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Two Takes On Professional Development Days Two different perspectives on PD days -- read and feel free to share your own.
Professional Development Day Marshfield Tattler
By about 10 this morning I could hear Peter Pan and some of the Brady Boys playing soccer. At about noon I took a lunch break and as a result, my neighbor Daniel got a little pre-high school professional development, too.
You know you work for CPS when ...Chicago Teacher Man
- The parking lot is half-empty 15 minutes before the day begins.
- You decide to walk around the building and discover that several of your friends aren't even here. Smart bastards called in sick.
- The principal encourages the teachers to please try to pass more students and informs us that our current graduation rate is something like 50 percent.
- A couple of teachers sitting next to you chat away during the entire meeting.
- When you ask one of them to keep it down, he gives you the finger.
- Someone asks the assistant principal about a recent code red. Very little information is shared.
- You gather your
materials and sneak out of the room, head up to the computer lab, where
you spend the next two hours re-entering attendance for the dates you
supposedly missed.
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Tue Apr 15, 2008 at 12:16 AM
Two Takes On Professional Development Days
I often wonder are these meetings PRODUCTIVE! Do the teachers receive professional development OR is a goof off day? If they didn't recieve PD then are they fixing up their rooms and grading papers? Some PD are right before report card pick up so I imagine that's what the teacher's do/ The days of PD before a day when parents aren't going to visist, I think some schools (just few have PD) and some allow a goof off day. Teachers, please weigh in and let me know...what do you do an a PD day?
Tue Apr 15, 2008 at 6:45 AM
Two Takes On Professional Development Days
PD days are definitely needed. These days are used to catch up on paperwork and attend meetings. If you think a teacher goof off on PD days. Maybe you should become a teacher to see. A teacher job is never easy. Teachers often wonder why parents are not doing their job. Parents often send their child to school to be babysitted. We are there to just teach.
Tue Apr 15, 2008 at 5:22 PM
Two Takes On Professional Development Days
I am shocked at the poor use of punctuation by posters on this blog.
Tue Apr 15, 2008 at 6:20 PM
Two Takes On Professional Development Days
Typos I can handle but the syntactical errors are inexcusable yet I see this all the time in CPS. Resumes are sent loaded with errors. I really want the residency requirement lifted so we can recruit the best possible teachers for our children.
Tue Apr 15, 2008 at 6:21 PM
Two Takes On Professional Development Days
Yes, I was too - until I followed a link on Alexander's other blog and read the posts from people reacting to the article about the Indiana schools catering to the Obama people....
http://www.wsbt.com/news/election/2008/17396079.html
Bet you can't read all the way to the bottom without weeping...
http://www.wsbt.com/news/election/2008/17396079.html
Bet you can't read all the way to the bottom without weeping...
Tue Apr 15, 2008 at 6:44 PM
Two Takes On Professional Development Days
Our last PD, Friday, not useful to me. We spent the morning portion of the day having ShoreBank and Chase come out and talk with us about our "financial health." We then moved on to department meeting. Next, we met with our teams. (Our contract principal came up with this idea with help from one of his buddies in DC) Finally, lunch came around. Then we went to a presentation on turnitin for research papers. Lastly, before the day ended, we met back with our departments for a textbook audit. I have no problems with PD as long as it is useful. The best PD I have attended have been outside of the building. Another thing that would be nice is if the PD didn't violate my contract all the time. It is suppose to be half principal directed and the other half teacher directed.
Tue Apr 15, 2008 at 8:58 PM
Two Takes On Professional Development Days
It is a f*cking blog! Get over it!
Tue Apr 15, 2008 at 10:38 PM
Two Takes On Professional Development Days
Even sleep-deprived, hours after giving birth, still coming off of an epidural, I would not say "babysitted," much less write it. Sorry, you are not who I want teaching anyone. I thought about responding to your comment when you first posted, but then thought better of it. Your last comment was ridiculous, I couldn't help myself.
