proud2BlibKansan (1000+ posts) Fri Dec-10-10 08:22 PM
Original message
Demoralized
I think I pay attention and know what's up but every once in awhile I get a surprise. This week, I found out that in the state where I teach, you can take a test and become a teacher. All you need is a college degree. It could be in basket weaving (and as a child of the 60s I do believe there are colleges out there that offer degrees in basket weaving - if there are not, please don't destroy my illusion ).
Anyhow, we have a new employee in our school. She was hired as a para but is a recently certified new teacher. She applied for a teaching position but there is a hiring freeze for teachers so she was hired as a para. She has decided that my job looks easy and so she is taking a test in January and if she passes, she too can be a sped teacher.
So my masters degree means nothing other than a few dollars more in my paycheck. I'm thinking of burning my thesis this weekend. When I think that I spent an entire summer working on that masterpiece, which was mandated for the degree I was seeking, which was also mandated for me to be certified in sped . . . .
Next week I will be evaluated for the 4th time in 3 years. I get to put on a dog and pony show while my principal sits and watches and takes notes. One of the components of our new evaluation (another new form - woopee!) is use of technology. I have 3 computers that work sort of, one that doesn't work at all, an overhead that is not worth turning on, and a tape recorder. Oh and a few Leap Pads. I'm thinking of deliberately NOT using any technology and failing that portion of the evaluation just to make a statement. Because seriously, my score on this evaluation is meaningless to me. Regardless of the number on the paper, I will still show up every morning, feed breakfast to the kids who have to pay and don't have the money, teach for a few hours, feed lunch to the kids who can't afford to pay, read a chapter of a good book to the class, teach for a few more hours, stay after school to work on paperwork and then go home. Next day, repeat. I won't do any of these things with any more or less effort because someone comes in and watches me teach a lesson and then gives me a magic number rating.
The number on my evaluation is meaningless to me. Besides, now that I know that anyone with a degree can take a test and do my job, what's the point?
Not long ago, Diane Ravitch said you can't reform education by demoralizing the very people who will be doing the work necessary to enact the reforms.
Well guess what? I'm demoralized.
There's some stretching here, as usual.
That's a problem with the Die alte Sau, the dysmenopausal Kansas school teacher, as her female organs below the waist seem stretched too.
The laws of Nebraska and Missouri are of course different, but I don't imagine they're that different.
In Nebraska, anyone with a four-year college degree (B.A. or B.S.) in any subject can teach in an elementary or high school.....but only as a substitute teacher, or a short-term temporary. One cannot become a professional permanent teacher without the prerequisite college credits in education.
And thus no fat pension either.
This is how the Bostonian Drunkard, with a B.A. in "literature," managed to work as a substitute teacher in Massachusetts. Substitute.
I don't imagine it's much different down there in Missouri.
Is she upset that Nadin is putting up a darn good fight for Top Primitive?
My brother and I looked into doing substitute teaching a couple of years back. I believe all that is required in MO is 60 credit hours at an accredited school. There may be a certificate, or some other slip of paper, but that is basically all there is to it.
During the Democrat National Convention of 2008, it was the Die alte Sau who alleged Cindy Sheehan's hotel room was being bugged by the FBI.
It read as if something out of a 1960s sit-com, "Get Smart" or whatever it was, the FBI using 1960s technology to wire a telephone in 2008.
It was hilarious.
And she's in charge of teaching the future generations?
I thought she taught Jr High...WTF is she feedin the kidlets for?
My 25-year-old son graduated from college in 2009 with a degree in mass communications and after pursuing a job in broadcasting and there being no jobs realized he would rather teach and coach basketball in high school.
Because he had a degree, he was able to enroll in a program here in Texas called "I Teach Texas" and took several online courses to obtain a probationary teaching license. He also had to take and pass in-person tests to be certified to teach English and History (he says they were difficult). He was then able to apply for jobs teaching in any high school in Texas. Fortunately he found a job in a crappy little town in East Texas where he's completing his one year of field experience. Upon successful completion of that, he will be eligible to receive his full teaching license. He's paid a full salary with full benefits. The cost of this program is about $3500.00.
He's having a blast. He coaches the boys basketball team and teaches English to some rather challenging students (it's a very poor school district) but he is thriving and is really glad he decided to pursue teaching. The State of Texas began this program to allow adults with a college degree with life and business experience to enter teaching.
I couldn't be prouder of him.
