Report Card Conferences

It's 1:06. No parents yet. Conferences are from 1-3 today and tomorrow, as well as 6-8 tonight.

I have report cards and student folders prepared, sitting next to me, while I work on my room (and sip my coffee and dance a bit to 88.5, but hey, an empty classroom is a glorious thing; I love my lil home away from home).

I know that most Philadelphia high schools are no longer "neighborhood" schools, so parents can not just walk a few blocks and come meet with us. I also realize that by high school, not many parents feel the need to come anyway.

However, since I teach Life Skills Support this year, I would think that parents of students with special needs would be eager to come talk about their child's progress and their transition goals. Maybe even just call to talk during this time (I gave my personal cell # to all families)??

I sent letters home in their daily folders, to remind them about conferences, and also sent this information home on the school-wide calendar for the month.

I love what I do. I love my kiddos. I love teaching. I would love to feel like more of a team with the parents of my students.

1:19. Still just me.

Please, parents, change this!

Professional Development Conversation...How are things at your school?

Hello to all my Philly Education people!

I started a new position this year, and returned to a full-time Special Ed. position. It's been a little hectic getting settled, but I'm back in the swing of things.  (Sidebar: Who created EASY IEP? And WHY is that the program the district chose?!? It's not very efficient.)

Anyway, I'm truly thankful to be at a school that seems to have made the school-closure-and-budget-frenzy transition smoothly, but I know there is still much work to be done on behalf of our schools and students.

Here at my high school, we have been keeping track of issues which have been difficult (or impossible), and other incidents that appear to be mainly due to the constraints made to staff and resources.

In the interest in getting a district-wide conversation going over the next 2 days while we have PD time to digest some things....please share along with me here or on Twitter.

What has been going on in your school now that things have taken form this year?

What are the greatest needs? (COUNSELORS seems to be the #1...but I know there are so many more)

What has gone well despite the cuts, and might not have been so important?

What resources/materials would most benefit your school?

Etc.

Happy November, talk soon!

Color Me Surprised

It was announced yesterday that Mrs. Jenkins will in fact be the prinicpal to replace Mr. Brandt when he leaves at the end of the school year.

This is such amazing news for the school and its community!

I wish I wasn't so surprised by such news, but this was an unexpected result. Everyone that I have talked to who has been in this district for a long time, (including administrators at other schools) said that the placement of principals seems to be a completely arbitrary and subjective decision by the "powers that be".

Sadly, it was also said by more than one person, that the trend tends to be that they don't like being "told" what to do, and often will not take recommendations into consideration for that very reason. I would think it would be the opposite, that a good leader would look to input from a community.....alas, much of what makes sense to many of us, does not seem to happen when the district makes decisions.

But, surprised or not, I'm thankful that it's a reality. As someone who works at both Germantown and Roxborough, I now have more hope that the transition from the Germantown closure will go more smoothly.

I do believe that an active alumni association, a community that was willing to speak up, and Mr. Brandt's willingness to fully disclose in his official letter that he recommended Mrs. Jenkins made a difference. Sometimes you really have to be enough of a "squeaky wheel" so that decision makers notice, and want to quiet things down. It should have been a easy decision though, simply by seeking the advice of a principal they respect, and following through.

Here's hoping that genuine respect and fair consideration is given in all other school closing/merger situations in the coming weeks.

I would LOVE to be pleasantly surprised by the district all summer long. Positive progress would be a wonderful thing!

Wishing nothing but the best to both Mr. Brandt and Mrs. Jenkins!

What has really changed?

Just some food for thought this morning... 

I work out of the library at Germantown High, and as they are closing, it's interesting to see some of the old books that are hidden in back rooms come to the surface.

This is a collection of books on education from the National Society for the Study of Education.

It appears they came out with a collection of "yearbooks" on various important topics in education.

The collection at Germantown is from the 1950's and 60's.

The topics were as follows:

Social Deviancy Among Youth

The Dynamics of Instructional Groups

Education for the Gifted

Art Education

Individualizing Education

Social Forces Influencing American Education

Child Psychology

Development In and Through Reading

Personnel Services in Education

Mental Health in Modern Education

In briefly skimming the contents and introductions of the books, much was said about the need for re-examining public education in the post-war society. Multiple times, I saw mentions of "values" that were changing, and it seemed to be the mission of these yearbooks to look at ways that schools could step in to continue creating productive citizens of this country.

