I’m an MCPS teacher, AMA!

[Anonymous]

What do you think of the apple ballot?

What are you looking for in a school board candidate?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What do you think of the apple ballot?

What are you looking for in a school board candidate?

I’m generally pro Apple Ballot. Most people don’t know that the union advocates for items which directly impact students. Lower class sizes, more mental health supports, etc. I was disappointed Coll lost. The Board really would benefit with someone who had elementary experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What's the SES level at the schools where you have taught? I teach at a title 1 school and always have. I wonder how different the behavior is at title 1 versus other schools.

Not OP, but I’ve taught at both title I and W feeders. There is just as much misbehavior. It just takes slightly different forms. Title I kids will curse you out to your face, but W feeder kids will tell you that you are stupid and their parents are going to get you fired. Title I kids settle matters with physical fights and W feeder kids use social media and rumors to destroy each other. Both groups cheat. Both groups have out of control students who require room clearing.

I'm the pp you replied to--thank you!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do you think of the apple ballot?

What are you looking for in a school board candidate?

I’m generally pro Apple Ballot. Most people don’t know that the union advocates for items which directly impact students. Lower class sizes, more mental health supports, etc. I was disappointed Coll lost. The Board really would benefit with someone who had elementary experience.

Isn't having the union's candidates on the BOE a bit of a conflict of interest? I hear you saying that the union advocates for students but at the end of the day the union has historically prioritized pay raises above all else and then tried to convince the Council to raise taxes for the rest, which often does not happen. So I am not sure the interests are completely aligned.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you think it's bad for kids to graduate a couple of years early, either go straight to college or work? Do you think the socialization aspect of school is important?

Another teacher here who thinks it is a bad idea. There is ALWAYS more that an advanced student can learn in high school. Younger kids going to college will either be outmatched academically by older students or will be socially ostracized. What is the point? I haven't seen it work well for anyone, even the geniuses who graduate college several years early, and then struggle to get a job because they are 19 or 20. Life isn't a race.

[Anonymous]

How are you impacted by teacher burnout. How about your coworkers? Do you see lots of teachers leaving/retiring?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do you think of the apple ballot?

What are you looking for in a school board candidate?

I’m generally pro Apple Ballot. Most people don’t know that the union advocates for items which directly impact students. Lower class sizes, more mental health supports, etc. I was disappointed Coll lost. The Board really would benefit with someone who had elementary experience.

Sadly, the right-wing crazies from like to spreading misinformation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How are you impacted by teacher burnout. How about your coworkers? Do you see lots of teachers leaving/retiring?

I’m not impacted. I’ve prioritized my children over my job. I work my tail off when I’m at school, but if I don’t get to an aspect of a lesson, or if I reteach a concept during lunch and miss out on grading a quiz, I’ll do it another time. I do not bring work home with me. Some of my coworkers work 24/7 and they feel burnout. It’s really important to practice self care.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you think it's bad for kids to graduate a couple of years early, either go straight to college or work? Do you think the socialization aspect of school is important?

Another teacher here who thinks it is a bad idea. There is ALWAYS more that an advanced student can learn in high school. Younger kids going to college will either be outmatched academically by older students or will be socially ostracized. What is the point? I haven't seen it work well for anyone, even the geniuses who graduate college several years early, and then struggle to get a job because they are 19 or 20. Life isn't a race.

I’m a teacher and I agree with parts of this. MCPS offers enough options that even a very gifted student won’t be bored in 4 years. That can include taking a wider range of courses rather than simply seeking higher levels. Gifted learners often have asymmetrical development and can benefit from taking multiple courses outside of their strongest area or passion. This can build additional skill sets and make the student a more well-rounded applicant. At the same time, I have seen very advanced students suffer from social ostracism in high school as well. Not many 18 year olds want to hang out with the 14 year old in their math course. And most 14 year olds are forming relationships with their classmates.

In our family, our solution to the 19 or 20 year old’s disadvantage in the job market is to require more years at a university. Triple major or pursue a master’s. A gap year can also be an appropriate approach. Neither is perfect. I had one grad degree and was ABD by 23 and still struggled to be taken seriously by employers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do you think of the apple ballot?

What are you looking for in a school board candidate?

I’m generally pro Apple Ballot. Most people don’t know that the union advocates for items which directly impact students. Lower class sizes, more mental health supports, etc. I was disappointed Coll lost. The Board really would benefit with someone who had elementary experience.

The union certain advocates for positions that impact students— just not always in a positive way. What is your take on MCEA’s handling of the pandemic and school closures? Do you think there will be a shake-up in the next round of union elections to get the extremists out?

[Anonymous]

What % of your student do you real care about?

What % can you not stand?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What % of your student do you real care about?

What % can you not stand?

Both percentages are relatively small.our job is to help students learn and grow. I think about my students when I working with them or planning a lesson, but outside of those instances, I don’t think about my students. I’d compare it to a dentist or doctor. When he/she is treating a patient, the doctor will be thinking about the patient. But otherwise, the doctor won’t be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do you think of the apple ballot?

What are you looking for in a school board candidate?

I’m generally pro Apple Ballot. Most people don’t know that the union advocates for items which directly impact students. Lower class sizes, more mental health supports, etc. I was disappointed Coll lost. The Board really would benefit with someone who had elementary experience.

The union certain advocates for positions that impact students— just not always in a positive way. What is your take on MCEA’s handling of the pandemic and school closures? Do you think there will be a shake-up in the next round of union elections to get the extremists out?

They did the right thing keeping teachers and students safe. Sure, some far-right nuts will disagree, but all the sane people know better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you think mcps prepares kids well for good colleges? If not, what outside prep do you recommend?

Yes I do. MCPS has many AP courses and most teachers are pretty good. I wish more students took study skills courses. But parents don’t want the courses as they aren’t honors or AP courses.

as a parent of two HSers I find that MCPS MS do a horrible job at preparing the kids for more rigorous HS courses like AP. The 8th grade curriculum is too easy, and it does no prepare them for AP classes in HS for many kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do you think of the apple ballot?

What are you looking for in a school board candidate?

I’m generally pro Apple Ballot. Most people don’t know that the union advocates for items which directly impact students. Lower class sizes, more mental health supports, etc. I was disappointed Coll lost. The Board really would benefit with someone who had elementary experience.

The union certain advocates for positions that impact students— just not always in a positive way. What is your take on MCEA’s handling of the pandemic and school closures? Do you think there will be a shake-up in the next round of union elections to get the extremists out?

They did the right thing keeping teachers and students safe. Sure, some far-right nuts will disagree, but all the sane people know better.

What does the OP think?