Teacher at a JKLM school AMA (ask me anything)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Seriously op what does from "society at large@ mean? So guessing you are a minority. Please explain yourself. Yours is a ridiculous generalization. Fyi not exgerating here I have a white make child who actually told me years ago that he wishes he were black. Now, should I be concerned about his racial identity or the fact that apparently he feels inferior to black students and peers. Growing up in Washington DC having my children to grow up here I find the racial discrimination of minorities argument to be pretty baseless-- may be some where else but not here. Especially since I as a white female have been targeted many times by black police officer's purely because I am white.

Oh honey. You lost all credibility within the first four sentences.

[Anonymous]

How much input do teachers have in determining class lists for the kids leaving their class and going into the next grade for the new year? Do teachers and administration really consider "class balance" or is it a crap shoot? Is there something a teacher that is more likely to be given the more challenging kids?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How much input do teachers have in determining class lists for the kids leaving their class and going into the next grade for the new year? Do teachers and administration really consider "class balance" or is it a crap shoot? Is there something a teacher that is more likely to be given the more challenging kids?

In most schools teachers have no say at all; however, admin have their favorites and reasons why almost all the so called challenging kids end up in one classroom. Could be spite, to save the other teacher who might have a class who will perform well on PARCC, favoritism, skill set, etc, etc. So yes admin consider balance but not for the "fair" reasons parents think!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How much input do teachers have in determining class lists for the kids leaving their class and going into the next grade for the new year? Do teachers and administration really consider "class balance" or is it a crap shoot? Is there something a teacher that is more likely to be given the more challenging kids?

In most schools teachers have no say at all; however, admin have their favorites and reasons why almost all the so called challenging kids end up in one classroom. Could be spite, to save the other teacher who might have a class who will perform well on PARCC, favoritism, skill set, etc, etc. So yes admin consider balance but not for the "fair" reasons parents think!!!

That's disheartening to hear, but what I suspected.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How much input do teachers have in determining class lists for the kids leaving their class and going into the next grade for the new year? Do teachers and administration really consider "class balance" or is it a crap shoot? Is there something a teacher that is more likely to be given the more challenging kids?

In most schools teachers have no say at all; however, admin have their favorites and reasons why almost all the so called challenging kids end up in one classroom. Could be spite, to save the other teacher who might have a class who will perform well on PARCC, favoritism, skill set, etc, etc. So yes admin consider balance but not for the "fair" reasons parents think!!!

That's disheartening to hear, but what I suspected.

I see no evidence of that in our school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How much input do teachers have in determining class lists for the kids leaving their class and going into the next grade for the new year? Do teachers and administration really consider "class balance" or is it a crap shoot? Is there something a teacher that is more likely to be given the more challenging kids?

In most schools teachers have no say at all; however, admin have their favorites and reasons why almost all the so called challenging kids end up in one classroom. Could be spite, to save the other teacher who might have a class who will perform well on PARCC, favoritism, skill set, etc, etc. So yes admin consider balance but not for the "fair" reasons parents think!!!

That's disheartening to hear, but what I suspected.

I see no evidence of that in our school.

NP here. I don't think it's spite, but certain teachers, often the ones known for being firm, seem to have more than their share of difficult kids. Other teachers, known for being weaker and/ or close to leaving, have easier classes. Different teachers have different strengths; nothing wrong with giving them classes that play to their strengths.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How much input do teachers have in determining class lists for the kids leaving their class and going into the next grade for the new year? Do teachers and administration really consider "class balance" or is it a crap shoot? Is there something a teacher that is more likely to be given the more challenging kids?

In most schools teachers have no say at all; however, admin have their favorites and reasons why almost all the so called challenging kids end up in one classroom. Could be spite, to save the other teacher who might have a class who will perform well on PARCC, favoritism, skill set, etc, etc. So yes admin consider balance but not for the "fair" reasons parents think!!!

This sounds nothing like how my school works.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How much input do teachers have in determining class lists for the kids leaving their class and going into the next grade for the new year? Do teachers and administration really consider "class balance" or is it a crap shoot? Is there something a teacher that is more likely to be given the more challenging kids?

In most schools teachers have no say at all; however, admin have their favorites and reasons why almost all the so called challenging kids end up in one classroom. Could be spite, to save the other teacher who might have a class who will perform well on PARCC, favoritism, skill set, etc, etc. So yes admin consider balance but not for the "fair" reasons parents think!!!

That's disheartening to hear, but what I suspected.

This is not true at my JKLM.
Teachers make the first run and then specialists and then admins

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How much input do teachers have in determining class lists for the kids leaving their class and going into the next grade for the new year? Do teachers and administration really consider "class balance" or is it a crap shoot? Is there something a teacher that is more likely to be given the more challenging kids?

In most schools teachers have no say at all; however, admin have their favorites and reasons why almost all the so called challenging kids end up in one classroom. Could be spite, to save the other teacher who might have a class who will perform well on PARCC, favoritism, skill set, etc, etc. So yes admin consider balance but not for the "fair" reasons parents think!!!

That's disheartening to hear, but what I suspected.

