#16 Merry Christmas or Happy Winter?

Our nation is closely attached to our religion and freedom of practicing whatever faith you may. How free are we if we cannot tell someone Merry Christmas for fear of being sued? One Connecticut school told Fox News it has banned Christmas from it's walls. No longer will its halls be decked with balls of holly. No longer will it refer to the Christmas season as Christmas. The celebrations at Walsh Elementary School in Waterbury, Connecticut simply will not have decorations or Christmas parties in their classrooms. They will, however, continue to sing songs of Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa.

I've been teaching for twelve years now. In total, I've had maybe five students who didn't believe in practicing gift giving or anything remotely Christmas because of their faith. That leaves about 415 other students I've had who do. Those five children's families either chose to pull their children out at the end of the day during the "party" or simply allowed them to participate knowing we weren't preaching God's Word in the classroom. Never did they pull their children out of school for a "Christmas" party.

I think it's sad that such a majority of people I've encountered have become so overly sensitive that they can no longer practice their faith freely. I'm not a preacher, I'm a teacher. The problem seems to be that the teaching profession preaches tolerance so often while obviously being hypocritical in the area of allowing student expression in the classroom. Can we sincerely feel offended by somebody offering us a "Merry Christmas" in good nature? When someone is actually offended by those words, aren't we as teachers to blame for not sincerely promoting freedom of religion and speech and good will?

One thing is for sure, I hope people feel the good will I plan to deliver in the way of many Merry Christmas greetings this December. I will not suppress others from saying Happy Hanukkah to me and will receive it with joy. One thing that would almost be offensive to me is "Happy Winter!" Give me a break. Are we even moving away from Happy Holidays now? Is that too controversial for people? It's madness.

Well, have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

#15 Retention- Teachers Assassinating Youth

What happened to the days of being punished for a lackluster performance? It seems the only retention that occurs these days in the classrooms are people who are pregnant. We definitely have lost our ability to utilize the best motivational tool of all, retention from advancement in grade level. It seems like only yesterday that a student who didn't perform well enough in their academics would be held back a year to enable them later in life. These days, we have so much psychobabble happening when it comes to the impact retaining a student would have on that individual, we don't demand the best. With everyone being their own Dr. Phil or Oprah, it seems we've gotten nowhere with some students. They aren't motivated to succeed. I believe it's directly related to not holding them personally responsible and setting the goals and expectations at a manageable level that any hard working person can achieve.

A colleague of mine was telling me today that Newsweek had once run a story about how the greatest indication of whether or not a person was going to be successful later in life had little to do with their actual letter grades in high school or college. Instead, it was more directly related the the level of coursework and the ability to complete it with any amount of success. Basically, he'd rather his children take advanced placement coursework and earn a C on the report card than take the "dumbed down" class and earn an A. This is what he said the article, written in a time Newsweek wouldn't include psycho-babble nonsense instead. Why can't people realize that we're losing old fashioned value of hard work ethic in this country?

What are we telling students who don't even want to maintain a C average in their "dumbed down" coursework if we push them through to the next grade level? I think we're telling them they're doing enough and smart enough to compete in a society. I think we're lying to them indirectly and ruining their chances as positive influences in today's marketplace. Social norms are going to slap them in the face because teachers and schools can't kick them in the pants. Professional teachers have been told for years that it would just be too much for the child to endure if they were held back a grade level. What is that all about? Why can't a student who doesn't make the grade be held back any longer? Why should Johnny, (I know, Johnny gets a bad name when we refer to him so often for ANYTHING) be advanced to the next grade level if he chooses to clam up and not complete school work? Why should he be told it's ok?

I know why he is told he can move to the 7th grade. It's societal guilt. People think, "Johnny's parents are divorced," or "Johnny is bigger than the rest of his class already," or "Johnny's motivation will fall desperately out of control and he'll drop out at 16." Well, I think that while all those things might be true or possible, we cannot change the rules or set the bar even lower for a student who doesn't perform. If the difference is he completes high school and "earns" his degree because teachers have just let him slide through, how's that going to help him be better off in the marketplace than he would be if he chooses to drop out because he repeated 6th grade? So he hasn't been motivated since 6th grade and he tests at maybe a 7th grade reading level, how is that different than just pushing him through the system and out the door with a degree he didn't earn?

