I'll admit, when I first heard of her nomination I was comfortably in the dark. I didn't think much beyond her vow to do away with common core. And, this pleased me. I am not a fan of common core (the first piece of my research  on CCSS is located at: Understand Common Core, Part 1  ).  But then whisperings grew into rumblings and I asked myself, "Okay, just how could/will Betsy DeVos affect me? What does she stand for? What are her qualifications?" And... I started digging. Not just reading posts on social media or taking things at face value, but digging in to discover  just who is Betsy DeVos.  To be fair when doing research, I believe, that you have to look at both sides of a picture.

All of the sites I accessed were biased. They all touted their own agenda by focusing on what they felt was the most damaging or the most positive.  I just wanted the facts so that I can make my own educated decision.  Not easy, once you wade through all the propaganda! But I persevered and I hope that I don't fall into the trap of simply stating my opinion, but offer some facts so that you can make your own decisions.  Keep in mind, the information I am presenting is based solely on my research. Sources are listed at the bottom.

So... for starters I looked at comments made by those who opposed her (and yes, there was plenty to choose from).  I found two repeating themes: 1. She is not qualified. 2. She wants to privatize education.  Let's start with the first concern.  Those who participated in the confirmation hearings have stated that she is not qualified for the job. I thought a biography would be the place to start in looking at her qualifications, but this didn't prove easy to locate. The one I really wanted to access has been taken down so I searched through three more sites that offered biographies. Her qualifications in the area of education are lacking. Nowhere did I find that she held a teaching degree or had ever taught. I did find that she sat on committees or boards that were education related. She also homeschooled at least two of her four children.  None of her children attended public school. After a season of homeschooling her daughters, all four children followed in their mother's footsteps and attended private schools.  The second concern that DeVos advocates privatizing education seems to be true. However, DeVos is an advocate of offering choice. In and of itself, choice is not a bad thing, but there are several considerations when it comes to education.  Facts also indicate that DeVos believes everyone should have access to public or private education as they so choose. So... where, exactly does this leave DeVos on privatization... she supports it and upholds it, but, at the same time, seems to acknowledge that public education should also be included as an option.

Now, for some more positive information. Positive information was more difficult to locate as it was not as forth-coming.  This information is not based on DeVos experience, but rather on her character. She does demonstrate many positive character traits in her activities and associations. DeVos is a self-proclaimed Christian who has supported many Christian causes and organizations, including Focus on the Family.  Her support stems from her belief that children need to have a strong knowledge background. She believes that private, Christian schools are lacking in funding and support and need additional assistance.  In a statement made by her husband, he brought the concept full-circle by explaining their desire to see churches taking an active role in education in that it would build up the family unit and the community.  Secondly, DeVos has devoted over 30 years as an advocate for children. She is a voice for the underprivileged and believes that everyone should have excellent educational choices and not let their economic status determine the type of education they receive. She has especially been involved in efforts to help underprivileged children through philanthropic activity or leading organizations as the chairperson.

And lastly, what I consider to be neutral information. Betsy DeVos has demonstrated commitment and experience in the political world. She is the chairman of Windquest. This is a Michigan based investment firm. They invest in technology, industry, hospitality,  manufacturing, and nonprofit solutions. She also serves as the chairman for the American Federation of Children and the Alliance for School Choice. DeVos also serves on 6 other boards.

My take: I'm still searching. Trying to be fair. My biggest concern is that she lacks actual classroom experience.  I am a firm believer in experience. I don't like someone telling me how to teach that has never taught a day in their life.  Those who have never taught don't really understand classroom dynamics. And, at times, they demonstrate a lack of respect for the ideas, practices, and opinions of those who have dedicated themselves to teaching.

My biggest pro is that she is an outspoken and unashamed Christian. I also like the fact that she thinks all children, regardless of their socioeconomic background, deserve an education,  and is so active in children's causes. I am pleased that she agrees with her husband's words on building up the family unit because our kids need support and love at home.

If DeVos is confirmed, in order for her to be taken seriously and respected by educators, she will need to listen and learn from them.


    The Chocolates!

Follow my TpT store, Chocolate 4 Teachers to get the latest news on new products and product renovations.
Check out this collection of Morning Work (which isn't just for morning anymore!). Each book contains review sheets for each day of the month, covering skills in ELA, Math, Reading, and Social Studies ( and, yes, they cover CCSS. Even though I don't agree with the standards, I do realize the necessity of providing solid teaching resources that cover each standard thoroughly).

Winter Morning Work

                   

February Morning Work for 2nd

February Morning Work

Check out all of my Pinterest boards ... from teacher's stores to teacher's resources to quick meals for people on the go!   Chocolate 4 Teachers .
And, if you like my sarcastic sense of humor, check out my Facebook page.... (Yep! It's another chocolate!) Chocolate 4 Teachers.

