Thank you Linda for your thoughtful and loving perspective about kids and teaching! >From one retired teacher to another!
On Fri, Jan 27, 2023 at 9:25 AM Linda Crowne <[email protected]> wrote: > Hello Everyone. > I am a new resident of Lincoln- as of June 2022. > I attended Lexington Public Schools for elementary, junior high and high > school. > When my husband and I purchased our first home it was in Lexington. Our > daughter attended elementary, middle and high school in Lexington. > I taught in Lexington for 46 years, retiring in 2021. > I would not trade one moment of my career teaching, working with and > nurturing students. > Every student has a story and not all are equally blessed. > Lexington has participated in the Metco Program for decades. > As a resident, parent and teacher in Lexington there were endless > conversations regarding cost per student, teacher salaries, building > repairs, program offerings etc. > My various roles as parent, teacher and tax payer placed me in many groups > with many wants, needs, and concerns. > I am writing to this forum to encourage all participants to appreciate all > perspectives and to choose phrasing of concerns with great care. > Since my retirement and actually before, the need for and call for > teachers to fill essential classroom teaching assignments, at every level, > has increased dramatically if not desperately. > Exceptional school systems are removing previously standard qualifications > allowing candidates to be hired as they complete the mandatory requirements. > > Most teachers are worthy of much more recognition and pay for the work > they do. > Class size is important in order for students to receive the much needed > support and individual instruction they need. > This has never been truer thanks to Covid and remote learning. > I am not indicating that a class needs to be limited to or designated to > be 17 or fewer students. That would be luxurious, but do remember that > teachers at the secondary levels have a minimum of 4 classes. My classes > were typically made up of 23 to 25 students and I taught four math classes > five days a week, along with classes we called “What I Need Now.” This > class met twice weekly as time built into the school day to afford students > who participate in after school programs to receive extra support. This > class was fluid. Students could attend this class for math, English etc as > needed due to absences or additional support. > I’m going on too long, now but my intent is to stay in conversation that > allows all voices, concerns, and issues of these times to be understood as > best as possible. > It is not an easy or simple endeavor, but in an ever more divisive world > it is increasingly important that we hear and care. > Sincerely, > Linda Crowne > -- > The LincolnTalk mailing list. > To post, send mail to [email protected]. > Search the archives at http://lincoln.2330058.n4.nabble.com/. > Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/ > . > Change your subscription settings at > https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. > >
-- The LincolnTalk mailing list. To post, send mail to [email protected]. Search the archives at http://lincoln.2330058.n4.nabble.com/. Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. Change your subscription settings at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln.
