Observations

As many educators in Tennessee are aware, the new observation method- TAP- has caused many to question their professional decisions. Yesterday I read an article in which legislatures are reconsidering the benefit the new observation model has on schools. Although observations need to occur, the time a teacher has throughout the day to be a human adds to the stress the model is creating.


Recently I found myself recalling my student teaching experience in New Zealand in which the teachers received an hour and a half of unstructured adult time. Thirty minutes in the morning are set aside for the teachers to socialize together during morning tea, while an hour is given for lunch. Oh, how I long for the socialization and non-structured time.


Of course the observation model has areas that need to be addressed. For example, not every administrator is addressing the "unannounced" observations the same. Some teachers are told when the observations will take place, while others are completely shocked when others enter their room. Another thing that I do not think is taken into consideration is the extra responsibilities teachers are asked to take on. Although I have gotten better at telling an administrator "no" when asked to take on something, there are still times when I say "I don't think so" and somehow I am still wrangled in to doing it. Often times that means my classes are interrupted by communication from the office, people coming in my classroom, and expectations or deadlines that have to be met and yet my planning period is not long enough to meet them.


Don't misunderstand me- I enjoy the idea of administrators being in my room more often; personally, they aren't in my room enough. However, I think there are other things in the American educational systems that need to be looked at first in order to retain good and even great teachers.

Professional Development

This fall the way things are done on the state level, in regards to professional development, will be changing.  Not knowing how it will be changing, I'm unsure how I will complete my professional development hours this summer.  I wish they took my graduate level coursework as professional development hours like Georgia does, then my school year wouldn't be so stressful. 


If I find out what is changing, I'll let you know, as soon as I know something!  ;)

Summertime

It is finally that time of year that most teachers look forward to- summer!  Normally I look forward to the empty scheduled days as well; however, something is different this summer and I think I finally figured out what it is.


Without knowing all of the changes that are ahead for teachers in Tennessee, in regards to the First to the Top and observation changes, and especially in the county where I work, where we are getting a new superintendent and head of instruction, this summer I feel as though I'm sitting on the back of my heals waiting for all the changes.  Normally, people would enjoy the down time, but that is not who I am.  I am a go-getter that is constantly moving and doing, so this down time is killing me.  I guess on the bright side of things I have at least had a chance to catch up with my ancestry research!

Blogging at Last

Although I have often been known as the "tech-savvy" teacher in the schools I have found myself privileged to work, I have rarely felt the need to blog.  However, this summer a friend of mine, well, quite a few friends actually, began blogging.  When I find myself with time to surf- in between my frequent Facebook and email log ins- I have actually really enjoyed reading about the things that they find relevant in their lives.  With education constantly changing, I thought that blogging would be a great way for me to focus on the positive changes that are taking place, instead of the negative.  As with all change, things often seem worse when they are first introduced than when they are actually implemented.  Currently educating the lives of seventh grade students at my present location, I know that public schools in Tennessee are about to undergo more change in one year than they have seen in ten all together,  thanks to the Raise to the Top funds we are receiving from Obama's colleagues in Washington...and I can't wait. 

Well, I hope people will check back often and leave messages on their thoughts and any knowledge they may want to share so that this can be more interactive than the website I maintain with my students!  Happy Educating!!!