This amazing middle school teacher should be a model for all

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Keeping their portal up to date should be a priority—I hope others follow suit.

They have study guides? Aren’t their notes the study guides? The study guide for a routine assessment is hand holding.

It depends. Some teachers go off on lots of tangents and don't have the most organized notes. A study guide is simply a reminder of what is most vital to know and not every kid can afford to purchase books online that basically outline what is most important.

Also, too many teachers are reusing the same exams over and over. So, if you have an older sibling or your parents have a friend who's kid took the class a previous year, they potentially half the class has that exam already and knows exactly what to study. They should either make all old exams available to all students online for studying and insist the same exam not be used (but some questions can be reused) or at the very list make sure those who don't have that exam have a study guide.

Every kid should have the a chance to do well regardless of whether they have an older sibling or the means to buy study guide style books online or have a tutor who knows exactly what that teacher likes to emphasize. I have a friend in a NYC suburb who said everyone paid $180 an hour for this one high school tutor who basically used to teach a particular honors class and had access to everything. Sure enough all her tutees aced the honors class, but they had a very unfair advantage. Sure people can afford to hire tutors and some can't, but some of these tutors basically know what will be on the exams year after year.

Umm, the acts you are describing is considered cheating, PP. Besides, what kid saves middle school tests to give siblings?! Which, again, is cheating, past tests are not a resource to study unless the teacher has given them to the class.

Umm, cheating is rampant. It shouldn't be, but we've taught our kids that grades are the most important thing. Not integrity.

[Anonymous]

Every single teacher I know does this. It's literally basic communication 101.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a parent of a middle school child, I want my child to take responsibility and action regarding his school work. This is too much hand holding for me. It tells me that the teacher is trying too hard to give everyone an A

In college you can often get a copy of professor notes and a syllabus. At work seminars you get a handout with the power point and a area to take notes or you can access a bunch of info online. If you take LSATs you can buy a book that outlines what you need to know and you know the date of that exam well in advance.

Was just about to say this. I'm not sure why MS/HS has to be other than what this teacher does. In "real life" that's how it is. You get the notes, syllabus, slides, etc. all to support you. To TEACH you. You still have to do the work of studying and figuring it out. But they give you the tools. In no way is this hand holding.

[Anonymous]

All this is good. But does the teacher actually teach? I am seeing too many teachers assigning work and going through the curriculum with minimal direct teaching/ explaining. It’s a given to be labeled “struggling” when the student is not able to understand a new concept.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: She makes it seem so simple and yet other teachers look at you like you have 10 heads if you request this. Here is what I think is awesome besides the fact she knows her stuff and seems to truly enjoy her job:

1.) Posting homework AND class notes on blackboard.
You never have to bother her if your kid is sick. If your kid was getting sick and spaced out that day there are notes for them to access. If your kid has an IEP is supposed to get copies of the teacher's notes, you don't have to bother her and the speced teacher about the fact your kid has received nothing.

2.) Posting topics for the week and quiz and test dates on blackboard and updating when those change.
I have been told kids are being prepared to one day go off to college and shouldn't expect such coddling. Really? I went to a top University and we received a syllabus the first day with all of this info.

3.) Reviewing with the Kids before a Test and Allowing Q and A
You know like they offer min college often led by a TA.

4.) Study Guides accessible on Blackboard

I have yet to meet a parent who doesn't think this woman is a the cat's meow. This seems like it should be the norm and while a lot of work at first, would in the end make their job much easier. I would assume emails would decrease exponentially. However, I find it is becoming less and less common to provide these things.

I agree with this list except I think pretty much every teacher reviews with the students before the test.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I do all this. All teachers at my school are required to. It’s not that hard with smart boards.

+1
I haven’t encountered a single hs teacher who doesn’t do this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a parent of a middle school child, I want my child to take responsibility and action regarding his school work. This is too much hand holding for me. It tells me that the teacher is trying too hard to give everyone an A

In college you can often get a copy of professor notes and a syllabus. At work seminars you get a handout with the power point and a area to take notes or you can access a bunch of info online. If you take LSATs you can buy a book that outlines what you need to know and you know the date of that exam well in advance.

Was just about to say this. I'm not sure why MS/HS has to be other than what this teacher does. In "real life" that's how it is. You get the notes, syllabus, slides, etc. all to support you. To TEACH you. You still have to do the work of studying and figuring it out. But they give you the tools. In no way is this hand holding.

+1,000,000