End of the year

Shake off the dirt.  The last bell rang and the year from hell officially ended.  Sharp budget cuts, administrative inadequacies, faculty morale and student failings have sent the past school year into a never ending downward spiral.  The disenchanged teacher msut look to the future to find solace and revigorate anew.

First the determined teacher must reflect and grieve the perceived misgivings of the eyar.  Take the appropriate responsibility and let go of the need for fruitless blame.  Teaching is largely a profession of personalities and inherently some will clash.  Own whatever you need to avoid making the same kinds of errors in the future.  The same way we expect students to know themselves as learners, we too,must understand strengths and weaknesses so we can provide  adequate safeguards and provisions to make ensuing years more successful.

Trying to prepare for the future is helpful, but the experienced teacher knows that promises are made to be broken and despite given assignments at teh close of school years, excessive preparation could lead to extreme frustrations when the discover of change is upon the uncontrolling teacher.  Remember that flexibility is key for survival, no matter how many years you've been educating.

Staying positive is essential.  Old gripes and issues must be relinquished to truly start fresh the next year.  Problems will occur... expect them, deal with them and move on.

Sad state of affairs in education - a rant or musing, take your pick

Teaching is challenging always, but well worthwhile when fruits of an educator's labors are realized in the success of one his/her students or a simple "thank you" from one of those same students is given.  Inherently, most teachers are called to the profession to inspire and invigorate young minds with the opportunity to share the passions they possess for the content area they work with.  Unfortunately, often in spite of that desire, other realities contribute to a negative tone that mutilate even the most well-meaninged professional.

This year, NYC has experienced budget cuts and financial attrocities that have taken the focus off of what should be our main concern as educators: the children.  We have been subjected to new regulations and the kids have suffered test after test to assure they aren't left behind only to find themselves being dragged from the beaurocratic bulldozer.  Administrations are working hard to insure numbers and the status quo is the appearance of high expectations supported by a void of real learning.

We, as a public school system, have spent more times creating acronyms and fancy jargon that is subject to change at any time (i.e. Objective, Aim, Learning Target, Focus Question, etc), than we really have focused on fostering an intrinsic love of learning.  Kids are obsessed with grades rather than the joy of synthesizing and critically thinking.  The number represents nothing, yet it is the carrot that they all reach for. 

Tauting my own idealism and real high expectations, set with a foundation of skills and solid, consistent boundaries and rules that are the same for all, I scratch my head at the end of a year like this one.  I feel disenchanted with my profession and question my effectiveness daily,  worrying that worst is still yet to come.  Students have oft complained that I give too much work (and in my estimation, never enough) and I wonder what justice we are doing these children by allowing them to get away with so much.  My end goal, is to have adaptive students who can think creatively, welcome a challenge and can appreciate the subject matter if not develop a healthy respect if they can't have a true passion for good literature/writing.  I will continue to persist the way I have, demanding every students' possible best.

Attraction to fire - January 17, 2010

Wonder,
a strange phenomonon
of awe and confusion
curiosity and want
devastatingly possible
credible cause
for action
and further excavation
depth digging
competent comprehension
of the uncaptured why?

Dominant
lady-like taunting
feet dangling by danger
desperately yearning
to set the ripple forth
contaminate the innocent
planting eager possibility
unfolding truth
with inquisition
the what if...
not knowing
needing knowing
just out of reach
propelling

The crossroads - -
a moment
right or right
unsure
nervous
excited by maybe
pleading and pushing
not dwelling
in can't
but marrying must
siezing breath
on the inhalation
gasping for hope

Grabbing at
an unanchored rope
twittering tantrums
linger languidly
anticipating answers
hinged on teh wonder
like a child
discovering hot
for the first time
shiny fire
glows in his eyes
tips to the flame
that moment
before the yelp
desire before consequence

Approaching the yellow
ready to gun green
blow red
to freedom
incapable of arresting fate
the uncompromising humanness
that makes us all
universally wonder
whatever it is worth...