Well, it's up for debate I'm sure. I just am about fed up with our school system that is searching for so many options and spending so much money on technology and motivational activities each and every day and all we need is to retain a few kids who are nothing more than lazy bums. Retain a few of them, and they'll prove to be more influential in our society in the future by helping motivate their peers who don't want to be in their shoes. Maybe it will even motivate them to start using their God given talents that they are squandering in the first place. If they don't change after that, call a paramedic because they are dead in the water. If they are moved through the system, call the police, because teachers have assassinated them.

#14 When In Rome... Oregon Schools and Concealed Weapons

Happy Thanksgiving! So, I'm here at the sister's place in Portland, Oregon. The topic came up, a Medford teacher is fighting for her right to bear arms in the high school she teaches. This seems like a good idea, if you live in Alaska and are worried about bear or wolverine attacking the kids while on a hiking expedition, right? Well, she's earned her concealed weapons permit which grants her the right to carry her 9 mm Glock in practically any public facility in Oregon. Her beef is with her school district since they don't allow weapons to be carried by teachers. Should she have a beef?

I don't know. I wouldn't say the threat would be too great that her ex-husband would come in with his concealed weapons permit carrying self and ensue shooting her and the students, but that's a concern she has. Her ex says it's her trying to get everyone believing she should have full custody of their daughter. She also has voiced concerns about all the shootings in schools in the past. She practices regularly with her weapon, and it is her right she earned to carry. How safe would you feel if your English teacher was packing heat? Why do we feel safer when some police officers are packing heat? Are they somehow better because society deems it acceptable for a police officer to pack heat but nobody else?

I'd say if it was a perfect world, we wouldn't have guns for anything other than hunting for the food we need to eat. However, being there is war, there is violence, and people can be hurt by a full range of things in our society, I'd say owning a gun is low on the totem pole. My thought is that if every teacher were permitted the right to carry a gun, which isn't going to happen, more people would second guess going into a school and killing dozens and hurting dozens more. They probably would realize their chances for getting to hurt so many wouldn't be worth the risk of losing their own life. The parents of kids hurt from such violence would probably make a hero out of the teacher who packed the final blow to stop the violence from reaching more bystanders. There is no perfect scenario. There are so many variables. It seems to me the argument can be made either way very well. It will come down to which group has the most money to support the cause.

Would you feel safer if she had a gun or didn't? Would you have regrets if your child was harmed from a disaster at school and she wasn't there with her gun?

You can read about her story here. Have a Happy Thanksgiving! Thank God you don't really have to concern yourself with owning a weapon to protect yourself today... if it's true.

#13 The Real Pandemic

The pandemic isn't H1N1 these days in schools across the nation. It's weak administrations who cannot stand firm in school rules and/or homework policies. Parents transformed the way their children are being educated across the United States. Strong willed helicopter parents have invaded our schools at the administrative levels. Unfortunately, the trickle down effect adversely affects their own children and the future of America in negative ways.

I've been reading the book, Crazy Like a Fox- One Principal's Triumph In the Inner City by Dr. Ben Chavis with Carey Blakely. After being inspired from a previous blog this year, I did some investigation into this school's success. I've even gone so far as contacting the current principal. I'm still in the early stages of the book, but it is clear that this man is a minority of all minorities. He's a man who doesn't listen to the haters. He doesn't allow parents to run his school. He is a man who has set a foundation in a school that will surely last lifetimes. His school, nearly extinct, went from below a 300 API scoring school to over 900 in eight years. He did something controversial, he affected students in lasting ways and even turned around an entire neighborhood.

Dr. Chavis really found a school in need. He also found a neighborhood that was disgusted with the school and the kids on their block. They created an environment perfect for crime and the previous administration and staff did nothing to support positive learning or excellence. Previous to his administration, the American Indian Public Charter School in Oakland, CA was a place where drugs, sex, and crime were commonplace. We're not talking about high school, either. It's a middle school. The school was on the verge of dissolving and the neighborhood couldn't wait. How did he turn it around? In part setting the bar high. By using the old 1950 standards of discipline and school policies for today's age. You'll have to read the book to learn more, however. This is just the tip of the iceberg. The book is an inspiration and a hope for a better future for all education.