Tue Apr 15, 2008 at 10:49 PM
Two Takes On Professional Development Days
I am tempted to believe that people post on this blog pretending to be teachers--and write HORRIBLY--so that we can all think that the profession is full of incompetents...then again, my mother still has the letter a supervisor sent out (she worked at a bank at the time) that was so poorly written that my mom cried out of frustration in regards to it....so there are idiots in every profession (unfortunately...)
Wed Apr 16, 2008 at 12:01 AM
Two Takes On Professional Development Days
It is only a blog but the bloggers should still use proper grammar and spelling. A typo here and there is ok but sometimes the errors are gross. The amount of anger, wishes of physical harm and threats are even more frightening. It is not so bad on this thread but those threads relating to Union issues are scary-loaded with errors in grammar, spelling threats, nastiness etc.. And these are the people teaching our children. It only feeds the cause for charter and private schools.
Scary
Scary
Wed Apr 16, 2008 at 6:01 AM
Two Takes On Professional Development Days
Read any other blog. What you are describing is the base of human nature, which unfortunately seems to show itself on blogs where the ability to remain anonymous empowers people. Then again, I will admit my own spelling has gone in the toilet since I've become 'addicted' to the computer and spell check. I wouldn't bet a penny this short blurb is error-free. And, you may also be confusing some 'errors' with differences in style. When I was writing my graduate thesis my professor kept returning it to me because I had to work on my grammar. I eventually became so frustrated I sent it off to a professional proofreader, who informed me the paper was grammatically perfect. My professor, a Ph.D., was confusing grammar with style. He didn't like how I wrote, but that was not necessarily incorrect. Finally, please realize that just because teachers are firing off quick responses does not make them bad teachers.
I can't stand it when people say, "I don't want YOU teaching my kid." If only you could go back in time and meet your own teachers with the knowledge you have as an adult. You'd probably be appalled at what kind of people they were. Ironically, this all ties together into the original topic...professional development. I've met many veteran teachers who said thay befoe NCLB, PD days were used to play cards and read the newspaper. They NEVER did anything productive or work related. When I heard that I wanted to say, "thanks, because of you we have to work extra hard to make up for your lack of it in generations past." We are held to a much higher standard these days.
Tell you what, find ONE blog on the internet, with ANY subject (even grammar), where posts are errror free and always polite, and I will eat my shorts.
I can't stand it when people say, "I don't want YOU teaching my kid." If only you could go back in time and meet your own teachers with the knowledge you have as an adult. You'd probably be appalled at what kind of people they were. Ironically, this all ties together into the original topic...professional development. I've met many veteran teachers who said thay befoe NCLB, PD days were used to play cards and read the newspaper. They NEVER did anything productive or work related. When I heard that I wanted to say, "thanks, because of you we have to work extra hard to make up for your lack of it in generations past." We are held to a much higher standard these days.
Tell you what, find ONE blog on the internet, with ANY subject (even grammar), where posts are errror free and always polite, and I will eat my shorts.
Wed Apr 16, 2008 at 8:51 PM
Two Takes On Professional Development Days
These b*tches are crazy! This only a blog. How did a blog about PD turn into correcting grammar. The purpose of a blog is to type freely and express yourself. Why should I be worried about typos? A blog is not formal. I don't have to correct a damn thing.
Wed Apr 16, 2008 at 9:08 PM
Two Takes On Professional Development Days
Whoa Teacher,
Ease up. This is a blog, but it is an educator blog and we are held to a higher standard when it comes to grammar, spelling and punctuation. And now the swearing. Come on. It is informal but we should maintain a couth and decorum.
We do have a reputation to uphold. This blog is read all over the country. We don't want people reading it and thinking "those Chicago teachers don't appear to have anything on the ball".
Remember, your words on this blog are the general publics first impression of Chicago Teachers. Keep the bar high.
Cut and paste your entry onto a Word page and check the spell/grammar check. Then cut/paste your entry back to the blog page. That will cut down on the typos.
Ease up. This is a blog, but it is an educator blog and we are held to a higher standard when it comes to grammar, spelling and punctuation. And now the swearing. Come on. It is informal but we should maintain a couth and decorum.
