Teacher at a JKLM school AMA (ask me anything)
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Anonymous
| What advice do you have for parents at Title I schools? |
Anonymous
Upper elementary -- 4th or 5th grade which are the best grades IMO! |
Anonymous
| Is there economic diversity among your students? How do you bridge any gaps that creates socially or academically? |
Anonymous
I've taught in a Title I school but not Title I students (it's a weird situation and may reveal my identify of I explain everything). The people that teach in Title I schools work harder and do so much more than I do on an everyday basis (although to be successful at at JKLM type school requires a different skill set) deserve much more money than I earn. If you want people who are good at what they do, then pay them accordingly so. While I feel like I earn a good amount for what I do, if I were to teach at at Title I school, you would have to pay me a hell of a lot more than what I currently earn. |
Anonymous
I am not aware of feeder patterns, but if my school were to get kicked out of the Wilson feeder pattern, I doubt it would hamper our attrition until middle school. |
Anonymous
So the new incentive system is not enough? |
Anonymous
I've taught in schools similar to JKLM schools my entire career. For that time, 99% of parents have been EXTRAORDINARY in their support their child's education and my curriculum and social/emotional decisions. So, they do exactly what I would want. For the 1% that have not complied with this, I would say..."You have no idea what goes on in my classroom from day to day. If you want to sit there and judge me, then by all means, come in and teach (and deal with all the crap that I have to) for a week and THEN you can tell me what to do. |
Anonymous
Ditto! |
Anonymous
| Can differentiation really work at like 3rd grade with the grade level variation in student learning in our classes? What at your JKLM should people ask for in Title I schools? |
Anonymous
Teachers, at least those with more than one year of experience, have everything that they need. Gift cards are the most appreciative as well as cards with a detailed note from the student and/or parent about the impact they have had. I've had MANY cards over the years with just a signature from the parent and/or student, but I only keep those that have a note which is specific to how their child (or specific remarks from that kid) have benefited from my year of instruction. So, in short, I prefer: 1-Specific remarks from a kid and/or parent about the impact I have had 2-Gift cards (visa/master card, store specific or whatever) 3-Homemade baked goods 4-Don't waste your time unless you are going to write me a specific gratuity |
Anonymous
Without a kid, here are my ideas for educational success (in regards to social/emotional/academic success) #1 - read to them from birth to k-5 #2 - count/do basic math skills from birth to k-5 #3 - be involved in your child's schooling (classroom volunteer or just give $$ to the pta) Of all my years experience, these 3 items have been crucial to success in K-5....only once have I taught a student without any of these three and the young lady was academically/socially/emotionally gifted by the time she got to me (grade 4/5). |
Anonymous
| Would you consider leaving DCPS for a surburban school district like FCPS, APS, MCPS, Calvert county or any other local school system? |
Anonymous
A few students in each class have lottery-ed in prior to 5th grade. Fortunately, they do not face much discrimination from their peers (although racial discrimination is real, whether you are in a Focus school or JKLM school). If anything, they have felt it amongst their parents via play dates and sports leagues. If you are one of the parents that does not live in "in boundary zone" but you are active in your students education, then your child will be just fine, even if they are behind their peers (which is typical for OOB students) |
Anonymous
The problem with the incentive system is that it values achievement above anything else (value added makes you seem like a good teacher if you are HORRIBLE and admin uses that in Title I schools to base your evaluations on). In my 10+ years of experience, students must feel loved/appreciated/respected even if you are a STRONG DISCIPLINARIAN. This can look many different ways depending on the group of kids you have. Once they feel this, then they can learn and achieve to the highest levels (be it socially/emotionally and then academically). It's really intangible to judge, but once you see it, you know you have an effective educator. |
Anonymous
| Do you think the top kids in your class would benefit from a pull out gifted program or are you able to meet their needs in the classroom? |