We've spent a lot of time in previous posts talking who's moving, leaving or being transferred in IPS, so IPS BS created this post so everyone can post what they know about hirings, firings and transfers. Go for it.
If I were offered a $1000 to find 5 IPS teachers who gave a crap about all this name dropping and administration bashing, I wouldn't be able to do it. So why the blogmaster at IPS B.S. wants to discuss nothing else is beyond me. (And for those who think its a bunch of people participating in these types of discussions, it's not. It's either a single person or a very small group because almost all of the insulting, name-dropping posts use the same proxy that gives new codes to each post rather than to each computer. Normal people don't use them, and they certainly wouldn't all use the same one.)
This is speculation at best, the answer is on the IPS web site, go to board, enter the public site, open the board report, go to personnel, and open the PDF file, all the real answers are there.
Whose retiring this year downtown...Robert Brown, secondary supervisor; Curtis Evans, director of athletics; Jane Hart-Ajabu, personnel; Peggy Haddix-Penn, AOSA; Douglas Anne Kincaid, Professional development; Barry Olsin, office of student assignment; Kathleen Sharp, professional development; Toni Trice, principal.
And moving we have Brian Burke, new assistant principal at HLHMS, Keith Burke as AD at ATHS (with a $4000.00 a year pay cut); Victor Bush to downtown as Athletic Director, with a $17,000. raise; Arthur Dumas to TCHCHS, with a $19,000. raise; Corey Greenwood, to GWCHS with a raise of $31,083.; and finally Debra Lesser with a promotion to principal and $6,000. more.
Basically the salaries go with the positions, the question is do the people go with the positions? Are they competent to do the job?
Deb Lesser is associated with the Chief Carpet Muncher Jane Kendricks. Kendricks gave her an office job that provided her the opportunity to write her dissertation proposal. The same happened for Lori Elliot at Shortridge. There is all types of paperwork to prove it.
See, the last two posts come from the same proxy as the original post (and virtually all of the first posts in any thread, obviously the blogmaster). Almost any post that names a name is most likely posted by the blogmaster. All those racist posts and anti-gay posts. Yep, the blogmaster.
I am not the blogmaster. I am an educator who calls the truth, the truth. Don't blame the blogmaster for creating a venue for us to vent our concerns. Blame the policies of IPS for making us mad.
you are not telling the truth, because I wrote the one that starts "this is speculation at best" but I have never used the term "carpet muncher" in my life, and didn't even know the term until I read it on this blog. If these women did illegal or immoral things on IPS time that is one thing, but the gender of their sex partners is irrelevant. The only relevance this would have is if the promotions were based on anything other than ability. This is a system that loves to mine the data, what does the data say about who is getting promoted?
LOL, you are not an educator. You may have some union-protected job as a teacher, but you are not an educator. You are the mental equivalent of a 6th grade bully. You "vent concerns" through personal attacks rather than discussing policy, and use your anonymity to post libelous untruths and fabrications about this district and others. You are NOT an educator. At best, you are a well-meaning embarassment, at worst, you are an evil hatemonger. (I'm just venting my concerns, you understand. Thanks for the venue.)
We will see if people still dislike Burke after Leser takes over. I work at Washington and Burke is a good guy who still likes people. I don't think the people postng about him have ever worked with him. Be careful what you wish for Continenals because you now have Deb Leser to deal with. Wish us luck!!!!!!
Whew!! Something must have hit a sore spot. The administrative responses really popped up. Any fool who thinks there are only a handful of teachers using, reading and agreeing with the posts here are either liars and totally out of touch. Eugene White has his media lap dog to peddle his lies and propaganda and teachers have this blog to try and get the truth out to the public. Obviously it is working. Just look at the panicked responses from obvious administrators on this topic.
Again, you can tell who is telling the truth or not by looking at the source code and by checking the "facts" behind the nonsense you post. Why would anyone be panicked? Why would anyone take you seriously? Several teachers try to have intelligent discussions here and you hate it. You try to change the subjec to personal gossip and when that doesn't work, you start a new topic. Anyone can read the blog and see the truth. And for what its worth, I'm not a teacher or administrator, I'm a relative of an IPS teacher who posts here on the rare occasions when actual discussions take place.
If I were teaching at Washington, I would ask for a transfer. Leser is evil and a backstabber. Her close relationship with Jane Kendrick gives her the ability to degrade and abuse teachers without suffering the consequences. Why would Kendrick let Leser work for over a year on the IPS timeclock to get her administrative license?
