I’m an MCPS teacher, AMA!

[Anonymous]

Why are grades so inflated? As reported on another thread, at some MCPS schools, more than 70% have over a 4.0. Do you wish you could give more accurate grades?

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the thread, I do have questions.

I’m a midlife career changer planning on applying to Teach for America. I have previous teaching experience, as a college instructor teaching first and second year students. I loved teaching, got great peer and student reviews - but parents pushed me to go to law school so I wasted a couple of decades of my life on that endeavor. I had planned to apply to TFA in 2020 but the pandemic happened and I postponed the process but currently working on my application with a view to attend TFA boot camp next summer and start teaching in fall 2023.

I enjoyed teaching the high school age kids in their first year of college, but also like kids of all ages - I’ve been involved in raising children in my extended family and also as a stepmom so I have experience with all ages despite not having kids of my own.

I’m wondering about what grades you enjoyed most and why, and what are the biggest cons - and pros - of teaching, especially post-covid pandemic. I keep hearing things are really bad and wondering if I would be making a mistake going down this path? I’ve had a lot of jobs in my life and teaching was the only one that I really loved so I thought it would be worth exploring as my next career chapter.

If you have thoughts about TFA I’m happy to hear those too, good and bad. It’s the only path available to me because I cannot take on more student loans to get credentialed the more traditional way. I’ve spoken with friends who did the program in earlier years and it sounds like most of what participants find really challenging are things I won’t be surprised by, like the challenges kids in TFA schools are facing in their lives - I spent a long time as a legal aid and then criminal law attorney, including hundreds of child protection cases so there is nothing so awful I haven’t seen it already. One of my biggest motivations in wanting to go this path is knowing that I can make a bigger difference in a child’s life early than I was able to as their legal advocate after things were already off the rails.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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?

OP here. I’m torn. On one hand, by keeping school buildings closed, the community remained safer. On the other hand, by keeping school buildings closed, children’s learning was not as robust as it could’ve been.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why are grades so inflated? As reported on another thread, at some MCPS schools, more than 70% have over a 4.0. Do you wish you could give more accurate grades?

You’re talking about WGPA. The weighted number is out of five points. I wish the 50 percent rule and gracious deadlines would disappear. It isn’t preparing students for colleges and careers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the thread, I do have questions.

I’m a midlife career changer planning on applying to Teach for America. I have previous teaching experience, as a college instructor teaching first and second year students. I loved teaching, got great peer and student reviews - but parents pushed me to go to law school so I wasted a couple of decades of my life on that endeavor. I had planned to apply to TFA in 2020 but the pandemic happened and I postponed the process but currently working on my application with a view to attend TFA boot camp next summer and start teaching in fall 2023.

I enjoyed teaching the high school age kids in their first year of college, but also like kids of all ages - I’ve been involved in raising children in my extended family and also as a stepmom so I have experience with all ages despite not having kids of my own.

I’m wondering about what grades you enjoyed most and why, and what are the biggest cons - and pros - of teaching, especially post-covid pandemic. I keep hearing things are really bad and wondering if I would be making a mistake going down this path? I’ve had a lot of jobs in my life and teaching was the only one that I really loved so I thought it would be worth exploring as my next career chapter.

If you have thoughts about TFA I’m happy to hear those too, good and bad. It’s the only path available to me because I cannot take on more student loans to get credentialed the more traditional way. I’ve spoken with friends who did the program in earlier years and it sounds like most of what participants find really challenging are things I won’t be surprised by, like the challenges kids in TFA schools are facing in their lives - I spent a long time as a legal aid and then criminal law attorney, including hundreds of child protection cases so there is nothing so awful I haven’t seen it already. One of my biggest motivations in wanting to go this path is knowing that I can make a bigger difference in a child’s life early than I was able to as their legal advocate after things were already off the rails.

My favorite grades are 5th-7th. Late elementary is truly a sweet spot. I would’ve never left but I wanted a schedule which was more compatible to my own children’s. In 5th grade the students still want for you to like them and are intellectually capable of having real world conversations. They also are relatively independent. I enjoy middle school too. By the time students get to eighth grade, some care much more about their friends than behaving in class. I liked teaching high school too. But in high school, it’s much more about a specific subject than working with individual students.

Do you prefer getting to know students on a closer level or would you prefer teaching one specific subject? If you teach elementary school you may have multiple preps daily. But, in elementary school, it’s usually a much more low key and casual vibe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the thread, I do have questions.

I’m a midlife career changer planning on applying to Teach for America. I have previous teaching experience, as a college instructor teaching first and second year students. I loved teaching, got great peer and student reviews - but parents pushed me to go to law school so I wasted a couple of decades of my life on that endeavor. I had planned to apply to TFA in 2020 but the pandemic happened and I postponed the process but currently working on my application with a view to attend TFA boot camp next summer and start teaching in fall 2023.

