How to Create a Negative School Climate 101
Dear Mr. Gates and Mr. Duncan,
I thought I had better get this to you now while it is still on my mind.
At the end of the last school year, I was informed that I would be teaching 7th and 8th grade language arts instead of the specialized, reading program I had taught for six years. The reading program was highly effective, yet the administrator decided it was better to move me to regular Language Arts. I asked for materials to study over the summer to prepare for my new assignment. I was given nothing. I started school with nothing. I had no textbooks and certainly no teacher’s editions to reference. I had no technology available in my class. Four weeks later, I still don’t.
The second day of school, I was evaluated based on the VAM system in our state. I had 30 students in my tiny classroom at the time of evaluation…day two! I was “red flagged” in three areas. I had students sitting on the floor. I had requested more tables and chairs or desks, not once, but three times. I was told in passing to “deal with it”. My small room can sit 18 students safely. I had 30. Once again, I was told, “deal with it”. I was “red flagged”
If you are reading this post, the odds are that you are already somewhat of a “connected educator.” Of course, if you are “connected” then you know that there are some responsibilities that come along with that designation. One of the primary tasks of a connected educator is to help others learn about the tremendous rewards inherent in online social learning.