Dear Walt,
As kids we were always desperate to escape from school in June. We hoped we would never have to return in the autumn. But, by September we would be itching to see the kids we could not visit during the summer, the ones whose school bus routes took them to homes too far away. August days became a little too long toward the end, and we were ready for some action. We started thinking about friends, and lunch boxes, and new shoes. The first bite of a cool September morning would fill our luffing sails of adventure, and the anticipation was almost unbearable.
Now, here it is August again. As a teacher, I’m somehow gearing up to have another go at it. It just seems to happen. Year end burnout was a lifetime ago, and I’m actually feeling ready to embark on that nine month tour of duty that will surely leave my brain fried in May once again. Actually, "ready" is not strong enough; "looking forward to it" would be more accurate, just like when I was a kid. Some part of me is amazed that this annual scenario has not change.
So, my days of freedom dwindle to a few. A new school year is only a matter of two weeks away (We start in August here). My thoughts begin to include some of those precious moments on campus that stand out from last year, and my inner street philosopher mounts a soap box somewhere in a shady center city park and holds forth with conviction on the great issues of education, orating at the passers by, to nobody in particular and everybody in general.
Oh, the issues of education! My mother was a teacher. I remember talking to her about the "current trends" while I was in training. She told me not to worry if I didn’t get what was in vogue at the moment, because it would be back in a few years. "’Back to Basics,’ for instance," she said, "comes around every ten years or so, like wingtips, bell bottoms, and wide ties. Such is the nature of fashion." She is a wise woman.
For about the last decade, there has been much studied, written, and debated in the circles of educational theory and practice about the wisdom of decreasing the emphasis on the memorization of rote facts in the classroom. Instead, the party line goes, teachers should promote the attributes of life long learning, a process oriented program featuring elements such as: thinking skills, research ability, teamwork, attitude, and motivation.
The pendulum may have swung a little far. Ironically, the practice of "fact bashing" has ignored one basic fact; kids love to learn facts. Doesn’t matter what. The young ones especially, lower elementary. By middle school many just want to get on with it, anywhere but school. But in elementary, learning something (some thing) is a badge. Any fact will do!
Last year, in mid-January, I was standing at the cafeteria holding the door open for my kids as they hurried in. One exceptionally tiny boy, who I didn’t know (they all seem to know my name), stopped and looked up at me.
"Mr. Hare, you know why we didn’t have to come to school yesterday?"
This was a quiz, and the dancing hobbit before me was so eager to show his knowledge that his arms and fingers were waving about. Children hold us in such awe because we know so much stuff. This wide-eyed little chap had mastered a fact, and, therefore, he had achieved a new status.
"I wondered about that," I offered, "how come?"
"Because," he blurted out, "it was Martha Luten King’s birthday!! That’s why!!!"
And he rushed off immediately to try to get a good spot in line and, no doubt, to spread his new knowledge, leaving me there, tickled to the core. If you had been close by, you would have seen me standing there by myself, holding the door with one hand, trying to cover my giggling face with the other, and looking around hopefully for another adult to share my mirth.
The rest of the kids hurrying in to lunch paid me little mind. To them I was just another inscrutable adult exhibiting weird behavior.
Jim
Indulging in the habit of writing
In Reply to: Notes from the teacher's desk posted by Jim on August 12, 1998 at 07:56:04:
Jim,
As a teacher myself I can really realte to what you're saying, esp. about the year-end burnout. It always amazes me that with a few short weeks of summer, that burnout is starting to flame once again. I think if teaching is your passion, as it is mine ( it's sure not for the money!) the flame never really dies. I'll be a teacher til the day I die, and probably then go on to teach in heaven. Always keep your positive attitude as it's going to affect many, many lives. Thanks for sharing!
Kaye
In Reply to: Re: Notes from the teacher's desk posted by Kaye in Colorado on August 12, 1998 at 10:05:41:
Teachers... year end burn out....... Count Your lucky chickens that you guys get relief from that burn out.... The rest of us have to turn it up another notch at year end,
Trying to find that "relief" in small vacation, weekends or meditation......
