I cried tonight. At school. In a large group. With district leaders. With families. With staff. I cried.
My school is shutting down because of NCLB. We don't make "Adequate Yearly Progress." Our K-5 program is being replaced by a charter school. Our 6-8 is being phased out over the next three years.
I cried. When three parents repeatedly asked about how the middle school students would get a high quality education. I cried.
I'm a good teacher. No, I'm a great teacher. I make a difference.
What will our middle schoolers get as they are phased out? Limited staffing. Limited access to higher level classes. Limited quality teachers. Limited classmates. Limited support.
As a teacher who teaches to the best of his ability. As a teacher who will sit with a student in the nurse's office and visit them in the hospital. As a teacher who laughs with, hugs, and connects with students. As a teacher who grew up and lives in the neighborhood. As a teacher who knows the struggles despite the color differences. As a teacher who can't stand to see all this garbage. As a teacher who thinks about lesson plans in the shower and at 3:00 in the morning. As a teacher who is witnessing the collapse of something good.
I cried.
My school is shutting down because of NCLB. We don't make "Adequate Yearly Progress." Our K-5 program is being replaced by a charter school. Our 6-8 is being phased out over the next three years.
I cried. When three parents repeatedly asked about how the middle school students would get a high quality education. I cried.
I'm a good teacher. No, I'm a great teacher. I make a difference.
What will our middle schoolers get as they are phased out? Limited staffing. Limited access to higher level classes. Limited quality teachers. Limited classmates. Limited support.
As a teacher who teaches to the best of his ability. As a teacher who will sit with a student in the nurse's office and visit them in the hospital. As a teacher who laughs with, hugs, and connects with students. As a teacher who grew up and lives in the neighborhood. As a teacher who knows the struggles despite the color differences. As a teacher who can't stand to see all this garbage. As a teacher who thinks about lesson plans in the shower and at 3:00 in the morning. As a teacher who is witnessing the collapse of something good.
I cried.
I'm so sorry to hear this. I'm sorry for you, your students, and your community. This is just wrong, and no one will figure it out.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear this. NCLB just pisses me off. I hope you find some peace in all of this eventually. Don't let it all bring you down.
ReplyDeleteWhat can we do to help?
ReplyDeleteThat is terrible news. It's wrong for the community, the students and the staff. I hope the decision is reversed, but if that isn't possible, I hope you find another position where you can make a difference.
ReplyDeleteI'm doing my best to reverse this decision, the board hasn't voted yet. It's just wrong on so many letters. This afternoon, I'm crafting a letter to the board and superintendent.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I'm working on creating a school to be the solution rather than finding another position in the system that isn't working.
Thanks for all your kind words. Today is a new day and the fight begins anew. I'll teach the way the way I know how and make a difference in many ways today.
I am so sorry. A loss for everyone. Let us know how we can help. I am working on a school model right now. Goal is to have school free to all but not government funded and as a result not connected with NCLB at all. Let me know if you are interested in talking about how we are going about it. Right now we are beginning stages but I'll be happy to share resources/info.
ReplyDeleteMs. Tenkely, Can you DM me your email address? I'm @learnteachtech on Twitter. I'm working on a school model right now too and I intrigued by public but not gov't funded.
ReplyDelete