I enjoyed teaching the high school age kids in their first year of college, but also like kids of all ages - I’ve been involved in raising children in my extended family and also as a stepmom so I have experience with all ages despite not having kids of my own.

I’m wondering about what grades you enjoyed most and why, and what are the biggest cons - and pros - of teaching, especially post-covid pandemic. I keep hearing things are really bad and wondering if I would be making a mistake going down this path? I’ve had a lot of jobs in my life and teaching was the only one that I really loved so I thought it would be worth exploring as my next career chapter.

If you have thoughts about TFA I’m happy to hear those too, good and bad. It’s the only path available to me because I cannot take on more student loans to get credentialed the more traditional way. I’ve spoken with friends who did the program in earlier years and it sounds like most of what participants find really challenging are things I won’t be surprised by, like the challenges kids in TFA schools are facing in their lives - I spent a long time as a legal aid and then criminal law attorney, including hundreds of child protection cases so there is nothing so awful I haven’t seen it already. One of my biggest motivations in wanting to go this path is knowing that I can make a bigger difference in a child’s life early than I was able to as their legal advocate after things were already off the rails.

OP again, You can also make more money tutoring privately after school hours. I used to tutor more but still tutor a few hours each week. You can make really good money and it’s largely on your own schedule.

[Anonymous]

TFA applicant poster here.

I have a law school classmate who left law and has a private tutoring business catering primarily to the children of international students, faculty and biotech professionals in the Boston area - she specializes in ESL Education and is very busy and loves the work.

I would certainly be interested in that route at some point in the future assuming I love teaching again as I hope I will - but I need four years in the public schools to finish having my student loan debt cancelled through the PSLF program. TFA is a two year commitment and I would hope to spend at least two more in the same school system. I’m applying for the New England region only because I cannot relocate at this point in my life, I’ve already lived all over the country in my legal career and I know I want to be here where I grew up and where the politics are sane.

It was nice to hear what you said about the different ages; I live with my niece and have watched her make this transition over the last 7 years she was in early elementary when I moved in and now she’s in her first year of high school and she definitely has gone from being very centered on her interactions with adults to being very focused on friends and adults are not very cool lol.

I’m not really concerned about subject matter - my degrees and previous experience would have me qualified to teach English or social studies (I have English, Poli Sci and law degrees), but I also have interest in other subjects and I nearly completed a BA in Zoology before switching into the liberal arts so I would welcome the chance to teach life sciences to younger kids.

Here’s what I interested in most: being the person who gives a kid a chance to feel valued and capable. I grew up in a very abusive family but on the surface we looked totally ‘normal,’ so I don’t think most of my teachers knew that about me. But still 40+/- years out, it is the praise and encouragement of some of my teachers that made all the difference in my beliefs about myself when at home I was being told I was worthless crap on the daily. I had good teachers at all levels, but especially in middle school a few I will never forget.

So I think I’m leaning toward elementary or middle school. One question I do have when it comes to younger kids - are teachers even allowed to give a kid a hug anymore? Young kids seem to want them but I’ve wondered what the situation is in schools when it comes to any kind of display of affection.

One thing I am really interested in is introducing children to emotional regulation skills that they can carry with them in life to help cope better with the ups and downs of life and relationships. My niece’s school offers yoga in a structured setting, but I’m wondering how much teachers are allowed to utilize concepts like breathing exercises etc. to help their kids manage their own behavior?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:TFA applicant poster here.

I have a law school classmate who left law and has a private tutoring business catering primarily to the children of international students, faculty and biotech professionals in the Boston area - she specializes in ESL Education and is very busy and loves the work.

I would certainly be interested in that route at some point in the future assuming I love teaching again as I hope I will - but I need four years in the public schools to finish having my student loan debt cancelled through the PSLF program. TFA is a two year commitment and I would hope to spend at least two more in the same school system. I’m applying for the New England region only because I cannot relocate at this point in my life, I’ve already lived all over the country in my legal career and I know I want to be here where I grew up and where the politics are sane.

It was nice to hear what you said about the different ages; I live with my niece and have watched her make this transition over the last 7 years she was in early elementary when I moved in and now she’s in her first year of high school and she definitely has gone from being very centered on her interactions with adults to being very focused on friends and adults are not very cool lol.

I’m not really concerned about subject matter - my degrees and previous experience would have me qualified to teach English or social studies (I have English, Poli Sci and law degrees), but I also have interest in other subjects and I nearly completed a BA in Zoology before switching into the liberal arts so I would welcome the chance to teach life sciences to younger kids.

