tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162327562072418813.comments2013-11-16T12:33:35.126-08:00Teaching Technicallyteachingtechnicallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03625498797260324204noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162327562072418813.post-79774163952391906572009-08-31T03:21:25.948-07:002009-08-31T03:21:25.948-07:00You can also use http://obsurvey.com for surveys. ...You can also use http://obsurvey.com for surveys. You can even embed the survey directly in your blog. It's my spare time project so it's completely free to use and has no ads.obsurveyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07386913992656979784noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162327562072418813.post-22982977094946273692009-08-26T09:02:36.524-07:002009-08-26T09:02:36.524-07:00I wonder if any of my teachers had this same thoug...I wonder if any of my teachers had this same thought when they saw my name on their class lists...<br />The only advice that I can give is to not write those students off right away. If you treat them like trouble, they will be. If you treat them like every other student, they may still be trouble, or they might be your new best student. Good luck!Bad Cat!https://www.blogger.com/profile/08920357627297091707noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162327562072418813.post-82690253621817519032009-08-06T13:07:11.655-07:002009-08-06T13:07:11.655-07:00So true! I am an idealist and I fit the stereotype...So true! I am an idealist and I fit the stereotype of being a people-oriented, philosophically inclined teacher. I also consider my job to be a lifestyle / vocation and I chose it for the intrinsic value rather than money. <br /><br />I love the book "Rise of the Creative Class" by the way.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10956056168256756705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162327562072418813.post-29473841295098446862009-08-04T09:03:49.301-07:002009-08-04T09:03:49.301-07:00I think it is probably a combo...you love what you...I think it is probably a combo...you love what you do and you are a workaholic. I feel the same. The first day after school was out I was already working on things for the upcoming school year. I love working with the kids and planning learning experiences for them. I've never heard of a Teachaholics Anonymous, but it probably has a 2+2=4 step plan! Enjoy what you enjoy, just don't let it keep you from your family and friends. :)Ms. P.https://www.blogger.com/profile/00517408043979579790noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162327562072418813.post-43020750073061966662009-08-01T15:35:52.888-07:002009-08-01T15:35:52.888-07:00You are not alone my friend! I did live within wal...You are not alone my friend! I did live within walking distance to my school in a small town. Being a teacher of course everyone knows your business and living in the same town can exasperate this. Like buying groceries. Just when you think you're going to get of of the store quickly with your giant box of super tampax, oversize bottle of wine (it was on sale!) and your husband's favorite beer, up comes the nosy PTA president and her gaggle of kids ages 2-14. She wants to talk. You also see the mother you don't want to see coming at you steering a cart with a lose wheel. Sometimes it's helpful to live just a bit away. It makes shopping easier.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162327562072418813.post-61630087280730694072009-07-31T15:15:17.607-07:002009-07-31T15:15:17.607-07:00Although I lived really close to my school, I actu...Although I lived really close to my school, I actually prefer a little distance. The main thing is to live in a place that you enjoy. Let it be about you and what you want. Now that I am subbing, I occasionally see students I recognize at the local Walmart. It's not the same as having to have unscheduled mini conferences, so it's pretty cool.Bettyhttp://bettyb.teacherlingo.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162327562072418813.post-69640554278559028762009-07-31T10:34:48.320-07:002009-07-31T10:34:48.320-07:00Thanks for the great feedback everyone!Thanks for the great feedback everyone!Joelhttp://teachingtechnically.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162327562072418813.post-65830483103739349502009-07-31T08:33:56.567-07:002009-07-31T08:33:56.567-07:00I choose to live about 20 minutes from school as w...I choose to live about 20 minutes from school as well. It feels like my little private oasis...don't see a lot of the students around when I am not at work...gives me a break and them a break from each other. When I leave work, then I only go back for my daughters' activities (they commute to school with me).<br /><br />I think it is a personal decision, but I truly like being a distance from the place I work.Kerrihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10500516391084868792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162327562072418813.post-51555447979310592352009-07-31T07:51:53.262-07:002009-07-31T07:51:53.262-07:00I think you are facing a decision that all teacher...I think you are facing a decision that all teachers go through at some point and often more than once, like you are now. I had the same delimma and opted for the "further away" residence. Overall, I feel that it was really the right choice for me. <br /><br />When I lived close to my school, I had all the benefits you were discussing...short commute, easy to attend school functions, etc. However, I found that I was allowing school to take over my whole life. Don't get me wrong, I'm very dedicated to my students, but school was becoming my whole life. <br /><br />I would get to school early, often having to wait in the parking lot for the custodian to arrive to shut off the alarm system, stay an hour or two after school, rush home to eat and do chores, and then turn right around and go back to school until 10pm when the night custodians left.