new TJ principal streamlines math courses

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Math teachers are relieved with the new principal—at least he understands the courses, unlike the previous one. Every change implemented so far has originated from the math faculty and has incorporated feedback from parents and former students.

By understanding the courses, you mean he took similar courses 40 years ago. Every change so far has been to make TJ less exceptional and more like every other public high school. This is also directed by Reid who is misusing equity by believing every high school should offer the same courses, including TJ.

This! Teachers are definitely not happy with the changes, including the math dept. He's turning TJ into a base school. Why would anyone choose to go there now when they can get the same exact classes with less of a commute?

All of the recent math changes were suggested by TJ’s math teachers, and parents were kept in the loop by principal through PTSA briefings.

Some TJ honors courses even though rigorous didn’t care to incorporate the AP related components, which they now do. For example, TJ’s Honors Physics with recent updates, now also integrates AP Physics 1 and parts of AP Physics 2 topics. Adding the AP label hasn’t made the course less rigorous, it still prepares students well for the next level calculus-based TJ’s Physics C (Mech + E&M), that many advanced students look forward to enrolling in because of how well it's taught.

Traditionally, TJ’s AP Calculus BC has always been known for being an indepth course, that went beyond the AP exam, and prepared students for follow-on Multivariable/Linear courses. Just because it’s an AP class it was never as easy as the one at base schools, which only gets students ready for the AP exam and don’t go much further.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Math teachers are relieved with the new principal—at least he understands the courses, unlike the previous one. Every change implemented so far has originated from the math faculty and has incorporated feedback from parents and former students.

By understanding the courses, you mean he took similar courses 40 years ago. Every change so far has been to make TJ less exceptional and more like every other public high school. This is also directed by Reid who is misusing equity by believing every high school should offer the same courses, including TJ.

This! Teachers are definitely not happy with the changes, including the math dept. He's turning TJ into a base school. Why would anyone choose to go there now when they can get the same exact classes with less of a commute?

Traditionally, TJ’s AP Calculus BC has always been known for being an indepth course, that went beyond the AP exam, and prepared students for follow-on Multivariable/Linear courses. Just because it’s an AP class it was never as easy as the one at base schools, which only gets students ready for the AP exam and don’t go much further.

this doesn't make sense to me. When calc 3 and linear algebra require calc 2 as a prerequisite, this can be met with a 5 on BC. If there were topics that were important prerequisites for calc 3 and linear algebra, they would be included in the BC syllabus and hence covered by base school BC classes. What does TJ do differently?

[Anonymous]

All of the recent math changes were suggested by TJ’s math teachers, and parents were kept in the loop by principal through PTSA briefings.

Some TJ honors courses even though rigorous didn’t care to incorporate the AP related components, which they now do. For example, TJ’s Honors Physics with recent updates, now also integrates AP Physics 1 and parts of AP Physics 2 topics. Adding the AP label hasn’t made the course less rigorous, it still prepares students well for the next level calculus-based TJ’s Physics C (Mech + E&M), that many advanced students look forward to enrolling in because of how well it's taught.

Traditionally, TJ’s AP Calculus BC has always been known for being an indepth course, that went beyond the AP exam, and prepared students for follow-on Multivariable/Linear courses. Just because it’s an AP class it was never as easy as the one at base schools, which only gets students ready for the AP exam and don’t go much further.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

All of the recent math changes were suggested by TJ’s math teachers, and parents were kept in the loop by principal through PTSA briefings.



Tell that to the Geosystems teachers who were originally told by Mukai that they would be teaching the new AP Environmental Science next year, just to then be "destaffed" (fired) in favor of having Biology teachers with less experience teach APES.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

All of the recent math changes were suggested by TJ’s math teachers, and parents were kept in the loop by principal through PTSA briefings.

Tell that to the Geosystems teachers who were originally told by Mukai that they would be teaching the new AP Environmental Science next year, just to then be "destaffed" (fired) in favor of having Biology teachers with less experience teach APES.