We do have a reputation to uphold. This blog is read all over the country. We don't want people reading it and thinking "those Chicago teachers don't appear to have anything on the ball".
Remember, your words on this blog are the general publics first impression of Chicago Teachers. Keep the bar high.
Cut and paste your entry onto a Word page and check the spell/grammar check. Then cut/paste your entry back to the blog page. That will cut down on the typos.
Wed Apr 16, 2008 at 10:50 PM
Two Takes On Professional Development Days
Scary, you need to check your grammar and syntax.
Steve, I experienced the same situation with the professor in charge of my thesis. You didn't happen to do yours at UIC? :)
People, no one is held to any standard on a blog.
Lighten up!
Steve, I experienced the same situation with the professor in charge of my thesis. You didn't happen to do yours at UIC? :)
People, no one is held to any standard on a blog.
Lighten up!
Wed Apr 16, 2008 at 11:04 PM
Two Takes On Professional Development Days
Teacher honey,
And now blog sexual harrassment? Or is that an invitation to play in the tool box. Remember, couth and decorum. It is so easy to be so nasty behind an alias.
And now blog sexual harrassment? Or is that an invitation to play in the tool box. Remember, couth and decorum. It is so easy to be so nasty behind an alias.
Wed Apr 16, 2008 at 11:11 PM
Two Takes On Professional Development Days
Doc, Yeah I had a typo in my last entry.
It may only be a blog but it is still subject to the laws of the land regarding assaut etc. Everyone needs to be careful.
We are all held to a standard whether we want to be or not. Charles Barclay did not want to be a role model but, he was.
It may only be a blog but it is still subject to the laws of the land regarding assaut etc. Everyone needs to be careful.
We are all held to a standard whether we want to be or not. Charles Barclay did not want to be a role model but, he was.
Wed Apr 16, 2008 at 11:17 PM
Two Takes On Professional Development Days
PD at my school was mainly about testing procedures. We also did get some self-directed time.
As a teacher, it is my job to help my students to see that effective written and oral communication are essential life skills. I try to explain that once they are in college or the workplace, their writing may well be what potential employers and others base their first impressions on. i make no pretenses about having perfect grammar and syntax, nor am I a flawless typist. However, I am certainly aware of not wanting to make a mistake when I m communicating in writing to other adults - especially those that I don't know personally. First and foremost, proper grammar is a tool for clear and precise communication. I don't want to be misunderstood, and I hope not to be embarrassed. I know that my students don't usually share my view, but I must admit that I have a hard time understanding how other adults, especially teachers, wouldn't feel this way.
As a teacher, it is my job to help my students to see that effective written and oral communication are essential life skills. I try to explain that once they are in college or the workplace, their writing may well be what potential employers and others base their first impressions on. i make no pretenses about having perfect grammar and syntax, nor am I a flawless typist. However, I am certainly aware of not wanting to make a mistake when I m communicating in writing to other adults - especially those that I don't know personally. First and foremost, proper grammar is a tool for clear and precise communication. I don't want to be misunderstood, and I hope not to be embarrassed. I know that my students don't usually share my view, but I must admit that I have a hard time understanding how other adults, especially teachers, wouldn't feel this way.
Wed Apr 16, 2008 at 11:29 PM
Two Takes On Professional Development Days
Well said grammar,
I trust that most people feel the same.
Good point and Good Nite
I trust that most people feel the same.
Good point and Good Nite
Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 2:11 AM
.......................................................................................
this scares me
Boo Do You Think You Are?
Boo Do You Think You Are?
Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 3:31 AM
Two Takes On Professional Development Days
"...We do have a reputation to uphold. This blog is read all over the country. We don't want people reading it and thinking "those Chicago teachers don't appear to have anything on the ball"..." (Scary, last night).
True about the rest of the country, although teachers there are also busy with their own blogs, and all of the public education blogs are also a place for parents, students, and anyone else to jump in. I'm thinking of asking a few of my friends from elsewhere to note just how many places this blog is read from.