<br /><br />After doing this for about 2 years, I realized that I was setting myself up to be one of those "burnout" teachers that we are always hearing about and if I truly wanted to continue to help kids and enjoy my career, I was going to have to stop overworking myself.<br /><br />So, I bought a house in a neighboring community. Now, I drive 30 minutes to work, spend my time helping students, and still manage to come back for school functions. I'm much happier, my family is much happier, and my students are benefitting from my more relaxed lifestyle.Ms. P.https://www.blogger.com/profile/00517408043979579790noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162327562072418813.post-58232256120601575052009-05-16T17:02:00.000-07:002009-05-16T17:02:00.000-07:00Hmmm. I think that people have all sorts of thing...Hmmm. I think that people have all sorts of things to offer, but they have to be competent and stay up to speed with the job expectations. Keeping an open mind to learning is important at any age. You are right. The perfect solution is a creative person who is willing to seize an opportunity and work hard.Bettyhttp://bettyb.teacherlingo.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162327562072418813.post-27858592492850654842009-05-12T18:13:00.000-07:002009-05-12T18:13:00.000-07:00I hear you! I am ready for summer. I teach alter...I hear you! I am ready for summer. I teach alternative high school and the state of Oregon has imposed higher standards for diplomas. At risk kids have a hard enough time and keeping them from dropping out is high stress. Hurry up summer!crishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00535009136380785951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162327562072418813.post-62306020917852318462009-04-08T14:23:00.000-07:002009-04-08T14:23:00.000-07:00I agree. True clinical depression is a real medic...I agree. True clinical depression is a real medical condition and can not be beaten so easily. I was speaking more about the situational type of depression.Joelhttp://teachingtechnically.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162327562072418813.post-70072581946251637072009-04-08T12:06:00.000-07:002009-04-08T12:06:00.000-07:00TruE, the students should be your first priority. ...TruE, the students should be your first priority. That is the main reason most of us got into this game in the first place. However, and there is always a "however", true depression or high levels of anxiety that seem to be growing in our profession cannot be overturned merely by turning one's focus back to the kids.<BR/>Those who have had a bout with depressive illness of anxiety can do themselves a favor by focusing instead on personally getting well again. This will have the side effect of improving one's teaching life.<BR/>I admire your fervor, at any rate, and am glad that the former method works for you, and possibly others as well. In my case, a few years ago, I had to pull back a bit before I could jump back into the game. Thanks for the posting about this very real and serious issue.<BR/>Tom Anselm, teacher and author<BR/>YOU'RE NEVER TOO OLD FOR SPACE CAMPTom....https://www.blogger.com/profile/06250830760621620435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162327562072418813.post-84602680850791000392009-03-26T21:23:00.000-07:002009-03-26T21:23:00.000-07:00Hi Joel ---I came to your site and as a Canadian o...Hi Joel ---<BR/><BR/>I came to your site and as a Canadian of course I went right to the hockey post. I appreciate a good hockey analogy. Thanks for the insight.<BR/><BR/>I'm also writing to say thank you for the comment on my writing partner's post on Teaching with Depression. We we hoping you would be willing to repost it on our blog, as we're just starting up and trying to get as many people posting comments as possible.<BR/><BR/>Here's the link to the original post: http://teacherrevised.org/2009/03/26/teaching-with-depression-is-there-any-way-out/<BR/><BR/>Thanks!arbomphrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04159728145454632624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162327562072418813.post-46912164890771429222009-03-07T03:18:00.000-08:002009-03-07T03:18:00.000-08:00Is that really how tenure works in your system? Be...Is that really how tenure works in your system? Because... can I move there? honestly? Having that kind of security would be awesome!<BR/><BR/>I've never seen a tenure system that meant you couldn't fire tenured teachers unless they were put in jail. What I HAVE seen is administrators reassigning teachers out of their subject area "provisionally" because either they don't feel like documenting instances of poor teaching or there isn't enough poor teaching to document.