Don't quit! I know they need nurses but we need good dedicated teachers too. I too respect the research, philosophy and delivery system of reading workshop. It sounds that your ideas are 'radical' for the school system you are in. Perhaps you continue what you are doing and do the best you can with what you have. Allow your students to actually begin to enjoy reading books of their choice. The high interest and challenges that reading workshop offers may be just what they need to get hooked.
I agree that the value on reading is not evident with your school. To teach reading for one semester and not allow a collaborative with the local library shows just that. Is there any way that you could 'invite' your administrators in to see what it's all about? Or get them a professional book that will give them the theory and practice to open some horizons? It seems like they are the ones in need of education in this type of reading program. They may be afraid because it is different and change is hard. Try giving them the information, research etc and see if that works. I also think you should keep things documented too. Good luck! Kelly AB On 10/4/09 2:28 PM, "larry patterson" <[email protected]> wrote: 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.