So, I wonder, 50 plus years later, what has really changed?

Are these not the very issues that are at stake today, if we don't provide quality public education for all?

It seems the main difference, is that the teaching profession was given much more reverance for its role in creating these productive citizens. Schools were taken seriously as institutes of teaching and learning. Yes, there were awful issues on other fronts in terms of segregation, but let's also be real about that please. How much diversity is in the 99% African American high school I'm sitting in today? How much diversity was in the 99% white high school I attended?

So, instead, how about we take the students, whatever they look like....and educate them? Without cutting services for the important items listed above, from art education to mental health services.

Sad News at Roxborough High

Principal Steve Brandt just announced to staff and students this morning that he will not be returning to Roxborough next year. He is leaving the district, and made it clear that it is due to not being able to work under their current philosophies and ways of operating.

This is awful news for so many reasons.

Selfishly, yes, I want to see him stay. Roxborough has been a bright spot in my travels between high schools. It is BY FAR the best school climate I have seen in 3 years of traveling the district, and is miles ahead of where other neighborhood high schools are.

This school has turned around in his few years here, and he completely deserved the Lindback award for principal of the year.

I simply do not understand how a district that is struggling as ours is, cannot do more to keep one of the best and brightest young leaders that it has.

How can we ever expect to change things if this is how we operate? Forget budgets and contracts and school closings for a minute....take a look at what type of people you want here. It doesn't make sense.

Sorry, this is by the seat of my pants this morning, as I was floored with this announcement, but I'm apalled.

Steve is a product of this district, graduating from Roxborough himself. He really cares about this place. He poured his heart into this school.

And now, he's given his recommendation that Ms. Jenkins, his assistant principal replace him. This would be a great transition. She understands this building and what makes it work. However, the tone seems to be that this recommendation doesn't matter. The understanding is that the district will place who they see fit into this position.

I question, based on what exactly?!?! If you care about these students, and see how far they've come in a few years, why on earth would you possibly change that for them? This is an especially unique situation, with students pouring into Roxborough next year from the Germantown closure.

School District of Philadelphia, open your eyes. Save one of your neighborhood schools next year, by maintaining some continuity for the students and staff.

You are already losing an amazing principal; please don't throw away an entire school as well.

Anyone looking for Summer Tutoring?

Compassionate Tutoring Services

If you are interested in a different, more holistic approach to tutoring, please contact me for a consultation.
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I do not focus on test scores and “teaching to the test”,  but rather through a whole-child approach to learning, I believe that there will be improvement in many areas.

I am a National Board Certified Teacher and am also PA licensed in the following areas:

Elementary Education K-6: For all content areas
Special Education K-12: I work with special needs students, and students with learning difficulties
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ESOL K-12: I work with students learning English, from entry level to advanced

Input Overload

I don't think I can process anymore "bad news" from this district.

My brain is seriously shutting off from it. Protective defense mechanism I guess, so that I don't go insane.

I see things on the news, almost nightly, about budget cuts, or the latest protest, and it all seems to bounce off now.

I just got an email last Friday, that next year I will no longer be in my current position from the past 3 years. I barely even reacted. I'm sad, yes, but there's nothing I can do. I will end up where I end up I guess.

I would like to say it's my zen, go with the flow personality, but I think it's much more that I just can't take on anymore stressful or toxic words and events.

I'm sitting here today on my prep, and it's nothing new, but the complete lack of respect for rules from about 60% of the students (I'm probably being generous) at this particular neighborhood HS just astounds me. Most of the kids don't really know me, as I'm only here one day a week, but I've been here for 3 years and they do recognize my face in the halls. Nonetheless, I get cursed out frequently. I barely react to that either. It's just sad. I just don't let it get through the walls anymore.

I have decidedly surrounded myself in a protective bubble from all toxic things that the School District of Philadelphia throws our way as teachers.