<BR/><BR/>And I find it difficult to believe that the only reason teachers would choose to improve their skills (or even perform competently) is so that they don't get fired. Do you honestly have that poor of an opinion of us?<BR/><BR/>Tenure provides <I>some</I> protection for the best teachers - the ones who try new ideas rather than sticking with "we've always done it that way before." The ones whose experience and success with students result in higher pay for the teacher (and more expense for the district). <BR/><BR/>When principals have THEIR pay tied to student performance, then they'll have much more incentive to keep teachers who are effective, including those who are unorthodox or expensive, without being pushed to do so by the tenure system.Clixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04460380696875928585noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162327562072418813.post-45141068476389516442009-03-06T23:56:00.000-08:002009-03-06T23:56:00.000-08:00Intersting, So what would my poetry and rants abou...Intersting, So what would my poetry and rants about thoughts be? a little bit of both? :-) I'm glad that I'm not the only one who writes a blog!!!!!Crissyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18304281993680079930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162327562072418813.post-18900636547650343552009-03-06T23:33:00.000-08:002009-03-06T23:33:00.000-08:00I understand your points, but also feel the need f...I understand your points, but also feel the need for academic freedom in teaching. I teach social studies. I may have state mandated standards, but there is always more to teaching than simply that. Also in teaching language arts and choosing novels. job security doesn't make me want to slack off, it makes me want to be a better teacher and allows me the ability to push the envelope, even in teaching 7th and 8th grades.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162327562072418813.post-46850041832522993992009-02-12T21:00:00.000-08:002009-02-12T21:00:00.000-08:00If you haven't checked out Zoomerang, I suggest yo...If you haven't checked out Zoomerang, I suggest you do it today. Zoomerang pioneered the online survey space and continues to be the best tool money can buy. They have a free version, one you can access for only $19 per month, and a premium version with lots of advanced features. It is very easy to use - but if you have questions, they offer free telephone support and a wide range of online webinars and tutorials. Since they are part of MarketTools, one of the largest market research companies in the world, they have access to a wide range of survey expertise which enables them to build a product that reflects real world needs. They offer a wide range of templates enabling you to quickly design a great survey - powerful list management tools, including easy access to a 2 million member panel of potential survey takers - the ability to send surveys via email, mobile phones, or web sites - and a range of useful reporting and analysis tools including export to Powerpoint and open ended text analysis.Zoomerang Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04656262909966762683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162327562072418813.post-14100061992434205092009-01-26T10:42:00.000-08:002009-01-26T10:42:00.000-08:00Mostly left brained, but you always need a bit of ...Mostly left brained, but you always need a bit of the right side in too or the kids would be sleeping.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162327562072418813.post-12024276021047721042009-01-19T04:10:00.000-08:002009-01-19T04:10:00.000-08:00any chance you could post a comparison of this zoo...any chance you could post a comparison of this zoomerang and surveymonkey or other sites? I tried askitonline and then www.cafesurvey.com which I thought was better. please compare site that doesnt cost money only.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162327562072418813.post-6580812605991666222009-01-08T13:11:00.000-08:002009-01-08T13:11:00.000-08:00I appreciate everything you say because as a fello...I appreciate everything you say because as a fellow teacher, I am constantly planning and preparing. I can't tell you how often friends and family (non-teachers) wonder why I do so much work and why don't I just wing it. I honestly believe that only a fellow teacher could understand how much prep time goes into a good lesson.<BR/><BR/>However, as a high school math teacher, I have to disagree with you about the ease of winging math over other subjects. I feel the need to stand up for myself and other math teachers. I don't think that winging it or not has anything to do with what subject you teach. Instead, I think it has everything to do with what type of teacher you are. In reading your post, it sounds as though math teachers are being singled out for winging it. I appreciate the "stella math teachers" that you mentioned but that sounds like a math teacher that doesn't wing it is a rare thing. In my experience, I have come across teachers that wing it, or not, in every subject area.<BR/><BR/>You stated in your post, "Yeah, I could explain the concepts well enough, just winging it, but that wouldn't be much of a lesson", and you are completely right about that--and that goes for math too. Because of my math knowledge, I could try to wing it but just like you said, it wouldn't be much of a lesson.