Here are some things REAL teachers are talking about.
REPA. Vouchers Charter Schools Teachers Unions National certification of pricipals. National education standards Teacher Pay? Merit Pay, Education- and tenure-based? Neither? Other? Budget solutions? What programs and duties could be combined or eliminated or otherwise made more efficient? Exit exams Project-based learning Problem-based learning Inquiry-based learning Interdisciplinary learning Multiple intelligences Technology in the classroom Differentiation Classroom management Fun ideas without spending $ (free projects, grant writing, garnering donations from local businesses) Schools where teachers take on administrative functions and receive higher pay? Good or bad? Schools with no grades, only standards, a la Adams 50 in Colorado Books that you would recommend to other educators!
We rarely talk about central office, but even if you wanted to keep the topics relevant to leadership and administration, what about these?
Books about school leadership and education reform that we would recommend. Advice and suggestions for an ideal pricipal superintendant -- how do you make teachers, parents, students and taxpayers all happy? Budget solutions? What programs and duties could be combined or eliminated or otherwise made more efficient? Successful Supervising -- Ideas for managing difficult and uncooperative staff without becoming a jerk (probably similar to classroom management, lol). How do you try new theories or implement new strategies -- across the board, try it at one or two schools? On a volunteer basis? Is it possible to make exceptional academic gains in a school without angering some staff and teachers? Is there an example of a school system nationwide that has improved dramatically and would serve as a model for IPS?
"Whew!! Something must have hit a sore spot. The administrative responses really popped up."
The administrators who are writing messages here say that only a few people are involved on this blog and that this blog has very little real impact on IPS.
If this is the case, then why are they taking so much time to so frequently post messages or to have their underlings post them (probably on IPS time)?
"I think thou dost protest too much." Shakespeare.
I am a taxpayer, not a teacher. I ran into this blog while reading an article on The Indianapolis Star website in which it was mentioned.
I've never posted before today. It was actually the "carpet muncher" and made-up Roncalli story that set me off. But if that kind of thing doesn't bother you, fine. It bothers me as a taxpayer, just as it bothers me as a teacher's spouse and as a parent. I happen to know a bit about computer programming so I decided to check into my wife's suspicion that most of the crazy posts were from the same source, and it turns out she's very likely right. Why wouldn't I let others know that? Why don't you want to know that? It doesn't mean all the posts here are wrong. Many real teachers do post here. But they're not the ones posting personal insults and naming names.
Here are some things REAL teachers actually discuss:
The number of different preps they have in one day The building network being down again Why some teachers never have bus duty Why some teachers always have bus duty The lack of common planning time Copy paper is not available in the building Why the Dean keeps sending back the student who spit on another student during your class Have the SpringBoard class sets of novels arrived yet Is the copier repaired yet Who stole the ink cartridge from my HP printer When does the window for recording grades open Do we need to bring our TESA binders to the staff meeting Did Bridgwaters visit your classroom Who forgot to recharge the COWS Why is a field trip scheduled during Scrimmage testing week
Actually, four posts up is my husband. I am an IPS teacher of many years, and the list he posted accurately summarizes many of the things I discuss with my coworkers and with him. But comparing that list with the one two posts up, I doubt we run in the same circles.
You must be at one of the good schools, I love reading on education, and do a good deal of it. However when you are on a ship that is sinking there is no time to rearrange the deck chairs. Pray you never end up where I am, because very little education goes on in my school. Instead we are disciplining and managing classrooms. I really miss teaching, facilitating an experience so that a child can learn. When I have little Bobby over in the corner remarking that he has viewed u-tubes of Susie going down on William it is not really conducive to the educational process. So I spend my time calling Bobby's mom, writing unanswered discipline referrals, trying to get the social worker to see the kid and wondering if anyone is learning anything I intend to teach. I never thought I'd want to leave teaching but this school has changed my mind. I've faced difficult situations before but have never been so unsupported and undermined by administration. When you bring these issues up it turns out they are entirely your fault. My students need so much and this fight between administration and teachers is not helping them.
From above..."Here are some things REAL teachers are talking about.