Here’s what I interested in most: being the person who gives a kid a chance to feel valued and capable. I grew up in a very abusive family but on the surface we looked totally ‘normal,’ so I don’t think most of my teachers knew that about me. But still 40+/- years out, it is the praise and encouragement of some of my teachers that made all the difference in my beliefs about myself when at home I was being told I was worthless crap on the daily. I had good teachers at all levels, but especially in middle school a few I will never forget.

So I think I’m leaning toward elementary or middle school. One question I do have when it comes to younger kids - are teachers even allowed to give a kid a hug anymore? Young kids seem to want them but I’ve wondered what the situation is in schools when it comes to any kind of display of affection.

One thing I am really interested in is introducing children to emotional regulation skills that they can carry with them in life to help cope better with the ups and downs of life and relationships. My niece’s school offers yoga in a structured setting, but I’m wondering how much teachers are allowed to utilize concepts like breathing exercises etc. to help their kids manage their own behavior?

Mindfulness is really big in MCPS. Some schools have specific mindfulness lessons and locations. Others, less so.

There is not any regulation forbidding hugging a student. A lot of it is personal comfort. I never initiate hugs but will always return a hug. But, not all of my colleagues will. I will say that as a mid 40s woman I do hug male and female students differently. I’ll only give male students a side hug whereas with female students I’ll return the student’s hug with one in kind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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?

OP here. I’m torn. On one hand, by keeping school buildings closed, the community remained safer. On the other hand, by keeping school buildings closed, children’s learning was not as robust as it could’ve been.

It might have protected some of the higher-risk teachers, that were otherwise able to isolate themselves and their families because of the decision to close schools, but I think the data shows it didn’t protect the community at-large, since schools weren’t the primary driver of infections.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tell us something you're proud of that schools do that we wouldn't necessarily have heard about.

Teachers who form individual relationships with their students. All children benefit from having a trusted adult who isn’t a parent in their corner. Many students don’t have a positive relationship with their parents and having an adult they can go to when they have questions or need support is incredibly valuable.

Oh I would say given the amount of sexual predators who have been in the schools this is certainly NOT something to boast about

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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?

OP here. I’m torn. On one hand, by keeping school buildings closed, the community remained safer. On the other hand, by keeping school buildings closed, children’s learning was not as robust as it could’ve been.

It might have protected some of the higher-risk teachers, that were otherwise able to isolate themselves and their families because of the decision to close schools, but I think the data shows it didn’t protect the community at-large, since schools weren’t the primary driver of infections.

Schools were primary in some areas, not here because they were virtual.

[Anonymous]

How do we remediate learning loss that we are currently experiencing?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the thread, I do have questions.

I’m a midlife career changer planning on applying to Teach for America. I have previous teaching experience, as a college instructor teaching first and second year students. I loved teaching, got great peer and student reviews - but parents pushed me to go to law school so I wasted a couple of decades of my life on that endeavor. I had planned to apply to TFA in 2020 but the pandemic happened and I postponed the process but currently working on my application with a view to attend TFA boot camp next summer and start teaching in fall 2023.

I enjoyed teaching the high school age kids in their first year of college, but also like kids of all ages - I’ve been involved in raising children in my extended family and also as a stepmom so I have experience with all ages despite not having kids of my own.

I’m wondering about what grades you enjoyed most and why, and what are the biggest cons - and pros - of teaching, especially post-covid pandemic. I keep hearing things are really bad and wondering if I would be making a mistake going down this path? I’ve had a lot of jobs in my life and teaching was the only one that I really loved so I thought it would be worth exploring as my next career chapter.

If you have thoughts about TFA I’m happy to hear those too, good and bad. It’s the only path available to me because I cannot take on more student loans to get credentialed the more traditional way. I’ve spoken with friends who did the program in earlier years and it sounds like most of what participants find really challenging are things I won’t be surprised by, like the challenges kids in TFA schools are facing in their lives - I spent a long time as a legal aid and then criminal law attorney, including hundreds of child protection cases so there is nothing so awful I haven’t seen it already. One of my biggest motivations in wanting to go this path is knowing that I can make a bigger difference in a child’s life early than I was able to as their legal advocate after things were already off the rails.

Here's what you don't do: TFA.... As long as you have a bachelor degree, you're fine. Apply with MCPS. They will have a phone interview. If you get past that, they will offer you an open contract. You'll have two years to get your remaining credits and Praxis scores while having a teaching job. They will pay a portion of those credits...they pay up to 9 credits a year...depending on the school..it isn't great but it's much better than TFA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How do we remediate learning loss that we are currently experiencing?

I don't know, maybe do your job as a parent?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How do we remediate learning loss that we are currently experiencing?

MCPS is offering free tutoring. Try it.