Value those summers ! ! ! ! ! I'm jealous as hell. I remember when no one wanted to be a teacher and teachers salaries were always disputed... Now in my parts (NY) teachers are making ridiculous sums of money with ridiculous pensions for working half a year.....
Gotta love Unions.............
Note: I'm not against teachers making decent $$$.. whats more important than education..... I'm jealous cuz I work at least twice as many hours a year all totalled for a similar salary and no pension.
I can only dream what a whole free summer would be like.
Holy Cow ! ! ! ! Talk about stress reduction.
In Reply to: Re: Notes from the teacher's desk posted by steve on August 12, 1998 at 11:04:26:
this stuff about teachers working half a year is preposterous. where do you live, anyway? fwiw, i'm not, nor have i ever been, a teacher, but i can add. talk to a teacher sometime and add up those hours, son.
In Reply to: Re: Notes from the teacher's desk posted by d on August 12, 1998 at 15:57:01:
Thanks d! I once added up the hours I spent on actual teaching, lesson preparation, grading papers, breaking up fights, staff meetings, conferences, parent-teacher interviews, cleaning up after some kid threw up on me, and the list goes on and on. I wasn't even making minimum wage! So, I was pretty thankful when summer rolled around once more, so I could take a breather. Anyone who thinks teaching is not stressful should try spending just one day in the classroom. I guarantee you'll come away with a whole lot more appreciation! Teachers NEED summers, weekends, and any other time off they can get just to regroup. That's when they do their bulk of meditation!
Kaye
In Reply to: Re: Notes from the teacher's desk posted by d on August 12, 1998 at 15:57:01:
Hey, Like I said.... I'm not trying to start anything.
I'm just jealous I know about 12 teachers on Long Island (does that explain it........ Some of the highest taxes in the country). Try about $ 35,000 starting to upwards of $ 85,000 again with crazy pensions and benefits.
I happen to work my tail off compared to them. They've just spent the last 3 months at the beach while I've put in 50-60 hour work weeks all summer........ They get every holiday off under the sun and they are home before 5:00 90% of the time.....
I RESPECT AND LOVE TEACHERS SO MUCH ! ! ! ! !
I also love my job..... All I said is that they should really appreciate the summer time off cuz, many of us don't get that STRESS RELIEF in the least.
I knew this would be touchy... but, its just my thoughts.
In Reply to: Re: Notes from the teacher's desk posted by Kaye in Co. on August 12, 1998 at 16:28:53:
Kaye,
Understood......
I understand teachers NEED summers off.... All I'm saying is
SO DO I..................LOL ! ! ! ! ! !
In Reply to: Re: Notes from the teacher's desk posted by steve on August 12, 1998 at 16:35:52:
Steve,
Sorry I got so defensive. Everyone deserves time off from their hectic schedules. I hope you get a well-deserved rest from yours.
Kaye
In Reply to: Re: Notes from the teacher's desk posted by steve on August 12, 1998 at 16:35:52:
i'm on your side there. the u.s.a is notoriously stingy with vacation time. if only employers knew what they wrought...
In Reply to: Re: Notes from the teacher's desk posted by Kaye in Colorado on August 12, 1998 at 10:05:41:
Jim, you sure struck a nerve. My mother was a teacher
however unlike many she actually did instill a life-
long love of learning into me. She constantly encouraged me
to look up the facts, and form my own conclusions.
I am in awe of her accomplishments, and the depth and breath
of her knowledge. These days there is some role reversal,
but she is the one who started my interest in health, not so
much by saying as by doing.
As a teacher she was excellent, and was called upon numerous
times to not only teach other teachers, but often was chosen
for the dubious (or perhaps punished is closer to it) honor
of whipping into shape the worst class on the grade.