But it's rather, uh, deceitful of the Die alte Sau to suggest that this "teacher" in Missouri with fewer qualifications than what she has, is going to enjoy the same generous pay, magnanimous benefits, and job-protecting seniority that the Die alte Sau does.
big gobs of knowledge and learning would be flying in every direction, puddling all over the floor, and oozing out from under the door:rotf: :lmao:
My 25-year-old son graduated from college in 2009 with a degree in mass communications and after pursuing a job in broadcasting and there being no jobs realized he would rather teach and coach basketball in high school.
Because he had a degree, he was able to enroll in a program here in Texas called "I Teach Texas" and took several online courses to obtain a probationary teaching license. He also had to take and pass in-person tests to be certified to teach English and History (he says they were difficult). He was then able to apply for jobs teaching in any high school in Texas. Fortunately he found a job in a crappy little town in East Texas where he's completing his one year of field experience. Upon successful completion of that, he will be eligible to receive his full teaching license. He's paid a full salary with full benefits. The cost of this program is about $3500.00.
He's having a blast. He coaches the boys basketball team and teaches English to some rather challenging students (it's a very poor school district) but he is thriving and is really glad he decided to pursue teaching. The State of Texas began this program to allow adults with a college degree with life and business experience to enter teaching.
I couldn't be prouder of him.
I'd like to see a "teach-off", pitting DUmmy proud2Bdumb against DUmmy Pam Dawson. I'll bet big gobs of knowledge and learning would be flying in every direction, puddling all over the floor, and oozing out from under the door. That's a pair of dedicated educators. People like them make the public school system what it is.
During the Democrat National Convention of 2008, it was the Die alte Sau who alleged Cindy Sheehan's hotel room was being bugged by the FBI.
It read as if something out of a 1960s sit-com, "Get Smart" or whatever it was, the FBI using 1960s technology to wire a telephone in 2008.
It was hilarious.
Kansas ranks low in policies on teacher qualityhttp://wichitaliberty.org/wichita-kansas-schools/kansas-ranks-low-in-policies-on-teacher-quality/
by Bob Weeks on December 10, 2010
States are the primary drivers of teacher policy, said Sandi Jacobs, and the states, particularly Kansas, are not doing a good job promoting teacher quality.
Kansas did not make it past the first round of Race to the Top evaluations.
The NCTQ gives an average grade of “D†to the states for their policies regarding teachers. Kansas is below average, earning a grade of “D-.â€
Kansas requires multiple evaluations for new teachers, which Jacobs said is a wise policy, even though the evaluation process may not be meaningful. For teacher who have gained tenure, they are evaluated once a year in their first two years after gaining tenure. After that, evaluations are required once every three years.The policy area in which Kansas scored lowest was in exiting, or firing, ineffective teachers. Kansas labor law has special language just for teachers, and this language makes it very difficult to dismiss ineffective teachers.
Kansas is also weak in alternate certification, a process where people may become teachers without going through the traditional route through the education colleges. Kansas schools may hire such teachers only if they certify that no traditionally-prepared teacher is available. Jacobs said that research shows that alternatively-certified teachers perform well. There is strong consensus of evidence that advanced degrees do not make teachers any more effective in the classroom.
Annie, maybe there's a reason you are evaluated "4 times in 3 years"- you suck at teaching.
http://wichitaliberty.org/wichita-kansas-schools/kansas-ranks-low-in-policies-on-teacher-quality/
Annie, maybe there's a reason you are evaluated "4 times in 3 years"- you suck!
Kansas ranks low in policies on teacher quality
by Bob Weeks on December 10, 2010
States are the primary drivers of teacher policy, said Sandi Jacobs, and the states, particularly Kansas, are not doing a good job promoting teacher quality.
Kansas did not make it past the first round of Race to the Top evaluations.
The NCTQ gives an average grade of “D†to the states for their policies regarding teachers. Kansas is below average, earning a grade of “D-.â€
Kansas requires multiple evaluations for new teachers, which Jacobs said is a wise policy, even though the evaluation process may not be meaningful. For teacher who have gained tenure, they are evaluated once a year in their first two years after gaining tenure. After that, evaluations are required once every three years.The policy area in which Kansas scored lowest was in exiting, or firing, ineffective teachers. Kansas labor law has special language just for teachers, and this language makes it very difficult to dismiss ineffective teachers.
