Woman who cannot see is head of Qatar school for visually impaired

“If you trust God and have a strong will, you can overcome any challenge, ” said Hayat Khalil Hassan Nazar Heji.

Hayat Khalil Hassan Nazar Heji is the 34-year-old director of Qatar's Al Noor Institute for the Visually Impaired. Heji, who has been unable to see since fifth grade, studied English in the U.S., where she earned a doctorate in educational leadership before returning to lead the Noor Institute, which serves 430 students from preschool through sixth grade. Heji attributes her success to the support of family, teachers and others in her life. The New York Times (free registration)

National Board Certified Teacher to be named 2010 National Teacher of the Year

For the third time in the past five years, a National Board Certified Teacher will represent the country as National Teacher of the Year. Sarah Brown Wessling, an English teacher at Johnston High School in Johnston, Iowa, will be named the 2010 National Teacher of the Year by President Barack Obama today at a White House ceremony. Read more


“The National Board Certification process was absolutely instrumental in my experience as a professional educator,” said Wessling, in a February interview with NBPTS. “National Board Certification is crucial because it requires teachers to see students as individuals. The process helps teachers focus on students and discover how they learn. Knowing how a student learns is irreplaceable.”

Wessling is well known for her ability to inspire and challenge her high school students. She begins each academic school year by handing out a copy of Plato’s Parable of the Cave, lighting a candle in the center of the room and asking her students to tell her the course expectations. The practice is done to encourage her students to construct their own learning experience.

Wessling also brings 21st century technology into her classroom. She frequently uses iPod technology to create individual podcasts to grade student papers and says her students benefit from the in-depth feedback she provides. “My students can hear in my voice when I’m recording thoughts about their papers, and they can hear me get excited about their ideas and concepts,” Wessling said. “The podcasts show them that I have thought about them not as students, but as writers.”

Wessling and 18 other NBCTs were named 2010 State Teachers of the Year, including Florida’s Megan Marie Allen, who was among the national finalists.

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Track records of NBCTs and valid research have shown that they can produce rapid improvements in the teaching quality of a school. Because of this, shouldn't we encourage more teachers to take the National Board Certification in high needs schools like DCPS? Smart school districts know this.

It is no secret that the National Board is one of the research based sources where the IMPACT (our evaluation tool) and the Teaching & Learning Framework were taken from (please refer to the IMPACT manuals). I feel that it is not wise to cut off the funding, incentives and supports for the National Board. It is just beyond comprehension why this is happening...

On my involvement with our teachers union (WTU)

Almost a year ago during the times when I was very restless, I wrote a reflective entry On Becoming a Teacher Leader. I shared that I spent my college years at the University of the Philippines, the premiere state university in my country, where freedom of thought and expression was exercised which provided me with a complete armory for activism. But then I heeded the advice of my mom to focus on my academic responsibilities and never to get involved in any form of political action. My professors gave me the wisdom and the skills to learn the Socratic way, and the passion to stand up for what is right became an integral part of my words, thoughts and actions.

The prospects are both exciting and frightening where I am now. Keeping body and soul together can be as formidable as any journey especially when the train where we are all in seems to be moving towards the wrong direction...are we still going to the final destination? Thanks to the guidance and encouragement of some significant leaders of our teachers union, I am not giving up hope.

There are so much things happening right now on the local and national level which lead to frustration, anger, and all that is harmful not only to the teachers but also to the children whose lives we continue to influence daily. It is always a challenge to not fall prey to victimization and to steer clear of the blame game. After going through a long and meaningful introspection, I realized that working with the people who have the same mission has taught me to fully understand my role as a teacher leader. As I said earlier, "I realized that when I empower, support, encourage and inspire the teachers to do their best for the kids, I am impacting the lives of more than just the students in my classroom."

While we do our best in the Washington Teachers Union (WTU, Local 6 of the AFT) to make decisions that are best for the kids and fair to teachers, debates and heated arguments happen on the table just like in any active policymaking body. When this happens, I remind myself to choose my reactions. As it is a fact that circumstances don't "make" the teacher; circumstances "reveal" the teacher.

