When teachers cuss. And students hear.

When teachers cuss. And students hear. As someone who tries to not cuss, especially around children, mine or students, I still don't think a teacher should be fired or fined for one curse word. If it occurs all the time and "at" students, then that is another matter. Think about it, students aren't fired, or even suspended, for cursing then why should a teacher be? I know we are held to a higher standard but come on, everyone lets one slip every once in a while.

Hopeful News on Teaching Boys

Hopeful News on Teaching Boys

Since I have taught mostly boys in my teaching career, I had already figured out that forming relationships with boys leads to them becoming invested in learning, thus doing better in school. Part of what I loved about my classroom at Griffin Middle school was that I could teach the same boys from 6th grade all the way to 8th grade. The relationships we formed lead them to feel more comfortable in my class, more cared about reading, and, in the end, be more successful. I could take a boy in 6th grade who was resistant, combative, and did not feel he could learn, and by 8th grade he would be a different kid. One boy comes to mind. When I got him in 6th grade he was totally sure he couldn't read. He told me the first day, "I have an IEP and it says I can't read, you have to read everything to me." He had totally given up on reading. I explained to him that my class was different, I believe you can read and you WILL read in here. We butted heads all 6th grade leading to threats, write ups, and parent conferences. I asked the mom to hang in there with me, that I knew where we were going and we would get there. By the end of 6th grade he was reading on his own. Yes, it was only at the 2nd grade level, but it was on his own! The next year for 7th grade he became one of the best kids in my class. He loved to read and got on kids who acted out in class. Yes, he still had problems in his other classes with behavior, but he was feeling successful in reading! By the end of 7th grade he was up to 5th grade!
Now the sad news, my reading program was eliminated that year due to budget cuts. Yes, that was this year and I was devastated and my students were too. That is part of why I stepped out of the classroom to serve as President of CCAE. We cannot let cuts hurt children, but they are. We must stand up and fight for our students and for ourselves. Teachers really do care and know what is best. Save me from business people or musicians or actors who want to tell me how to teach!! Let us do what we know and children will be better for it!

Class Sizes Show Signs of Growing

Class Sizes Show Signs of Growing

The Marietta Daily Journal - SafePath earns award for service to children

The Marietta Daily Journal - SafePath earns award for service to children

If you are not aware of this organization, please learn more about them! They are a Godsend for abused children! If you want to donate to charity this season, please make it this one!

Should education turn to outsiders to run schools?

Should education turn to outsiders to run schools?

False Rumors about Pay

Today another organization sent an email regarding our pay being held for Nov. and Dec. I received the following information from Cobb County School District:

I understand some teachers may be concerned because of a report that the state QBE funding is being delayed this year and won't be paid until the last day of November and December, whereas in the past it has been paid prior to the holidays.
While this is true, it will have no effect in Cobb. I spoke with Mike Addison, the district's Chief Financial Officer, and he said that we are in excellent position regarding cash flow and that it will not affect our payroll schedule.
Please feel free to relay this information with any of your members who have concerns, I would appreciate it.
Thank you,

Jay Dillon
Director of Communications
Cobb County School District

Paying teachers by degrees: Georgia cuts back

Paying teachers by degrees: Georgia cuts back

DeKalb schools officer shoots student near Redan High School  | ajc.com

DeKalb schools officer shoots student near Redan High School ajc.com

Choosing School Chancellors the Wrong Way

Choosing School Chancellors the Wrong Way

Chicago charter schools struggle to hold onto weakest students

Chicago charter schools struggle to hold onto weakest students

The Marietta Daily Journal - School board after legislative OK for sales tax

The Marietta Daily Journal - School board after legislative OK for sales tax

Expert Issues Warning on Formative-Assessment Uses

Expert Issues Warning on Formative-Assessment Uses

School Salaries: Janitors Making More Than Teachers

School Salaries: Janitors Making More Than Teachers

New Study: Merit Pay Does Not Boost Student Achievement

New Study: Merit Pay Does Not Boost Student Achievement

State plans for end of graduation test  | ajc.com

State plans for end of graduation test | ajc.com

Schools use jobs money to end furloughs, pay bonuses  | ajc.com

Schools use jobs money to end furloughs, pay bonuses | ajc.com

State tightens rules on teachers getting paid for advanced degrees  | ajc.com

State tightens rules on teachers getting paid for advanced degrees | ajc.com

Barrow teacher fired over Facebook still not back in classroom  | ajc.com

Barrow teacher fired over Facebook still not back in classroom ajc.com

Merit Pay, Ready or Not

Merit Pay, Ready or Not This article examines the fact that Merit Pay of some type is coming. As educators we can no longer just say NO, we must become involved in the discussions and the shaping of the plans. Being involved is the only way to ensure that what is finally passed is fair to all.

Edu-Funding Champion Sen. Murray Re-Elected

Edu-Funding Champion Sen. Murray Re-Elected

What the Election Means for Teacher Policy

What the Election Means for Teacher Policy

APS school board battle: “Ugly and petty. Frivolous, untrue and slanderous complaints.” I guess compromise is out.

APS school board battle:Ugly and petty. Frivolous, untrue and slanderous complaints; I guess compromise is out.

Best High School Band Tournament

Received from WSB-TV

My name is Nelson Hicks and I work for WSB-TV.

I'm emailing today to let you know about the station's 64-team Best High School Band Tournament on the station's website, wsbtv.com. It just started.

The winning band will get to play at an Atlanta Braves baseball game.

Hopefully I have reached the correct person to send this to, if not, if you could either forward it on to that person or just let me know, I would appreciate it.

www.wsbtv.com/sportszonefriday/21293935/detail.html is the link to the tournament brackets and all the information about the contest.

Feel free to share with all the band members, parents, school staff, etc.,

Teacher-Led Schools Flip the Script

Teacher-Led Schools Flip the Script

Why does a delighted first grader learner turn into a desultory sixth grader?

Why does a delighted first grader learner turn into a desultory sixth grader?

Purple Shirts and Confederate Flags

Purple Shirts and Confederate Flags

Schools that defy the odds: No secret recipe but there are common and essential ingredients

Schools that defy the odds: No secret recipe but there are common and essential ingredients

This is an excellent article. I really like the idea of having retired teachers as mentors for new teachers. The retired teacher is not part of the system and has no impact on the new teacher's evaluation, therefore making the mentor non-threatening. I think this would really raise the level of acceptance from the new teachers. I also like that the article talks about Principals trusting their staff and being able to pick them. Micromanaging helps no one! There are principals in Cobb who need to hear that. But, on the same hand, some great principals, like Griffin Middle School's Darryl York, need to have a greater level of responsibility in choosing staff he can trust. People often blame Unions, like CCAE/GAE for protecting bad teachers. Not true, we, as teachers ourselves, dislike bad teachers too. Believe me, there is nothing that boils my blood as much as a bad teacher, but we do believe everyone deserves their legal right to due process. So tell me what you think...