REPA. Vouchers Charter Schools Teachers Unions National certification of pricipals. National education standards Teacher Pay? Merit Pay, Education- and tenure-based? Neither? Other? Budget solutions? What programs and duties could be combined or eliminated or otherwise made more efficient? Exit exams Project-based learning Problem-based learning Inquiry-based learning Interdisciplinary learning Multiple intelligences Technology in the classroom Differentiation Classroom management Fun ideas without spending $ (free projects, grant writing, garnering donations from local businesses) Schools where teachers take on administrative functions and receive higher pay? Good or bad? Schools with no grades, only standards, a la Adams 50 in Colorado Books that you would recommend to other educators!"
I am in awe of the public school classroom teacher who can find the unencumbered time to hold these rich discussions.
All teachers find time to chit-chat with one another, both in school and out of school. What they chit-chat about obviously varies, but it's not that odd for teachers to talk about serious topics. You make us all sound like morons. (I'm probably in the "both lists" camp too.)
What we talk about, why do we have all those so called Coaches, what is their purpose. Why are they not in the class room. Is all the females down town gay or something. How did the teachers miss this fact. It has not been a water cooler discussion. Thanks for the insight. Who is going to go to Manual?
What are the teachers talking about. Can payroll make the direct deposit work, what happened to my retro pay for extra activities? Who is getting the cut from Springboard for the 10 dollar books per year we waste? Why can't they turn on the heat? When is Friday the 18th going to get here? Whose brain child was it to add study halls second semester? Boy are they working hard for the money downtown now?
We talk about how much longer will they let Sarah Bogard continue to screw up Tech, how much money is being spent on all of these academic coaches who do not but eat or makes plans to eat, why are students being taken out of elective classes that they are passing to be placed in study halls, why does no one know what the second semester newly created study halls going to do, where are the 195 cadre subs, when will I receive my correct retro pay, when will I receive a correct pay check, when did it become necessary to be a lesbian to climb the administative ladder, when will the school really enforce the dress code, and when will the school enforce the discipline code....these are what real teachers are talking about. I have never heard one teacher discussing the Adams 50 in Colorado.....that is administrative psycho babble.
As a taxpayer who first visited here after reading about this blog on a news website:
What I see is a horribly dysfunctional school district in which morale among most of the teachers is terribly low.
I see a top-heavy administration and a daunting bureaucracy.
I am in general a defender of public education, but in the current case of IPS it appears that some very dramatic changes are needed - such as sending the kids out to other districts; charter schools; possibly even state takeover.
IPS just doesn't seem to be working for the kids for a number of reasons, including the fact that teachers don't seem to be free to actually teach. They are bogged down with pointless paperwork from administrators and with trying to keep disruptive kids under control. And, in the case of the one school mentioned here, in packing up during their Christmas vacations.
I had such great teachers when I was in school many decades ago. It pains me to read the stories these teachers tell here about what they have to go through. Why would any teacher want to remain in IPS unless he or she just can't find another job?
I would think that a teacher hiring on in IPS would realize they are being enrolled in a system of abuse, neglect and lack of support.
So sad. Very sad. I wouldn't give you a quarter for the future viability of IPS.
Taxpayer, you've unwittingly hit on a major issue in IPS, and one that is also obvious on this blog. There are two groups of people who teach in IPS. Idealists and defeatists. The idealists come to IPS on purpose because they feel that's where they can do the most good. Defeatists (some of whom were once idealists) are in IPS because they can't escape. The idealists and defeatists get really annoyed by each other. The idealists are focused more on what is possible -- who is doing it, how are they doing it, etc. Defeatists are focused more on what is impossible -- who is making it impossible, etc. While administration is made up of both idealists and defeatists, idealists get along with them better, so they're seen as ass-kissers, while idealists see defeatists as petty and negative. Idealists see defeatists as more of an obstacle than funding, administration, and student attitudes. Defeatists see idealists as insignificant and the obstacles of funding, administration, and student attitudes as insurmountable.
I agree with the above except that I do think many of us are in the middle somewhere. I think I'm more idealist than defeatist (maybe 70/30?) but I have to admit, I have my days when it all gets to me, and I think I should have taken a job in the suburbs.
The young new teachers need to stay for only 2 or 3 years or they will be trapped. Other systems do not want to hire teachers with much experience. It is sad but true but why would a good new teacher want to stay with a session where the superintendent degrades and abuses teachers, the school board is too scared to act, a few out of control students who go unpunished take up all of the time of the teacher, and there are so many special mandates, tests, programs that teachers have so little time to teach.