I am very positive when I see the bright spots. I run to them. I nurture the students who invite that attention.
I have great conversations with teachers and administrators who are progressive thinking and want to make changes.

I've been passionate about urban education since my years at Temple. This has not changed. I want to make a difference in the lives of my students. I want to work in any small ways I can to reform this broken system that leaves so many students without the means to succeed in the world.

I just wish that the very district that I would love so much to help...the very schools that I have poured so much passion into...would not create policies and environments where it is so hard to keep that passion alive.

So, who knows where I'll be next year. I will do the best I can, wherever I'm placed. I just hope that all that needs to be worked out this summer with school closings, teacher placement, and contract negotiations, can be done somewhat peacefully and fairly.  I would like to feel some sense of renewal for the start of next school year.

I know so many teachers who really do want to make a difference, but who get burnt out quickly. These are good people, with great intentions, but it's hard when we so often aren't treated like professionals.

I really don't understand it. I mean, we all know we're being asked to move mountains with toothpicks, so it would just be nice if the policy makers and district "leaders" acknowledged that.

The state of public education, especially urban education, is ridiculously fragile....and it's not being handled with care.

But, though I barely heard the bell, I hear loud students, cursing and fighting....just had to head to the hallway to break up two young men locking arms....so that's my cue to put on my protective bubble and get back to work.

Can new things bloom, please?!?

It's beautiful, right? Many may conjure up ideas of an Ivy League school rather than one of Philly's notoriously rough, neighborhood schools, Overbook High.

For three years, I have so loved the way Overbrook looks in the fall and spring...as well as truly admired Germantown High during snowy weather.

Yes, I'm a history and architecture "nerd", but you can't really deny how awesome some of these places are.

It is sad (though I again state, I agree it's needed) that some will close, but it's an unfortunate fact that what goes on inside the walls, has not been anything close to beautiful for some time. True, there are exceptions. I see them almost daily. There are glimpses of hope, but it's hard to not feel overwhelmed sometimes at the majority that tends to create the climate and feel of the schools.

This entry is coming on the heels of some serious conversations with my colleagues, and has me feeling like there are some major things that need to burst open, bloom if you will, if we are going to make any progress at all. Some of these conversations, of course, center on the district and it's decisions regarding the closing schools and the contract, but the ones that have me really spinning, are those where we've really dug deep and spoken honestly about our students, and our relationships with them.

First of all, seniors are now starting to discuss their plans for after June. This had us talking about the true opportunities available, or more likely, not available, for many of our students. We know we come to school each day wanting to prepare them academically and socially for the "real world", but for most of them the world talking about is not "real". It's a foreign country, and a language they don't speak.

It was career day at Overbrook yesterday when I was there, and that gave us a lot to chew over after the sessions.

A particular session that stuck out for one of the teachers, was where a young, successful, African American woman began her talk asking the students why they cursed so much in the hallways. She proceeded to tell them how this is not ok, and how she simply doesn't understand it. The students were actually stunned silent for once. (Which, we agreed was better than them getting 'hype' with her about it, and being disrespectful.)

And yes it's uncomfortable, but we have to admit the role that race plays here. There is no way that the students would have heard the message the same way if a White professional had brought it up to them. Talking with one of the other young, white, teachers in the building, we were shaking our heads. It is frustrating. We truly want the best for our students. We come in everyday, to schools that many of our friends and family think we should transfer from, and we want to help our students learn skills to succeed.

The reality is though, they often don't hear us. Some yes, once they get to know us, give us a bit of an ear to talk to, but this is not the predominant theme. There is an attitude that we just can't understand their world, and often they will be quite upset with us, saying things like, "This is just me" or will even say that it's us being racist because we want them to speak in a different way.

Sigh.

Thankfully, I have quite a few relationships (and they are strong, trusted bonds) with some of the older Black teachers and we talked about this. They admit, it's unfair. They admit, that when they ask the students to listen, the response is different. Don't get me wrong, they still misbehave, but the verbal reactions are very different.

Anyway, this is just one example, one symbol of the overarching problem.

