"School must be a safe and protected environment, where a student can come to learn without fear". - HARRY WONG
Jefferson Junior High School has been without a permanent principal and an English teacher since fall. (Photos By Rich Lipski -- The Washington Post)
Let me introduce my school where I am teaching right now, which is now getting very popular. Aside from being in Channel 7 news a month ago, it's been in several newspapers these past weeks:
Educators at one of the city’s top public schools say the school system's leaders have repeatedly ignored their pleas to end an interim principalship that they say has subjected their school to a slew of problems, including poor leadership, a crumbling facility, and a lack of teachers and supplies.
Teachers at Jefferson Junior High School in Southwest Washington protested outside the school April 25, before the start of the academic day, decrying problems that they say began after the school abruptly lost its principal and moved into an interim administration, headed by acting principal W. Lloyd Reeves. ( The Common Denominator, May 2, 2005)
Moreover, they contended, students have become more disruptive -- fighting, cursing and threatening teachers -- since Reeves took over. They also said that a rodent infestation has worsened. (The Washington Post, June 3, 2005; Page B03)
(According to one seventh grade student) Fights have always been very regular at that school. We have classmates being beat up or something...There were a lot of fire alarms last week. There were six fire alarms on Tuesday. At least three went off in the first period. That just gives us an excuse to get rowdy and run downstairs...That lack of us having a teacher - we're not learning anything in that class. It's a free period. We sort of carry that concept over to other classes, and we stop wanting to learn. Like everyday's just a playday. (The Washington City Paper, May 27, 2005)
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While there are days when I feel that it is a long path, I know that rewards are returned greatly. This is my 2nd year teaching to kids with special needs and working with the most creative and resourceful educators.
Despite of these experiences, I still take pride in my profession and I still hold on to the "idealism" that encouraged me to become a special educator. For me, teaching is not just a job. It's in my heart. It's a part of what I am as a person. I wish my dealing with these practicalities of issues such as conditions of service won't break me apart.
14 comments:
Two weeks more to go, sweetie. It's almost the end of the schoolyear. Congratulations, you survived this schoolyear!
I'm still holding on. I know it's been a tough year for all of us. I am finishing seven IEP reports until next week, and I need the parents to sign the reports and to meet with me so I can finish the reports. Problem is, they're not responding to the letters I've been sending. I guess they're too busy. I hope to be able to beat the deadline. How is it on your end?
SOL,
HANG IN THERE, U NEVER KNOW, ONE OF UR STUDENTS MY PLAY FOR THE WIZARDS SOMEDAY. HE HE HE
reading your "experience" does not make me wonder why your still there.... kasi SIGMA BETA KA!!!!!!!! I know you'll survive this kind of environment. experience, learn,and internalize.......... keep it up sis and pray hard! God bless!!
The teaching profession will not survive without passion. We're grateful to passionate people like you, without whom our hopes for a better future may not be realized.
I'm proud to be married to a teacher.
Angelo
http://jangelo.i.ph
ARVIN, one of my sudents to play for the wizards someday? You know that is not far-fetched, my students will do very good in sports. They will surely enjoy sports at the same time release the excess energy/ hyperactivity in the body. I am trying to get them in special olympics but I guess my school is not aware of that sports program for special ed students.
ALLAN, thanks for the moral support brod. "...it's when things get worse when you musn't quit". I got the Betan spirit in me.
J. ANGELO, thanks for the kind words. Hi to your wife, Caren. How is she now? I am looking forward to exchange some thoughts with her thru our blog entries. I would like to be updated with what's going on in the Phil Educational System.
JAYRED, your words are always refreshing, you seem to know the right words to say to my every entry here. It's always nice to get reassuring words like yours after a stressful day. Thank you Jayred, you're always welcome to post here :D
Kaya mo yan Great Teacher Sol! Astig ka kasi.
By the way, have you seen the movie "Coach Carter"? If you still haven't, go see it. We need more Ken Carters in the world of education, though it may not be in sports always.
Forgive the rambling. Keep up the good work.
i'm glad to have encountered here a fellow alumnus who keep faith with what the Oblation stands for in her own quiet ways. i hope there will be more teachers like you who will have the same passion to inspire students, whom students in turn will look up to and see a positive reflection of their own vision of their selves. keep up the good work.
PASSION Teacher Sol. That's what real educators are all about. Its all in you! Congratulations! If I was still in high school, I would be more that very happy to be your student!
GOD BLESS!
hi teacher sol! your post made me want to love my principal more
DRE, hmmm..."Coach Carter"...hahanapin ko yan at nang mapanood. Hey man, you're always welcome to post and ramble anytime :D
NANAY NI SINTA, thank you, it was the UP Dept of Family Life and Child Development which taught me how to be a responsible teacher. Very ironic, because in my first year in college, I hated going to my dept of FLCD, it was pretty new then, and I thought it would teach me how to be a professional yaya. FLCD is a good starting point if one has to be a good preschool teacher/ school owner/ administrator.
JP, ...and I would be very willing to be your teacher...hahaha. Welcome to my educator's blog!
EURANNIE, iba pa rin talaga basta pinoy, mapa-estudyante o prinsipal. Pero sabi nila papalitan na nga ang prinsipal namin next year, sana nga...
Hey Teacher Sol,
Hindi talaga nawawala yan. Even here in Canada, we have a Filipino student killed by East Indian Students just outside the school ... shocking kasi racially motivated. Pero, kagabi it's my first time to attend a secondary school graduation... I felt the privilege working in the school system and proud to see these kids from all races receiving scholarships and achievement awards. Sabi nga nila, if you make a difference even for one person... you have made a difference in the world. Cheers Teacher your students need you!!!
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