Fighting Back

  So I really enjoyed getting feedback from my first blog entry.  I think it is therapeutic for me and I am going to try to employ this free therapy more often:)

  One of my pet peeves is when people complain about a situation, but do nothing to change the situation they are in.  I have been living my pet peeve for the last few weeks.  I think that all of the hoops that the state is putting teachers through are ridiculous.  When I complain, I either find someone who will join me (we all know that misery loves company) or someone who wants to one up me.  My sister is a pro at that.  You would think that my own sister would support me instead of fight me.  I thought about it and decided that nobody wants to hear me whine and complain. I finally did something instead of complaining.  I wrote a letter to one of our state senators.  Thank you to Mike Roberto and Kevin Wilcox who inspired me to do so.  I am hoping for some sort of response.
  It is not that I am unwilling to change.  I like to change up what I do.  I just think that the changes the state is proposing are not in the best interest of our students.  However, I am a rule follower and will do what I am told.  I am leaving now to go write a SLO....

  

Response to Will Richardson

I experienced a variety of emotions as I watched Will Richardson's video.  One was strong agreement.  I fully believe that schools in this country are selling our kids short.  We use old methods of teaching that do not prepare our students for life in this technological age.  I have students asking me on a daily basis why they cannot use calculators or why they need to have formulas memorized.  My real answer is I don't know.  When will they ever not be able to use resources available to them in real life?  Next year's math class, in college?  As an adult, have I ever had to complete a task without being able to access information or resources?  NO!  So why am I preparing kids for tasks that are not applicable later in life?
  As I think these thoughts, I then feel frustration.  Why do I have to teach what my coworkers teach in the same way and same order.  The PLCs that our school districts employ take away our individuality and creativity.  In theory, they are a good idea.  I love collaboration.  However, weren't many of us collaborating before we were put into these PLC groups?  I feel that the focus of our PLCs these days is to plan and make sure we are doing everything in the same way at the same time.  I am sure that the theory behind PLCs is not to create cookie cutter courses.  However, that is what we have done.  I am also frustrated because we know that what our government has prescribed for our students in the way of increased testing is not what our students need.  More testing is not going to help us compete with other nations.  Nor will it create students who are well equipped to deal with a quickly changing world.  It does not provide our students with opportunities to solve real problems.
  I then feel ashamed.  How do I do a better job for our students?  I don't know how to provide them with the opportunities that I feel they need.  I am becoming mediocre.  I question if I should continue in this career path.
  My emotions are uncertain, frustration, questioning.  I feel incompetent and ill prepared to guide these students.  I am doing them a disservice.  How can I get better so that I can help my students prepare better?