Reply to I barely have an idea what is being taught in child's 1st grade class

Forum Index » Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS)

Reply to "I barely have an idea what is being taught in child's 1st grade class"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Teachers in MCPS are totally overwhelmed. Our curriculum is hard to teach, and we get very limited resources that are ready-to-use (most things you'll see are teacher-made or printed off the internet). I admit that parent communication is one of the things I am weak in. But I'm grading and planning for hours every day. (BTW, I teach second grade, but it's been like this in the three other ES grades I've taught).

Request a conference and if you get no response, contact the principal and let him/her know what's going on. If the teacher is not doing his/her job, you have a right to say so. But let her know what you are looking for. I would hope that a teacher would respond to a conference request immediately. Do you get report cards and progress reports? Friday folder reports? Do you mind sharing what school this is?[/quote]

I did have a conference with the teacher and she basically told me the same thing, that my son is doing fine. I asked if I could keep one of the books they use in the classroom overnight and she agreed. We get report cards but that is the only progress check. No homework except forreading about once a week. The school name begins with the letter C.[/quote]

I'm glad you met with the teacher. I know that a lot of first grade teachers have issues with homework and want the kids to focus on reading only. I can't argue with that since I HATE making and grading homework, and can't use it for any real information - because I ALREADY know which students are responsible and which ones have the parents who will prioritize homework.

I really am proud to work for MCPS - I really am, mostly because I've met some amazing teachers (and one or two solid administrators as well:). However, I think we are in the midst of a huge hot mess that started with the CCSS. I think MCPS tried to be proactive and get in the boat first, sold their soul to Pearson for money to pay a team to write a crappy curriculum... and now the teachers are the ones saddled with it. I pray that one day soon we'll look back on this and talk about our war stories. (It's nationwide, btw - NY is a bigger wreck than us).

Here's the thing I hold on to: I knock myself out to make the content engaging for my kids.  The quality of the teaching counts for way more than the quality of the curriculum. Yes, we do need to know our content (and yes, I did need to learn how to do this new math....and guess what? Now I'm better at math.) And I know lots of other teachers who are much better at captivating kids than me. We also have technology to help - I'm not asking my ESOL kids to visualize something they can't or trying to explain something that I shouldn't - I can access photos and visuals easily because I've got a working Promethean Board. I promise to all of you - I give the kids 100% every day. (I do admit by the time they leave I don't always have it in me to give the parents 100%). I promise that I am loving them and that their academic success is my priority.

What we need are responsible, smart, well-meaning teachers who get respect. And we need a good evaluation system (that is not even a little bit BASED ON @%$*# STANDARDIZED TEST SCORES!) so that we acknowledge the great teachers and work to improve those who are not great. And maybe show the door to some who show no effort in improving. [/quote]

I just wanted to say that I empathize.  I volunteer in both of my kids' classrooms and really feel that the teachers are doing the very best they can with what they have to work with.  I think both of your posts are honest and realistic.

Good luck to you.  You sound like a hard-working, good teacher who cares about the kids.  I know that I could never do your job and give you credit for what you do.[/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics