New Terrain
Jessica Shyu, who taught special education for two years at an American Indian reservation school in New Mexico, was also a program director for Teach For America in Washington, D.C., where she supported and trained TFA teachers. In this opinion blog, Jessica wrote about the lives of new teachers in today’s schools, exploring their practice, experiences, and career challenges and opportunities. This blog is no longer being updated, but you can continue to explore these issues on edweek.org by visiting our related topic pages: new teachers.
Education
Opinion
Guilt for going
'Tis the season for state testing once again, and Texas is no exception. The next wave of TAKS exams are coming up in another week and a half, and my teachers are scrambling, and their students are scrambling, so therefore, I am scrambling along with them. My apologies for not posting earlier.
Education
Opinion
Will work for... Jeremy
Anyone who's taught at an under-resourced school has heard at some point, from someone (quite possibly a colleague) that these kids can't learn. Sigh. Why should we spend our time even trying. Sigh.
Education
Opinion
Spread the word: Education means justice
Question: Which of the following issues do you care about?
Education
Opinion
What is great teaching?
Update: This part got buried below, but it's a critical message that I want to highlight. "First year and other new teachers out there-- YES YOU CAN. You CAN get your students to read two grade levels higher by the end of the year. You CAN get your third graders who can't yet subtract to multiply and divide like cute little actuaries by the end of the year. DON'T LET ANYONE TELL YOU THAT YOU CAN'T. I DID IT, MY COLLEAGUES DID IT, AND A NUMBER OF MY FIRST-YEAR TEACHERS ARE DOING IT THIS VERY MINUTE. IT'S VERY HARD, BUT IT'S POSSIBLE AND NECESSARY. PLEASE DON'T STOP TRYING."
Education
Opinion
SWBAT compare the educational systems in Japan and the US
"The world is becoming smaller and smaller and smaller, and we need to compete with others for jobs. We need to be sure we know as much as they do. When we complain about homework, we need to know people in other parts of the world are doing more homework. It just needs to be done."
Education
Opinion
$125 G's
Whenever I saw a new piece of artwork hung up in the school hall, or when the school purchased a new fleet of Chevy Malibus, I would get petty and think to myself: They could have just added that to my paycheck. I imagine that is so at most schools. A lot of money is spent on stuff that doesn't necessarily add direct or close-indirect value to student learning-- a lot of money that could have been added to my paycheck.
Education
Opinion
PS-- No TV in the bedrooms
I'm technically working, and shouldn't be, say, scanning The New York Times homepage. And I definitely shouldn't be publicizing my non-productivity. But I am and I will. Check out the article on the negative impact of TVs in children's bedrooms.
Education
Opinion
It's not the sex, silly, it's the teachers
I read the illustrious The New York Times' extensive article, "Teaching Boys and Girls Separately" once on Friday, again on Saturday, and twice more Sunday. I had to be sure that my sense of underwhelmed-ness and disappointment was genuine. It was. It still is.
Education
Opinion
Make up work
Dear Readers,
My great apologies for not having posted for more than a week and not posting much today. It's the start of testing season for teachers in Texas and since my work schedule follows much of theirs, it's a whirlwind for me as well. There have been some awesome comments written on the blog that I can't wait to respond to. Please use this blog as a place to foster dialogue, especially around closing the achievement gap and the work of new teachers. I'll be posting new (a lot of) content by this Friday so please stay tuned.
My great apologies for not having posted for more than a week and not posting much today. It's the start of testing season for teachers in Texas and since my work schedule follows much of theirs, it's a whirlwind for me as well. There have been some awesome comments written on the blog that I can't wait to respond to. Please use this blog as a place to foster dialogue, especially around closing the achievement gap and the work of new teachers. I'll be posting new (a lot of) content by this Friday so please stay tuned.
Education
Opinion
Choking game
At least 82 kids DIED from PLAYING the "choking game" over the past 12 years.
Education
Opinion
Uprooted partners
This is an eleventh-hour Valentine to the husbands, wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, children and others who adjust their plans so we may fulfill ours. This is a shout-out to my beloved.
Education
Opinion
impact of one and many
It is OK to leave the classroom. What is not OK, Dr. Philip Uri Treisman said, is if people are surprised you once were a teacher.
Education
Opinion
MySpace, my students
Sure, there can be some awkward and inappropriate momentsthat come with being a teacher with a social networking account. But let's not forget about the wonderful parts. Like when students you worked with two and a half years ago friend you on your (respectable) MySpace page and write you email updates. Let's certainly not overlook the wonderfulness of realizing that your 8th graders have really grown up and that your work with them may have had a bit to do with it. And we definitely can't forget how trippy and awesome it is when they are mature enough to give advice about your own life. (I had told her my new job as a program director was rewarding, but really challenging.)