Kansas is also weak in alternate certification, a process where people may become teachers without going through the traditional route through the education colleges. Kansas schools may hire such teachers only if they certify that no traditionally-prepared teacher is available. Jacobs said that research shows that alternatively-certified teachers perform well. There is strong consensus of evidence that advanced degrees do not make teachers any more effective in the classroom.[/quote
I have to say, I found this kind of surprising. Even in Baltimore City (which is arguably one of the worst school systems in our country) teachers are evaluated yearly. It may have just been at my particular school, but even the tenured teachers had to put on the dog-and-pony show yearly.
I think our DUmmie friend is leaving out some key elements in her story-most places have a transition to teaching program, similar to what Trav was talking about his son doing. If the 'villain' in this story is already a para-educator, she most likely is only a few credits shy of having a certificate in special ed, and no doubt that the school system is helping her to get those credits. She will have to take the Praxis tests to get fully certified, but it's not so simple as taking a test and magically being certified.
Annie, maybe there's a reason you are evaluated "4 times in 3 years"- you suck at teaching.
http://wichitaliberty.org/wichita-kansas-schools/kansas-ranks-low-in-policies-on-teacher-quality/
Annie, maybe there's a reason you are evaluated "4 times in 3 years"- you suck!
But how does Missouri rank?
Remember, the Die alte Sau lives in Kansas, but teaches in Missouri (Kansas City, Missouri).
Ahem ....
:argh:
You should clarify. A 'Crappy little town in East Texas' is equivalent to a major metropolitan area in any other state.
One of the 'Crappy Little Towns' around here is going to the State Play Offs for 3a in football. We will be playing in Dallas Cowboy Stadium next Friday. Just got home from the Semi-Final game.
KC
But how does Missouri rank?That's right. Education in Missouri is screwed up by DUmmy proud2Bdumb. Kansas is dragged down by the chromosomally-challenged DUmmy Pam Dawson.
Remember, the Die alte Sau lives in Kansas, but teaches in Missouri (Kansas City, Missouri).
http://teachersunionexposed.com/state.cfm?state=MO (http://)
http://www.nctq.org/stpy09/ (http://www.nctq.org/stpy09/)
(http://e.deviantart.net/emoticons/p/pointandlaugh.gif)Yeah Annie, you still suck!
I hope that woman gets to take her job.
I'm sorry Texacon - I should not refer to the town where he teaches as a "crappy little town." I'll just say unique. He lives in a different town than where he teaches. His school is so small they don't even have a football team - they are totally into basketball. He teaches in Dallardsville and lives in Livingston (who does have a football team).
We live near Austin and it was kind of a culture shock to help them move to Livingston. I'm really sorry if I offended you.
My son loves that Texas high school football. He graduated from Stony Point HS in Round Rock which is still in the playoffs for 5A in Texas. I'll have to check and see if they played last night or today but they are a great football team. When he first started at Stony Point in 2001 their football team was horrible.
One learns from reading the DUmp that ALL towns in Texas, except the Peoples' Republic of Austin, are crappy. Red State Hell.
proud2BlibKansan Donating Member (1000+ posts) Fri Dec-10-10 08:38 PMThe primitive finds ways to give herself a pat on the back. ::) ::)
Response to Reply #4
7. Thank you. That's very nice of you. I thought about discouraging this woman but just didn't have the nerve. She'll find out soon enough that it really isn't an easy job. And to quote my para (who is wonderful and I wouldn't want to do my job without her) the reason it looks easy is because I am good at my job.
I know that sounds arrogant but I don't get many props these days so I give them to myself. :)
Heh. I should have put a :-) on there. You didn't upset me. There ARE a lot of really small towns/districts around here. Heck, I live in one of the poorest counties in all of Texas. Some of the stuff around here is sad to say the least.
Don't worry about it. We all throw rocks at Austin!
:lmao:
KC
I wish Tucker were here.
He's our house expert on the Die alte Sau.
Front and center.
Proud2be teaches special ed at the elementary level at two different schools. She teaches at one school in the AM, drives to another school for the PM lessons.
She has enough time to retire but won't because of her co pay for continued health benefits.
I was perusing the classifieds here in NY, and it appeared to me that even for substitutes and aides, you had to have a certification and degree in education (correct me if I'm wrong, other NYers). Masters is required for almost anything else. How they can get anybody with these requirements to fill these positions in the vast arctic tundra of the North Country is beyond me. People don't get Masters around here; they learn tree removal and heating systems. If I were Queen, I would simply require decent civilized people with common sense and some good knowledge of life to hire for these.
