The Observation Deck

Um my father in law was let go months before his pension kicked in after the young money-hungry guys took over the steel mill, and after 19 3/4 years of hard and dedicated work! so no, those aren't the best example for me. And if they were, I still don't agree that after a certain year, teachers are automatically guaranteed to be on the payroll regardless of their performance. And I am going to school to be a teacher. I want to be held to the highest standard, because the kids are the future. If I ever become complacent, I beg to be shaken back awake.

DL,
I didn't think you were posing that question to me, but even if it doesn't result in a rewarding career, the arts in any form can give an identity to a child in a mixed-messaged world. It has my son. And while the practical side to me wants him to go to college and get a career he can earn money at or "fall back on" I support any decision he makes. But the arts in schools is still a necessity. (Ever wonder why the artsy schools are so expensive if they can't always get the high paying jobs after graduation?)

Sadly, Danielle, if we can't get all the parents to provide breakfast for their own kids, then no, we can't get them all to provide arts at home. So the rest of us will continue to work two jobs (or our husbands so we can be home with the kids), coming home exhausted, and vote for even more taxes out of our money to provide better education, we hope, all around, for everyone.

It is a sad fact Justine. That's why even though I get frustrated that many parents don't do their jobs (teaching, feeding, caring) I still continue year after to year to volunteer in the schools. To me it's about the kids and hopefully someday it will all pay off when they are successful in life.

Teaching art and music to kids really gives them hope. Especially when they are young most children seem to enjoy it. It this fast paced crazy world where too many children grow up way to fast we need something that lets them be kids. Art is my opinion does that. BTW my favorite art covers many walls in my house and fills many boxes in the basement, that is my children's art.

I think something of beauty in a natural form is a wonder, where something of beauty that is created is art.

Stated differently - I believe that art is the wonder of man.

Charyn

Justine Cooper wrote: And if they were, I still don't agree that after a certain year, teachers are automatically guaranteed to be on the payroll regardless of their performance

I completely agree. Tenure is the bane of modern education. There is no reason anyone with such an important job should not be held to the same standards as any other teacher without the hinderance of "tenure".

And here I was, in my nice comfy recliner, about to fall asleep, and now I've got to get up and defend an aspect of the teaching profession again.

Oh well, my lot in life, it seems......

So many of you seem to really have it in for teachers.

But we teachers know that's nothing new.

We've seen and heard it all before.

Tenure was put in place so that teachers could not be removed for political or arbitrary reasons. The classroom is a place for the free and open exchange of sometimes controversial ideas. A teacher needs to know that they can teach without capricious interference from subjective causes.

Tenure guarantees that teachers will be afforded due process, if a problem arises. Teachers can be fired like anyone else, if they lose their case.

The issue of tenure has become more and more moot. Teachers no longer can get permanent, or even 8 year licenses. The Ohio licenses are for 5 years, and may be renewed only by strict criteria. There is also an appraisal process, whereby the teacher is periodically evaluated by the administration.

If a teacher is not doing the job, it is the duty of their administrator to proceed with the due process plan. The teacher is entitled to representation, of course, and the process itself is very structured.

By the same token, there is also a grievance procedure whereby a teacher can complain about an administrative issue. That too, is a process having levels of appeal.

Either position must have their ducks lined up good and proper, in order to prevail.

I hope this explains the ins and outs of this issue.

If a teacher is somehow perceived as not doing what they are supposed to do, there will be a responsible administrator to question, as well.

Gary Rice wrote:Tenure was put in place so that teachers could not be removed for political or arbitrary reasons. The classroom is a place for the free and open exchange of sometimes controversial ideas. A teacher needs to know that they can teach without capricious interference from subjective causes.

Tenure guarantees that teachers will be afforded due process, if a problem arises. Teachers can be fired like anyone else, if they lose their case.

Gary, if it's simply to provide cover from political or arbitrary reasons, then why don't newer teachers deserve the same protection? Why do some teachers need more "due process" protection than others?

I guess I just fail to see why tenure is a necessary tool for anything if it's not applied equally to all in the profession.

The fact that not everyone gets it just seems to prove the point that tenure provides special protection. It is much more difficult to fire a low performing teacher with tenure over a low performing teaching without tenure. But again, if I'm misunderstanding this, please let me know.

And Gary, just because some of us might question some of the policies around teaching doesn't mean we hate teachers, hate children, and want to overthrow the entire education system . Just as I think it's healthy to question government, it's just as important to question our education system. Anything that important needs to be scrutinized and questioned to always ensure we're doing the right things.

If we just sit by complacently and always just allow the status quo, it's the children who will suffer. Questioning brings out improvements and ensures forward growth.

jobs for life

Well, at least I've had a good night's sleep, so here we go off and running down that well-worn footpath again.

