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September 2007 - Posts

what do new teachers really need?

Posted Thursday, September 27, 2007 4:22 AM by jtspencer
A scene from last year: I sit in the Teacher Support Committee, drawing cartoons on the Staff Development Agenda. We first triy to focus on what new teachers need, because so many of our teachers are new. At our school, you are considered a veteran by Read More...
13 Comments

parents are the solution, not the enemy

Posted Tuesday, September 25, 2007 8:14 PM by jtspencer
I realize that there are awful parents out there. Horrible ones. They make the teacher's life a nightmare by playing the role of mini-attorney and best friend to their children. Others are abusive and destructive, whose actions should not even qualify Read More...
2 Comments

a lie that teachers tell

Posted Monday, September 24, 2007 7:37 PM by jtspencer
When I was a child, our school would parade around the hometown heroes to give their well-rehearsed "stay in school" speeches, rife with truisms and cliches, like "go out and give a hundred ten percent" and "you can be anything you want to be." I never Read More...
3 Comments

a place to ask questions

Posted Sunday, September 23, 2007 5:27 PM by jtspencer
My son is recovering well from his surgery. I'm not recovering as well. I didn't expect that going to a children's hospital would move me so much emotionally. I keep thinking of a four year old boy who was wearing a helmet, pushing a walker and falling Read More...
0 Comments

should teachers share their political views?

Posted Saturday, September 22, 2007 4:40 AM by jtspencer
Students often ask me what I believe about politics. Occasionally, it occurs during class. A kid might ask, "What do you think of the war in Iraq?" My answer is diplomatic, "War is always a tragedy, whether you support it or not. I support our troops Read More...
7 Comments

a random thought while in the hospital

Posted Thursday, September 20, 2007 8:21 PM by jtspencer
My son's surgery went well. His recovery should be smooth, but a little confusing for him, given his age (seven months old) When I walk into the hospital, it doesn't feel like a hospital. The colors are bright and vivid. Child-created artwork adorns the Read More...
3 Comments
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how do you blog when your son is having surgery?

Posted Thursday, September 20, 2007 5:07 AM by jtspencer
My seven month old son is having surgery. I can't take the thought of him being put to sleep, of a two hour operation, of his face being cut open. It's a simple procedure involving a slight cleft lip, some muscle structure and his jaw. Yet, if we don't Read More...
1 Comments
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planning to plan for planning - or why the system is OCD

Posted Wednesday, September 19, 2007 4:53 AM by jtspencer
I sit in the library at 7:30. School does not start for another hour, but those in "leadership" must attend this biweekly meeting. I use quotation marks because, if you could see me right now, I actually stopped talking for a moment to use the hand signal Read More...
3 Comments

letting students make decisions

Posted Saturday, September 15, 2007 5:58 AM by jtspencer
Twenty students claim their favorite seats within minutes of the lunch bell ringing. The skeptic in me initially assumes that it is a first week rush, a desire to get out of the one-hundred and ten degree heat. The students will find out that our Student Read More...
1 Comments

Is blogging just another fad?

Posted Tuesday, September 11, 2007 9:12 PM by jtspencer
Every few years, the educational community chooses a catchy new trend and markets it as the greatest method students will ever experience. When I was a child, the trend was writing in journals. As I grew older, it was graphic organizers. Later, Word Walls Read More...
2 Comments

here's your sign

Posted Monday, September 10, 2007 9:48 PM by jtspencer
This afternoon, as students are viewing images of World War II, we see a picture of a concentration camp. The class is austere, taking in the emotional impact of genocide. It's a serious lesson which will lead into a discussion of hatred, labelling, the Read More...
273 Comments

making a class website more interactive

Posted Friday, September 07, 2007 8:25 PM by jtspencer
When I first began teaching, I used the class website as a way to communicate with students. It was very teacher-oriented and I was proud of the work I had accomplished. When I realized that I wanted student involvement, I decided that I would allow them Read More...
4 Comments

Can learning be measured?

Posted Thursday, September 06, 2007 4:49 PM by jtspencer
Sitting in a staff meeting, I pull out the agenda and begin drawing cartoons. Instead of reading PowerPoint presentations, we work collaboratively (read "group think") on a school wide mission statement. "Make sure it is attainable, measurable and . . Read More...
4 Comments

I'm okay with being unprofessional

Posted Wednesday, September 05, 2007 4:36 AM by jtspencer
"Be professional" seems to be the mantra of nearly every administrator, educational professor and seminar speaker addressing the issue of school culture and climate. An entire industry exists to help schools transition into a Professional Learning Community. Read More...
8 Comments

online community(?)

Posted Tuesday, September 04, 2007 5:34 AM by jtspencer
Yesterday I wrote a blog where I vented. To my surprise, fellow teachers offered positive feedback and encouraging words. I think that's a sign that it is slowly emerging as an online community for teachers. I'm not sure what to think of this. I feel Read More...
3 Comments

Is it best to be a so-so teacher?

Posted Monday, September 03, 2007 4:07 AM by jtspencer
Much of what people call "office politics" is simply relational conflict. For example, a principal might ignore the input of a teacher, who gets her feelings hurt and, in turn, retaliates with gossip and slander. Or a faction of teachers, with the best Read More...
5 Comments
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