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September 2007 - Posts

what do new teachers really need?

A scene from last year: I sit in the Teacher Support Committee, drawing cartoons on the Staff Development Agenda. We first triy to focus on what new teachers need, because so many of our teachers are new. At our school, you are considered a veteran by Read More...
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2007 09 27

John Spencer

80 Comments

parents are the solution, not the enemy

I realize that there are awful parents out there. Horrible ones. They make the teacher's life a nightmare by playing the role of mini-attorney and best friend to their children. Others are abusive and destructive, whose actions should not even qualify Read More...

2007 09 25

John Spencer

2 Comments

a lie that teachers tell

When I was a child, our school would parade around the hometown heroes to give their well-rehearsed "stay in school" speeches, rife with truisms and cliches, like "go out and give a hundred ten percent" and "you can be anything you want to be." I never Read More...
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2007 09 24

John Spencer

3 Comments

a place to ask questions

My son is recovering well from his surgery. I'm not recovering as well. I didn't expect that going to a children's hospital would move me so much emotionally. I keep thinking of a four year old boy who was wearing a helmet, pushing a walker and falling Read More...
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2007 09 23

John Spencer

0 Comments

should teachers share their political views?

Students often ask me what I believe about politics. Occasionally, it occurs during class. A kid might ask, "What do you think of the war in Iraq?" My answer is diplomatic, "War is always a tragedy, whether you support it or not. I support our troops Read More...

2007 09 22

John Spencer

4 Comments

a random thought while in the hospital

My son's surgery went well. His recovery should be smooth, but a little confusing for him, given his age (seven months old) When I walk into the hospital, it doesn't feel like a hospital. The colors are bright and vivid. Child-created artwork adorns the Read More...
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2007 09 20

John Spencer

3 Comments

how do you blog when your son is having surgery?

My seven month old son is having surgery. I can't take the thought of him being put to sleep, of a two hour operation, of his face being cut open. It's a simple procedure involving a slight cleft lip, some muscle structure and his jaw. Yet, if we don't Read More...
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2007 09 20

John Spencer

3 Comments

planning to plan for planning - or why the system is OCD

I sit in the library at 7:30. School does not start for another hour, but those in "leadership" must attend this biweekly meeting. I use quotation marks because, if you could see me right now, I actually stopped talking for a moment to use the hand signal Read More...
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2007 09 19

John Spencer

3 Comments

letting students make decisions

Twenty students claim their favorite seats within minutes of the lunch bell ringing. The skeptic in me initially assumes that it is a first week rush, a desire to get out of the one-hundred and ten degree heat. The students will find out that our Student Read More...
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2007 09 15

John Spencer

1 Comments

Is blogging just another fad?

Every few years, the educational community chooses a catchy new trend and markets it as the greatest method students will ever experience. When I was a child, the trend was writing in journals. As I grew older, it was graphic organizers. Later, Word Walls Read More...
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2007 09 11

John Spencer

20 Comments

here's your sign

This afternoon, as students are viewing images of World War II, we see a picture of a concentration camp. The class is austere, taking in the emotional impact of genocide. It's a serious lesson which will lead into a discussion of hatred, labelling, the Read More...

2007 09 10

John Spencer

623 Comments

making a class website more interactive

When I first began teaching, I used the class website as a way to communicate with students. It was very teacher-oriented and I was proud of the work I had accomplished. When I realized that I wanted student involvement, I decided that I would allow them Read More...
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2007 09 7

John Spencer

32 Comments

Can learning be measured?

Sitting in a staff meeting, I pull out the agenda and begin drawing cartoons. Instead of reading PowerPoint presentations, we work collaboratively (read "group think") on a school wide mission statement. "Make sure it is attainable, measurable and . . Read More...
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2007 09 6

John Spencer

19 Comments

I'm okay with being unprofessional

"Be professional" seems to be the mantra of nearly every administrator, educational professor and seminar speaker addressing the issue of school culture and climate. An entire industry exists to help schools transition into a Professional Learning Community. Read More...
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2007 09 5

John Spencer

6 Comments

online community(?)

Yesterday I wrote a blog where I vented. To my surprise, fellow teachers offered positive feedback and encouraging words. I think that's a sign that it is slowly emerging as an online community for teachers. I'm not sure what to think of this. I feel Read More...
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2007 09 4

John Spencer

3 Comments

Is it best to be a so-so teacher?

Much of what people call "office politics" is simply relational conflict. For example, a principal might ignore the input of a teacher, who gets her feelings hurt and, in turn, retaliates with gossip and slander. Or a faction of teachers, with the best Read More...
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2007 09 3

John Spencer

5 Comments