I’m an MCPS Teacher Who Has Taught at All Three Levels AMA!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How long ago was this?
Should I send my Rising K kid to private?
Westbrook/Westland/BCC

What would the purpose of the private school? The schools you are listing are excellent. Diverse student bodies, maybe less at Westbrook, many different courses to choose from in MS and HS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Which has the easiest workload?

All have pros and cons. I think generally upper elementary is the easiest. Students are independent but grades still really don’t matter so there is more flexibility.

At which schools have you taught and at which to you currently teach?

I currently teach at a well regarded middle school.

[Anonymous]

My kid loved elementary school, but is not a fan of middle school after 6th. Any suggestions to make the MS experience better?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid loved elementary school, but is not a fan of middle school after 6th. Any suggestions to make the MS experience better?

Is your child frustrated with the academics of middle school or the social aspect? My own DS went through something similar. He missed the smaller setting of elementary school. Getting involved with teams and clubs was crucial for him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How should parents evaluate whether a school is "a good school"?

What do you mean by “good?” Test scores, teacher quality, turnover, prioritizes mental health, etc.

Test scores are readily available. But which resources do you suggest parents use to assess teacher quality, turnover, and the prioritization of mental health?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How should parents evaluate whether a school is "a good school"?

What do you mean by “good?” Test scores, teacher quality, turnover, prioritizes mental health, etc.

Test scores are readily available. But which resources do you suggest parents use to assess teacher quality, turnover, and the prioritization of mental health?

Sadly, besides reading the “At a Glance” and the school’s mission and vision, it can be difficult to gauge.

[Anonymous]

Why can't the kids read more actual books?

[Anonymous]

What has your experience dealing with parents, particularly in ES, been? Are they helpful, or do they just create lots of work for you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why can't the kids read more actual books?

My kids are assigned lots of actual books by their teachers. Do you mean books you like personally or ones that you read as a child?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What has your experience dealing with parents, particularly in ES, been? Are they helpful, or do they just create lots of work for you?

They’re an asset. All parents want for their children to succeed and grow. Most parents have taken feedback and incorporated it into their lives which has helped their child. No extra work for me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why can't the kids read more actual books?

My kids are assigned lots of actual books by their teachers. Do you mean books you like personally or ones that you read as a child?

My kid just finished 8th grade English, and they read only 3 books all year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why doesn’t MCPS teach phonics in early elementary? Is benchmark as bad as it seems to parents?

Having a one size fits all curriculum doesn’t work when the country is as diverse as our county is.

What does this mean OP?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why can't the kids read more actual books?

My kids are assigned lots of actual books by their teachers. Do you mean books you like personally or ones that you read as a child?

NP here. I'm guessing the PP meant actual books vs. excerpts and short stories.

[Anonymous]

I heard 3rd grade, expectations ramp up a lot for kids and the achievement gap widens. What is 4th and 5th grade like?

[Anonymous]

What certifications do you hold? Which did you earn first?

Why did you move from K-5 to secondary? (Or vice versa).