This is not true at my JKLM.
Teachers make the first run and then specialists and then admins

I am also an JKLM teacher and we have a LOT of say in Class lists. Usually current teachers separate their class into - types of learners, a fair balance of higher and lower skilled groups, a balance of leaders etc. They meet with the other grade level teachers and make preliminary class lists which are then looked over by the principal and specialists. Then parent input is considered and usually if it can be accommodated it will be. We don't decide which teacher each of these lists will go too, but rather that all of the classes are "even" in every way possible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How much input do teachers have in determining class lists for the kids leaving their class and going into the next grade for the new year? Do teachers and administration really consider "class balance" or is it a crap shoot? Is there something a teacher that is more likely to be given the more challenging kids?

In most schools teachers have no say at all; however, admin have their favorites and reasons why almost all the so called challenging kids end up in one classroom. Could be spite, to save the other teacher who might have a class who will perform well on PARCC, favoritism, skill set, etc, etc. So yes admin consider balance but not for the "fair" reasons parents think!!!

That's disheartening to hear, but what I suspected.

I see no evidence of that in our school.

NP here. I don't think it's spite, but certain teachers, often the ones known for being firm, seem to have more than their share of difficult kids. Other teachers, known for being weaker and/ or close to leaving, have easier classes. Different teachers have different strengths; nothing wrong with giving them classes that play to their strengths.

It matters a lot if you are in a testing grade! PARCC scores count for IMPACT that is why all these issues now matter a lot!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How much input do teachers have in determining class lists for the kids leaving their class and going into the next grade for the new year? Do teachers and administration really consider "class balance" or is it a crap shoot? Is there something a teacher that is more likely to be given the more challenging kids?

In most schools teachers have no say at all; however, admin have their favorites and reasons why almost all the so called challenging kids end up in one classroom. Could be spite, to save the other teacher who might have a class who will perform well on PARCC, favoritism, skill set, etc, etc. So yes admin consider balance but not for the "fair" reasons parents think!!!

That's disheartening to hear, but what I suspected.

This is not true at my JKLM.
Teachers make the first run and then specialists and then admins

I am also an JKLM teacher and we have a LOT of say in Class lists. Usually current teachers separate their class into - types of learners, a fair balance of higher and lower skilled groups, a balance of leaders etc. They meet with the other grade level teachers and make preliminary class lists which are then looked over by the principal and specialists. Then parent input is considered and usually if it can be accommodated it will be. We don't decide which teacher each of these lists will go too, but rather that all of the classes are "even" in every way possible.

This sounds like my kid's non-JKLM school as well. However, in terms of parent input, I've been told requests for certain teachers are not really considered, instead, parents are encouraged to describe their child's temperament to ensure an appropriate fit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are DCPS middle schools so bad and what can be done about it?

I don't think they are all that bad...especially that they are a pretty good value (free compared to private). If more parents would trust the public school system, the problem would be solved, but who do I know? I just work within the system.

What would you choose then, OP?

1. "Good" DCPS middle school
2. "Good" charter middle school
3. MCPS/FCPS/APS middle school

We're one of the $300k HHI charter families and privates are not on the table, but frankly this thread is making me concerned for my still young school aged kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are DCPS middle schools so bad and what can be done about it?

I don't think they are all that bad...especially that they are a pretty good value (free compared to private). If more parents would trust the public school system, the problem would be solved, but who do I know? I just work within the system.

What would you choose then, OP?

1. "Good" DCPS middle school
2. "Good" charter middle school
3. MCPS/FCPS/APS middle school

We're one of the $300k HHI charter families and privates are not on the table, but frankly this thread is making me concerned for my still young school aged kids.

Deal is a great middle school.

[Anonymous]

OP - If you are a fan of the color orange, as I suspect, you should definitely consider tutoring kids next summer. Our DD graduated from a class with a teacher who fits that description and we would definitely hire you to work with her or our younger child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How much input do teachers have in determining class lists for the kids leaving their class and going into the next grade for the new year? Do teachers and administration really consider "class balance" or is it a crap shoot? Is there something a teacher that is more likely to be given the more challenging kids?

In most schools teachers have no say at all; however, admin have their favorites and reasons why almost all the so called challenging kids end up in one classroom. Could be spite, to save the other teacher who might have a class who will perform well on PARCC, favoritism, skill set, etc, etc. So yes admin consider balance but not for the "fair" reasons parents think!!!

That's disheartening to hear, but what I suspected.

This is not true at my JKLM.
Teachers make the first run and then specialists and then admins

I am also an JKLM teacher and we have a LOT of say in Class lists. Usually current teachers separate their class into - types of learners, a fair balance of higher and lower skilled groups, a balance of leaders etc. They meet with the other grade level teachers and make preliminary class lists which are then looked over by the principal and specialists. Then parent input is considered and usually if it can be accommodated it will be. We don't decide which teacher each of these lists will go too, but rather that all of the classes are "even" in every way possible.

This sounds like my kid's non-JKLM school as well. However, in terms of parent input, I've been told requests for certain teachers are not really considered, instead, parents are encouraged to describe their child's temperament to ensure an appropriate fit.

pp here... Yes, specific teacher requests aren't considered, instead fitting "key words" are used. This is also what the current teachers use to place students. XYZ students would do well w a teacher who has a strong classroom management style and clear rules. Students ABC do best with positive reinforcement and a creative atmosphere. We don't say " these kids should go with me K. Etc