Good grammar and felicity in writing is overrated in an era where facts are in the shortest supply and spin is uber alles. Every public relations hack in Chicago (and there are more hacks working for government than there are "reporters" covering government in this town) perfects grammar and presentation so the spin goes down more easily. One of the most important documents I ever received was a hand-written letter by a CPS 9th grader saying his principal had offered to have sex with him. That resulted in the biggest (i.e., highest level) public education sex scandal of the 1980s (and the longest standing subsequent cover up in the official archives). The hand writing, punctuation, spelling and grammar were all terrible -- but the truth was there, too. The result (even though it took four more years) was a conviction on more than 30 counts of sex crimes and a ten year prison sentence (despite the greatest deployment of clout on behalf of a major serial predator prior to the breaking of the Predatory Priests stories nearly 20 years later).
So I'm never impressed with form if content is sacrificed. The oral traditions of truth (e.g., American slave narratives, and the WPA oral histories, to take two examples) are worth more than all of the perfected lies of the perfect grammarians.
But, after all, an effective Chicago blog run by a guy who lives in Brooklyn is at least as interesting as some of the exhibits from the old Ripley's Believe it or Not.
True about the rest of the country, although teachers there are also busy with their own blogs, and all of the public education blogs are also a place for parents, students, and anyone else to jump in. I'm thinking of asking a few of my friends from elsewhere to note just how many places this blog is read from.
Good grammar and felicity in writing is overrated in an era where facts are in the shortest supply and spin is uber alles. Every public relations hack in Chicago (and there are more hacks working for government than there are "reporters" covering government in this town) perfects grammar and presentation so the spin goes down more easily. One of the most important documents I ever received was a hand-written letter by a CPS 9th grader saying his principal had offered to have sex with him. That resulted in the biggest (i.e., highest level) public education sex scandal of the 1980s (and the longest standing subsequent cover up in the official archives). The hand writing, punctuation, spelling and grammar were all terrible -- but the truth was there, too. The result (even though it took four more years) was a conviction on more than 30 counts of sex crimes and a ten year prison sentence (despite the greatest deployment of clout on behalf of a major serial predator prior to the breaking of the Predatory Priests stories nearly 20 years later).
So I'm never impressed with form if content is sacrificed. The oral traditions of truth (e.g., American slave narratives, and the WPA oral histories, to take two examples) are worth more than all of the perfected lies of the perfect grammarians.
But, after all, an effective Chicago blog run by a guy who lives in Brooklyn is at least as interesting as some of the exhibits from the old Ripley's Believe it or Not.
Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 3:32 AM
Two Takes On Professional Development Days
"...We do have a reputation to uphold. This blog is read all over the country. We don't want people reading it and thinking "those Chicago teachers don't appear to have anything on the ball"..." (Scary, last night).
True about the rest of the country, although teachers there are also busy with their own blogs, and all of the public education blogs are also a place for parents, students, and anyone else to jump in. I'm thinking of asking a few of my friends from elsewhere to note just how many places this blog is read from.
Good grammar and felicity in writing is overrated in an era where facts are in the shortest supply and spin is uber alles. Every public relations hack in Chicago (and there are more hacks working for government than there are "reporters" covering government in this town) perfects grammar and presentation so the spin goes down more easily. One of the most important documents I ever received was a hand-written letter by a CPS 9th grader saying his principal had offered to have s___ with him. That resulted in the biggest (i.e., highest level) public education abuse scandal of the 1980s (and the longest standing subsequent cover up in the official archives). The hand writing, punctuation, spelling and grammar were all terrible -- but the truth was there, too. The result (even though it took four more years) was a conviction on more than 30 counts of sex crimes and a ten year prison sentence (despite the greatest deployment of clout on behalf of a major serial predator prior to the breaking of the Predatory Priests stories nearly 20 years later).
So I'm never impressed with form if content is sacrificed. The oral traditions of truth (e.g., American slave narratives, and the WPA oral histories, to take two examples) are worth more than all of the perfected lies of the perfect grammarians.
But, after all, an effective Chicago blog run by a guy who lives in Brooklyn is at least as interesting as some of the exhibits from the old Ripley's Believe it or Not.