I have learned so much as a member of the WTU executive board, from policymaking, keeping relationships with the staff and partners, to establishing rapport with my colleagues. I have also learned and internalized some core values in life, that it is important for us executive board members to be team players, to respect each other's views, and to collectively adopt a "can-do" attitude and to be willing to pitch in to get the union's work done. It is also required for us to look for ways to build consensus, and respect and support the majority decisions of the board. It is also imperative that we refrain from criticizing fellow board members, discussing confidential proceedings outside of board meetings or interfering in the duties of the officers. There are still many of us who have made a firm decision to keep our integrity and professionalism.

I believe that it is unfair to lay all the blame of the current state of education at the feet of the teachers unions. Our union representatives exist to uphold the due process rights of full dues paying members like me, just as a defense attorney would protect the accused. While many people (mostly are not educators) attack the teachers unions, I strongly profess that I have become a better teacher and a stronger leader because of my teachers union, the WTU. Times have changed (a lot) and I believe that public education has evolved since then. It is very timely that we have a new (and very controversial) tentative agreement that is in the process of being ratified. I saw that some of the current practices and norms in 21st century teaching and learning are embodied in the tentative agreement. When giving our thumbs up (or down) for this tentative agreement, I hope we can think about how we should change our traditional practices to better reflect the tasks assigned to our schools, teachers and students today.

Keep the fire burning!

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Maria Angala, NBCT (Exceptional Needs Specialist)

WTU Vice President of Special Education

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What qualities define a good teacher?

Ten Florida educators, including National Board Certified Teachers, who offered their thoughts in this article on what makes a good teacher -- a definition that has been in the spotlight since the state's merit-pay debate began. "Good teachers teach reading, writing, math and technology effectively. Good teachers integrate art, music, social studies and science gracefully. Good teachers possess creativity, flexibility and good time-management skills," one NBCT said.

According to the article, determining who is an outstanding teacher, however, is tricky. Teachers are not factory workers, Reasoner said, who are assessed based on how many gadgets they can assemble per hour, or car salespersons measured by how many deals they broker in a week.

Unlike gadgets, students come in all shapes and sizes, all ability and skill levels. Teachers are charged with guiding every child from Point A, wherever that is on the learning spectrum, to Point B in 180 school days.

I know from experience that becoming a great classroom teacher does not happen overnight, there is no silver bullet, there are no shortcuts. It takes a lot of patience and perseverance, and a rigorous process of research and reflection focused on the best teaching practices and the core propositions of the national teaching standards to become an effective teacher. It requires innovative collaboration (with educators, professionals and education advocates in school, in the school district, across the nation and even globally) and meaningful exchange and discussion of what is working and what is not with their classroom practice that is focused on supporting the child as a whole (not just the academic part).

WHAT THEY SAID

“A good teacher is a facilitator of learning, one who gives out the information and explains things. It’s someone who sees students as a whole person, and tries to address the whole child. They have high expectations, but also compassion.”
— Hana Ahmad, fifth-grade teacher at Orangewood Elementary in Fort Myers and a 2001 Golden Apple award winner.

“How can you measure a teacher that changes a child’s life? He or she may still not earn a high score on a test, but you could have changed the course of their life.”
— Tonya Reasoner, a gifted teacher at Pinewoods Elementary in Estero who has 41 years of teaching experience.

“Good teachers teach reading, writing, math and technology effectively. Good teachers integrate art, music, social studies and science gracefully. Good teachers possess creativity, flexibility and good time-management skills.”
— Helen Valdez-Garcia, an art teacher at Hector A. Cafferata Jr. Elementary in Cape Coral and a National Board Certified teacher.

“You have to be flexible because you never know what will happen on any given day. You have to be fair to all students and be consistent. A good teacher really cares about their students. It’s almost like a motherly instinct.”
— Jeanne Dozier, Lee County School Board member and 1988 national teacher of the year.

“A good teacher makes learning fun. If a kid enjoys school, and connects with a teacher, they are going to perform better.”
— Derrick Donnell, principal at Caloosa Middle and a 1999 Golden Apple award winner.

