The next line in that motivating saying is "I must learn to plan". This was emblazoned across Student Planners in middle school, as well as across the weekly homework poster that was to be displayed in a classroom. Here we were, trying to encourage our students to PLAN ahead. And not that I'm a big fan of the bigoted Boy Scouts of America, but don't they say, "Always be Prepared"? Oh, and that's right, my principal reminds us teachers often, when he reminds us that lesson plans are to be out on our desks at all times.
What's my point?
My administration does not plan appropriately for certain events. Everything is a state secret, and if you don't have the security clearance, you'll never know what's going on (this includes big events, like author visits and competitions). My security clearance has been dropped - I used to be in the loop. Then I started to think a little too much for my own good, and worse, I let my feelings and opinions be known. And nobody likes to be reminded how smart they are not.
Today a little birdie shamefully let me in on one of those state secrets... First, the back-story. One of our new teachers quit. Up and said, I can't do this anymore, I'm out. And so instead of considering hiring a replacement, our geniuses decided that other teachers in that subject area would have to step up, and subsequently lose other parts of their own existing program. The general school public was not brought into the fold in terms of that last little tidbit - we were led to believe that these teachers would simply be taking on more responsibility, generously stepping up blah blah blah. So it turns out that there are a handful of us who will also be getting new classes - the classes that these generous professionals are giving up to help out with the program of the deserter (please understand, I hold you in the highest regard). Now, wouldn't it make sense to let those of us who will be experiencing new students and a change in our schedule know what's going on?
Apparently not.
Apparently planning is not what they want us to do.
Apparently it makes sense to keep from me that I will be seeing a brand new 6th grade class that I hardly know twice a week with no assistance for the rest of the year.
And the best part is that the kids have this new schedule. The kids know they are meant to come to me TOMORROW MORNING FIRST PERIOD (oh, and no homeroom, so really right away) and I only know because the teacher happened to let slip this afternoon.
Tell me, dear sir and mes dames, how am I meant to succeed, how are our students meant to succeed with no notice and complete upheaval?
No, please allow me to answer that - I understand - we are not.
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In East New York, we had snow. We had many teachers call in and should have closed school. Instead, we corralled all the kids by grade level - 6th grade in the gym, 7th in the auditorium and 8th in the Cafeteria. Then, the AP called our name and assigned us 25 kids we had never seen before. We had those kids for six hours on lock down. Edumacation! Joel Klein rocks.
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