I am so glad to read these feelings, fears and thoughts that others are having about teaching at this time in America. I have been feeling this way all year, yet have not shared it with anyone else. I've had this anxiousness about the tests and a vague uneasiness all year. Even so, I actually have not taken the time to reflect about what's really bothering me. Yes, this is a good time to relax our minds and bodies. I teach in a poor school. Most are on free lunch, but the kids have Playstations, iPods, etc. For most of my students, especially boys, reading for pleasure at home is an unheard of concept. I think it is part of the culture of poverty and the macho-male thing. If only we could reach the parents!
I agree very much w/these ideas as well as with Bill's statement linking NCLB to fear. That is exactly what the law is a stick (fear), and places are looking at merit pay (for scores) to be the carrot. Now, I don't know about any of you, but I knew that I wouldn't get rich teaching, had the smarts to do anything else I wanted, but still had that passion to teach. The stick and the carrot work together to wear down that passion, especially for those working w/an at-risk (or passionless!) population. This is a socio-economic and political issue...and schools are a reflection of our society. We are all working against some powerful agendas...hopefully everyone can take this winter break to breathe, relax and enjoy life! Lisa 2/3 IL __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com _______________________________________________ Mosaic mailing list [email protected] To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com _______________________________________________ Mosaic mailing list [email protected] To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive.
