Board's discretion, and not based on quantifiable gains or qualify-able goals, then they really aren't performance based are they?
Regardless if the CPS Leaders "deserve" the competitive salaries ("NOT pay raises") they shouldn't come at a time when CPS is millions in the hole and denying teachers their contracted raises because of said budget deficit.
Rahm has a lot of good ideas and policy changes for CPS, but this just turned most against his education reform plans. I'm all for longer school days and balancing the budget, but not at the expense of the teachers. You can't fight fire with fire. In the end, everyone loses, most importantly the kids, and it makes no "cents".
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
My New and Ever-Changing Teaching Philosophy
“You can teach a student a lesson for a day; but if you can teach him to learn by creating curiosity, he will continue the learning process as long as he lives” - Clay P. Bedford
My teaching philosophy is based on my belief that all students can learn, because all students deserve an equal opportunity to succeed in school and life. Teachers should feel personally responsible for their students' success, because as the turnaround model proves, effective instruction makes the biggest impact on struggling students and schools. There is a simple formula to ensure that all students do learn, and it consists of having high expectations, a high level of shared accountability, and a student-centered environment in which to thrive.
Having high expectations for all students ensures that there is a standard of excellence as well as continual improvement. As a teacher I will expect all students to excel and be on the path to college because if I believe it they will too.
There must be a high level of shared accountability between teachers, students, administrators and families. All are a crucial piece in the puzzle that is the success of each child, and we all must hold ourselves accountable to surpass expectations and fulfill the responsibilities of our role. Missing accountability in even just one piece will hinder the path to excellence for our students.
Children thrive in a student-centered environment where they can develop the intrinsic motivation and higher order thinking skills necessary to be successful in our modern society. A student centered environment will allow for a community of learners to cooperate and learn together.
Teachers play an invaluable role in the lives of students and should not take that responsibility lightly.
My teaching philosophy is based on my belief that all students can learn, because all students deserve an equal opportunity to succeed in school and life. Teachers should feel personally responsible for their students' success, because as the turnaround model proves, effective instruction makes the biggest impact on struggling students and schools. There is a simple formula to ensure that all students do learn, and it consists of having high expectations, a high level of shared accountability, and a student-centered environment in which to thrive.
Having high expectations for all students ensures that there is a standard of excellence as well as continual improvement. As a teacher I will expect all students to excel and be on the path to college because if I believe it they will too.
There must be a high level of shared accountability between teachers, students, administrators and families. All are a crucial piece in the puzzle that is the success of each child, and we all must hold ourselves accountable to surpass expectations and fulfill the responsibilities of our role. Missing accountability in even just one piece will hinder the path to excellence for our students.
Children thrive in a student-centered environment where they can develop the intrinsic motivation and higher order thinking skills necessary to be successful in our modern society. A student centered environment will allow for a community of learners to cooperate and learn together.
Teachers play an invaluable role in the lives of students and should not take that responsibility lightly.
Friday, June 17, 2011
First Day of Blogging
My name is Nicole and I would like to become technologically literate.
This will start with blogging.
This will start with blogging.
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