Those education degrees are crap; I majored in it for 2 years. Nothing but hot air and bullshit.
I can say this even when we had teachers here that were left leaning or full blown Dems when I was growing up ,at least we didn;t have to suffer their ideaology or constant bashing of the country. Some did tell us from time to time how they felt about things but they never tried to hit any of us over the head with socialist crap like our favorite Kansas School marm.
My 25-year-old son graduated from college in 2009 with a degree in mass communications and after pursuing a job in broadcasting and there being no jobs realized he would rather teach and coach basketball in high school.
Because he had a degree, he was able to enroll in a program here in Texas called "I Teach Texas" and took several online courses to obtain a probationary teaching license. He also had to take and pass in-person tests to be certified to teach English and History (he says they were difficult). He was then able to apply for jobs teaching in any high school in Texas. Fortunately he found a job in a crappy little town in East Texas where he's completing his one year of field experience. Upon successful completion of that, he will be eligible to receive his full teaching license. He's paid a full salary with full benefits. The cost of this program is about $3500.00.
He's having a blast. He coaches the boys basketball team and teaches English to some rather challenging students (it's a very poor school district) but he is thriving and is really glad he decided to pursue teaching. The State of Texas began this program to allow adults with a college degree with life and business experience to enter teaching.
I couldn't be prouder of him.
I was perusing the classifieds here in NY, and it appeared to me that even for substitutes and aides, you had to have a certification and degree in education (correct me if I'm wrong, other NYers). Masters is required for almost anything else.
She won't, though.
The Die alte Sau is 58 years old, and has been teaching since the age of 22. In Missouri, someone who has taught for 30 years gets a handsome retirement pension and benefits, if that person retires.
The dysmenopausal Kansas school teacher's husband, ditto, although he's a few years older and has taught longer.
They're both sitting pretty good; if they were to retire right now, they'd be in great shape.
Kansas City, Missouri, earlier this year decided to close down somewhere between half and two-thirds of their pu8blic schools due to drastically declining population, with a corresponding decrease in personnel.
The Die alte Sau and her husband however pulled seniority, and continue to teach, because every year they teach, the already-generous pensions increase.
Never mind they both already have it pretty good; they want more, they want it all.
As a consequence, there's a couple of young teachers down there in Kansas City, Missouri, working in convenience stores because they don't have jobs teaching; jobs that the dysmenopausal Kansas school teacher and her husband kept.
I'll bet the Die alte Sau isn't losing a minute of sleep over it.
She wants more, she wants it all.
And she has the chutzpah to think she's "morally superior" to decent and civilized people.
Proud2Bdumb Anne Pritchett and the chromosomally-challenged greenbriar Pam are fully qualified professional teachers. That tells me enough about today's teaching profession.
My 25-year-old son graduated from college in 2009 with a degree in mass communications and after pursuing a job in broadcasting and there being no jobs realized he would rather teach and coach basketball in high school.
Because he had a degree, he was able to enroll in a program here in Texas called "I Teach Texas" and took several online courses to obtain a probationary teaching license. He also had to take and pass in-person tests to be certified to teach English and History (he says they were difficult). He was then able to apply for jobs teaching in any high school in Texas. Fortunately he found a job in a crappy little town in East Texas where he's completing his one year of field experience. Upon successful completion of that, he will be eligible to receive his full teaching license. He's paid a full salary with full benefits. The cost of this program is about $3500.00.
He's having a blast. He coaches the boys basketball team and teaches English to some rather challenging students (it's a very poor school district) but he is thriving and is really glad he decided to pursue teaching. The State of Texas began this program to allow adults with a college degree with life and business experience to enter teaching.
I couldn't be prouder of him.
Front and center.
Proud2be teaches special ed at the elementary level at two different schools. She teaches at one school in the AM, drives to another school for the PM lessons.
She has enough time to retire but won't because of her co pay for continued health benefits.
Uh oh! Wait until the DUmmies get a load of that! I'm sure they believe the Vagina Chronicles should be a required course for a teaching certificate! Heaven forbid we actually teach our young how to make a living and balance their checkbook! Hell, I bet they even grade the kids and keep score during the basketball games! OH NOES!
The menopausal inflicted Kansan will be leading the protest in 5...4...3...2...1...