"Is all the females down town gay or something" It sounds to me like you are someone who could use a bit of coaching in grammar. Also, have you ever heard of a question mark? It is on the keyboard next to the shift key...but you must hold down the shift key or you will get the / sign.
You may, however, be making some valid points in your post.
Regarding discussing Adams 50, my husband looked up the name of the specific district that made the news last year, but the concept is common enough in education circles -- not letting students progress to the next level until they've mastered the first.
Once again, it is an age old practice that someone has renamed and recycled. It gives administrators something to talk about when they attend their warm climate conferences in the winter.
About this "idealists" and "defeatist" commentary:
Could it be that most of the "idealists" are working in schools where there are good, supportive principals and the "defeatists" are working in schools where emotionally and morally bankrupt morons are in charge of abusing and berating teachers?
It's kind of a chicken or the egg thing, isn't it? But in my school, there are plenty of both, so it's not totally about the school. Also, I read a book recently that interviewed a bunch of teachers who had been teacher of the year. (Interviews with America's Best Teachers, if anyone is interested.) Almost all of them talked about the culture of defeat in urban schools and that they simply wouldn't accept it. I'm trying to live by that, especially on the tough days.
I do think a good principal makes a huge difference. Granted, the really toxic teachers don't like the good principals anymore than the bad ones, and there are always a few saints or crazies who can stay positive no matter what. But 80% of us will be inspired by a great leader and lose hope with a bad one.
There's no question a good principal makes a difference. But like in the other thread, the teachers who never read an education book, never discuss theory or current events, never give any thought to anything but their paycheck and vacation days, a good principal is not going to make any difference. Sure, a good principal might be able to build enough rapport to keep a teacher from bitching about red shoes on the internet. But nothing is going to make that kind of teacher a true educator unless he or she actually takes an active interest in becoming one.
When are they moving me to the sub position? I refuse to do lesson plans, no communication skills with my peers, hate students, demanding, nasty, and working on my administrator license. I want to be the next Dr. White, I have the red slippers on layway, along with the skin tight suit and nasty behavior.
I didn't take it as teacher bashing. They're talking about a very specific kind of teacher, and I happen to agree with them. It's no different than with students. Some will do great no matter what. Some will fail no matter how great the teacher is. Most will do great with a great teacher and not-so-great with a not-so-great teacher. There's nothing you can do with a student who actively fights becoming educated. Same thing with teachers who are like that.
I guess the difference is whether Jane Kendrick and her gal pals think that MOST teachers are like that or only some. I agree a few are and need to be remotivated or replaced. It is just that Eugene, Jane Kendricks and her band of teacher bashers make the general statement repeatedly that the perception is that most teachers are like the ones described by Jane. Even IPS-BS makes attempts to highlight positive, effective administrators.
I don't think most teachers are like that either, and I agree that administration has a tendency to pass blame on teachers for the negative and take credit for the positive things in the district.
I heard the other day that Manual's enrollment was somewhere under 850 students really around 800. I know the schools capacity is around 2300.
Does that mean me and my fellow teachers at Donnan and I will soon be moving over to a reconfigured Manual Community School (as they have done with Howe, Arlington, Washington, Marshall, Broad Ripple)? That would seem to go with
Seems almost like the writing is on the wall. All we are waiting for is Dr. White's announcement. This would allow for some elementary schools to close and move them into Donnan.
Oh for the love of Pete!
ReplyDeleteWhere is Pete being transferred to or is he being fired???
ReplyDeleteIf I were offered a $1000 to find 5 IPS teachers who gave a crap about all this name dropping and administration bashing, I wouldn't be able to do it. So why the blogmaster at IPS B.S. wants to discuss nothing else is beyond me. (And for those who think its a bunch of people participating in these types of discussions, it's not. It's either a single person or a very small group because almost all of the insulting, name-dropping posts use the same proxy that gives new codes to each post rather than to each computer. Normal people don't use them, and they certainly wouldn't all use the same one.)
ReplyDeleteThis is speculation at best, the answer is on the IPS web site, go to board, enter the public site, open the board report, go to personnel, and open the PDF file, all the real answers are there.
