Comments on NYC Educator: Today's Cartoon

Whatever is this bt their are problems in the soci...

2012-01-25T04:14:58.620-05:00

Whatever is this bt their are problems in the society its not the children fault. Every students problems must be discussed and understood by the teachers and the administration

And according to the Danielson framework, a Leader...

2012-01-22T22:41:47.572-05:00

And according to the Danielson framework, a Leadership Academy Principal would do his drive by observation and fill all "nays" on his Ipad and attempt to label you "developing" and if he/she is a true follower of the Bloomberg and Eduformer's magik, "ineffective." Looking at this light, I wonder how will the UFT and his fighting boss would sell such a terrible model as something palatable to its membership.....Hopefully NYC teacher would have the guts and the glory to do what the Hawaiian teachers told their leadership about accepting changes in order to get the RTT bloody money, "Shove it, 2 to 1."

The desks on the other side of the classroom proba...

2012-01-22T12:52:40.337-05:00

The desks on the other side of the classroom probably say: no English, in jail, addicted to Facebook, truant and emotionally disturbed. But remember teachers, IT'S ALWAYS YOUR FAULT. On Friday I had a brand new student placed in my review class. The Regents exam is next Thursday. Under the proposed new teacher evaluation plan I would be judged for that child's performance on that test.

A picture - in this case - a political cartoon - t...

2012-01-22T10:55:10.704-05:00

A picture - in this case - a political cartoon - truly is worth a thousand words isn't? The cartoon cuts right to the point that I believe all of us know in our hearts - even the politicians, the ed deformers - yes, even our disastrous mayor and his puppet the chancellor. The socioeconomic problems in this country are so complex, so daunting that no one has the will to try to figure out how to solve them. I am sure many have looked at how to but figured well - it's impossible. Individuals who have the courage, the intelligence and fortitude to even begin to truly attempt to do not come around every ten years. They come around every century or two. But back to my point and the socioeconomics of our country. The politicians and the businessmen say: "Well that's the real problem. We can't fix it. Umm - just blame the teachers." I know I am not saying anything new here - you and your readers know this. The cartoon you selected sums it up brilliantly.

I'd like to share my experience this past Friday. My early afternoon self contained class began rather shockingly with a very fragile minded student asking what type of college he could get into with a 500 on his SAT. I told him that four year colleges require higher, but that community colleges do not look at SAT scores. One could attend a two year school and begin work there to eventually attend a four year school. His reply to me was: "What's the use. I'm ugly. I'm stupid. I have no friends. I might as well just commit suicide." One minute into my class and I already am thinking I have to meet with this student at some point in the next 40 minutes, play counselor, friend, teacher, father then contact the school counselor all to cover my ass. Not one minute later another student raises his hand and says, "Yeah, people laugh at me because they say I am stupid all the time." I replied like many others would. "Why listen to them? They are not your friends. You are capable of doing things that I am sure they cannot. I know for certain that you can do things I cannot. You are a bright young adult and I for one am glad you are in my class." He raises his hand and says, "No, it's not my friends that say it, it's my father." I told him, "Sometimes, parents say things they don't mean." This all happened within 5 to 7 minutes of the period - and it's not the only time it's happened. Teachers reading this have their own stories. I would have loved for the politicians and others in the cartoon to have been there when this went on. Be well.

That's absolutely hilarious. And then kids do ...

2012-01-22T10:05:27.805-05:00

That's absolutely hilarious. And then kids do their homework while watching TV. How do expect them to accomplish anything?