The following passage from the book is a memo Dr. Chavis sent the parents of his school on March 16, 2006 in response to the school rules and policies.

Dr Chavis' memo:

"I respect parents who support our staff and accept the consequences when their child breaks the rules. You are preparing your children to be successful in school and life. You can stop reading this now!

Why do some parents of AIPCS students have selective memories? If your child brings a cell phone to school and it is taken by a staff member, you will not get it back until the last day of school. You have the option to withdraw your child from AIPCS. We will return the cell phone and accept students who will follow our rules.

Is there anyone in their right mind who believes I am going to change the rules of American Indian Public Charter School because of a sad story, an argument, or a cussing out? I grew up with a whole family of crazy Indians and I can act like a fool with the best of you. I'm always nice to people who are nice to me.

Why do some of you love to threaten that you are going to the school board to get me fired? Will you please get me fired? I have already retired in Arizona and get a monthly check. I would love to spend more time with my wife, children, and grandchildren and collect another check.

Once again, I respect families who reinforce to your child the importance of following the rules."

It's obvious from this memo, that Dr. Chavis is a man who stands firm in his commitment to instill values in children that go beyond academics. He understands that schools are responsible for pushing academic excellence. This is a man I'd love to work for any day in a school district. He demands great things from his teachers and students and expects parents to back him up at home.

I've been privileged enough to work for five different administrations in twelve years at two different districts. Privileged because it's given me a chance to see people who represent the teaching staff and students well, while keeping the helicopter parents at bay. The other half of the time, however, I've been disgusted with administrations who merely faint at the sight of a parent stomping into the office on a war path. For some crazy reason, there are principals and superintendents who actually believe parents should have control of a classroom. Teachers get micromanaged by parents and weak administrations. Students suffer in more ways that academics. They lose the ability to learn how to submit to authority. They are the future generation of haters. The future in larger prison populations. Why can't some administrations stand firm and resolute and in partnership with teachers to educate on more levels than academics? Dr. Chavis, save us!

#12 Calling All Subs, We Need Backup!

There are many districts throughout the country finding themselves overwhelmed with substitute possibilities. With the economy in shambles, our nation's educated went back into the marketplace and fell back on the fact that anyone can be a substitute teacher for a buck. There actually isn't a desperation for substitute teachers like there were just a year ago. Our superintendent urged us to not take our employee days off if we could help it. There were too many substitute teacher shortages and often they'd have to fill in with office personnel or administrative staff to help out in areas that couldn't be covered. If it was an elective schedule like music or P.E. that was lost, they let it go, even with the union breathing down their necks saying they can't break the contract like that. This year, it's quite the opposite. Instead of substitutes being overwhelmed with phone calls from schools and trying to decide where they wanted to go for the next two months, we have substitute teachers who rely upon the job as their only form of income advertising their desire to help to the entire teaching staff. They're sending personal "business" cards, resumes, and letters to full-time teachers to have them be the choice to fill the vacancy for absence.

I'd say that the schools of our nation could possibly serve as the "frog in the pond" for our nation's economic standing pretty well. When the schools are suffering, so is the nation. When people are turning to the schools for jobs, it's like they've exhausted almost all other means besides working at McDonald's or God forbid, Walmart. Oh no!

What has it meant for districts who are also cutting jobs even though the stimulus apparently saved so many? We have more and more loonies on the loose and people who have no business being in the classroom entering, and it's not a joke. Fortunately, for my classroom, our district has a list of about 12 absolutely amazing substitute teachers we call upon regularly. There are few times, if we give them time, that we cannot get them to help us out. Thank goodness we're not in an area that doesn't have the small school mentality or community group that keeps an eye out for the loonies.

Another thing to consider, according to this article Round Rock, Texas has over 1,200 substitute teachers in the pool this year. That's more than double what they're used to having. Not only that, they had 5,000 apply for 322 jobs. That is just about as bad as me not getting to even apply for a teaching position north of Seattle my first year out of college. Many places there had 500 applicants for a 4th grade position that hadn't been advertised publicly. The boss there told me that they're overwhelmed and unless I have a doctorate or straight A's from Harvard, I need not apply. That was in 1997. I wonder what it's like now.

