Teachers - how do you do it?

[agnes!]

In our district your math does not add up. We have full time aides in every classroom to accomodate the IEPs. In addition many plans do not require significant work for the teacher. So do, but not all. In my experience good teachers are able to handle different level students in a classroom. They can excellerate the high achievers, teach to the middle, and give extra support to those who need it. I acknowledge that this is a very difficult task which is why I support grouping children by ability. If schools were permitted to do this (in our area they are not) then teachers' jobs would be made easier.

You're lucky. But the funding for those aides might not last with all the looming budget cuts at various levels of state and local government.

agnes!

 

[breezy1077]

In our district your math does not add up. We have full time aides in every classroom to accomodate the IEPs. In addition many plans do not require significant work for the teacher. So do, but not all. In my experience good teachers are able to handle different level students in a classroom. They can excellerate the high achievers, teach to the middle, and give extra support to those who need it. I acknowledge that this is a very difficult task which is why I support grouping children by ability. If schools were permitted to do this (in our area they are not) then teachers' jobs would be made easier.

We also have Intervention Specialists/sp.ed. teachers who help.

I read fuzzy math and biased "logic"

 

[BelleMcNally]

In the post, the blame was placed on those students if any of the other students fall behind.

Ah, I guess I read that that "circumstances in general" are to blame, not the students requiring individual help, etc.

 

[DizBelle]

We also have Intervention Specialists/sp.ed. teachers who help.

I read fuzzy math and biased "logic"

So, IEPs do not create extra workload for teachers?

 

[shelly3girls]

You're lucky. But the funding for those aides might not last with all the looming budget cuts at various levels of state and local government.

agnes!

Which is why I support leveling for math and reading in all grades not just the higher levels. IMHO it would be a cheaper way to educate. There would still be a need for special ed. but I believe teachers would be less stressed and more productive. For instance, in a local district (different state) the kids take a pretest in math for each quarter. The kids are grouped by performance on that test for that math unit. The kids who already know the content meet with a teacher who teaches them enrichment. The next group learns the material and finally the kids who struggle meet in a smaller group and are taught the material at a slower pace. Seems like a great solution for everyone.

 

[castleview]

Which is why I support leveling for math and reading in all grades not just the higher levels. IMHO it would be a cheaper way to educate. There would still be a need for special ed. but I believe teachers would be less stressed and more productive. For instance, in a local district (different state) the kids take a pretest in math for each quarter. The kids are grouped by performance on that test for that math unit. The kids who already know the content meet with a teacher who teaches them enrichment. The next group learns the material and finally the kids who struggle meet in a smaller group and are taught the material at a slower pace. Seems like a great solution for everyone.

Sounds great to me too. But wouldn't that tick off inclusion advocates?

 

[freckles and boo]

I agree with almost nothing Breezy says regarding politics, but I smelled the same odor she did when I opened this thread earlier. I was waiting to see how long it would take before this became about inclusion, IEPs, and "those kids" dragging everyone else down.

 

[shelly3girls]

Sounds great to me too. But wouldn't that tick off inclusion advocates?

These are still inclusion classrooms. The kids are only grouped for math and reading. In fact it does not really impact the special ed students as they leave the classroom for math and reading support anyway. The kids it really helps are the advanced kids who are bored to death in the regular classroom. Inclusion still applies for social studies, science, language, etc.

 

[castleview]

I agree with almost nothing Breezy says regarding politics, but I smelled the same odor she did when I opened this thread earlier. I was waiting to see how long it would take before this became about inclusion, IEPs, and "those kids" dragging everyone else down.

I didn't. I saw it as a response to yesterday's teacher vent.

 

[castleview]

These are still inclusion classrooms. The kids are only grouped for math and reading. In fact it does not really impact the special ed students as they leave the classroom for math and reading support anyway. The kids it really helps are the advanced kids who are bored to death in the regular classroom. Inclusion still applies for social studies, science, language, etc.

Ah, thank you for clearing that up.

 

[freckles and boo]

I didn't. I saw it as a response to yesterday's teacher vent.

I didn't see that thread, but I have read some of the OPs perspective on inclusion in the past. I do agree, however, that teachers deserve our support and our respect. I would also love to see them making the money they deserve!

 

[shelly3girls]

Ah, thank you for clearing that up.

I should have added that it takes a lot of pressure off the teachers as well. It is a lot easier to teach a group of similar level students. I am in full support in making a teacher's job easier as the kids will benefit from a happier, less stressed teacher.

 

[dipin]

It is completely possible to think that IEP kids generate a lot of extra work for already overworked teachers AND to think that IEP kids deseve the extra attention they get plus much more.

Special needs education is the great unfunded mandate, and schools should pony up for the extra help instead of demanding teachers take care of it all by themselves.

This, of course, does not apply to schools that already have that extra help in place.