“It’s about lighting the fire of education in those students that may not believe in themselves, and it’s about showing parents and families the strengths in their children that they may not yet see. It’s late nights of reflecting about how to reach that one child that seems barely beyond reach, yet you know is within your grasp.”
— Megan Allen, a fourth-grade teacher at Cleveland Elementary in Tampa and Florida’s 2010 Teacher of the Year.

Special-education lawyer is charged with operating without a license

Sharon Cheich and her husband, Ronald, paid Howard D. Deiner more than $15,000 and lost their case against the Arlington schools. (John Mcdonnell/the Washington Post)

Howard D. Deiner, who represented the families of numerous students with special needs in and around Washington, D.C., was not licensed as a lawyer for much of the time he represented those families, court records show. Deiner allegedly lost numerous cases because of poor preparation or incomplete work. Deiner -- who faces criminal charges, civil penalties and 74 misconduct charges from the D.C. bar association -- has not commented on the allegations and is still representing families during internal school hearings in Virginia, which he is legally allowed to do. The Washington Post

NBPTS launches education-policy information hub

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards recently unveiled an education-policy center on its website. The center is aimed at providing National Board Certified Teachers and other advocates of teaching excellence a platform to learn about policy issues related to NBPTS and education reform. Read more

Education Policy
Now is an exciting time for education reform, with unprecedented opportunities from the federal government. Learn more about how NBPTS is advancing the education reform movement.

Legislation
Track the latest legislative issues; listen to what policymakers, researchers, and other education experts have to say about NBCTs; and learn more about National Board initiatives in the states.

Innovative Practice
Read profiles of schools that have accelerated student learning and achievement. Meet the exemplary educators who take leadership to the next level. Learn more about upcoming or past events!

Could teacher job losses reach 300,000 nationwide?

Education Secretary Arne Duncan has estimated that as many as 300,000 teachers could be laid off in the coming months as school districts cope with budget shortfalls. A $23 billion education stimulus fund has been proposed that could help prevent layoffs and what Duncan describes as an "education catastrophe." In many districts, teacher layoffs will mean a reduction in programs and larger class sizes. The average class size in one Maryland district that plans to lay off 800 teachers will rise from 27 to 29 next year. The Washington Post

Both the Washington Post and New York Times ran front-page stories this week reporting that school districts across the country are facing the worst cuts in 50 years, and are seriously contemplating thousands of layoffs, larger class sizes, shortened school days and fewer programs to help the students who need it most. States are also making historic cuts in higher education that are hurting students and faculty.

Send a letter now to your senators and representatives urging them to support both the Keep Our Educators Working Act (S. 3206) and the Local Jobs for America Act (H.R. 4812).

Both bills would:

- Provide $23 billion to help school districts avert educator layoffs in the upcoming school year;

- Enable districts to continue to implement positive programs to help ensure all students receive the great education they deserve; and

- Help restore previously cut funding for postsecondary education in order to retain or create jobs for higher education faculty and professionals.

Act now! Send a letter to your senators and representatives urging them to support the Keep Our Educators Working Act and the Local Jobs for America Act.

Failure to quickly provide this assistance will shortchange our children's futures and deny them the great education they deserve.

In unity,
The AFT

NBCTs among 5 selected for teaching hall of fame

This is my 6th year here in the US, my 6th year of teaching in DCPS. In my early years here, I was inspired and motivated by some of the most outstanding veteran teachers in my school at Jefferson MS to be the exceptional teacher that I can be. Teachers like my colleague, Dr. Alesia Slocoumb-Bradford whom I currently work with in a co-teaching environment, inspired me to become an accomplished teacher.

Dr. Alesia Slocumb-Bradford, is our seventh-grade pre-algebra teacher at Jefferson Middle School. She is a teacher for 23 years; she believes the most productive relationship between teachers and students is one where there is respect, communication, comfort and a shared sense of understanding of goals for students and teachers. For me, she is a master educator in the truest sense of the word: an excellent mentor, she plays the role of teacher, friend, guide, coach, and role model to us teachers in my school. Her teaching style shows precision - no random cuts, no random comments, she is very consistent with the routines and procedures from the beginning until the end of our class. With all of us Jefferson family, teachers and staff gathered at the "Classroom of the Future", Dr. Slocoumb was honored yesterday into the National Teachers Hall of Fame. I hugged her and whispered softly "You inspire me".