As I further discussed what the future holds for our students, one of the older black teachers admitted to how drastically these students need to change their world-view if they are to find success, but also that it's hard to change that world view when they often live in survival mode. When your life is day-to-day, you don't often have time to ponder things like "I wonder why my white teachers really don't want me to curse?"

But, there are stereotypes in reverse, and it's sad. Our students assume we are rich. Society sure has painted a black-and-white (pun intended) picture for them. They assume our lives are just Easy Street all the time. They assume our families are perfect. It really is astounding.

But, I digress.

I continued the conversation after school, with two amazing women who I admire. I will again point it out, because it needs to be noted, that these were older African American women. Though I wish it didn't matter, because I would love to be in a world where race was not a contentious issue, but something to always be celebrated, I know this is not the reality.

The three of us agreed, that until more people do what we did yesterday, and talk honestly about EVERYTHING, without being afraid of airing "dirty laundry" we can't make real change. And we did talk about everything. Just a few:
-The controversy over the "Accidental Racist" song and what that says about society today (which led to talking about the Confederate flag and how racial divides are different in the south than up here)
-Teenage pregnancy in the urban vs. white-suburban communities and what the different mindsets are
-HIV rates and reasons why
-How to get young black students to trust that I do have their real interests at heart
-How important it is for families...ALL families....to read to their young children, and to take real time to develop them prior to kindergarten.
-Talking about the statistics of language development in poor children vs. those of higher income familes in the first few years of life
-How students who may want to identify with feelings of "black power" need to learn the history (as do many adults too) and realize that doesn't need to mean anti-white
-Why when people like Bill Cosby call out 'his own people' ...many get angry
-How corner stores have such a negative impact on communities (though they used to be more positive places) and why nutrition is so important
-Things can't change until the district admits truth, and sets realistic goals. We can't be expecting proficient scores on 11th grade exams when very few of the students read anywhere close to grade level.

And more....

I mean, we went there. For real. We talked about what matters.

Then we got full circle, and came back to...so how do we get our students to see that their education is of great importance?

And we were exhausted.

But we agreed on a few things.

One, these conversations need to keep happening, and we have to keep believing that real human connection can overcome these boundaries.

Two, we agreed that the problem is LARGE. It's in our systems, and it's deep, and it is not going to be solved quickly, or perhaps in our lives. Something drastic needs to happen.

Three, we agreed that as easy as it is to feel overwhelmed, we have to keep trying. We talked about the old starfish story. That you've just gotta keep tossing them in the ocean the best you can, and believe.

I am seriously spinning with some of this. I have always been one to speak truth, and I wish more people would join in.

I'm using the "Accidental Racist" song as my starting point in conversations this week. Just to get the dialogue going. We can't be afraid to talk about things. As long as you are respectful, it's ok. You may say you aren't "racist" and perhaps not in a malicious way....but if you are afraid to bring up certain issues with a colleague in the office next to you because their skin color is diferent (whichever way it goes), that is racism.

These boundaries are not real. They are imagined, yet we truly act as if there are fences, in our neighborhoods and in our conversations.

So, if we want new things to bloom, we have to plant them. Talk, people. Talk honestly. And smile at each other along the way.

To be, or not to be...

...Union. That is the question.

I know many of my peers get upset with me when I say I don't really care if I'm union or not. Truly though, at this point, I don't know what good it's doing me.

That being said, I'm quite uneasy about the district's challenges and decisions that are coming to a head in the next few months. I am hoping that the union and district can be civil and act with some common sense as this moves forward. I certainly wish I wasn't in a career where every few years there's a "fight" between two entities that determines our fate. There shouldn't be any sides to take; it should be about choosing quality educational programs and materials, and maintainig a highly qualified teaching staff.

I cannot comprehend how massive school closings (which, as mentioned in previous blogs, I do agree with, as long as they are done effectively and with a great deal of planning) can be implemented with care, if there is also a huge contract battle going on. When I hear the union fighting these school closings, holding rallies to protest them, it just makes me wonder why? It's not financially responsbile to operate these half empty, falling apart buildings.

These are two major projects, and I don't see how either can be done with integrity, if BOTH are needing to happen in the same summer. Truly, the biggest thing they could do to gain some respect and traction would be to concede to all the closings, agree that the district needs that massive change, and just focus on the teacher issues afterwards.