My wife teaches high school. 3 times a week she gets up an hour early to go help special needs students who cant come after class because of extra curricular activities. Every day, she stays an extra 30 minutes after class helping kids with special needs. She doesnt get paid a cent more to do this, and does this completely voluntarily. However, she can do this because we have no kids and I also work (so she stays at school doing this until I get out), and it would be completely unrealistic to expect other teachers in her school to do the same.

Special needs children need all the help they can get, but that doesnt mean that teachers are necessarily the ones who have to provide it.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

I want to add my to the wonderful teachers out there. We have been so lucky with our elementary school experiences for DS10(5th grade) and DS9(3rd grade). We haven't had one teacher that I felt I needed to go the bat for my sons, their teachers have all been terrific! DS9 has had inclusion students in his classes and the teachers are so wonderful with them. The teachers do have assistants when they have inclusion students.

Teachers are the unsung heroes of the world!! I agree with a PP, it must be a calling. I wouldn't/couldn't do all that they do for TWICE the pay. THANKS TO ALL THE TEACHERS OUT THERE, YOU ARE APPRECIATED!!

 

[MM27]

My first couple of years of teaching, I took things very personally. If a parent complained about something, it really hurt me. I even went home crying many days in those first years. Luckily, I had great support at school from people that would convince me that I was doing all that I could. My principal told me during those early years that the parents are frustrated because their child isn't as successful as they had hoped they would be. They have to take it out on someone and you are in the firing range. And it's true.

At this point in my career, I know I am a good teacher. I know I'm effective and I know that some kids need help beyond what I can offer. I didn't always believe that about myself because I took things too personally. That's why many good teachers end up leaving the profession. Now, I simply listen if parents want to vent. I offer solutions instead of taking it as a personal hit against me. I've learned to put it back on the parent, but in a positive way.

It is stressful at times, but it is also very rewarding too. I have a student right now that couldn't even tell me what 2 + 2 was in 4th grade. He told me every day in the beginning of the year how he hated math (I teach math/science) and how he wanted to go to another class. He is starting to "get it" now and it's amazing to see the transformation. I think in past years he was always pushed aside because he didn't know how to do things. He was surprised that I made him participate, that I called on him in class. He told me a few weeks ago that he was starting to like math. He even said, "you know, for a math teacher, you're really good."

I know I make a difference when children don't want to leave school at the end of the day. I have kids ask if they can stay after school. I had a whole group of kids crying hysterically at the end of the year last year because they didn't want the year to be over. Those are things that make me glad that I chose this profession.

As far as inclusion. My feelings are that it works for some kids, but no every child should not be placed in an inclusion type setting. If you are altering the education of the rest of the class because one child needs to be put into a regular ed classroom, then it is not a good thing.


On a side note: I'm not Dissing from school. I am home sick today with a horrible case of bronchitis.

 

[declansdad]

I agree with almost nothing Breezy says regarding politics, but I smelled the same odor she did when I opened this thread earlier. I was waiting to see how long it would take before this became about inclusion, IEPs, and "those kids" dragging everyone else down.

The only reason this became about inclusion is because Breezy believes the OP's post was a slam against inclusion.

Regardless of the system, IEPs do create more work for teachers and they can, not alway but can, take time away from students not on IEPs.

Why make this thread in to something it's not??

 

[DizBelle]

The only reason this became about inclusion is because Breezy believes the OP's post was a slam against inclusion.

Regardless of the system, IEPs do create more work for teachers and they can, not alway but can, take time away from students not on IEPs.

Why make this thread in to something it's not??

This is the point I was trying to make. I didn't make any statements about whether IEPs were "worthy" or not. The fact is that more workload would result in reduced quality overall. And that applies to any kind of task.

 

[declansdad]

This is the point I was trying to make. I didn't make any statements about whether IEPs were "worthy" or not. The fact is that more workload would result in reduced quality overall. And that applies to any kind of task.

I think most people got what you were trying to say.

 

[themilesfamily]

I'll add my 2-cents worth and say GOD BLESS ALL OF THE WONDERFUL TEACHERS OUT THERE. I really do think they have the hardest job on the planet.

My DD's preschool teacher is a saint and I adore her so very much.

 

[jodifla]

Which is why I support leveling for math and reading in all grades not just the higher levels. IMHO it would be a cheaper way to educate. There would still be a need for special ed. but I believe teachers would be less stressed and more productive. For instance, in a local district (different state) the kids take a pretest in math for each quarter. The kids are grouped by performance on that test for that math unit. The kids who already know the content meet with a teacher who teaches them enrichment. The next group learns the material and finally the kids who struggle meet in a smaller group and are taught the material at a slower pace. Seems like a great solution for everyone.

Actually, studies support inclusion for math because is raises everybody's scores.