Sources:
Snopes
The Washington Post
Info Please
Source watch
ExcelinEd
Windiest
Bloomberg
MLive
Betsy Devos

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This blog does not share personal information with third parties nor do I store any information about your visit to this blog other than to analyze and optimize your content and reading experience through the use of cookies. You can turn off the use of cookies at anytime by changing your specific browser settings. I am not responsible for republished content from this blog on other blogs or websites without my permission. This privacy policy is subject to change without notice and was last updated on June 5, 2015. If you have any questions feel free to contact me directly at kimberlyfrencken@gmail.com

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Tenure. Such a small word with so many misconceptions and hopes attached to it. Naysayers demand that tenure be removed because it only protects 'bad' teachers. Supporters insist that tenure protects 'good' teachers. Who is right?

Tenure doesn't protect bad teachers.  'Bad' teachers can be terminated even if they are tenured.  BUT, administrators have to be doing their job. This means that they need to be observing, documenting, and meeting with the teacher.  Administrators must put the teacher on a personal improvement plan and then document progress or lack of progress. Lack of progress results in termination. Everything is documented. The teacher has had opportunities to respond. The teacher is also given the opportunity to have a hearing.  So, in my opinion tenure doesn't protect 'bad' teachers. Tenure does not grant teachers the right to teach as they want. It is not a protection that allows teachers to rule their own world. The only thing that protects 'bad' teachers are 'bad' administrators.

Tenure does protect 'good' teachers to the extent that it can help to make the termination process fair and calls for documentation. A tenured teacher cannot be terminated without due cause, documentation, and a procedure giving the teacher an opportunity to correct the problem. Termination also involves a hearing where witnesses may defend the teacher. In a hearing, attorneys from both sides will present their information to the BOE and a decision is made.  On a personal note,  I was asked to participate in a hearing for a colleague.  I felt that the teacher's attorney was far less prepared than she should have been. There had been a last minute 'attorney switch' and the one that the teacher's union had sent was not prepared for the argument. I did feel that this was a disservice to the teacher, who consequently lost the hearing.  Witnesses provided ample proof that the charges were false, but the opposing attorney was far more prepared and masterful in her presentation. In this case, a 'good' teacher lost, and, as a result, so did many students who will never have the privilege of being taught by this master teacher. Unfortunately, this unfair situation is not rare. Administrators with a personal agenda can 'lawyer-up' a notch or two at the district's expense and 'out-lawyer' the teacher.

Tenure helps to protect teachers, good and bad, from being targeted. And, let's face it, we've all worn the bull's eye at one time or another whether we deserved to wear it or not.  We've either angered an influential parent or held a position coveted by an administrator's friend or family member.  Maybe we just rub our administrator the wrong way.  Whatever the situation, without tenure, our jobs would be toast before we could even say a word in our own defense. Tenure does allow teachers to have a voice and an opportunity to defend themselves. Tenure helps to keep the attention focused on our professional skills.

Tenure is a status that teachers earn. Tenure is not automatically granted. It is a BOE approved status ONLY  after the evaluations and recommendation of the administrator are presented.  Tenure is not something that suddenly shows up on your contract after you have taught for a specified number of years. Tenure does not guarantee job protection in every situation.  Tenure does provide some job security. Tenure is a process that allows a teacher to take a more active role in their employment and give them more of a voice in the termination process. Not all terminations proceedings end up like my friend's situation. Some proceedings rule in favor of the teacher and employment continues.
Tenure provides guidelines for everyone to follow to ensure that teachers and districts are providing children with the best possible education.

* This information is based on the state that I live in and the BOE policies that I am familiar with. Your state or district may vary.*



           The Chocolates!

Follow my TpT store, Chocolate 4 Teachers to get the latest news on new products and products up-dos like these!

Winter Morning Work

                     

February Morning Work

Check out all of my Pinterest boards ... from teachers stores to teachers resources to quick meals- Chocolate 4 Teachers .
And, if you like my sarcastic sense of humor, check out my Facebook page.... (Yep! It's another chocolate!) Chocolate 4 Teachers.

Privacy Policy

This blog does not share personal information with third parties nor do I store any information about your visit to this blog other than to analyze and optimize your content and reading experience through the use of cookies. You can turn off the use of cookies at anytime by changing your specific browser settings. I am not responsible for republished content from this blog on other blogs or websites without my permission. This privacy policy is subject to change without notice and was last updated on June 5, 2015. If you have any questions feel free to contact me directly at kimberlyfrencken@gmail.com

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Chocolate 4 Teachers

Who are you afraid of? The principal whose face never betrays his true thoughts? The bossy teacher down the hall? The parent who only calls to complain?

What are you afraid of?  Not having all the right answers? Not being able to keep up? 

Do you feel that the only way to get support is to buy a girdle? 

Well, step right up and join the crowd.  There is a growing list of things to fear in the world of a teacher.

