Sometimes the most powerful change comes through building trust. I entered a reading intervention position 6 years ago and have gradually shaped it to fit the needs of the struggling readers (as I see it). For me, I tried not to be a "bull in a china shop" (which is difficult considering my strong and opinionated personality). This is tough stuff to deal with but I guess I think the best thing for your kids is that your school keeps you on for enough years to make the changes they need. That deference you mention may just help build that trust over time. Good luck with it. Cathy Title I Reading In a message dated 10/4/2009 3:23:17 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [email protected] writes:
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? _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Trusted email with powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141665/direct/01/ _______________________________________________ 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. _______________________________________________ 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.