Doug wrote:

Jobs for life


Doug, Doug, Doug,

(That name-repeating thing seems to be a good JOB technique, so I thought I'd try it here :-)

Ever hear the old saying- A thousand "atta-boy's" don't add up to one "oh poop!"? (word, of course, modified)

As a teacher, fireperson, police officer, or any public employee can tell you, and particularly when you deal with children of many backgrounds, you can do everything right, and then one day, something happens. It might be the smallest thing imaginable or perhaps even nothing at all, and all of a sudden, you might have many months of grief in front of you, tenured or not.

You may find yourself in court or at the Board, either to help prosecute a student, or perhaps, having to defend yourself.

You may even find that you have been the victim of an assault, as well.

Bryan, Bryan, Bryan.

(Hmm, I'm not sure I like this technique, so I'll start over)

Bryan,

Generally, yes, for the first several years, teachers are not on tenure and can be released without too much fuss.

The reason is simple. The Board of Education needs a probationary period to MAKE SURE that the teachers are effective. This is for the child, and the community's protection.

Only after a (usually 2-3 year) period of time, can they earn tenure. By the way, if a teacher moves to another district, they lose tenure and must start again.

I wish that you could have spent a day with me, or better still, a day alone teaching in a classroom.

My classroom was changed from a "Learning Disabilities"-only room having about six students, to a cross-categorical special classroom toward the end, at times, having large numbers of students.

Of those, some had learning differences, some were behavior-impaired, some attention deficit disordered, some severe behavior disordered, some autistic, some visually impaired, some developmentally impaired, some dysgraphic (unable to write) and often, most or all of them in there at the same time.

All of them needed hours of instruction, often before or after school, and on my own time. All of them required IEPs to be written. (Individual Instruction Plans)

A few special-need students from time to time might also have special medical needs, ranging from diabetes to diapers.

And some of you wonder why teachers need tenure.

By the grace of God, I survived 31 years, and I'd probably still be there if I had not slipped on black ice and bopped the back of my head. It turned out OK (I hope :-), but helped me decide that it was time to bow out.

During my career, I received an "Outstanding Special Educator" award. I speak to the community still, about special needs children.

I still enjoy hearing from my students. Many of them have gone on to very successful and productive lives that continue to amaze and inspire me.

To be fair, I believe I may have a couple currently serving long prison terms too.

Teaching is a great field! As a person having special needs myself, these turned out to be a blessing when dealing with others who had the same.

Ironically, in my case, some of the personal challenges of my own childhood included math, handwriting, speech, hearing, and my legs and feet.

And...

None of those difficulties matter, in my present activity as a writer!

Observers,

If a teacher does not cut the mustard, that person will be discovered, and will not be around for long.

Oh yes, there is often very little support for a teacher who needs help, either. I've had to mentor a number of teachers over the years, on my own time again, to help them work out issues that they found to be difficult to face.

So that's my 2 cents worth.

Support your teachers. They do so much for your community!

Art...on a personal, individual level...
It's that subjective reflection of life that stimulates one or more of our senses. 'Good" art is is so very subjective that usually the majority defines what that is in a specific moment of time (until the next generation!). It can be everything around us or nothing at all depending on just how open we are to an experience. To me, it's the difference between reflective living or just existing & coasting through life.

Art...on a commercial level, aka arts district...
Might be a community providing the space, support (financial & emotional), & the long term commitment to expose a greater number of people to a variety of expressions that evoke reflection & personal growth.

Support your teachers. They do so much for your community!

Thanks Gary. Despite what might be said here I think most of us agree with you and I certainly agree that a few bad apples shouldn't ruin the bunch. Lakewood has a lot of fabulous teachers and yes they do a lot for their community. The fact is that there are some teachers that do slip through the cracks; I know they are out there, and people do get frustrated. Dialogue is good, but more involvement is better. Actually being in the schools and seeing what goes on not only is beneficial for the students but also helps to see what the teachers are doing and what they have to deal with, it also helps to locate those bad apples. As a side note thanks to you Gary for your years of special ed service. I know it takes a wonderfully gifted teacher to teach special education and I am grateful that you gave those years. I am sure you were made a huge impact in the lives of your students.

Gary, thank you for the additional clarification. I appreciate it.

Danielle and Bryan,

Thank you.

Yes, by all means Observers, get involved and stay involved with your schools. The more you know, (and help out!) the better.

The children are worth it.

They have often been ignored far too long, by a society with other priorities, at least in my opinion.

In keeping with your involvement, here is your next assignment. Who is attributed with the following expression? (though there seems to be some dispute, as to the actual wording)

"The only thing necessary for evil to triumph, is for good men to do nothing"

Have a great day, all!

In keeping with your involvement, here is your next assignment. Who is attributed with the following expression? (though there seems to be some dispute, as to the actual wording)

"The only thing necessary for evil to triumph, is for good men to do nothing"

Edmund Burke, I actually remember that from history class many years ago, thanks Ms. Lee (Helix High-La Mesa, CA).

Danielle,

Your grade is an A!

Outstanding Citizenship, too!