But, who, just who, is the child afraid of?  No one.  Before you get bent out of shape let me rephrase the question. Who does the child respect?  That is the kind of fear that I am referring to... respect.   Students today are running the school using the age old fear manipulative.  They don't have respect for their teachers, parents, or peers.  Kids are smart. They catch on really quick when a teacher's hands are tied (figuratively). They know that all they have to do is exaggerate or outright lie to get mom and dad on their side and the fight is on. Then, they step back to the sidelines to watch.  We all know who wins.

And, if this is known, why is it allowed?  Because Everyone is Afraid of the Student.  School Boards and Superintendents don't want to risk upsetting the child's parents, who are community members and tax payers. Someone who might spread negative things on social media. The principal can't risk upsetting his superiors and losing his position. The teachers can't risk discipline and maintaining a structured classroom (where learning takes place) because they don't have support.

An endless cycle. Few like it. No one is comfortable in it,  but no one is brave enough to end it.  At the end of the day, in this type of environment (and yes, I know that all schools are not like this- I've had the privilege of working in some) the ones who lose are the ones that are trying to do what is right and the bully wins, the one who lacks respect for others. They are the winner until they grow up and realize that not everyone in the world makes a place for those who believe they are entitled.

Bundle up with some reading resources at Chocolate 4 Teachers! Follow my store by clicking on the green star, and you will get notifications every time I publish a new resource like this one.

Over 3 weeks of Fiction reading lessons!

Check out all of my Pinterest boards ... from teachers stores to teachers resources to quick meals- Chocolate 4 Teachers .
And, if you like my sarcastic sense of humor, check out my Facebook page.... (Yep! It's another chocolate!) Chocolate 4 Teachers.

Privacy Policy

This blog does not share personal information with third parties nor do I store any information about your visit to this blog other than to analyze and optimize your content and reading experience through the use of cookies. You can turn off the use of cookies at anytime by changing your specific browser settings. I am not responsible for republished content from this blog on other blogs or websites without my permission. This privacy policy is subject to change without notice and was last updated on June 5, 2015. If you have any questions feel free to contact me directly at kimberlyfrencken@gmail.com

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Chocolate 4 Teachers

"May I help you?"
 "Yes, you may. Thank you for asking."
Sound like a scene from a movie or college class on customer service?
Maybe. Or this could be a teacher approaching a parent on parent's night asking if they can help.  You see customer service and teaching go hand in hand.  We are expected to deliver excellent customer service to our parents, our students, and our community. But, more importantly, we WANT to provide good customer service. We don't go into this profession with the hopes that we will mess up a kid's life, infuriate parents, and be a blight on our school. We want to be shining examples of professionalism that model to our students and their parents the way professionals should act.

So what goes wrong?  For one thing, we're human. We take on too much or we are expected to do too much. I had a friend tell me once that I was one tough cookie. Yeah, until the cookie crumbled. We all have our breaking point. We all need to give ourselves a little slack. We can't function at the top of the game every day.  Not humanly possible.

What else could go wrong? Well, we work with the public. That just about says it all. Anytime you work with people you can't predict every outcome or scenario. Meaning: You can't please every one ALL the time. There will be some colleagues that like to find fault, some administrators that think it is their sworn duty to make teachers' lives miserable, and there will be years that you have a perfect child in your classroom. Little Miss (or Mr.) Perfect has parents that enable her, entitle her, and ignore her faults. Your faults on the other hand are all too obvious. I actually had a parent tell me once that all of his children were so high on the genius scale that even his child in my middle school classroom was smarter than me or anyone else at our school including our principal. This happened to be an administrator in another building (thank heavens not in my building!). My principal, being the awesome guy that he was, told me that he would handle this parent for the rest of the year. He was familiar with this parent's antics and attitude and didn't think I should be subjected to it. I owed him Big Time for that one!

But, all jokes and excuses put aside, teaching is customer service. We need to try to answer questions and find answers and return calls within a reasonable amount of time. We need to do our best, acting with courtesy and kindness.  We also need to teach our students to do the same. Customer service is sadly lacking in our society today, but we can make a difference in our own little world and hopefully.... our kids will continue to model our behavior long after they have moved on.


Stop by my store and check out my snowy resources like this one!

Over 3 weeks of Fiction reading lessons!

Check out all of my Pinterest boards.. from teachers stores to teachers resources to quick meals- Chocolate 4 Teachers .
And, follow my store, Chocolate 4 Teachers to get first hand news on sales & new products.
And, finally, if you like my sarcastic sense of humor, check out my Facebook page.... (Yep! It's another chocolate!) Chocolate 4 Teachers.

Privacy Policy

This blog does not share personal information with third parties nor do I store any information about your visit to this blog other than to analyze and optimize your content and reading experience through the use of cookies. You can turn off the use of cookies at anytime by changing your specific browser settings. I am not responsible for republished content from this blog on other blogs or websites without my permission. This privacy policy is subject to change without notice and was last updated on June 5, 2015. If you have any questions feel free to contact me directly at kimberlyfrencken@gmail.com

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Chocolate 4 Teachers