The honorees are Linda Evanchyk of Florida, Erlene Nelson of Pennsylvania, Warren Phillips of Massachusetts, Darrell Woods of Ohio and Alesia Slocumb-Bradford of Washington, D.C. "There are 12,000 teachers in the district of Philadelphia," said Nelson, a retired teacher and NBCT. "If every teacher dedicated themselves to save a child each year, we would save more than 12,000 students, and what an impact it would have on society." Philadelphia Daily News

Four out of the five teachers selected this year for induction into the National Teachers Hall of Fame are National Board Certified Teachers.

Right after her reception, I drove to another event for the 2009 National Board Certified Teachers hosted by the WTU and Central Office; I was one of the seven NBCT honorees.

As I was listening to the remarks of my colleague, I remember my grandmother who is a daughter of a World War II Lt. Colonel and one of the strongest leaders in the medical field back home in the Philippines. She told me, "Maria, always fight for your dreams, and remember if your dreams are big enough the problems don't really matter". There is a noble reason why I did not become a doctor like her, or the first lady cadet at the Philippine Military Academy, or an enterpreneur...it is my destiny to become an educator.

Earth Day is every day for some Calif. students in special education

Fesler Junior High students from left, Cheyenne Drum, Alexis Montano, Jasmin Clayton and Israel Hernandez recycle classroom materials Monday. A dozen students from the school collect the bins from classrooms every Friday. //Mark Brown/Staff

A number of California schools celebrate Earth Day all year long by involving students in their efforts to recycle. Students in the special-education Advancement Via Individual Determination program at Fesler Junior High School lead their school's initiative and use the money they raise from recycling bottles to pay for class trips. "It's building self-esteem for our [students with special needs] because they're providing services to our school and, of course, it gets us all thinking more environmentally," said Principal Barbara Walker. Santa Maria Times (Calif.)

NBC4 Washington -- Principal Story

We now know police are looking at whether Brian Betts used a social networking site the night he was killed. Did he invite someone to his home? That might explain why there was no sign of forced entry at the popular DC principal's home. We're continuing to follow this story and will have the very latest tonight on News4 at 5 and 6.

- NBC4 Advertising and Promotion

Teacher Sol is listed as a top 50 special education blog

I tried to avoid for my blog to become a venue for me to vent some political issues in education happening in our school district, although I will be posting more about my own experiences and reflections here related to education reform. My goal for having this blog is to share my resources with the teachers, parents, students, and other professionals in this field in my school district, across the country and around the globe. For six years, I have been getting emails and feedback from teachers around and outside the country thanking me for the vast resources, teaching tips and ideas, news articles, etc... my blog has served its purpose.

This morning, I received an email that "Teacher Sol is listed as a top 50 special education blog":

Hello Maria

I’m just writing this to let you know about a new featured post we just made over here at TeachTechTopia entitled, “Top 50 Special Education Blogs.” I felt that both you and your readers at Teacher Sol might find it to be an interesting article. Please do let me know if you have any feedback --


Warm Regards,

Emily Johnston
TeachTechTopia

Thank you, Emily. I am honored for my blog to be included in the Top 50 SPED Blogs. I hope your readers find my blog helpful.

Tips for Teachers: Discussing Education Policy

In preparation for the upcoming Informational Sessions and other meetings with our education policymakers, I would like to share these "Tips for Teachers on Discussing Education Policy" from a team of National Board Certified Teachers working as Teaching Ambassadors to the US Department of Education. We want our meetings with our education policymakers (Union leaders, Central Office administrators, City Council members etc...) to be productive, collaborative and professional.

