So what do you do when administration is not buying into your reading program?
I believe in the reader's workshop and taught successfully in Arkansas for
years. Many thanks to Ken Stamatis and everyone at Harding University for
opening my eyes and guiding me in the ways of the workshop. Since beginning to
teach reading with the workshop model, I've devoured books by Chris Tovani,
Kelly Gallagher, and others who are passionate about teaching reading.
Now I find myself in Missouri working with 7th and 8th grade readers. The
first inkling that things could go terribly wrong was obvious from the start.
When I was hired, I was told that I would have the 7th and 8th graders on
alternating days for the entire school year. I swallowed hard and thought I
could work with that. Two days before the beginning of the school year, the
new principal tapped me on the shoulder and informed me I would be teaching 7th
grade reading for one semester, and 8th grade reading the second semester. I
will admit I did not take this news well.
It seems as if the school does not truly value reading instruction. No other
subject is allotted only one semester of instruction. I did manage to box up
and get into storage the twenty pound reading anthologies that the school had
used for many years, and brought in my own library. However, administration
nixed a plan to work with the local public library. The public library had
agreed to courier in titles of the student's choosing. Administration response
to that was no, saying the school could not be held responsible for these
books. I have since told the public librarian this. She said we could
possibly get around this if I checked out the books in my own name. I am
waiting for the right moment to present this radical idea to my principal. I
have zero funds for ordering new materials. That's okay. I know we are living
in hard times, although the district did find over a hundred thousand dollars
to bring in a consulting firm to "help us" make AYP. But I digress.
Any ideas on how I can bring this small district into the 21st century? We are
a rural community with many children reading below grade level. As I reread
this message, I realize it sounds somewhat harsh and judgemental. I do my very
best to come across as a team player, and am polite and deferential to
administration. Even my students notice the hostile vibe, however. One of my
students actually said, "You know, they watch you like you was a bigtime drug
dealer." To which I replied, "Huh?" And the children went on to explain that
there was frequently someone peering in the door, watching our every move, much
like the police drive by and monitor drug-house activity, apparently.
I'm thinking of quitting and going back to nursing, which is what I did years
and years ago. Any suggestions?
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