Submitted by Julie Lay (not verified) on September 23, 2007 - 08:39.
As an educator of twenty-too many years, I agree with your posting of how things have changed and what you've had to learn--and nothing really changes. My teaching experience covers grades K-8, special education, Title 1 reading, literacy support/coaching, national presenter for teaching writing, and earning my National Board Certification in Literacy. During this season of my life, I'm finally getting my masters degree with only 4 more years before retirement! Call me crazy...
Currently I'm teaching kindergarten---talk about change or no change! No change has been that we still only teach our kids in a 2 1/2 hour day five days a week. Change has been that now I teach [what used to be] a first grade curriculum in kindergarten. These children should be reading by the end of kindergarten--what used to be considered a first grade requirement. These children should [instead] be exploring the world around them, learning social skills and learning through 'play.' "Play" is a young child's work!
In my state, kindergarten is funded seeing each child as .5 student! This seems odd as I teach a 'whole' child the 'whole' curriculum--I don't teach 1/2 a student each! I keep fighting the good fight, but I'm so tired of the 'policy makers' telling us what to do and when to do it, then only giving us 2 1/2 hours to teach a 6 hour curriculum.
There are many good teachers out there trying to do the same thing in so many different circumstances, but with the same challenges. I agree, school reform is not an ugly or bad word, but where is the reform and by whom is it making the reform meaningful and age-appropriate? I also agree the 'blog' is a great idea to let our voices be heard...but by whom?
Reform & Innovation
Submitted by Julie Lay (not verified) on September 23, 2007 - 08:39.
As an educator of twenty-too many years, I agree with your posting of how things have changed and what you've had to learn--and nothing really changes. My teaching experience covers grades K-8, special education, Title 1 reading, literacy support/coaching, national presenter for teaching writing, and earning my National Board Certification in Literacy. During this season of my life, I'm finally getting my masters degree with only 4 more years before retirement! Call me crazy...
Currently I'm teaching kindergarten---talk about change or no change! No change has been that we still only teach our kids in a 2 1/2 hour day five days a week. Change has been that now I teach [what used to be] a first grade curriculum in kindergarten. These children should be reading by the end of kindergarten--what used to be considered a first grade requirement. These children should [instead] be exploring the world around them, learning social skills and learning through 'play.' "Play" is a young child's work!
In my state, kindergarten is funded seeing each child as .5 student! This seems odd as I teach a 'whole' child the 'whole' curriculum--I don't teach 1/2 a student each! I keep fighting the good fight, but I'm so tired of the 'policy makers' telling us what to do and when to do it, then only giving us 2 1/2 hours to teach a 6 hour curriculum.
There are many good teachers out there trying to do the same thing in so many different circumstances, but with the same challenges. I agree, school reform is not an ugly or bad word, but where is the reform and by whom is it making the reform meaningful and age-appropriate? I also agree the 'blog' is a great idea to let our voices be heard...but by whom?