In August of 2009, fourteen teachers and an undersized administration opened up a brand new middle school in a shared campus project. A national for-profit charter merged with Denver public schools in order to promise "something different" to the inner city youth who were in danger of dropping out of school before they even reached high school.
The charter promised a wealth of resources - technological and other - along with a support system comparable to no other. Long story short, the resources never arrived, and the support system gave up long before it ever showed up.
We, the teachers, were getting eaten alive. Our students told us they didn't care, they didn't like teachers, they didn't like white people (double whammy for many of the staff) and that there was nothing we could do about it. They were right. The administration was far too overwhelmed to provide the level of support we needed. We were left to fend for ourselves. Despite the fact that with each struggle, the team strengthens; we are tired; and we're frustrated. There is not a single staff member who actually wants to return after the holidays.
The drama teacher and the art teacher qualified for disability leave due to "on-the-job stress." Substitute teachers will never return. Gang-related threats, inappropriate name-calling, and sexual gestures and innuendos have gone unpunished and unsupported. There certainly is no "learning" happening. This is not a safe place for staff or students.
...on the horizon...
Today was the big day. The "reorganization plan" has been rolled out, to begin January 4th, 2010 upon return from winter break.
Currently an eighth grade reading and writing teacher, I have been reassigned to teach reading and writing to one group of seventh graders (two classes), then provide literacy support to that same group throughout the day. I have never participated in co-teaching, but the prospect is very exciting to me. No teacher will ever be alone in the classroom which is sure to aid in the remaining behavior struggles. A solidified discipline structure will also be put in place. The entire plan is surprising and new; I need time to process the information.
The most exciting piece of the puzzle is that my new schedule includes an entire 65 minute class period in the computer lab every day. This is in addition to my reading and writing classes! The technology director is in the process of creating student accounts on the network so that any and all inappropriate activity (mostly gang-related) can be tracked and stopped short. She is prepared to assist with full integration of web 2.0, social networking, blogs, wikis, videos, and podcasts. NOW that I have access to the tools, I will reconfigure my GAME plan to integrate technology across the curriculum. I still intend to start with one thing at a time, as so many things will be new in the months to come. And I will continue to focus on the reflective process first with my new students, because it is familiar, and important to my pedagogy. The opportunity for technology integration in which to engage my students in all content areas has just multiplied tremendously. It's so exciting, I'm not sure where I will begin!
I don't know who, and I'm not sure how, but it seems someone, somewhere was listening. The new "reorganization plan" may just give our school a chance at surviving; a chance to make AYP; a chance to teach our students to value education; a chance to provide a scaffold that may lead these youth to a thriving life in the 21st century.
...the horizon... that's what's on my mind.
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Tara. You are certainly in an emotinally charged situation, with more than your share of stress, responsibility and expectations. I wish you luck and endurance and hope that these changes will provide the opportunity for you to actually teach instead of just surviving! It does sound like a real overhaul to the system is happening. You are to be commended for your continued effort in the face of such obstacles. Take a well-deserved break over the holidays. Best of luck. Cathy
ReplyDeleteCathy,
ReplyDeleteThe more I think about the new reorganization plan, the more I am exciting over the prospects of really integrating technology into my daily routines. There is a lot to look forward to!
Thanks for your encouragement and well-wishes!
-Tara
It sounds as though you are in a tough spot but it's nice to hear that you got some good news. Having access to the resources is half the battle. Now you can test out everything we've been learning about here at Walden. You and your students will get to experience it for the first time together and that always makes for an interesting class. Together you can figure the best way to use the resources and I am sure it will have them more interested in school. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteTara- Congratulations on the good news on the horizon. It sounds as though this change will occur just in the nick of time. You are wise to choose to remain with your plan of reflection with your students and implementing one technology piece at a time. From the discussion boards, this is wisdom that it sounds like many of your fellow classmates are choosing to follow as well.
ReplyDeleteGood luck in the new year and enjoy your well deserved break!
Wow!!! It sounds like the movie "Lean on Me." It looks like you and every other teacher at that school really have your hands full. I also work at a school where there are neighbor hood, gang related activity going on. There isn't any of the real gang activity but they tend to get into fights over what neighborhood they live in. We do pretty good at my school because we have a great system from the principal down to teh custodians. I think that these students need creative ways to be reached amongst other things. I think that integrating technology will help curve alot of the negative behavior in your schools. Students love to use technology and would greatly benefit from it. I know that this class will be over soon but it would be nice to hear an update on how well the students are doing a few months from now after they become familiar with using technology. Good luck to you and your staff. I am sure the new year will bring new attitudes from your students.
ReplyDeleteYour re-organization sounds a lot more positive the one happening in my school system right now. I recently found out that I will have to move to a different location in the next few months but, luckily, it looks like my job is not being phased out (yet). This is not the case with many instruction system specialists who were informed they would not longer have a job next school year.
ReplyDeleteCo-teaching and collaboration are the models that are being utilized in my district with the school level educational technologists (ET’s) and educators. Most of the times it works out really well but there are few instances when the ET and teacher just cannot get along. In a way, it is just like the students.
Before I become a DoDDS teacher, I taught in an alternative inner city high school which had many of the problems (drugs, alcohol, gang violence, etc) that you mention. The biggest challenge was engaging students and convincing them the value of their education. If I was back in that situation, I know I would rely heavily on technological tools like video production. In fact, running a school television program would be an effective hook to engage many of those students.
I wish you all the best and remember, your attitude about your situation has a huge impact on the attitude your students will have. Stay upbeat and positive and eventually it will start to rub off on your students. I know, this often is a lot easier said than done.