Thursday
August 30, 2007
Just in time to allow school districts to get their finances in order and start the school year, we have a budget! While many are disappointed that no real progress was made on efforts to overhaul state education funding (some background here and here), most school officials seem to be taking a measured stance toward the new budget. CPS’s Chief Financial Officer, for example:
“Frankly, those [programs that were cut] are things that we wish we still had, but at this point we were concerned about losing increases to categorical grants and the [general state aid] foundation level,” he says. “Not that we’re happy, but it could have been worse.”
Also just in time, the Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Teachers Union have hammered out a tentative contract. (Also, here). Not so lucky the teachers in northern IL’s Harlem School District, who started school late after a tentative agreement was reached, but then rejected the proposed contract and will be back on strike on Sept. 4 if no new agreement is reached.
I haven’t heard of any other imminent strikes this year, but I recall last year Palatine was awfully close. I’m curious if any teachers have stories to share about how contract negotiations (or lack thereof) have impacted them?
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Monday
August 27, 2007
It’s that time of year again--the unpacking, the bulletin-board-making, the meetings, the anticipation, the nervousness, the excitement. And for new teachers, the sometimes overwhelming sense that this is more than you had bargained for.
In early August, a group of Chicago and suburban teachers gathered to explore their lives as teachers and students, while learning digital storytelling techniques. I’ll be sharing their stories here over the next few weeks. In honor of the first day of school, a look into a few teachers’ very first first day of school, through stories and pictures they turned into a full movie in just four days!
To see all the videos, visit TeacherTube, a new YouTube-like site just for teachers to upload and share education-related content. Lots of stuff there--it’s definitely worth a visit.
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Tuesday
August 21, 2007
Welcome to the brand new, completely redesigned Teaching Excellence Network. Here’s what’s new:
The TEN Community forums are a streamlined version of our old discussion forums, resource library, and upcoming opportunities listing combined. Here’s where you’ll meet colleagues to discuss and debate the issues facing you as teaching professionals. Start your own discussion or resource list, or join one already in progress! The new forums even allow users to upload files you’d like to share! Be sure to subscribe to threads that interest you so you’ll always know what’s new.
The TEN Blog will bring you news, ideas, opinions, resources, and interviews, with new posts added several times each week. Be sure to check back regularly - or, if you’re ready to go high-tech, subscribe to our RSS feed! Every blog post is open to comment, so please share your thoughts.
Our new newsletter will regularly update you on the site and contain special resources and offers for our members. (Be sure to subscribe to the newsletter when you register for the site!)
Our new Search function will allow you to quickly find blog posts, discussion topics, and resources related to your interests.
Our new Member List (only available to logged-in members) will allow you to find teachers with shared interests and experiences.
We can’t wait to hear what you think. Feel free to leave any thoughts in our open Comments on TEN discussion.
We are 99% done, so please bear with us as we hammer out the last few unfinished issues. Notice anything broken, weird, confusing, or just plain missing? Let us know!
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Monday
August 13, 2007
In the always-interesting Teacher Leaders Network blog, a TLN member named Rick says something that many teachers would be afraid to say:
Someone in our discussion wrote it was important that we educate the public that “...all classroom teachers can reliably and accurately assess student learning and ability.” I agree 100% that we need to educate the public that teachers are more capable than they are perceived to be, but to be honest, I don’t think all teachers can do this well.
I was reminded of a comment I noticed on the TEN blog from a few weeks ago. In response to my post on the National Council on Teacher Quality’s survey of state teacher preparation and quality standards, an anonymous commenter said, “I’m sick of all this talk about teacher quality. It feels like more harassment...Praise, encouragement, respect, and direction bring out the best in students. Try giving THAT to teachers!!!”
Is it harassment to point out that not 100% of our teachers are as well prepared as they could be? Well, without high-quality, authentic, easily available professional development, I can see the point. As Rick points out in his post, “districts plod along, holding teachers accountable without providing them the tools and resources necessary to evolve. Then they wonder what happened when test scores don’t improve.”
Problem is, I think many teachers, like the commenter, are wary about opening up this conversation for fear of giving any ammunition to those who continue to bash teachers. I hope TEN’s community forums can be a place for us to begin to unpack these issues.
TEN member Enzo has already started a fascinating conversation on creating high quality professional development--the kind that both improves teacher skills and creates professional community. I hope it’s just one of many to come.
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