FCPS budget cuts impact

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Math teachers are relieved with the new principal—at least he understands the courses, unlike the previous one. Every change implemented so far has originated from the math faculty and has incorporated feedback from parents and former students.

By understanding the courses, you mean he took similar courses 40 years ago. Every change so far has been to make TJ less exceptional and more like every other public high school. This is also directed by Reid who is misusing equity by believing every high school should offer the same courses, including TJ.

This! Teachers are definitely not happy with the changes, including the math dept. He's turning TJ into a base school. Why would anyone choose to go there now when they can get the same exact classes with less of a commute?

All of the recent math changes were suggested by TJ’s math teachers, and parents were kept in the loop by principal through PTSA briefings.

Just because the principal and the PTSA shared this with parents does not make it true. Ask an actual teacher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

All of the recent math changes were suggested by TJ’s math teachers, and parents were kept in the loop by principal through PTSA briefings.

Tell that to the Geosystems teachers who were originally told by Mukai that they would be teaching the new AP Environmental Science next year, just to then be "destaffed" (fired) in favor of having Biology teachers with less experience teach APES.

FCPS budget cuts impact

This had nothing to do with budget cuts. Mukai made this decision before the budget was passed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Math teachers are relieved with the new principal—at least he understands the courses, unlike the previous one. Every change implemented so far has originated from the math faculty and has incorporated feedback from parents and former students.

By understanding the courses, you mean he took similar courses 40 years ago. Every change so far has been to make TJ less exceptional and more like every other public high school. This is also directed by Reid who is misusing equity by believing every high school should offer the same courses, including TJ.

This! Teachers are definitely not happy with the changes, including the math dept. He's turning TJ into a base school. Why would anyone choose to go there now when they can get the same exact classes with less of a commute?

One of the very common reviews of TJ is that the math teachers don't teach. They expect the kids to learn the material on their own and just answer questions. Is one of the goals of these changes to lengthen the classes so that teachers have time to teach the material and make sure that students understand it? Because that would be a huge improvement over what I am reading happens at TJ. Could it be that the teachers who are upset are upset because a lot of people think that how they teach the material is poor and they have to adjust their style and syllabus?

[Anonymous]

"They expect the kids to learn the material on their own and just answer questions."

That's what teaching is. Anything else is just entertainment.

I don't want to pay a teacher to perform the textbook.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Math teachers are relieved with the new principal—at least he understands the courses, unlike the previous one. Every change implemented so far has originated from the math faculty and has incorporated feedback from parents and former students.

By understanding the courses, you mean he took similar courses 40 years ago. Every change so far has been to make TJ less exceptional and more like every other public high school. This is also directed by Reid who is misusing equity by believing every high school should offer the same courses, including TJ.

This! Teachers are definitely not happy with the changes, including the math dept. He's turning TJ into a base school. Why would anyone choose to go there now when they can get the same exact classes with less of a commute?

One of the very common reviews of TJ is that the math teachers don't teach. They expect the kids to learn the material on their own and just answer questions. Is one of the goals of these changes to lengthen the classes so that teachers have time to teach the material and make sure that students understand it? Because that would be a huge improvement over what I am reading happens at TJ. Could it be that the teachers who are upset are upset because a lot of people think that how they teach the material is poor and they have to adjust their style and syllabus?

Algebra 2 has been one semester fast paced course, but with the new principal initiated changes, starting this year it is a two semester course. Few statistics topics from old RS1 have been added to 1st semester and second semester has a few precalc topics, that help with the follow-on course.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Math teachers are relieved with the new principal—at least he understands the courses, unlike the previous one. Every change implemented so far has originated from the math faculty and has incorporated feedback from parents and former students.

By understanding the courses, you mean he took similar courses 40 years ago. Every change so far has been to make TJ less exceptional and more like every other public high school. This is also directed by Reid who is misusing equity by believing every high school should offer the same courses, including TJ.

This! Teachers are definitely not happy with the changes, including the math dept. He's turning TJ into a base school. Why would anyone choose to go there now when they can get the same exact classes with less of a commute?