Once or twice she has gotten the top class, and then the
school usually receives recognition for outstanding excellence
for that year. Still politics exist, and I think that more
than anything led her to early retirement. I am continually
surprised when perfect stangers come up to my mother to tell
her what a powerful influence she was in their life, and how
her insistence on getting their best effort stuck with them
for the rest of their life.
Greg
In Reply to: Re: Notes from the teacher's desk posted by d on August 12, 1998 at 15:57:01:
In Reply to: Re: Notes from the teacher's desk posted by Kaye in Co. on August 12, 1998 at 17:22:17:
Whew.........
I thought I was about to piss some people off.......
Glad you saw ahat I really Meant ! ! !
I probably deep down wish I became a teacher... and NOT just for the vacation time...... Because its something I would have really enjoyed.
Keep up the good work
steve
In Reply to: Teaching Is The World's Biggest Daycare Operation...{NMI} posted by Greg on August 13, 1998 at 01:00:36:
Greg (CM),
You didn't really think I'd let this one pass me by, did you? Maybe IF everyong stayed home to educate their children, public education wouldn't be necessary. But, can you ever see that happening? Sure, it's a zoo sometimes, but what's the alternative?????
Good health to ya!
Kaye
In Reply to: Re: Notes from the teacher's desk posted by steve on August 13, 1998 at 08:23:54:
Hi Steve,
I thought I knew what you meant. Yes, vacation benefits are not what they should be. But, alas, that is corporate America. Where vacation is given, I wish more employers would insist that it is used. Too many people must think they are "indespensible" and keep right on working. Also, the hassle of getting everything at work ready for someone else to take over while you are gone, sometimes doesn't seem worth it. I don't know how to convince the corporate execs that they would have healthy, happier employees and increase productivity if they increased the vacation benefit.
Yes, we are in agreement that teaching is a wonderful profession. Kudos to all you teachers out there!
Namaste` Linda
In Reply to: Re: Notes from the teacher's desk posted by Linda Hynds on August 13, 1998 at 11:25:32:
Linda,
Yours is always the voice of sensible moderation and good will; due, in no small part, I'll betcha, to your years of meditation teaching and practice. The other part of your wisdom, I suspect, comes from years of hard knocks in and around the medical field and life in general; lessons we all get the hard way just by sticking around long enough.
Your heart shines on the board.
Jim
In Reply to: Re: Notes from the teacher's desk posted by Linda Hynds on August 13, 1998 at 11:25:32:
Hello there. Is there anyone home?
When was the last time you talked to a teacher? I personally don't know anyone of them who can afford the summer off. Try making a house payment and raising kids on $40,000 a year (granted I live in the Bay Area). Most teachers I know have to work all summer just to assume anything near a "typical" middle class existence. The days of tachers making real world wages are long over. You guys must be joking.
Myles
In Reply to: Re: Little note to Linda posted by Jim on August 13, 1998 at 12:31:40:
Dear Jim,
Thanks so much. We all need support and validation. You made my day. Please keep posting your writings on this BB. I enjoy them so much. The recent surge of comments on the BB regarding the fanatical approach some have to the whole foods diet and how it can hurt and inconvenience others reminded me of the post you wrote about the McDonald's take out at you Dad's. I bet that is in the archives if anyone wants to read it! Have a great day!
Namaste` Linda
In Reply to: Re: Teaching Is The World's Biggest Daycare Operation...{NMI} posted by Kaye in Colorado on August 13, 1998 at 10:09:29:
Dear Kaye in Colorado,
My daughter (the one who "nuked" my 'puter) has seven children and a degree in teaching. ALL of her kids have had 100% home schooling all their lives. None of them have ever been to public school. The oldest is 17 now and the youngest is 7. They are doing fine.
Thanks for bringing this up.
Namaste` Walt
In Reply to: Notes from the teacher's desk posted by Jim on August 12, 1998 at 07:56:04:
Dear Jim,
What hath Jim wrought!?