True about the rest of the country, although teachers there are also busy with their own blogs, and all of the public education blogs are also a place for parents, students, and anyone else to jump in. I'm thinking of asking a few of my friends from elsewhere to note just how many places this blog is read from.
Good grammar and felicity in writing is overrated in an era where facts are in the shortest supply and spin is uber alles. Every public relations hack in Chicago (and there are more hacks working for government than there are "reporters" covering government in this town) perfects grammar and presentation so the spin goes down more easily. One of the most important documents I ever received was a hand-written letter by a CPS 9th grader saying his principal had offered to have s___ with him. That resulted in the biggest (i.e., highest level) public education abuse scandal of the 1980s (and the longest standing subsequent cover up in the official archives). The hand writing, punctuation, spelling and grammar were all terrible -- but the truth was there, too. The result (even though it took four more years) was a conviction on more than 30 counts of sex crimes and a ten year prison sentence (despite the greatest deployment of clout on behalf of a major serial predator prior to the breaking of the Predatory Priests stories nearly 20 years later).
So I'm never impressed with form if content is sacrificed. The oral traditions of truth (e.g., American slave narratives, and the WPA oral histories, to take two examples) are worth more than all of the perfected lies of the perfect grammarians.
But, after all, an effective Chicago blog run by a guy who lives in Brooklyn is at least as interesting as some of the exhibits from the old Ripley's Believe it or Not.
Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 3:35 AM
Two Takes On Professional Development Days
"...We do have a reputation to uphold. This blog is read all over the country. We don't want people reading it and thinking "those Chicago teachers don't appear to have anything on the ball"..." (Scary, last night).
True about the rest of the country, although teachers there are also busy with their own blogs, and all of the public education blogs are also a place for parents, students, and anyone else to jump in. I'm thinking of asking a few of my friends from elsewhere to note just how many places this blog is read from.
Good grammar and felicity in writing are overrated in an era where facts are in the shortest supply and spin is uber alles. Every public relations hack in Chicago (and there are more hacks working for government than there are "reporters" covering government in this town) perfects grammar and presentation so the spin goes down more easily. From the Smile Room to Power Point, it's form over content in the current era.
One of the most important documents I ever received was a hand-written letter by a CPS 9th grader saying his principal had offered to become intimate with him. That note, and related documents, all equal in their grammatical lackings, resulted in the biggest (i.e., highest level) public education abuse scandal of the 1980s. It also resulted in the longest standing subsequent cover up in the official archives.
The hand writing, punctuation, spelling and grammar of that little note (and three others that were gathered during the same time) were all terrible -- but the truth was there, too.
The result (even though it took four more years) was a conviction on more than 30 counts of predatory crimes and a ten year prison sentence (despite the greatest deployment of clout on behalf of a major serial predator prior to the breaking of the Predatory Priests stories nearly 20 years later).
So I'm never impressed with form if content is sacrificed. The oral traditions of truth (e.g., American slave narratives, and the WPA oral histories, to take two examples) are worth more than all of the perfected lies of the perfect grammarians.
After all, an effective Chicago blog run by a guy who lives in Brooklyn is at least as interesting as some of the exhibits from the old Ripley's Believe it or Not.
True about the rest of the country, although teachers there are also busy with their own blogs, and all of the public education blogs are also a place for parents, students, and anyone else to jump in. I'm thinking of asking a few of my friends from elsewhere to note just how many places this blog is read from.
Good grammar and felicity in writing are overrated in an era where facts are in the shortest supply and spin is uber alles. Every public relations hack in Chicago (and there are more hacks working for government than there are "reporters" covering government in this town) perfects grammar and presentation so the spin goes down more easily. From the Smile Room to Power Point, it's form over content in the current era.
One of the most important documents I ever received was a hand-written letter by a CPS 9th grader saying his principal had offered to become intimate with him. That note, and related documents, all equal in their grammatical lackings, resulted in the biggest (i.e., highest level) public education abuse scandal of the 1980s. It also resulted in the longest standing subsequent cover up in the official archives.
