teachers...know about "critical friends"?

[Rock'n Robin]

I took a personal day today and am waiting for the little ones to get up. But I checked my school EMail and we have a department meeting tomorrow morning. One item is asking who may be willing to get into a "critical friends" group, and who would be willing to participate. I did some research and this seems to entail having these friends observe, tape, etc. lessons and provide feedback.
I see the point. Lately in our department there is a lot of behind-the-back complaining. We have some department members who aren't producing. Who knows what they say about me. (I know my department head is always giving me little "digs" such as "I don't think 1984 is an honors level book." This in spite of the fact that only 5 of my 40 honors kids got As first quarter--how much harder does she want it to be???) We have a junior honors teacher who teaches a lot of grammar but no novels or research papers-so my 12th graders ACT scores from last June are pretty low. We have kids who took 10th honors last year from an easier teacher who are failing the 11th grade teacher miserably--and others who take honors every year but 11th because of her. She also teaches AP and expects her 11 Honors kids to be at that level. So her class loads are very light, and the 11 "general" classes are bigger. I have had 3 of her AP kids "drop down" to my honors class to have any hope of passing. (at our school we only have "AP" in grade 12, Honors at every level--they can get 5 pts. for an A plus in AP, 4.5 points for an A in my class. The department class said they perceive my class as "easy"--well it should be "easIER", as defined by our curriculum, but again, why aren't they all getting straight As then?????)
The practical problem I see with this is meeting time. I run a before-school study table for at-risk career & tech kids from 7 until 7:45, and I have to leave by 2:45 (which is our official leaving time anyhow) to pick up my 2 younger kids from school. I have no intention of meeting other teachers during my planning period, when I do a lot of planning, copying, etc. My only relaxation time is lunch, which I eat in my room so I can have 10 minutes to do mindless websurfing.
But my own personal problem is that after 18 years at this building and 20 years overall, I do NOT like being watched or observed in any manner. I have tenure so I only have "official" visitations every 4 years now. The administrators pop into all of our rooms on occasion. That is their right. But I really don't want other teachers butting into my business. The "critical friends" article lavished praise on having students provide feedback for lessons. I always ask at the end of the year which units worked and which did not. Every teacher has a different personality and a different style. I am very laid-back--which I'm sure the "critical friends" would criticize to no end. I am not a Nazi in the classroom, and don't see any reason to be since my approach works for me. Every one of my 10th graders except one passed the state tests in my areas (reading and writing) last year--so my department head moved me from 10th to 11th grade! Huh?
If she wants us to try a method or something I will read an article or learn about it online, but I am not "willing", as she puts it, to be watched by others. I think this is a knee-jerk reaction to the fact that our department is fractured and the whole school knows it.
Anyone here doing stuff like this?
Robin M.

 

[LBAK]

Not doing that stuff as I work as a pre-k teacher. However to me it sounds like it has the making for a disaster. All you need is one teacher that has a beef with another teacher and it could be a real mess. In the past I've had teachers make up things that other teachers did just to get back at them because the students liked the other teacher better Yes, these are adults and not my 4 yo's. I just think if someone is out to get you this is where it's going to come through. Critical is not always constructiuve.

On the other hand why doesn't the department head make a survey for the students to answer. They are high school students and it is their education. Let them give input about what they feel works. This way it's anonymous and it's not pitting teachers against teachers.

Keep up your laid back approach. My DD's Nazi teacher made her shut down for the entire year. What a waste. She always did better with the teachers that had a casual style!

 

[chrissyk]

I'm not sure that I even understand the point of this program. Is it basically an opportunity to allow one teacher to rag on another FWIW, I think that the name "critical friends" is terrible too, and it probably sums up the program...bad idea. It really would allow teachers with an axe to grind/attitude problem/personality disorder to take it out on other teachers. I wouldn't voluntarily participate in this. It sounds like an adult version of Jr. High politics

 

[leighe]

We did something last year called "tuning protocol." I have no idea where the name came from because it seemed totally unrelated to what we were doing to me. Our faculty was divided up into groups of 5, I think, from all different departments. When our group met we had to bring one assignment and examples of student work. There were all these bizarre rules for how we discussed and evaluated each other's assignment and student work. For example, I had two minutes to explain the assignment, lesson, whatever. Then the group discussed it for five minutes but I couldn't say a word. Then I had five minutes to respond to what the group's suggestions, comments, etc. I thought the whole thing was silly for several reasons but mainly because we worked in mixed department groups. I teach world history so I honestly don't know enough about chemistry assignments to critique either the lesson or the resulting student work. Anyway, it was mandated by our board so our faculty responded with a kind of "this too shall pass" attitude, did what we were asked to do, and were glad that we haven't heard a word about it this year.

