I don’t know where my place is teaching. My place is not in this society which we call modern education. I’m not sure where it is, but I don’t know if it is here at McKeel. McKeel is a great school, but the teaching is so traditional. I don’t care what they say, compared to other schools in the US, we are traditional.
I feel like I’m the only here in FL that isn’t traditional. I know more like me have to exist….but we are few and far between.
I don’t know if I’m ready to open my own school yet. I know what I want but I would like to teach in a school that shares my beliefs before I start my own school. I know what I don’t want. I don’t want traditional (as defined by Alfie Kohn), I want cutting edge.
Conversation with Amanda:
Cmromey: Hey.
Cmromey: There are no public Essential Schools in FL.
asmannromey: hey
Cmromey: I'm feeling bummed again. This happens every time I go to talk to margie.
Cmromey: I dont' know where my place is as a teacher. I'm really begging to doubt that it is here at mckeel.
asmannromey: so stop.
Cmromey: and go where?
Cmromey: to an even worse situation?
asmannromey: no, stop going to margie. why do you feel that she has to love every thing you do?
Cmromey: i don't know.
Cmromey: This really has nothing to do with the project.
Cmromey: I'm worried about it and she brought up some really good points
asmannromey: I suggest that you meet with them individually in the beginning . help guide them into this.
asmannromey: what points?\
Cmromey: the fact that you have kids that "can't" do this...not her words.
Cmromey: the ones that won't do anything.
Cmromey: "I did it at home and my work is there" kind of kids.
Cmromey: She was a little concerened that this is what I had planned for the nine weeks.
Cmromey: She asked if I was doing any English stuff as well.
Cmromey: She just wants there to be back up "safety nets"
Cmromey: I understand what she is saying.
asmannromey: no you don't. you have kids who are reluctant to let themselves be incharge of themselves. they definitely can.
asmannromey: the ones that won't do anything suffer the consequences.
asmannromey: no working at home. this is to be a school project, you are allowed to require that they do it in class.
asmannromey: they are writing a paper, doing research, etc. this is a english project,
asmannromey: no necessity for safety nets.
Cmromey: right.
asmannromey: you are their teacher, honey. you do what you feel is important to help tthem learn.
Cmromey: I think waht frustrates me about her si that she is no different than any other teacher.
asmannromey: honey--of course she isn't. why would you think she was?
Cmromey: she put it best when she said (and these are her words)....you may need a day that is your day when they are taking notes one something or studying a concept...a day to remind them that you are still in charge.
Cmromey: That is the whole point I am wanting to combat. I'm "in charge" but I'm no IN CHARGE...do you know what I mean?
asmannromey: that's awful. you are not in charge of them. wtf?
Cmromey: she is no different than any traditional teacher. that is what I meant.
asmannromey: they are in your charge. you protect them from harm, allow them space to find out what it means to be them as individuals, and hopefully along the way, teach them a little english.
asmannromey: no, i know what you meant. of course she isn't any different. why did you think she was?
Cmromey: I am so scared about taking my idea to to her.....
asmannromey: why did she have access to your lesson plans in the first place?
Cmromey: I dont' know....she talks a good talk.
Cmromey: I showed her the syllabus.
asmannromey: who cares what people say? blahbitty blah
asmannromey: and, again, why? you don't need her approval.
asmannromey: i'm not angry with you btw.
Cmromey: I just wanted her to be aware. It wasn't so much approval.
Cmromey: I know you are not.
Cmromey: I am really struggling to know where my place is as a teacher.
Cmromey: b/c it isn't in the "society" that we call modern education.
asmannromey: no i agree with you.
asmannromey: and again, why do you want her to be aware? she doesn't have anything to do with what you do in your class. you give her too much power over you.
asmannromey: but, i would suggest that you definitely guide them. meet once a week as a class and just talk--what's going on, etc. state of the union kind of thing.
Cmromey: true.
Cmromey: right.
asmannromey: make sure that they are doing what they need to do. if they aren't take them aside and convene with them.
asmannromey: JUST LIKE ms. helpling.
asmannromey: be mr. helpling. not mr. teachling.
Cmromey: you are so wise :-)
Cmromey: seriously
asmannromey: awwww. not really. i'd be too lazy to do anything like that in my class. *snort*
Cmromey: :-)
Cmromey: right...but you talk good :-)
asmannromey: seriously honey, you are in charge. be polite but uninterested in her opinion. ask her to come and see a state of the union meeting. invite her to poresentations.
Cmromey: right.
asmannromey: and to the presentations too.
asmannromey: love you much.
Cmromey: I told her today that I'm not sure if I wanted to teach ap next year and she said that is fine, she understands, we will talk about it later...maybe we can work something out with laura and I can take an 11th grade class.
Cmromey: SHE IS NOT F'ING LISTENING TO ME
Cmromey: I dont' want another class. I'm giving up one of the ones I have.
asmannromey: nope. why should she? you're just a teacher.
asmannromey: actually, she probably has no clue you're teaching an extra
Cmromey: check out this website....another crappy name, but a cool school. Center for essential schools has a dvd series they are releasing the first dvd is overpriced at 40$. But it looks really good.
Cmromey: http://www.sof.edu/
asmannromey: were my shoes coming ups or usps?
Cmromey: ups
asmannromey: okay.
asmannromey: so, feeling any better?
Cmromey: yes.
asmannromey: and, is Montessori looking any better?
Cmromey: I don't know.
Cmromey: I will be honest. It sounds good, but I don’t' know if that is me.
asmannromey: right.
Cmromey: I haven't stopped thinking about it.
asmannromey: what is you?
asmannromey: you polygon.
Cmromey: I don't know and I think that is the problem.
Cmromey: I don’t' know if I'm ready to run a school. I want to teach in a school that has similar beliefs that I do.
asmannromey: right. want to move?
asmannromey: i might be up for that.
Cmromey: How does NY or MA sound?
Cmromey: they have schools there I want to teach at?
Cmromey: I dont' know.
asmannromey: ummm, i meant in fl.
asmannromey: lol
asmannromey: i get cold.
Cmromey: right.
asmannromey: but if i had to choose, i'd say probably ny
Cmromey: that web site...is for a school called School of the Future...stupid name, but the curriculum is so cool.
Cmromey: One of the senior humanities techers came from florida ....I trying to figure out how to email him with out sounding liek a blubbering teen ager --- I love what you are doing....please let me steal it.
asmannromey: nyc? i might be up for a move there
Cmromey: manhattan. ypu
Cmromey: I think my problem right now is I'm not sure who I am as a teacher yet. I see what I want, but I'm not there.
asmannromey: could we afford it?
Cmromey: I know what I don't want and want to avoid it at all costs.
asmannromey: and is that mckeel?
asmannromey: yet?
Cmromey: I don't have any idea.
Cmromey: about affording it.
Cmromey: I'm not moving yet.
Cmromey: Um...no, mckeel is sort of limbo.
Cmromey: good but not great.
asmannromey: right
Cmromey: we are small, and that affords me lots of lee way to do things.
Cmromey: Anyway, I do feel better.
asmannromey: good
asmannromey: coming home soon?
asmannromey: lol
Cmromey: kind of helpless but better.
Cmromey: to put this in your perspective. I feel like the only nursing mother in a state of formula feeders.
asmannromey: yes. iknow exactly how you feel. and, i was that teacher once.
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