I found this article posting on another blog from tumblr. I am just appalled and cannot imagine how the school thought this was appropriate.
U.S. News - School on defensive after telling parents their son is gay
http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/12/14/9447882-school-on-defensive-after-telling-parents-their-son-is-gay
“A school district in Utah is defending its decision to “out” a middle-school student as gay to his parents in light of safety and bullying concerns."
I dont understand why the school couldn't have voiced their concern about the child being bullied without disclosing to them that their son was gay. Isn't that a breach of privacy?! I understand that he was willing to share the news publicly at school, so perhaps his parents could have walked in at any time and found out that way. I am just missing the point of why the school needed to get involved in this private issue.
With all of that being said, you can't fault the school for trying to do the right thing and protect the safety of the child, however, the road to hell is paved with good intentions.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Knowing what you're in for
I read a blog by teachinglearning on tumblr. I thought it was a bit pessimistic at first and was slightly angry with this teacher for telling me that my high hopes of single-handedly turning around a failing CPS are more than out of my reach, but as I continued to read I realized he was being honest and giving me a warning- a head's up.
Teachinglearning talk about the kind of exhaustion you feel as a teacher and how it is unlike any other you have ever felt before. I was reminded of my semester of student in kindergarten. I was so tired and when I finally got to bed I would wake up frequently during the night from dreams about my students and the lessons I had prepared.
Teaching is draining, mentally, physically, and emotionally. I think that is important to consider as well as warn others wanting to become a teacher. It may look like all fun and games, but it's not. I hated coming home to my house mates in under grad because they would ask me things like "so how was playing all day?" or "do you get graded on how well you can color in the lines?" The lack of respect for teachers is terrible and can really wear on you. That is something else teachinglearning mentioned in his blog- the lack of respect and lack of appreciation.
I can't know exactly what I am in for when I start teaching- no teacher or future teacher can because schools, the classroom and the students change every year, but realizing that I am not super woman, that I am a human that will make mistakes, get tired, frustrated and angry is a step in the right direction toward being a good and prepared teacher. If I can be aware of some of the obstacles ahead of me then perhaps I can be better prepared for them.
Teachinglearning talk about the kind of exhaustion you feel as a teacher and how it is unlike any other you have ever felt before. I was reminded of my semester of student in kindergarten. I was so tired and when I finally got to bed I would wake up frequently during the night from dreams about my students and the lessons I had prepared.
Teaching is draining, mentally, physically, and emotionally. I think that is important to consider as well as warn others wanting to become a teacher. It may look like all fun and games, but it's not. I hated coming home to my house mates in under grad because they would ask me things like "so how was playing all day?" or "do you get graded on how well you can color in the lines?" The lack of respect for teachers is terrible and can really wear on you. That is something else teachinglearning mentioned in his blog- the lack of respect and lack of appreciation.
I can't know exactly what I am in for when I start teaching- no teacher or future teacher can because schools, the classroom and the students change every year, but realizing that I am not super woman, that I am a human that will make mistakes, get tired, frustrated and angry is a step in the right direction toward being a good and prepared teacher. If I can be aware of some of the obstacles ahead of me then perhaps I can be better prepared for them.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Top 10 obstacles facing middle level teachers
I wasn't surprised when several of my obstacles were also found on many of the other lists for teachers on the Advise for MLEs blog page. I was however proud that I had similar thoughts. Some of the things that I had in common with the other blog's list were concerns over teaching to the test/ the huge (and growing) emphasis on high standardized test scores. Time was another big one we shared. There is so much material out there and so little time to accurately cover it all. The third thing we both had in common was parents. There are some crazy crazy parents out there and it only takes one parent to "take down" a classroom.
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