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Friday, August 5, 2011

Nice Article

Here's a nice article from today's phillyburbs.com.

I appreciate the sentiment, and thank its author, Kate Fratti.

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In the event that the link doesn't work for you, here's the addy: http://www.phillyburbs.com/blogs/news_columnists/kate_fratti/teacher-s-crime-truth-telling/article_be03d798-2e00-528d-a49f-d48a54a6abab.html

13 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. I just learned about this situation through Ann Althouse's estimable blog. I'm curious: When the story broke did your students deny the truth of the matter asserted? Did they, with facts and analysis, refute what you claimed? Or did they and their parents just get angry and out of sorts because you said unflattering things about them?

    My guess is the last.

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  3. I'm glad you're getting to keep your job. I don't have kids but I know some, and they are just like you describe them. Parents need to wake up.

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  4. Where is your blog going? Nothing to say since you have been reinstated or are you waiting to see how many parents pull their kids out of you class and push you out of a job? Bet we will hear plenty then, especially from your lawyer.

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  5. To get a sense of context I went back and read about a year's worth of old entries.

    This blog is your face to the world. Parents and others who don't otherwise know you will find it. And truthfully this blog makes you look catty, shallow, and extremely petty.

    I've known law enforcement officers who likewise viewed the general public as "dumb" and "sheep like". What would you think if you saw something like that posted on an open forum or in a personal blog? Would that not make you question whether they could properly do their jobs?

    Granted some of your comments on the educational system are shared by educators in private. But is this blog representative of the tone you want to strike with your students, your profession, and the world at large?

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  6. Just read today that Robert Laws will replace you with a substitute.

    I read the stories and I find no problem with your all too accurate description of students. I'd say to the parents don't like the description then don't raise them as such. My wife being a pre-K teacher sensitizes me to the plight and role of teachers. Good luck and best wishes.

    Bruce

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  7. Just heard Mark Billings on the Rush Limbaugh show praising you! Keep up the good work, we need more teachers like you.

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  8. Just heard about your situation through an article a fellow teacher posted on facebook. Went back and read your old entries to get a better sense of what was going on, and I just can't keep my mouth shut anymore.

    First, I'm so sorry this is all happening to you. Teachers don't get very much respect, yet we are expected to be perfect. By law, we have the same rights as any other profession, but really...we don't. Disturbingly, we AREN'T free to speak how we wish. We are watched every second of every day -- even when we are not in school or on campus -- and every possible negative thing that happens is held against us. It's so unfair.

    Second, I don't know ONE teacher out there that wouldn't agree with the things you've written. At some point (or maybe even all the time), all teachers feel that the students of today could stand to work a little harder, or we get frustrated when students don't think critically. It's a serious problem, but instead, our society focuses on a much more miniscule "problem": the words coming out of the teacher's mouth. Again, it's so aggravating! But I definitely feel for you and understand where you're coming from.

    I know it doesn't help with your situation, but I just wanted to let you know that I'm on your side. Best of luck.

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  9. Hi, just found you through yahoo...LOL. I have to say that I agree with you. Most students are whiny. In my opinion they want everything handed to them. My husband and I decided on my son's second birthday in May to homeschool. I had already decided I was going to do it, and my husband was on the fence, bur for some reason agreed with me. Teachers are VERY UNDERAPPRECIATED!!! In the story on yahoo, it said that there's a lot of students and parents that have requested to NOT be in your class...my guess is...it's those same exact students. Seriously, if a student wanted to work for their grades, they would not have a problem with a teacher that spoke out. I'm glad you got to keep your job, but it sounds like the school district is going to try everything in their power to fire you. I hope you are careful, and from someone that has dealt with a company like your school district...RECORD EVERYTHING!! I look forward to reading what else you write.

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  10. @ None - So, it is okay to tell the truth to each other behind closed doors because we are friends or we share the opinion, but it is wrong to voice those same opinions to the public because it may possible hurt someone's feelings or make someone look bad? The truth hurts, but the truth is what we need.

    To answer your question, yes, I would be hurt and would undoubtedly be angry to read someone of authority calling me dumb or saying that I act sheep like, but I don't think personal opinions like that would keep someone from properly doing their job. Whether they say these things in their mind or out loud, they still think it. It does not mean they are incapable. It means they are human. And humans have thoughts and opinions. And thankfully, for many of us, we live in a country where we are more or less free to have those thoughts and opinions.

    Sometimes, people say things to be mean. Other times, people say things because they are true. When it hurts the most, it is usually because it is the latter of the two.

    @Natalie - I applaud you. You are awesome.

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  11. I followed your story in February and I'm so glad you got your job back!

    I know several high school kids right now and every one of them frustrates me even though I'm not a teacher. I think many of the things you wrote could be applied to the kids I know! I know you've heard that before, but it's true.

    That's pretty much all I wanted to say. I'm so so glad you got your job back and I hope you continue blogging.

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  12. I'm sorry, but I am really frustrated with some of the comments I've read on here. I posted a comment earlier in support of Natalie, but after reading more comments, I need to speak up for the children in our schools. Not all kids are whiny entitled brats. I have actually found more amazing kids wanting to learn (maybe needing help to get there, but wanting to learn all the same) than what has been described. Sometimes you have to work around hangups that some of them have because of damage from previous life experience. Teachers are supposed to be advocates for our students. I certainly understand frustration and I think that this did get taken farther than it should have (given all of the negativity that's just fueling the fire - on both sides). I think that anyone that blanket judges their students (like some that have commented) are not advocating for their students' well-being and are just contributing to the breakdown in society. Kids don't think like us. They are psychologically not at the same level, many are actually below par for where they should be (which may or may not be because of their own actions). We need to keep that in mind when we write hurtful comments.

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  13. Aimee-- true! I've tried to say from the beginning that my comments were never about all students, but just some that I've had. While I still contend that there seems to be an overall shift in attitude from when I started teaching, there are definitely many very kind and hardworking students as well.

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Please feel free to comment. However, please note that not all comments will be posted, and that it does take time to read through them, so your comments may not be read the day you write them.

Thanks to all for your thoughts.