The hand writing, punctuation, spelling and grammar of that little note (and three others that were gathered during the same time) were all terrible -- but the truth was there, too.
The result (even though it took four more years) was a conviction on more than 30 counts of predatory crimes and a ten year prison sentence (despite the greatest deployment of clout on behalf of a major serial predator prior to the breaking of the Predatory Priests stories nearly 20 years later).
So I'm never impressed with form if content is sacrificed. The oral traditions of truth (e.g., American slave narratives, and the WPA oral histories, to take two examples) are worth more than all of the perfected lies of the perfect grammarians.
After all, an effective Chicago blog run by a guy who lives in Brooklyn is at least as interesting as some of the exhibits from the old Ripley's Believe it or Not.
Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 3:41 AM
Two Takes On Professional Development Days
The most offensive professional development I remember from the old days (early Vallas) came at Bowen High School and was performed lamely by Mary Dunne, a clout heavy 19th Ward reading "expert" who had no experience doing what we were already doing well way back then. But, back then, teachers were also empowered to speak out and critique such hacksmanship. She never came back.
Of course, being a neighbor of Our Pal Paul and with ward clout, she's gone on to bigger and better. Most recently, the New Orleans Times Picayune reported that she was one of the $2,000 per day consultants that Paul Vallas hired because of their brilliant Chicago records and expertise to help get the New Orleans "Recovery School District" back on its feet.
Basically, things haven't changed much despite all the hooplaing.
Of course, being a neighbor of Our Pal Paul and with ward clout, she's gone on to bigger and better. Most recently, the New Orleans Times Picayune reported that she was one of the $2,000 per day consultants that Paul Vallas hired because of their brilliant Chicago records and expertise to help get the New Orleans "Recovery School District" back on its feet.
Basically, things haven't changed much despite all the hooplaing.
Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 7:01 AM
Two Takes On Professional Development Days
I don't have to uphold a reputation at all. The blog is meant to speak freely and express an opinion. Your not suppose to attack another blogger over BS not related to the blog. How can you uphold a reputation when your putting down another teacher for grammar. Those actions show that teachers are not united. If I have typos or show incorrect grammar, so what! Get over it. It is not that serious. Using incorrect grammar on a blog does not mean I am less of teacher.
Thanks George for putting this blog back on track. The blog was meant to talk about PD. Thanks Steve for your input.
The worst PD was at a magnet cluster meeting at Black school. The PD was for reading extended responses. The presenter was not organize, constantly "umm" through the presentation, and the mic went in and out. The presentation mainly catered to the primary grades. It was a waste of time because I teach an upper grade. A month later we had to attend the second part of the PD at Black again. It was horrible than the first time.
Thanks George for putting this blog back on track. The blog was meant to talk about PD. Thanks Steve for your input.
The worst PD was at a magnet cluster meeting at Black school. The PD was for reading extended responses. The presenter was not organize, constantly "umm" through the presentation, and the mic went in and out. The presentation mainly catered to the primary grades. It was a waste of time because I teach an upper grade. A month later we had to attend the second part of the PD at Black again. It was horrible than the first time.
Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 10:34 AM
Two Takes On Professional Development Days
The new contract was distributed yesterday
Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 1:28 PM
Two Takes On Professional Development Days
Teacher,
You contradict yourself and “thou dost protest too much.” The bloggers who noted the grammar and spelling issues had as much a right to their opinion as you do, without being attacked.
You state "The blog is meant to speak freely and express an opinion......”
Then you say "Thanks George for putting this blog back on track. The blog was meant to talk about PD."
Well, if it is a free and open forum and the conversation turns to grammar, so what, as long as it is not threatening or vulgar. Maybe that was a topic at someone’s PD.
George, true, content is very important and the writing of a 9 year old should be indicative of a 9 year old. Grammar and Spelling Count, and Scary made very good points. George, you uphold that standard and maintain your reputation. During these difficult economic times where jobs are scarce a persons communication skills are part of the interview package. You must be able to write a decent, rhetorically correct essay. Or else, the job will go to the next guy/girl.
Style is an entirely different issueJ Thesis blogger, I share in that experience at U of I Champaign-Urbana.
