Teaching!

I had a moment the other day! I was in the middle of my math lesson and I was teaching!!!! It was so exciting because for the last couple of months we have been so focused on FCAT this and FCAT practice and I did not even realize how much I miss teaching! I had to stop for a second and just smile! I am so relieved that I am able to teach my students and not focus so much on the test. I am happier when I leave and I feel successful at the end of the day. Now...I just have to wait for the scores to see if I have a job next year!!!! :)

Schools Over After FCAT?!?!?!

My students seem to think that once FCAT is over...school is over! They think that the only thing that is important is the FCAT in order to go to the next grade. Also, I think this is why my students are not motivated to learn. If a lesson is not focused on FCAT, or the worksheets do not look like FCAT, they do not care about it. I think that we are responsible for some of the reasons the students are not motivated because there is so much focus on the test. We tend to teach them information so they pass the test without making the information concrete. I have to prepare my studnets for middle school and yet they think that school is over!

Class Size Reduction...is it really worth it?

When I would hear anything about classroom reductions, I was always for it! I thought that it would be great because I would be able to provide my students with an engaging lesson that would be more personalized for each student. I would also be able to help motivate each student we would be able to accomplish more! This all sounded so wonderful, until now...

After having our meeting about 'budgets' it seems as though this will be more harmful to our school then beneficial. The smaller classrooms would be great, but where will the money that we need for the teachers, classrooms, and resources come from? The schools are then going to have to change the CRT's, Curriculum Specialists, administrators, and other personel into teacher positions. When do we put the focus on our education and our future, instead of millions going to athletes or other funds. The budges is very complicated and the focus does not seem to be the best for our students. I am not fully aware of how the budget works or this situation, this is what I have heard and I was curious.

Tension

The school environment has completely changed the last couple of weeks and as we get closer to FCAT the tension is getting worse. The teachers are so stressed and trying to get as much in as possible. If our school does not meet A.Y.P. this year then the state will take over and I may not have a job next year...it's is tough to focus with just having one test determining so much. I am ready for this to be over with so that our school can return to 'normal.' We are at our 'Tipping Point', so to speak and our school will either be successful or we will have a complete change! I really love teaching and I just want my students to reach their full potential.