With all the people just trying to stay afloat these days, and more pressure on education and the business sector from above, I wonder how it will turn out in 10 years. Will we come out ahead of the educational and business world, or will we be set back 50 years and more backwards than the hillbilly? I'd say we need backup now, but definitely don't need any more substitutes.

#11 Holistically Accepted

Teach to the test. That's the command many districts are giving these days. Get our student prepared to test well and appear successful under the scrutiny neighboring schools, counties, states, or even countries judge our education standards. Will it be effective enough for admission to our universities? What happens to the students who come from districts that eliminated all extra-curricular activities, music, P.E., and even interest groups? Do we think they'll make the cut in the new challenges universities are expecting our students to complete and show evidence of completion?

To gain admission into various institutions throughout the nation, the requirements vary. One thing that seems to be changing and becoming more common place is the inclusion of an essay or further involvement in extra-curricular activities or community organizations. No longer can a student be admitted under the review of high GPA, SAT, or ACT scores. According to this article at New York Times, public universities around the nation are utilizing a holistic or comprehensive review of student applicants. What do we think the trend will be after the budget crisis is eventually averted if it ever is? Will higher learning be an untouchable for more and more students? Currently, California is bankrupt. Our schools have cut music education, physical education, and extra-curricular activities for years for various reasons. The trend in schools out here is to focus mainly upon reading, writing and arithmetic. I worry that this will adversely affect the next generation's ability to perform at the higher learning level.

I think it's a smart move on the part of the universities around the nation. Why not know they have students who will have more of an impact upon their peers beyond being book smart? Promotion of students who are more well rounded will provide higher learning that is well rounded. There are many students who may be meant for the classroom for life, but can they practically apply their book smarts to the street and job world? Not everyone can. With this shift in admissions process across the nation, we'll find more people are going to need to get their noses out of their books enough to move to the next level.

Join community organizations, seek out districts and schools that promote diversity in curriculum and activities. Make yourself the jack of all trades and become holistically accepted.

#10 Fastest Growth In the West...East...North...South...

Students who cannot speak English are quickly moving into Middle America and rural communities everywhere. Are we prepared? How many students do you have at your school and what are the plans implemented for the future? This interactive map details each county in America and the percentage of English Language Learners in each. You might be surprised to find that North Dakota has one county with the largest percentage of ELL students in all of America, Rolette County with 82.2%.

My high school played Rolette in football. I remember every one of their teammates had beards or mustaches as freshman and they were built like college football players. Needless to say, we didn't fair well against them in football. I am surprised to find they only have 500 students out of 3000 who speak English as their primary language. I don't say that because I'm shocked that non-English speaking students beat us so badly every year, but because I never noticed it in speaking with them before, during, or after games for three years. My current county has 24% ELL students, and it's hardly an issue except when we have parent/teacher conferences and we need translators. Parents of ELL kids are typically further behind than the kids. If anyone is in Rolette, or knows what language it is 82.2% speak there, I'd be interested to know.

What is your county doing in preparation for ELL students? What is the percentage of students who are ELL in your county? Some in California are starting bilingual schools, ESL classes, teachers who have SDAIE training and SB-395 qualifications. It all means we can teach non-English speaking students anything, even without knowing their primary language. My district doesn't hire teachers who aren't qualified to teach ESL or ELL students. Many districts around the nation do not have the percentage of ELL students as we do in California schools. Will the ELL programs in rural and Middle America be the next failed government program, or will we have a simple and slow take-over of English language in the United States? At the rate of growth since 1996, if it were to continue, we'd be a non-English speaking nation in a matter of 60 years and we'd have an increased achievement gap so large it'd be difficult to close. Surely, NCLB will be obsolete and invalid long before that since schools will simply not be able to meet the requirements set forth.

But seriously, how does Rolette County, North Dakota beat the percentage of Imperial County, California for the most ELL students? Is the math wrong? Did the New York Times report inaccurately?