ReplyDeleteWhose retiring this year downtown...Robert Brown, secondary supervisor; Curtis Evans, director of athletics; Jane Hart-Ajabu, personnel; Peggy Haddix-Penn, AOSA; Douglas Anne Kincaid, Professional development; Barry Olsin, office of student assignment; Kathleen Sharp, professional development; Toni Trice, principal.
And moving we have Brian Burke, new assistant principal at HLHMS, Keith Burke as AD at ATHS (with a $4000.00 a year pay cut); Victor Bush to downtown as Athletic Director, with a $17,000. raise; Arthur Dumas to TCHCHS, with a $19,000. raise; Corey Greenwood, to GWCHS with a raise of $31,083.; and finally Debra Lesser with a promotion to principal and $6,000. more.
Basically the salaries go with the positions, the question is do the people go with the positions? Are they competent to do the job?
Deb Lesser is associated with the Chief Carpet Muncher Jane Kendricks. Kendricks gave her an office job that provided her the opportunity to write her dissertation proposal. The same happened for Lori Elliot at Shortridge. There is all types of paperwork to prove it.
ReplyDeleteSee, the last two posts come from the same proxy as the original post (and virtually all of the first posts in any thread, obviously the blogmaster). Almost any post that names a name is most likely posted by the blogmaster. All those racist posts and anti-gay posts. Yep, the blogmaster.
ReplyDeleteI am not the blogmaster. I am an educator who calls the truth, the truth. Don't blame the blogmaster for creating a venue for us to vent our concerns. Blame the policies of IPS for making us mad.
ReplyDeleteyou are not telling the truth, because I wrote the one that starts "this is speculation at best" but I have never used the term "carpet muncher" in my life, and didn't even know the term until I read it on this blog. If these women did illegal or immoral things on IPS time that is one thing, but the gender of their sex partners is irrelevant. The only relevance this would have is if the promotions were based on anything other than ability. This is a system that loves to mine the data, what does the data say about who is getting promoted?
ReplyDeleteOh and this post was done at a public computer.
LOL, you are not an educator. You may have some union-protected job as a teacher, but you are not an educator. You are the mental equivalent of a 6th grade bully. You "vent concerns" through personal attacks rather than discussing policy, and use your anonymity to post libelous untruths and fabrications about this district and others. You are NOT an educator. At best, you are a well-meaning embarassment, at worst, you are an evil hatemonger. (I'm just venting my concerns, you understand. Thanks for the venue.)
ReplyDeleteYou're the one not telling the truth, and anyone with the most basic understanding of source code can tell.
ReplyDeleteWe will see if people still dislike Burke after Leser takes over. I work at Washington and Burke is a good guy who still likes people. I don't think the people postng about him have ever worked with him. Be careful what you wish for Continenals because you now have Deb Leser to deal with. Wish us luck!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhew!! Something must have hit a sore spot. The administrative responses really popped up. Any fool who thinks there are only a handful of teachers using, reading and agreeing with the posts here are either liars and totally out of touch. Eugene White has his media lap dog to peddle his lies and propaganda and teachers have this blog to try and get the truth out to the public. Obviously it is working. Just look at the panicked responses from obvious administrators on this topic.
ReplyDeleteAgain, you can tell who is telling the truth or not by looking at the source code and by checking the "facts" behind the nonsense you post. Why would anyone be panicked? Why would anyone take you seriously? Several teachers try to have intelligent discussions here and you hate it. You try to change the subjec to personal gossip and when that doesn't work, you start a new topic. Anyone can read the blog and see the truth. And for what its worth, I'm not a teacher or administrator, I'm a relative of an IPS teacher who posts here on the rare occasions when actual discussions take place.
ReplyDeleteIf I were teaching at Washington, I would ask for a transfer. Leser is evil and a backstabber. Her close relationship with Jane Kendrick gives her the ability to degrade and abuse teachers without suffering the consequences. Why would Kendrick let Leser work for over a year on the IPS timeclock to get her administrative license?
ReplyDeleteHere are some things REAL teachers are talking about.
ReplyDeleteREPA.
Vouchers
Charter Schools
Teachers Unions
National certification of pricipals.
National education standards
Teacher Pay? Merit Pay, Education- and tenure-based? Neither? Other?
Budget solutions? What programs and duties could be combined or eliminated or otherwise made more efficient?
Exit exams
Project-based learning
Problem-based learning
Inquiry-based learning
Interdisciplinary learning
Multiple intelligences
Technology in the classroom
Differentiation
Classroom management
Fun ideas without spending $ (free projects, grant writing, garnering donations from local businesses)
Schools where teachers take on administrative functions and receive higher pay? Good or bad?