Your wonderful contributions stir people much more than mine. Once again I bless the day you found us & your willingness to share your wisdom with us.
Namaste` Walt
In Reply to: Re: Notes from the teacher's desk posted by Walt Stoll on August 14, 1998 at 16:52:02:
Dear Walt,
Maybe I ought not wrought! Now I’ve summoned the gods of equity and envy in the workplace. But it’s the subject that spawns these long strings, not me. As I've said before, since everyone has gone to school, and since it is a public affair, we all feel called to express our ideas and opinions. And it’s our right. We all feel like experts, and our convictions are strong. Make no mistake about it, Walt, education is as political a subject as Monica Lewinsky’s blue dress, and positions on the subject are every bit as polar. Opinions, however, are of little help when the bell rings and the door closes. What the teacher needs then is an open mind and heart and a minimum of preconceived notions
The classroom is where eager eyes look up at you saying, "What do we do next?" Children love to do. Learning, for them, is a by-produce of doing. The curriculum is just a game that is being played on the way to discovery. Oh sure, there are planned outcomes, and kids have to score well at testing time, but the really important stuff happens at odd moments, and maybe when you least expect it.
The classroom is a giant stew pot, and when things are cooking, everything that happens can be a learning moment. The magic of the classroom is you never know who is going to learn what when you start out. Learning moments can be pure joy. Children will literally celebrate for each other when they see the light go on in one of their classmates. Often it is the teacher who is the one who learns. It is an empowering experience for a student to see that he or she has shown the teacher something.
Hurts, emotions, and frustrations in the classroom happen for all to see. Working through traumas, settling conflicts, telling sides, and making up are often public affairs. The classroom is not a talk show. It is the real thing. You can not break for commercial or tape to view later. Problems and trouble must be dealt with as they occur. These situations are not what get in the way of teaching; they are a large part of what teaching really is.
Kids love to come into the room early and talk about their lives with each other or with the teacher. They will decorate, put up work, and bring in objects to personalize the class. A room develops its own character over the course of the year.
A classroom is a clubhouse, a laboratory, a lobby, a theater, and an art gallery….and….I think you get the idea. You can tell a lot about a class and a teacher by looking a room when there’s no one in it…….
But that’s another story.
Jim
PS At age 42 I quit my job, and began mixing paint at the Home Depot to support myself while I got my credential. That was twelve years ago. I haven’t been sorry. You can change your life it you want to.
In Reply to: Re: I can't believe they pay me to do this! posted by Jim on August 14, 1998 at 23:19:45:
Dear Jim,
You see, feel, live teaching like I did medicine. Now I feel it just teaching. You are right! When you find your niche, you know it.
Namaste` my friend, Namaste` Walt
In Reply to: Re: I can't believe they pay me to do this! posted by Walt Stoll on August 15, 1998 at 11:40:37:
How true, Walt (and Jim).
Namaste` Linda
In Reply to: Teaching Is The World's Biggest Daycare Operation...{NMI} posted by Greg on August 13, 1998 at 01:00:36:
let me just say this once. the biggest problem in public schools today is parents that think teaching is just "the world's biggest daycare operation". sheesh!
In Reply to: Re: Teaching Is The World's Biggest Daycare Operation...{NMI} posted by Walt Stoll on August 14, 1998 at 16:46:11:
in the proper hands home schooling is excellent. but in my experience most home schoolers are people who think being able to read without moving one's lips is an awesome talent.
In Reply to: Re: Teaching Is The World's Biggest Daycare Operation...{NMI} posted by d on August 15, 1998 at 14:03:03:
Thanks d!!!! You are so-o-o right. And, you know what, if people didn't HAVE to work, we wouldn't need daycares OR public education. But, the fact is, people DO have to work and someone has to educate the children!! Lucky for those parents there are people who love children and love teaching. I happen to be one of those people! I teach in a private school and would do it for free if they'd let me!
Kaye