Yesterday, there was a big union meeting, only open to PFT members. I did not attend. I could say it's because I have a baby to pick up, but honestly, I don't see what good it would have done me to go. I got a recap from many already today. From what was shared with me, the feeling is not good....the feeling is that it will be an ugly fight, the feeling is that we have no power as as union anyway, etc.

I am nervous about what my salary and contract stipulations will be next year, yes. I am thinking I should apply elsewhere, or even look into a career change. This makes me sad, because I love teaching, I really do, but I can't deal with the politics.

And the teachers union, and how it negotiates with the district, is all politics.

I want to educate children. I went to 6 years of college, no online degrees, REAL schools, just for teaching. I'm certified in 5 areas, have a M.A. degree, and am now Nationally Board certified. I don't say this to pat myself on the back, but to make a point. I didn't just pick this job for summers off, or because it was easy, like I hear many people say about teachers. I chose it as a profession, and I want to be treated like a professional.

Bottom line, yes, our district has no money, so changes need to be made. I don't feel though, that they should make those changes in a way that takes away from incentives that keep quality educators in a district that is in desperate need of quality.

And when I hear some teachers complaining about giving in to anything....whether it's paying a bit towards benefits (which, fine, most people do! That in no way disrespects me as an educator to ask for that) or getting less money for accumulated sick days (c'mon, really, I get it, they were "your days" but let's look at the big picture here), I want to bang my head on the desk.

This is the stuff that gives unions a bad name, and that makes teachers come off in this negative light. This is the stuff that makes people in the media (well, conservative media anway) say that unions are killing our schools.

However, despite some of the old, ingrained, union mentality that tends to rub me the wrong way, I do want to point out that you don't hear the media complaining that unions are killing education in wealthier districts. It's in the poor, usually large urban areas, where these battles are happening. So union or not, can we at least admit that the educational problems in these districts are far deeper, and much more related to poverty and parenting, than anything the district or union has or has not done? No one wants to say it, or address it, because it doesn't seem "Fair"....but it's true. We can't make progress until we address the real issues.

To be clear, I love urban education. I went to Temple, and have worked in North Philly schools for years. I love and care for my students, and often go far beyond any minimum contract definition of my job for them.

I hear too, that I'm the type of teacher that should go teach in a charter school. This is frustrating, and confusing. Why should I leave? Because my ideas are creative, are outside the rigid box of union solidarity? I want to stay in a district, where I feel I was blessed with a gift to work this particular, sometime challenging population of students. I just want to be recognized as a professional as I do this.

Come on Philly Education, from both "sides" let's do these changes right please.

Say what you mean...

....and mean what you say.

I've used this line so many times in life, and want to scream it at both arguing sides of the school district right now.

Everyone thinks it's a game, that in the first proposal they are going way too far, in realization that after negotiations, much less will become the reality.

I am not naive, and realize this is how politics works, but for lack of better word, this is just stupid.

They are talking about people's lives when they throw these numbers out there. Speaking as a single mom, I'm freaked out by the possibility of a 13% pay cut, plus needing to pay for benefits.

(And this is aside from all the other, non-financial ideas, which I'll opine on later when I have time to cool down a bit.)

Clearly, a major effort is being made to push many of the close-to-retirement teachers over the edge, and choose to leave. Well, basic psych 101, how about offering some incentives for that to happen (that will still ultimately save the district money as high-salaried employees make exodus), as opposed to making them scared and angry?

I realize that we are in a financial MESS as a district, and I am actually all for the closing and consolidation of schools. I work at many that will be affected, and though there will be challenges due to these moves, it is much needed. We do not need to keep open buildings that are at 60% occupancy.

However, let's let that play out first. Let's see how much money that saves, see how that impacts teachers and students, and THEN, next year, work with any major changes to the contract.

As a starting point though, can we please be honest and treat each other with respect? It is really frustrating that public education looks so ugly every few years when contract time rolls around. We are teaching students, in a city, where not all that many people would be willing to come teach. Let's make it so that we don't lose quality professionals to educate today's youth.