PREPARE:
 

Know the issue

- Be ready to present your points succinctly (30 sec, 1 min, 3 min)

- Know the opposition's side and be able to counter them

- Maintain your enthusiasm and sincerity

- Use a sense of humor and the ability to roll with the punches

- Know the people you are talking to and their staff (They can make or break opportunities to speak with their boss)

DURING THE MEETING:
 

- Address the person properly

- Identify yourself immediately at each contact. If you have a businesscard have it handy.

- Refer to the topic you want to discuss early in the conversation.

- Use your own words.

- Establish your own credentials - why are you an expert on this topic?

- If possible give the person something in writing to which they can refer later.

- If something is said off-the-record always respect that and keep it confidential.

- Follow up in writing, making sure to include your contact information.

CAUTIONS:
 

- Don't begin your discussion with a threatening language: "As a citizen..."

- Don't apologize for taking up their time. Just be brief and to the point.

- Don't argue or back someone into a corner.

- Don't send copies of a form letter, unless you take the time to include a personal note.

Re: National Board in the WTU-DCPS Tentative Agreement

I received some comments on my last entry, I emailed my response to my colleagues (several lines edited):

Hello everyone,

Buena lunes! (attempting to learn Spanish *smile*)

I've been getting good responses from the NBCTs about my previous entry on the "National Board in the WTU-DCPS Tentative Agreement"; thank you, please keep it coming. It is good because it served my purpose of keeping you informed and getting your feedback about it. Most of the comments were full of concern about the future funding of the stipends for our aspiring National Board Candidates.

I was wondering the same thing: if the stipend is gone for our future NBCTs after November 1, 2010.

After the WTU General Assembly last week at Mc Kinley SHS on the WTU-DCPS Tentative Agreement, I was rushing to go to the WTU Office for another meeting. A reporter ambushed me and dropped the bomb: "Is it really true that the teachers are just going for the money?" I did not blink and never hesitated to answer, "No, it is not all about the money. The members want teacher focused high quality services so that we can better support and help our students become successful. It's all about our students." And he left.

Colleagues, this is not the end of the road. President George Parker and his contract negotiations team were able to push for three more years of financial incentives for accomplished teaching for NBCTs from 2007-2010. Now we need to assert ourselves and help WTU explain to DCPS why we need to encourage our most effective educators in DCPS to take the National Board Certification, how it has been life changing for us and for our students, present our data of student achievement...we are the experts who understand meaningfully what the teachers should know and be able to do to. We, the National Board Certified Teachers, are knowledgeable on this and can effectively demonstrate this according to the national teaching standards. That's why we need to speak up and let our voice be heard.

I believe that most of us, aside from being teacher leaders, are collaborators. I am setting up a meeting with President George Parker for the National Board Certified Teachers. We are going to work with him to make things happen for our teachers and our students. He has a vision for the NBCTs in DC, we need to hear from him and I am very sure that he will listen to us. And if you are attending any of the Informational Sessions on Tues/ Thurs, please proudly wear your pin, it makes us very distinguished.

We are fighting for the same cause, we need to have one voice. One team, one fight!

Let's keep the fire burning!

Sincerely,

Maria Angala, NBCT (Exceptional Needs Specialist)
WTU Vice President of Special Education

National Board in the WTU-DCPS Tentative Agreement

This morning, I emailed the NBCTs in DC Public Schools and shared to them one of the most significant things that I like in the WTU-DCPS Tentative Agreement:

Dear colleagues,

Just like most of you, I was devastated when DCPS has cut the funding for the National Board certification a couple of years ago. The fiscal downturn meant the generous stipends that new National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) used to enjoy were cut even in other states/ school districts.

During the contract negotiation, WTU President George Parker, who believes that accomplished teaching should be rewarded and that student achievement is in the heart of the National Board, vigilantly fought that the supports for National Board Certified Teachers still be continued. President George Parker and his team has successfully negotiated for it to be included and be reflected in the WTU-DCPS Contract. The language about the stipends for the National Board Certified Teachers was not reflected in the Tentative Agreement Highlights, but is stated in the TA (pdf copy) as:

"36.14 National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certification

36.14.1 A teacher who is a certified classroom Teacher, who achieves National Board certification, shall receive a non-pensionable, one time bonus of $4,000.00, provided:

36.14.1.1 The Teacher's most recent evaluation is Effective or higher;
36.14.1.2 The teacher begins the National Board certification process (including initial payment) no later than the date of approval of this agreement by the Council of the District of Columbia; and
36.14.1.3 The Teacher is awared National Board certification no later than November 1, 2010.

