I have spent the last three days curbed in a high school computer lab with about 20 other English Teachers. Most were strangers when we began, but by the end of the three days, we all had a common goal. NC is one of 42 states that has adopted the Common Core Standards and we were asked to take a close look at the CCSS documents and attempt to align the new standards with actual resources, compare and contrast the changes brought by these new principles and in effect, begin to question the standards. The outcome is that we are to take the lead on presenting these goals to our departments and administration in the fall. I enjoyed working and exploring with my fellow educators, and as always there are a number of them who I truly admire. They are dedicated professional who honestly want the best for students. But, I kept looking around the room and I was waiting for someone to notice that one of us wasn’t like the others….
Well, did anyone notice that big “L” on my forehead? No, it does not stand for loser, but Libertarian. That’s right! I am a hardcore member of that group of fringe wing weirdoes who advocate individual responsibility and freedom of thought and action. WHOA! Amazing huh? I actually, willingly, hang out with public officials…I work for the government! I am a PUBLIC SCHOOL EMPLOYEE! All teachers are suppose to be union loving, rewriters of history….I am a so anti-union my relatives in Pittsburgh shake their head and wonder what happen to me….anyway this is really another topic for another blog….
For the past 3 days I kept wondering how I got there…well I know HOW I got there…my beloved department head was unable to attend for perfectly reasonable reasons and I was asked to take her place….but really - there isn’t one person in my department who doesn’t know about my seemingly outward political confusion…let me explain – most schools are breeding grounds for liberal agendas, and it is easy to make fun of the few daunting Republicans still wondering around amid the blue tide of social reformist, but me, they don’t even fight with me – I am politely ignored, heads shake, brows furl, and lips form unarticulated questions….I know what they want to ask, but the fear is too great…. My funny broadminded buddies might actually find themselves agreeing with me if they actually questioned my stance on many issues….I mean being a liberal these days has to be hard – “P-BO” has established that he lacks any true management skills and his policies have threatened to break the back of the US…but again another topic – another blog….
According to CommonCore.org, “Common core…was founded in 2007 to advocate for a content- rich liberal arts education in America’s K-12 schools. “ Okay, I am for a “content-rich” education…but there has to be more to this than that. The one thing I have learned about education – everyone loves a new "movement" – or a cause because there is always the promise of better scores/results…better student discipline…better books, teachers, technology, just BETTER! And, hummmm, yeah more money. Money is the bait for every bandwagon….and no I am not cynical…but about 5 years ago I discovered that despite everything that is said to the contrary, education is really about big business and money. But again, another topic, another blog….but to tie into Common Core…this newest cause was funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation….I have one piece of advice for Mr. Gates…you want to make a real difference in education? Stop giving your hard-earned money to all of these fuzzy feel good think tanks and hand the check to a real teacher! I don’t need a million, how about $100K? I could easily buy the resources I need – a classroom set of laptops, e-readers, access to numerous databanks and still have money left over to fund my Forensics Team…. Debate - critical thinking at its best!
Anyway, I started this blog to write about education, it was just going to be about my daily observations and reflections on my practices, but now I think I have a chance to really share my observations about the effects, both large and small, that the CCSS will have on my department, my school and my profession.
My sense of individual freedom is really out of balance on this one – I believe, as Dr. Harrison once said, that the further the decision is made from “the flagpole” about polices that affect a school, the greater the potential for harm to the quality of education for the students at that school. I believe that as a teacher and a member of a community, I understand the needs and challenges faced by my students better than any official behind a desk…at any level of administration. I am fortunate that I work in a school whose administrators are mindful of the support role that they play and that I should be part of a greater conversation when it comes to deciding what is possible and necessary for my students, but I am realistic enough to recognize that there is a big picture of which I am but a single element and sometimes my needs or beliefs are not in line with the needs or beliefs of the group. Again, my personal beliefs about individual responsibility are at odds with that old timey notion of the “greater good.” I hate that phrase because I believe that if we all get up every morning, put our big person pants on, go to work, and do what we have agreed to do – work as individuals, respectful and mindful of everyone’s individual rights and responsibilities – the “greater good” is a byproduct of our labors and everyone gets to share in the riches produced through our labors.
But, it is 2am…and although my mind races…I am tired. Tomorrow the research begins. I have already looked at criticism of the CCSS and professed outcomes, and since I have a professional obligation to produce quality work based on the standards as written, I am going to do my best to keep focused on the true possibilities – I know that a group – or even one dedicated professional teacher can make a difference in the life of a student. Not all lessons are taught or learned in the classroom….
