tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3685403469183555837.post7147487064096164571..comments2008-02-13T20:22:04.318-06:00Mr. Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06960561773050547167noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3685403469183555837.post-58925097099747678862008-02-13T20:22:00.000-06:002008-02-13T20:22:00.000-06:00I actually had to stay with my testing group (only a few of whom were actually my students) for two entire days (8:30-4:30pm) and at least until 1:30pm the final two days. Your comment reminded me that we didn't have any sort of planning periods for those four days, which is technically illegal. I'm sure my district would also classify us as "test administrators" to get out of their legal obligations just like you described.<BR/><BR/>Thankfully, my principal assured me that there will be no more benchmarks. She wasn't amused when I asked her, only half-jokingly, to put it in writing!Mr. Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06960561773050547167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3685403469183555837.post-52230493862529218022008-02-12T06:08:00.000-06:002008-02-12T06:08:00.000-06:00We had a benchmark in January. We had to stay with my second period students from 7:50 until 2:15 or whenever they got around to releasing us. No duty-free lunch. The reasoning is that we are not teachers, we are "Test Administrators."<BR/><BR/>It didn't help that the benchmark we gave that day was the same week as finals, constituted the ELA final exam, and second period is the ELA teachers' conference period. So the entire school was giving their semester exam for them. And some of those teachers didn't bother showing up that day anyway.<BR/><BR/>The other band director I work with had a stroke and has been out since December 7th. I respect the kids too much to take any days off from teaching while he is out (I was sick for nearly the entire month of December). So I have determined that since they don't need me to be a teacher on those days, then they don't need my band directing expertise.Joelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16722519393655794399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3685403469183555837.post-78382784078485269652008-02-05T18:39:00.000-06:002008-02-05T18:39:00.000-06:00Melinda-<BR/><BR/>I hope that you don't let this testing stuff push you out of the classroom. I've been dealing with the nonsense for five years, and the same thing keeps bringing me back: the students.<BR/><BR/>The adjustment to the pressures of high stakes testing is not an easy one, but make no mistake: you are the best equipped teacher to tackle this challenge. Your passion, as my girlfriend constantly reminds me, is what makes you a good teacher, and that has come across in your comments. You will figure out how to balance test prep and actual teaching, because you still remember what actual teaching looks like (imagine what new teachers see as actual teaching?).<BR/><BR/>I can't tell you how many times I've said or wrote the same words: "I feel like a failure." In fact, I've felt that way twice this week, and it's only Tuesday. But I'll go back in tomorrow and I'll work as hard as I can, because my students deserve it.<BR/><BR/>Please don't give up yet! I would like to see your idea and I'll be happy to share it on the website. I am open to anything.<BR/><BR/>Mr. DMr. Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06960561773050547167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3685403469183555837.post-15672189826761221732008-02-04T23:07:00.000-06:002008-02-04T23:07:00.000-06:00I just wanted to say - that I am still reading your blog. I have downloaded a couple of your activities and revamped them to fit my teaching style and I can not wait to use them next year - providing I am still teaching.<BR/><BR/>I enjoy teaching so much, but the curriculum goes so fast and furious, that it takes away the rewarding part of being a teacher - the benefit of seeing my students actually learn and retain information.<BR/><BR/>Now, that TAKS is on the way, it is cutting into more of my instructional time with warm-ups and warm-downs that do not even correlate with what I am teaching.<BR/><BR/>I feel like such a failure. I feel like I am failing my students and myself. I want to be the master teacher I once was and I want to love my job again.<BR/><BR/>Oh I have a Tom and Jerry activity for introducing Systems of Linear Equations I would like to share if you are interested.Melindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07754200369319971749noreply@blogger.com