Friday, May 7, 2010

This Week In Education People: PA Teacher Of The Year Michelle Switala

This Week In Education

People: PA Teacher Of The Year Michelle Switala

image from www.nstoy.orgAnother set of answers from a Teacher of the Year -- PA's Michelle Switala, the pride of Pine Richland High School math department. Check out her answer about her favorite book or movie for a smile. Shouldn't Stand And Deliver be her favorite movie?
1 -- What is the biggest issue going on in your classroom or school this year (budget cuts, swine flu, schedules, merit pay)?
I think our biggest issue is budget cuts. We have a new superintendent who inherited a little bit of a mess and is now faced with tightening our purse strings. We'll feel it next year when a bunch of retired teachers will not be replaced. We also opted for a contract extension instead of full-blown negotiating in this climate.
2 -- What do you know and think about "race to the top" and other federal education initiatives (for, against, don't know)?
I am really happy that we are thinking about holding districts and teachers

Updates: Friday News, Commentary, Recommendations

ScreenHunter_03 May. 03 14.30
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    Video: PS 22 Takes On Costumed Icelandic Singer

    Teaching public school 3rd graders to sing a lovely version of a Bjork song (All Is Full Of Love) -- is that even legal?


    Quotes: Demographics Vs. School Quality

    ScreenHunter_25 May. 05  00.18"What some people don’t get, however, is thatwhile demographics matters a great deal so does school quality." -- CAP blogger Matthew Yglesias