Welcome to education in Kentucky - where if it's time-conusming, expensive, and completely nonsensical we embrace it wholeheartedly! (Especially if it puts all responsibility for student learning squarely on the shoulders of teachers and lets kids and parents off scot-free.)

 

[Rock'n Robin]

leighe, I am so with you--every time a new fad arises we just wonder how long this one will last. This one seems to be coming from my dept. head, not the faculty advisory committee or the administration. According to my buddy who is a union officer, no one has to do anything without a board or contract mandate. Still, I'm interested to see if the younger department members line up to do this out of fear. Believe it or not, at 42 I'm 2nd in seniority--I actually have 8 years on my department head. She is 61 years old (second career) and kind of frail physically, but doesn't suffer fools gladly, and also doesn't like being challenged. My only fear is that I will pass on this and magically lose my honors position next year, which is the kind of reprisal it is very difficult to prove.
Robin M.

 

[leighe]

leighe, I am so with you--every time a new fad arises we just wonder how long this one will last.
Robin M.

Exactly! I get so annoyed when people bash teachers because we can't be all things to all kids and they have no idea that according to the powers-that-be I have to spend so much time on everything but teaching kids. Here in Kentucky another new thing is keeping binders of absolutely everything. Assessment binders, student work binders, student data binders, curriculum binders, parent contact binders. We joke that whenever we have to turn anything in to the administration or central office it goes into a "magic binder." Poof! Problem solved! It's in a binder

I can understand why you would be worried about losing your honors class. Things like that happen around here a lot as well.

 

[wendym]

We have the "critical friend" idea over here too BUT in my situation in works very well. I can totally see the problems it could cause but don't look at the worst side yet. I am working towards a new qualification (Charter Teacher, don't know the equivalent in the US) that will give me more money rather than promotion but most importantly keeps me in the classroom. I work with like minded friends and we support each other when we are trying new ideas. Yes we visit each others rooms but it is supportive and we all get a lot out of it. I am quite laid back (well unless they are rude and insensitive but that's a whole new thread - I can make 17 year olds who are twice my size quake in their shoes without rasing my voice!) but am willing to try new ideas as long as they benefit MY pupils.
Good luck with whatever you decide - High School teaching certainly isn't easy!
Wendy

 

[RitaZ.]

"Critical friends"? Isn't that a paradox? I don't like the concept and I dislike the name even more and I'm not even a teacher.

 

[wendym]

See I don't see it as a paradox - I would far rather a friend told me the truth and was critical if necessary rather than telling me everything was perfect.

 

[RitaZ.]

See I don't see it as a paradox - I would far rather a friend told me the truth and was critical if necessary rather than telling me everything was perfect.

When it comes to good friends, yes, I absolutely agree with you. I'd rather have a good friend tell me the truth, instead of telling me what I want to hear. However, based on what RR described, it sounds like there is a lot of "behind the scenes" criticism going on, which is seldom productive and only fosters more resentment.

 

[frozone]

When it comes to good friends, yes, I absolutely agree with you. I'd rather have a good friend tell me the truth, instead of telling me what I want to hear. However, based on what RR described, it sounds like there is a lot of "behind the scenes" criticism going on, which is seldom productive and only fosters more resentment.

As I read it, this program is intended to address the behind the scenes criticism, giving it a productive venue. I agree that it would be a difficult program to manage, making sure that the feedback that was given was positive and generative rather than nit-picking, etc. but if people are committed to making an improvement in their teaching, then it would seem worthwhile.

I think, in general, people today don't know how to give or take productive criticism in the workplace. A program like this, if run well, could help. And, ultimately, if it's about making education stronger, it's worth the challenge. Just my 2 cents.

 

[RitaZ.]

As I read it, this program is intended to address the behind the scenes criticism, giving it a productive venue. I agree that it would be a difficult program to manage, making sure that the feedback that was given was positive and generative rather than nit-picking, etc. but if people are committed to making an improvement in their teaching, then it would seem worthwhile.

I read it the same way. Considering human nature and based on what I have seen in schools, I don't know how it could be managed in a positive and constructive manner. Again, I'm not a teacher, just giving an opinion.

 

[frozone]

I read it the same way. Considering human nature and based on what I have seen in schools, I don't know how it could be managed in a positive and constructive manner. Again, I'm not a teacher, just giving an opinion.

Not a teacher either (my mother was one), but I have worked as a facilitator in a variety of professional situations, and these type of discussions are managable. You just have to have the right tools and committed group of individuals. Which is why it's so important to have volunteers for these type of programs, rather than forced participation.

 

[eeyore kelly]

If you thought there was backbiting before at your school just wait until this program gets up and running. Keep popcorn on hand