Homework

Is it an effective learning tool or does it create animosity between home and school? As I am not a homeroom teacher, I don't have a good sense as to what it does for kids. Is there anyone out there with homework opinions?

Countdown to Summer

It is about six weeks until we are out for the summer. You say that I have it easy because I get my summer's off to frolic. I say yes. Mostly that is true. But I live a frugal life that allows for me to do that. I don't do much during the school year so I can spend time recuperating and rejuvenating. What about the teachers who are parents? What about the teachers who are caretakers of their parents or other loved ones? They don't get the luxury of having the summer "off." Most of them spend time working second or even third jobs. They give up family vacations for that horrid new idea of "stay-cations."
When will the general public understand that teachers are not babysitters and elementary school is not daycare?

When it happens, feel free to call me... I might be doing some other kind of work.

Another day

We have about two more days left in the testing cycle this year. I am not a my wit's end... but I am close. Maybe that is why I constantly feel like vomiting.

36 Years for Me and Roe

What is your top pro-choice hope for President Obama and/or the new Congress? That is the question posted to us today on the 36th anniversary of Roe V.Wade by NARAL and its blog-for-choice day.

With all that is happening globally with this new administration, I haven't really thought much about reproductive rights. Obama and Biden are pro-choice... pro-VAWA and pro-equal rights so thinking about exactly what I want from them wasn't a top priority. I just wanted them to win and get to the podium. Well, they did that. Now is where I really have to begin thinking about what it all means to my future and the futures of my students.

It is time to get rid of the global gag rule. It is time to give access to affordable birth control to EVERYONE. It is time to get rid of the notion that abstinence only education works. It is time to really open up about sex and sexuality education.

I want the Obama administration, along with our representatives in Congress and the Senate to take women's rights (all of them) seriously on a global scale. I want education, not fear. I want my persuit of happiness to not be subjugated by a rowdy group of people intent upon making abortion illegal. We all know that "illegal" does NOT mean "eradicated."

President Obama, Members of Congress and the Senate: Do not let me down.

Countdown

There are two days left in this work year. We go on vacation starting Friday. Currently, the kids are fine. It is the teachers who need the break. We are told constantly that we aren't doing enough or not the right thing. Sometimes I wonder why we don't rise up and fight back. But when you are told something long enough, it almost seems true.
With the appointment of a new education secretary who seems truly anti-teacher and anti-collective, I am scared and sad. Does this mean another 8 years of feeling like we just aren't cutting it?

Wow

I am grateful and happy that the American Electorate finally got it right.

Yow

So there are 39 days left in the campaigns. That isn't or is a lot of time depending upon where one's head is. I think it is a LONG time... but my head is not where it should be.