Schools with no grades, only standards, a la Adams 50 in Colorado
Books that you would recommend to other educators!
We rarely talk about central office, but even if you wanted to keep the topics relevant to leadership and administration, what about these?
Books about school leadership and education reform that we would recommend.
Advice and suggestions for an ideal pricipal superintendant -- how do you make teachers, parents, students and taxpayers all happy?
Budget solutions? What programs and duties could be combined or eliminated or otherwise made more efficient?
Successful Supervising -- Ideas for managing difficult and uncooperative staff without becoming a jerk (probably similar to classroom management, lol).
How do you try new theories or implement new strategies -- across the board, try it at one or two schools? On a volunteer basis?
Is it possible to make exceptional academic gains in a school without angering some staff and teachers?
Is there an example of a school system nationwide that has improved dramatically and would serve as a model for IPS?
"Whew!! Something must have hit a sore spot. The administrative responses really popped up."
ReplyDeleteThe administrators who are writing messages here say that only a few people are involved on this blog and that this blog has very little real impact on IPS.
If this is the case, then why are they taking so much time to so frequently post messages or to have their underlings post them (probably on IPS time)?
"I think thou dost protest too much." Shakespeare.
I am a taxpayer, not a teacher. I ran into this blog while reading an article on The Indianapolis Star website in which it was mentioned.
I've never posted before today. It was actually the "carpet muncher" and made-up Roncalli story that set me off. But if that kind of thing doesn't bother you, fine. It bothers me as a taxpayer, just as it bothers me as a teacher's spouse and as a parent. I happen to know a bit about computer programming so I decided to check into my wife's suspicion that most of the crazy posts were from the same source, and it turns out she's very likely right. Why wouldn't I let others know that? Why don't you want to know that? It doesn't mean all the posts here are wrong. Many real teachers do post here. But they're not the ones posting personal insults and naming names.
ReplyDeleteHere are some things REAL teachers actually discuss:
ReplyDeleteThe number of different preps they have in one day
The building network being down again
Why some teachers never have bus duty
Why some teachers always have bus duty
The lack of common planning time
Copy paper is not available in the building
Why the Dean keeps sending back the student who spit on another student during your class
Have the SpringBoard class sets of novels arrived yet
Is the copier repaired yet
Who stole the ink cartridge from my HP printer
When does the window for recording grades open
Do we need to bring our TESA binders to the staff meeting
Did Bridgwaters visit your classroom
Who forgot to recharge the COWS
Why is a field trip scheduled during Scrimmage testing week
Four posts up has obviously never been in a classroom, or talked to anyone who works in one.
ReplyDeleteActually, four posts up is my husband. I am an IPS teacher of many years, and the list he posted accurately summarizes many of the things I discuss with my coworkers and with him. But comparing that list with the one two posts up, I doubt we run in the same circles.
ReplyDeleteI'm an IPS teacher, and I've certainly discussed many of the issues in BOTH lists! LOL
ReplyDeleteYou must be at one of the good schools, I love reading on education, and do a good deal of it. However when you are on a ship that is sinking there is no time to rearrange the deck chairs. Pray you never end up where I am, because very little education goes on in my school. Instead we are disciplining and managing classrooms. I really miss teaching, facilitating an experience so that a child can learn. When I have little Bobby over in the corner remarking that he has viewed u-tubes of Susie going down on William it is not really conducive to the educational process. So I spend my time calling Bobby's mom, writing unanswered discipline referrals, trying to get the social worker to see the kid and wondering if anyone is learning anything I intend to teach. I never thought I'd want to leave teaching but this school has changed my mind. I've faced difficult situations before but have never been so unsupported and undermined by administration. When you bring these issues up it turns out they are entirely your fault. My students need so much and this fight between administration and teachers is not helping them.
ReplyDeleteFrom above..."Here are some things REAL teachers are talking about.
ReplyDeleteREPA.
Vouchers
Charter Schools
Teachers Unions
National certification of pricipals.
National education standards
Teacher Pay? Merit Pay, Education- and tenure-based? Neither? Other?
Budget solutions? What programs and duties could be combined or eliminated or otherwise made more efficient?