36.14.2 The $4,000.00 bonus shall be paid within sixty (60) School Days following the completion of the National Board certification.
36.14.3 The teacher shall be required to work with DCPS for a minimum of three years after receiving the bonus unless terminated by DCPs.
36.14.4 In the event that the Teacher fails to meet the three-year commitment , s/he shall be obligated to return the compensation to DCPS on a prorated basis.


I believe that this contract, when ratified, will result in a vigorous school system that can provide teacher focused high quality services that will help us educators maximize our students' potential. We still have a long way to go, but I will not give up hope, we will work together. Colleagues, as teacher leaders, it is time for us to step up and be in the forefront of this education reform and lead the rest of our colleagues in DCPS. We need to let our voice be heard and let everyone know what matters most to our students that we, teachers, truly understand.

If you have any questions about this or about anything on the WTU-DCPS Tentative Agreement please attend the Informational Sessions on Tuesday and Thursday (schedules emailed by WTU Director of Communication, if you did not receive it please let me know), please proudly wear your pin.

See you!

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Sincerely,

Maria Angala, NBCT (Exceptional Needs Specialist)
WTU Vice President of Special Education

The WTU and DCPS have reached a tentative agreement

Repost from the WTU Blog...

On behalf of our members, the Washington Teachers’ Union has negotiated a progressive contract that provides increased professional support for more effective teaching and learning, as well as rewards and incentives for educators. This Agreement establishes D.C. teachers as innovators in negotiating for real reforms designed to help improve classroom practice and raise student achievement. Additionally, the new Agreement includes significant increases in base salaries, maintains tenure, and preserves due process for teachers and school employees.

Here's the pdf copy of the Tentative Agreement.

Here are the highlights of the Tentative Agreement.

Some Q&A on the Tentative Agreement here.

Here's the Joint Media Statement.

Here's the Press Release.

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Teachers take to Facebook, blogs to protest, organize

Teachers nationwide are taking to Facebook, YouTube and other Web sites to organize and protest, according to National Board Certified Teacher Anthony Cody. In this blog post, he writes that blogs also have been a powerful way for teachers to speak out against unpopular reforms. The Facebook group Stop Senate Bill 6 -- a group dedicated to stopping Florida's merit-pay bill -- now has more than 20,000 fans, and teachers also are using Facebook to announce a protest and invite other users to attend. Teacher Magazine (free registration)/Living in Dialogue blog

Special-education teacher shares frustration over Florida legislation

Dawn Gibbens, who teaches a second-grade inclusion class in Florida, is among those upset about a bill being considered by state lawmakers that would tie teacher salaries to student test scores. "I teach children that are autistic and language-impaired, and you know they are making progress, they are making great gains, but according to district standards, they're not going to make that progress in a year, they might not make it in two years, so to base my paycheck on whatever else is going on is ridiculous," she said. The Tampa Tribune (Fla.)

Texas district uses RTI to reduce special-education referrals

Schools in a Texas district have begun using a Response to Intervention program to help ensure students are not being incorrectly identified as needing special education. The RTI program applies three tiers of help for struggling students and has resulted in about 200 fewer referrals to special education in its first year at nine of the district's schools. "Interventions are helping these children," one principal said. "We can see the difference. Kids are getting help." Times Record News (Wichita Falls, Texas)

Role of NBCTs: "Models of Effective Teachers," Department of Education official says

When describing the role of National Board Certified Teachers in America's schools, NBCT Steven Hicks, a special assistant on early learning with the Department of Education, used the term "models of effective teachers." Hicks and other department officials participated in a webinar hosted by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Thursday night about the Blueprint for Reform, the Obama administration's proposed framework for the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, known in its current form as No Child Left Behind. Read more.

How can teachers develop passion in the classroom?