All of the recent math changes were suggested by TJ’s math teachers, and parents were kept in the loop by principal through PTSA briefings.

Just because the principal and the PTSA shared this with parents does not make it true. Ask an actual teacher.

+1
TJ Math teacher

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Math teachers are relieved with the new principal—at least he understands the courses, unlike the previous one. Every change implemented so far has originated from the math faculty and has incorporated feedback from parents and former students.

By understanding the courses, you mean he took similar courses 40 years ago. Every change so far has been to make TJ less exceptional and more like every other public high school. This is also directed by Reid who is misusing equity by believing every high school should offer the same courses, including TJ.

This! Teachers are definitely not happy with the changes, including the math dept. He's turning TJ into a base school. Why would anyone choose to go there now when they can get the same exact classes with less of a commute?

All of the recent math changes were suggested by TJ’s math teachers, and parents were kept in the loop by principal through PTSA briefings.

Just because the principal and the PTSA shared this with parents does not make it true. Ask an actual teacher.

+1
TJ Math teacher

Upset that your are going to have to teach your math classes now?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Math teachers are relieved with the new principal—at least he understands the courses, unlike the previous one. Every change implemented so far has originated from the math faculty and has incorporated feedback from parents and former students.

By understanding the courses, you mean he took similar courses 40 years ago. Every change so far has been to make TJ less exceptional and more like every other public high school. This is also directed by Reid who is misusing equity by believing every high school should offer the same courses, including TJ.

This! Teachers are definitely not happy with the changes, including the math dept. He's turning TJ into a base school. Why would anyone choose to go there now when they can get the same exact classes with less of a commute?

All of the recent math changes were suggested by TJ’s math teachers, and parents were kept in the loop by principal through PTSA briefings.

Just because the principal and the PTSA shared this with parents does not make it true. Ask an actual teacher.

+1
TJ Math teacher

Upset that your are going to have to teach your math classes now?

What a ridiculous comment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"They expect the kids to learn the material on their own and just answer questions."

That's what teaching is. Anything else is just entertainment.

I don't want to pay a teacher to perform the textbook.

Teaching means presenting the information, helping students understand the information, and then expanding on that information. Teaching is not sending kids home with a math text book and telling them to read the text book and learn the material on their own with the help of videos. I have taught. There is material you can assign for students to read and digest and then use that material to dive into a topic but you have to make sure that the students understood what they read first. You don't move into the more advanced material until the students understand the reading.

The reports on this site and in other places is that TJ Math Teachers are expecting kids to teach themselves the math concepts for the class with very little help. You can assign reading and not lecture on everything in the reading but in subjects like math and science you need to review what was read and make sure the students understand the concept and process. If they didn't then you need to teach it to them. That is your job. It is not entertainment, it is educating. If everyone could learn from doing the reading then we wouldn't need teachers in the classroom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Math teachers are relieved with the new principal—at least he understands the courses, unlike the previous one. Every change implemented so far has originated from the math faculty and has incorporated feedback from parents and former students.

By understanding the courses, you mean he took similar courses 40 years ago. Every change so far has been to make TJ less exceptional and more like every other public high school. This is also directed by Reid who is misusing equity by believing every high school should offer the same courses, including TJ.

This! Teachers are definitely not happy with the changes, including the math dept. He's turning TJ into a base school. Why would anyone choose to go there now when they can get the same exact classes with less of a commute?

All of the recent math changes were suggested by TJ’s math teachers, and parents were kept in the loop by principal through PTSA briefings.

Just because the principal and the PTSA shared this with parents does not make it true. Ask an actual teacher.

+1
TJ Math teacher

Upset that your are going to have to teach your math classes now?

What a ridiculous comment.

I'm a TJ parent and agree. Except that they have the kids teaching each other half the time so I'm still left wondering what the math teachers do.

My kids teacher apparently had so many kids failing that when my kid was struggling they didn't even bother to reach out. It felt very F - U.