Exit exams
Project-based learning
Problem-based learning
Inquiry-based learning
Interdisciplinary learning
Multiple intelligences
Technology in the classroom
Differentiation
Classroom management
Fun ideas without spending $ (free projects, grant writing, garnering donations from local businesses)
Schools where teachers take on administrative functions and receive higher pay? Good or bad?
Schools with no grades, only standards, a la Adams 50 in Colorado
Books that you would recommend to other educators!"
I am in awe of the public school classroom teacher who can find the unencumbered time to hold these rich discussions.
All teachers find time to chit-chat with one another, both in school and out of school. What they chit-chat about obviously varies, but it's not that odd for teachers to talk about serious topics. You make us all sound like morons. (I'm probably in the "both lists" camp too.)
ReplyDeleteI did, however, hear that they fired a teacher at an IPS school because she was cross-eyed. They said she couldn't control her pupils.
ReplyDeleteThat is BAD! LOL
ReplyDeleteUnite! The evil-doers want in-fighting. Don't you see? We are playing into their hands.
ReplyDelete(And yes. I am an IPS teacher in reality.)
What we talk about, why do we have all those so called Coaches, what is their purpose. Why are they not in the class room. Is all the females down town gay or something. How did the teachers miss this fact. It has not been a water cooler discussion. Thanks for the insight. Who is going to go to Manual?
ReplyDeleteWhat are the teachers talking about. Can payroll make the direct deposit work, what happened to my retro pay for extra activities? Who is getting the cut from Springboard for the 10 dollar books per year we waste? Why can't they turn on the heat? When is Friday the 18th going to get here? Whose brain child was it to add study halls second semester? Boy are they working hard for the money downtown now?
ReplyDeleteWe talk about how much longer will they let Sarah Bogard continue to screw up Tech, how much money is being spent on all of these academic coaches who do not but eat or makes plans to eat, why are students being taken out of elective classes that they are passing to be placed in study halls, why does no one know what the second semester newly created study halls going to do, where are the 195 cadre subs, when will I receive my correct retro pay, when will I receive a correct pay check, when did it become necessary to be a lesbian to climb the administative ladder, when will the school really enforce the dress code, and when will the school enforce the discipline code....these are what real teachers are talking about. I have never heard one teacher discussing the Adams 50 in Colorado.....that is administrative psycho babble.
ReplyDeleteAs a taxpayer who first visited here after reading about this blog on a news website:
ReplyDeleteWhat I see is a horribly dysfunctional school district in which morale among most of the teachers is terribly low.
I see a top-heavy administration and a daunting bureaucracy.
I am in general a defender of public education, but in the current case of IPS it appears that some very dramatic changes are needed - such as sending the kids out to other districts; charter schools; possibly even state takeover.
IPS just doesn't seem to be working for the kids for a number of reasons, including the fact that teachers don't seem to be free to actually teach. They are bogged down with pointless paperwork from administrators and with trying to keep disruptive kids under control. And, in the case of the one school mentioned here, in packing up during their Christmas vacations.
I had such great teachers when I was in school many decades ago. It pains me to read the stories these teachers tell here about what they have to go through. Why would any teacher want to remain in IPS unless he or she just can't find another job?
I would think that a teacher hiring on in IPS would realize they are being enrolled in a system of abuse, neglect and lack of support.
So sad. Very sad. I wouldn't give you a quarter for the future viability of IPS.
Taxpayer, you've unwittingly hit on a major issue in IPS, and one that is also obvious on this blog. There are two groups of people who teach in IPS. Idealists and defeatists. The idealists come to IPS on purpose because they feel that's where they can do the most good. Defeatists (some of whom were once idealists) are in IPS because they can't escape. The idealists and defeatists get really annoyed by each other. The idealists are focused more on what is possible -- who is doing it, how are they doing it, etc. Defeatists are focused more on what is impossible -- who is making it impossible, etc. While administration is made up of both idealists and defeatists, idealists get along with them better, so they're seen as ass-kissers, while idealists see defeatists as petty and negative. Idealists see defeatists as more of an obstacle than funding, administration, and student attitudes. Defeatists see idealists as insignificant and the obstacles of funding, administration, and student attitudes as insurmountable.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the above except that I do think many of us are in the middle somewhere. I think I'm more idealist than defeatist (maybe 70/30?) but I have to admit, I have my days when it all gets to me, and I think I should have taken a job in the suburbs.