Most people won't argue with the statement that our current education system's primary goals are not to ignite/support educators' passions. With standardized testing, budget cuts, Race to the Top and on and on, how do educators hold onto the passion of teaching?

Fifth-grade teacher Derrall Garrison says he has a passion for classroom technology and developing 21st-century skills in his students. In this blog post, he posts a Twitter discussion among educators about what passion is and how best to create passion among teachers. "I believe passion comes from both the teacher and students -- learning is shared [and] valued together," one participant wrote. Edutopia.org

Happy Easter

My family spent a relaxing time at the Sandy Point Beach yesterday. And there's so many things to enjoy today on a glorious Easter. A nice and cool sunny weather, blooming flowers, it's a very special time of family togetherness...church of course, a big Easter lunch, and then egg hunting, romping around with kids and a walk at the park would be nice.
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I gave up a lot of treats this Lent, and I had no problems with that this year. I had no appetite to eat, I wasn't bursting with energy, I just felt so uneasy and weird. I did some reflection.

I spent my preschool, gradeschool, and highschool years in a Catholic School with the Augustinian Sisters. I know that Easter is all about dying and rising, and the book that I read over the past few days is all about that...The Death and Life of the Great American School System by Diane Ravitch (I will go into the details of the book later). The book has validated what my mind and my heart has been telling me for quite sometime now. Coming from a different educational system from another country, I have learned so much about education reform and public education in the US from this book. As a passionate teacher and a union member, I have found this Lenten Season very depressing. Just a few reasons...it has been disheartening to see the inaccurate attacks on the teachers unions; distortions are dominating the news and the blogs about how education should focus on test scores; and I am outraged that the students are caught in the middle of these pointless rhetoric.
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The DC CAS is coming up in just a few days. The administrators and the teachers in my school have been working very hard, going above and beyond the call of duty, relentlessly giving the students all the skills and strategies to meet AYP this year. Will the students do well on the test? Why yes, why not? And if they don't, are we still going to have our jobs next school year?
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For this obvious reason, I am just so glad that I am a member of our teachers union. And being a resting, silent member is never enough...it's time to rise.
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Happy Easter, everyone!

Working Class Hero

"When you can't really function you're so full of fear...A working class hero is something to be."

Green Day's version of John Lennon's "Working Class Hero"

Why I miss home

This is where I grew up. Our sun kissed beach resort was very much known in my hometown for its claylike soil and red sand. The crystal clear sea sparkled in shades of turquoise, sea blue, and emerald green. This is where my family would stay for a week or so at this time of the year (Lenten Season) to reflect, relax, and enjoy each other. This is one of the reasons why I miss home.

Like the sea, my life has its high tide and low tide. And I have to capture every moment of it, so I have a story to tell...

P.S. Thanks bro, for the Facebook pics. Miss you guys! Have a wonderful Easter!

Exceptional educators create a student family

Washington Post columnist and blogger Jay Mathews writes about veteran teacher Frazier O'Leary's annual reunion for his Advanced Placement students. Mathews writes that O'Leary's reunions show that great teachers are not only classroom dynamos but also create a sense of family with students. One of O'Leary's former students said, "On many occasions he has served as a counselor, a mentor, a confidant, a friend and, even today, a parental figure for me. He has left an indelible imprint on my journey." The Washington Post/Class Struggle blog

Are you part of a great teacher's student family?

Washington Post blogger: Jay Mathews

I usually skip Frazier O’Leary’s annual Advanced Placement reunion. It’s always a Friday evening in December at the old Sumner School in downtown Washington on M Street, where parking is tough. But O’Leary, a veteran English teacher at Cardozo High School in the District, is a persuasive man. I had no good excuse last year, so there I was, reminded again of something about great teachers I rarely mention when I write about schools.

We know they can be dynamos in the classroom. They turn lessons into conversations. They know each student’s strengths and weaknesses. They care about results. They step in when weak students are being harassed by the strong. They create an oasis of calm and safety in schools that often have little of either.

All those traits are important. But at the O’Leary reunion, I remembered that great teachers also create a sense of family with their students that lasts for years, sometimes well beyond their deaths. read more