PS. Teacher, go ahead and blog nasty to me. It doesn't really mean a thing anyway:-) and if it makes you feel better, good.
You contradict yourself and “thou dost protest too much.” The bloggers who noted the grammar and spelling issues had as much a right to their opinion as you do, without being attacked.
You state "The blog is meant to speak freely and express an opinion......”
Then you say "Thanks George for putting this blog back on track. The blog was meant to talk about PD."
Well, if it is a free and open forum and the conversation turns to grammar, so what, as long as it is not threatening or vulgar. Maybe that was a topic at someone’s PD.
George, true, content is very important and the writing of a 9 year old should be indicative of a 9 year old. Grammar and Spelling Count, and Scary made very good points. George, you uphold that standard and maintain your reputation. During these difficult economic times where jobs are scarce a persons communication skills are part of the interview package. You must be able to write a decent, rhetorically correct essay. Or else, the job will go to the next guy/girl.
Style is an entirely different issueJ Thesis blogger, I share in that experience at U of I Champaign-Urbana.
PS. Teacher, go ahead and blog nasty to me. It doesn't really mean a thing anyway:-) and if it makes you feel better, good.
Fri Apr 18, 2008 at 2:55 AM
Two Takes On Professional Development Days
"...During these difficult economic times where jobs are scarce a persons communication skills are part of the interview package. You must be able to write a decent, rhetorically correct essay. Or else, the job will go to the next guy/girl..." (two cents, yesterday afternoon).
Faith more than reality is expressed in those words. As you might notice, I'll take on just about anyone based on those standards, but for nine years I've been on the CPS DO NOT HIRE LIST and am also blacklisted (growing evidence, interesting in context) from high school teaching in the suburbs, too.
So don't kid yourself. There are few AIOs or higher at CPS who would win a head-to-head on any of those basics against me, and they're the ones making $144,000 apiece this year for adulating the mayoral and duncanian miracle at every opportunity, and groveling on command. The notion, apparently professed with zeal by many professors and counselors, that quality alone gets you the job is a bit overrated. This is Chicago -- and CPS in the 13th year of the Daley Dictatorship. The next thing you know, someone will tell us that our mayor has qualified to become the nation's foremost prattler on urban "school reform" based on his qualifications, insight, and ability to verbalize fluently.
Fact is, the guy needed a lot of help to "pass" the bar examination, and rumor is without the "social promotion" he now derides on behalf of corporate school reform, he'd still be in eighth grade.
Laughing out loud yet?
When you tell such stories about quality...
Consider the reality in context.
Faith more than reality is expressed in those words. As you might notice, I'll take on just about anyone based on those standards, but for nine years I've been on the CPS DO NOT HIRE LIST and am also blacklisted (growing evidence, interesting in context) from high school teaching in the suburbs, too.
So don't kid yourself. There are few AIOs or higher at CPS who would win a head-to-head on any of those basics against me, and they're the ones making $144,000 apiece this year for adulating the mayoral and duncanian miracle at every opportunity, and groveling on command. The notion, apparently professed with zeal by many professors and counselors, that quality alone gets you the job is a bit overrated. This is Chicago -- and CPS in the 13th year of the Daley Dictatorship. The next thing you know, someone will tell us that our mayor has qualified to become the nation's foremost prattler on urban "school reform" based on his qualifications, insight, and ability to verbalize fluently.
Fact is, the guy needed a lot of help to "pass" the bar examination, and rumor is without the "social promotion" he now derides on behalf of corporate school reform, he'd still be in eighth grade.
Laughing out loud yet?
When you tell such stories about quality...
Consider the reality in context.
Fri Apr 18, 2008 at 7:19 PM
Two Takes On Professional Development Days
George,
LOL....
Of course we know that here in Chicago where patronage hiring is the rule our talent, experience, education don't count:-)
Oops, I guess I am thinking about normal cities.
LOL....
Of course we know that here in Chicago where patronage hiring is the rule our talent, experience, education don't count:-)
Oops, I guess I am thinking about normal cities.
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