Better place

I ran into someone I taught with several years ago and they told me I don't look stressed anymore.

They also told me that I needed to know that I am a good teacher.

I think sometimes this push for accountability really isn't about accountability at all.

I want to teach kids to question everything. Just because someone with authority tells you something, ask yourslef if it is true. Math leads itsef to this - but my stance may be a dangerous one as well as not favored by the uppity-ups.

I loved the validation. I also loved being told."You are happy and this is good. You deserve to be happy."

Six Word Saturday

Life is just a basketball game.


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Saw a game this week and loved watching the young men shoot rebound after rebound until they finally got a basket.

Now, how do I get them to do that with math? To not give up when they don't understand it, but to persist until they do?.

This is my 1600th post.

Six Word Saturday

Nothing to fear but fear itself.


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I was talking with an long term friend yesterday and the friend, as usual (unfortunately) was doing her usual litany about fear.

She has bundled her children up in long sleeves and big hats since they were little because she is afraid of skin cancer.

She proselytizes about the danger of vaccines because she is worried about vaccines causing autism.

She is constantly saying she is afraid of this or that - going into the city, driving, her children being out, her children being home, getting old, being alone, staying with the man who loved her - I have no idea how she functions.

And I wonder how often I let fear limit my own life - that I don't do something because I am afraid I will look stupid or awkward or not do it well.......

Edited to add from http://www.daveswordsofwisdom.com/.

Six word Sunday

I am in a better place.


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I am liking this year so much more than last year. Not perfect, but heaven by comparison.

Disrespecting professional judgment

Once again, Schools Matter has a thought provoking article.

Teachers can be replaced by tests they are not privy to and therefor cannot teach to.

Knowing this child has been thrown out of his house and is living with various friends, or this one is working to support his mother who lost her job - WHILE attending high school, or this one battles diabetes, or this one is doing the best she can with the hand she was dealt - know all that, the test can tell you more about what they have learned than I can?

Right.

Six Word Saturday

Learn from mistakes or be stunted.


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OK. The grade you earned was not what you wanted. Maybe it was failing, maybe just not high enough for your goals.

You have been told repeatedly that in order to change the grade, your behavior has to change. Turn work in on time. Stop talking during instruction. Put your phone up. Take notes. Practice.

My expectations are not changing.

Yours may have to.