<BR/><BR/>Math text books for drill are not enough anymore and math teachers need to incorporate other things into their lessons besides the "old school" lecture and drill. We are expected to have hands on activities, technology integration, projects, etc. in our lessons as well which take a lot of prep time and cannot be winged.<BR/><BR/>Drill and practice may be enough for basic math skills such as +,-,x,/, but once you get past that, it is much more about the understanding then just doing. It is not about just learning rote procedures. Math is about learning problem solving, analyzing, reasoning and logic. These skills cannot be taught by merely drill and practice where students uncounsiously repeat steps you give them while never understanding why or what they are doing. Therefore, with all due respect to a fellow teacher, I have to disagree about the whole math part of this post, otherwise you are dead on.<BR/><BR/>I think that all "good" teachers need a huge amount of prep time regardless of the subject area and all "good" teachers do what you explained about yourself and your own classes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162327562072418813.post-89325635154940780022009-01-02T22:29:00.000-08:002009-01-02T22:29:00.000-08:00(I found your blog through teacherlingo.com)I agre...(I found your blog through teacherlingo.com)<BR/>I agree that the basic requirements of teaching different classes are pretty different, especially depending on the type of curriculum you're running for the subject. I've noticed that a lot of math teachers in my school can get away with lecture / guided practice / independent work using textbooks and problem sets. I teach science and there's really no such thing with our curriculum - I have to plan research projects, labs, find materials, etc etc. And since everyone teaches science a bit differently (especially depending on your group of students), it's very hard to just reuse other peoples' stuff. That said, I think that a great math teacher will go far beyond just textbook drills and can easily spend as much time as teachers in other subjects - it's just my observation though.Jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07582545240178136930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162327562072418813.post-16410892382227846222008-12-25T20:37:00.000-08:002008-12-25T20:37:00.000-08:00I have used both SurveyMonkey and Zoomerang, and Z...I have used both SurveyMonkey and Zoomerang, and Zoomerang is my online survey choice. They offer up to 30 questions per survey with up to 100 responses using their free acount. When I had a larger survey to do, as an educator I received a discount on their pay plan (I think it was around $15 for the full month). I had no issues at all in upgrading and downgrading my account during that project, and I still use the free account often. They also have an Education Survey Resource Center which has been very informative.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162327562072418813.post-52146599546073151212008-12-01T15:01:00.000-08:002008-12-01T15:01:00.000-08:00Ha ha - totally agree with the China / India bit. ...Ha ha - totally agree with the China / India bit. I lost my first internship due to offshoring!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162327562072418813.post-39404395471567977752008-11-30T19:39:00.000-08:002008-11-30T19:39:00.000-08:00True that! I've been trying to teach high school E...True that! I've been trying to teach high school English in Texas for the past 10 years. More and more demands are made on teacher time: <BR/>1. Before and after-school tutorials--whichever works best for the individual student--mean less time to plan, grade, collaborate.<BR/>2. Online availability of grades-Students and parents and administrators expect test grades to be posted by the end of the day. Toss out those essay questions! "Instantaneous and valuable feedback is our motto here in Utopia!"<BR/>3. Parent notification each time an eighteen year-old sleeps in class, fails a test or even forgets to turn in a homework assignment! If you're not "pro-active" in parent communication, everything winds up being your fault.<BR/>4. Up-to-the-minute, "research-based" training (yeah, I believe this shit marketed to districts as the latest and the greatest has been subjected to the most rigorous scientific review)that eats into our planning, grading, sleeping, and family time.<BR/>5. Lesson adaptation and staffing/parent meetings for special ed and ESOL students who are regular classes but really don't have the skills to be. But who have to pass. If they fail, it's because the teacher did not follow the modifications. <BR/><BR/>It all boils down to the philosophy that if a student fails a class and/or a standardized test, it's the teacher's fault because "All students want to succeed!"<BR/><BR/>What have we learned today, class?<BR/>1. Don't choose the teaching "profession" because you will be treated like you have no brain and no rights by students, administrators, public officials, the public at large, parents, and, if you work in Texas at least, the state.<BR/>2. Don't have children unless you can afford to live in a very exclusive community or send them to public school.<BR/>3. If you do have kids, start by showing them where China and India are located on the globe.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com