From Frederick Douglass

“The American people have this to learn: that where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, where ignorance prevails, and where any one class is made to feel that society is an organized conspiracy to oppress, rob, and degrade them, neither person nor property is safe.”
~ Frederick Douglass

Speaking out!

So, I'm sitting here completing 15 annotated bibliographies that will eventually become a part of my M.Ed with Reading Specialist cert comprehensive portfolio. I'm minding my own business, when I flip through a particular book looking at what I highlighted and the notes I took so that I can put together a truthful bib.

Well, I came across this sentence:

"What counts as literacy in politics and institutions is often that which can be measured on tests, that which can be studies in a prepackaged sequence, and/or that which has been defined by the dominant culture as worth knowing." (p. 25)

{secretly cheering this author on as I reread more}

"Such practices pull our teaching away from children's lived literacies and push it toward predetermined sets of goals or standards--those set by individuals who are far removed from classrooms and who, often, are working with agendas that may not be in the best interest of particular students." (p. 25)

Here's one more for the road!

"The result of political and institutional discourses, and unexamined personal ideologies, is a static curriculum designed to connect primarily with the literacy practices of children who are deemed "ready" for school.  Typically, not always, these are white, middle-class children who have learned to do things such as read and retell the stories in books, recognize and write the letters of the alphabet, write their names, and talk and act like "students."" (also, p. 25)

Note: the book is actually on observing children in various literacy situations and using such observations and notes to inform instruction.

When I see researchers, teacher-educators, teacher-educator-authors, seasoned educators and the like writing books including text books and making reference to the very sad direction that education has taken in this country, I feel a bit more empowered! Here are veteran educators and researchers who, I'm sure, would rather much write, uninterrupted, on pedagogy or on some analysis of the latest research. Instead, they must digress to inform their readers of the harmful effects of politics and other money-driven policies on real teaching and learning.

Sad.

And for the academics, here's the citation:
Owocki, G., & Goodman, Y. (2002). Kidwatching: Documenting children’s literacy development. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.

Congratulations c/o 2014!!!

Today I attended the high school graduation of many of my very first group of public school students I was privileged to teach! I cannot say just how proud I was to see them today. Words just cannot capture my joy! Congratulations class of 2014! I wish you all the best!!

I saw a tweet once that in essence said that elementary school teachers are probably the most patient of teachers since we have to wait years to see our students grow up and graduate.

#ProudTeacher

Mixed Emotions about Move Up Day

Today, most of my 5th graders will graduate, I mean, 'Move Up' in a ceremony that promises to be exciting and very enthusiastic!

My emotions are all over the place. Not so much sorrow that this may be the last time I see many of them. But because of the uncertainty of these times. What kind of "lack of funding--charter happy--test enthusiastic--resource deficient" middle school and beyond world am I sending my kids into?

Then I think of those who my teaching team have struggled with all year. Those who were chronically absent and/or late, those whose parents we never had the opportunity to meet, those who needed only 5-10 children in a class because they needed that much attention, those! What about those kids who will "move up" anyway, despite our strongest objection?

Yea, it's 'Move Up' Day alright! For many it really is a time to celebrate. Congratulations to those children!!! For others and for a variety of reasons beyond the teacher, it's more like 'Push Up and Push Out' Day! smh

Corbett's "Interest" in the Philly region

Governor Tom Corbett's weaving himself into the SEPTA vs. The Electricians & Engineers discourse acknowledges the importance of the Philadelphia region to the state of Pennsylvania. It also reaffirms his short-sighted and illogical thinking regarding public schools in Pennsylvania and their long term impact on the sustained economic growth of the state.
This work stoppage by SEPTA electricians and engineers means that many six-figure, suburban, zone 4 (and others), white white-collar workers are inconvinienced! Heaven forbid!!! Act 3, Scene 2, que "The Governor"

This short term inconvenience to many wealthier citizens (the primary ridership of the regioanl rail system, though lowly teachers like me and others enjoy the ride as well) of the region means that they'll either have to carpool, drive, walk a little extra distance on sidewalk-less streets, ride the "other" SEPTA routes, or work from home. Boo hoo!! I don't wish for anyone out of work or inconvenienced and I mean, ANYone!! That includes people that look like me!

Here in Philly, schools are shuttered and children must walk, not sidewalk-less longer routes, but dangerous sidewalk-ful longer routes to get to SCHOOL, so that they too can make something of themselves! The guv? In favor of that! But heaven forbid those who make six/seven figures have to endure longer drives to plush Center City offices with working water fountains, functioning HVAC systems, clean restrooms, and pens and calculators that they, themselves, didn't have to purchase or pilfer!!

Although it appears a work stoppage by this group hasn't happened since 1983, here comes the guv, even willing to race to the top, President Obama, to force them back to work.

Meanwhile, the other engine that will either be the downfall or uplifting of the Philadelphia region, (and by default, the state) for DECADES, not a few weeks, but DECADES to come is suffering tremendously! That locomotive, the Philadelphia public school system (and others), is woefully underfunded. His short-sighted solution is to be school surgeon and cut, cut, cut!! Cut the schools to solvency and hold the teachers to a higher standard of accountability!

Governor Corbett, how about you get your nose out of the hind parts of big business and the wealthy long enough to fund the public schools in what is by far the largest and probably most economically significant region in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania!

If you want Pennsylvania to be an economic powerhouse for years to come, you must invest in the generation that will be here for years to come!

This is a call to full fair funding for public schools in all of Pennsylvania!

Stephen Starr

I understand that reviews may be mixed when it comes to the efforts that Stephen Starr is undertaking to help fill a widening funding gap affecting Philadelphia's puboic schools.

On one side of the fence, those of us who believe that public schools should be fully funded by public, and therefore accountable, tax dollars, period! With public dollars going to support our public schools, our schools cannot be subject to or bought by private enterprise nor succomb to private impropriety. I get that. I can't say that I disagree!

On the other side of the fence, those of us who believe that there may not be any significant increase in state or local money streaming in to our cash strapped district. Therefore, if a private enterprise wants to raise funds and award grants or purchase labs and equipment for struggling schools while the 'grown ups' in City Council and Harrisburg fuss and fight, then let them! I understand that point as well. I cannot say I disagree!

All I want to say is, thank you!
When someone does something nice for you, you ought to say thank you!!

No Words, Just Pics