ReplyDeleteThe young new teachers need to stay for only 2 or 3 years or they will be trapped. Other systems do not want to hire teachers with much experience. It is sad but true but why would a good new teacher want to stay with a session where the superintendent degrades and abuses teachers, the school board is too scared to act, a few out of control students who go unpunished take up all of the time of the teacher, and there are so many special mandates, tests, programs that teachers have so little time to teach.
ReplyDelete"Is all the females down town gay or something" It sounds to me like you are someone who could use a bit of coaching in grammar. Also, have you ever heard of a question mark? It is on the keyboard next to the shift key...but you must hold down the shift key or you will get the / sign.
ReplyDeleteYou may, however, be making some valid points in your post.
Regarding discussing Adams 50, my husband looked up the name of the specific district that made the news last year, but the concept is common enough in education circles -- not letting students progress to the next level until they've mastered the first.
ReplyDeleteOnce again, it is an age old practice that someone has renamed and recycled. It gives administrators something to talk about when they attend their warm climate conferences in the winter.
ReplyDeleteAbout this "idealists" and "defeatist" commentary:
ReplyDeleteCould it be that most of the "idealists" are working in schools where there are good, supportive principals and the "defeatists" are working in schools where emotionally and morally bankrupt morons are in charge of abusing and berating teachers?
Just a thought to ponder....
It's kind of a chicken or the egg thing, isn't it? But in my school, there are plenty of both, so it's not totally about the school. Also, I read a book recently that interviewed a bunch of teachers who had been teacher of the year. (Interviews with America's Best Teachers, if anyone is interested.) Almost all of them talked about the culture of defeat in urban schools and that they simply wouldn't accept it. I'm trying to live by that, especially on the tough days.
ReplyDeleteI do think a good principal makes a huge difference. Granted, the really toxic teachers don't like the good principals anymore than the bad ones, and there are always a few saints or crazies who can stay positive no matter what. But 80% of us will be inspired by a great leader and lose hope with a bad one.
ReplyDeleteThere's no question a good principal makes a difference. But like in the other thread, the teachers who never read an education book, never discuss theory or current events, never give any thought to anything but their paycheck and vacation days, a good principal is not going to make any difference. Sure, a good principal might be able to build enough rapport to keep a teacher from bitching about red shoes on the internet. But nothing is going to make that kind of teacher a true educator unless he or she actually takes an active interest in becoming one.
ReplyDeleteWhen are they moving me to the sub position? I refuse to do lesson plans, no communication skills with my peers, hate students, demanding, nasty, and working on my administrator license. I want to be the next Dr. White, I have the red slippers on layway, along with the skin tight suit and nasty behavior.
ReplyDeleteJane Kendrick on here again bashing teachers. She just won't quit. She must be jealous of Eugene's ruby red Gucci slippers.
ReplyDeleteI didn't take it as teacher bashing. They're talking about a very specific kind of teacher, and I happen to agree with them. It's no different than with students. Some will do great no matter what. Some will fail no matter how great the teacher is. Most will do great with a great teacher and not-so-great with a not-so-great teacher. There's nothing you can do with a student who actively fights becoming educated. Same thing with teachers who are like that.
ReplyDeleteI guess the difference is whether Jane Kendrick and her gal pals think that MOST teachers are like that or only some. I agree a few are and need to be remotivated or replaced. It is just that Eugene, Jane Kendricks and her band of teacher bashers make the general statement repeatedly that the perception is that most teachers are like the ones described by Jane. Even IPS-BS makes attempts to highlight positive, effective administrators.
ReplyDeleteI don't think most teachers are like that either, and I agree that administration has a tendency to pass blame on teachers for the negative and take credit for the positive things in the district.
ReplyDeleteI heard the other day that Manual's enrollment was somewhere under 850 students really around 800. I know the schools capacity is around 2300.
ReplyDeleteDoes that mean me and my fellow teachers at Donnan and I will soon be moving over to a reconfigured Manual Community School (as they have done with Howe, Arlington, Washington, Marshall, Broad Ripple)? That would seem to go with
Seems almost like the writing is on the wall. All we are waiting for is Dr. White's announcement. This would allow for some elementary schools to close and move them into Donnan.
With the budget as is. Has anyone heard anything?
Hey person who started the lists:
ReplyDeleteSTART YOUR OWN BLOG. I'll read it.