Get Schooled

By GW

March 30, 2006 08:37 AM | Link to this

No brainer….in a trailer with a small class.

By zoe

March 30, 2006 08:44 AM | Link to this

I prefer a larger class, in a building with a CERTIFIED (clear renewable) teacher. This law is going to put more uncertified/TAPP teachers in the classroom. If my daughter had a TAPP teacher, I would move heaven and earth to have her moved to a teacher that was actually certified. I do not want my child in a classroom with someone who thinks “teaching is my calling” and has never even spent time in a classroom as a teacher in some capacity until being hired by a desperate school system trying to fill spots. Also, if a school has to hire someone in August or September because they have more students enroll, who exactly is going to be that teacher? The leftover teacher no one else would hire, that’s who!

By Jack

March 30, 2006 08:52 AM | Link to this

NO MORE “UNFUNDED” MANDATES , IF THERE ARE TO BE LOWER CLASS SIZES , THE LET “PERDUE’ FUND THE NEW LAW !!!

jack

By Nikole

March 30, 2006 08:59 AM | Link to this

I do not have kids, but I would rather teach in a trailer with a small class.

By Beck

March 30, 2006 09:13 AM | Link to this

I teach in a trailer by choice; I have been offerred a room in the building for the last 5 years due to seniority, but will not take it because I would lose the autonomy being in the “trailer park” gives me. The following is a list of the many benefits of teaching outside the school building. - I control my own heating and air. We (the kids and I) decide the temperature of the room. - We can leave the doors open on pretty days and enjoy the breeze. - No crowded hallways. - No fights. - No high school gossip. - No teacher gossip (even better). - No noise from the hallway or other classrooms. - No complaints about noise when we play subject-appropriate music in my room.

By jim d

March 30, 2006 09:42 AM | Link to this

Depends on which grades.

No problem with the lower grades where students remain in the trailer most of the day. My only concerns would be health related. (the air handling system and any chemicals used for controlling pests and mold)

Middle and High school is another story. While I would have the same concerns as listed above I would have to add the concern for students changing classes in inclement weather.

Personally I think I’d prefer larger classes and fewer trailers

By Jim in Marietta

March 30, 2006 09:48 AM | Link to this

In a trailer. Anything with windows. In fact bricks and mortor schools should be banned except for an auditorium, gym and admin. offices. All classrooms should be modular so they may be added or taken away to accomodate the population.

By jim d

March 30, 2006 09:58 AM | Link to this

Oops, meant to attach this link to a survey that was conducted in 1997 re: Teacher Safety in Portable Classrooms.

http://www.bctf.bc.ca/ResearchReports/97wlc01/

By mentor

March 30, 2006 10:07 AM | Link to this

Why the negitive stand about TAPP? DO you know how the program works? I was mentor for a new TAPP teacher. This new TAPP teacher was wonderful. She had the “calling”. She knew how to talk to kids on their level and had all the right ways to teach the lessons. I know her class was in no way neglected or behind any other class in the school. This TAPP teacher WORKED! She was at school for every extra function and worked on her nights she did not have class until 6 or 7 PM. As her mentor, I made sure she had the accademic concepts covered. She was observed almost weekly by some outside administrator. Please don’t group people by title. I have seen many “certified” first year teachers struggle more than this lady. Everyone has to start somewhere in their career. Give them a chance or you will end up with a bunch of us “oldies” ready to retire and no new blood in the field.

By jim d

March 30, 2006 10:23 AM | Link to this

Does anyone know of any school systems in Georgia using Moudlar construction in lieu of portable buildings to accomodate growth?

With the stringent building codes for modular construction these structures would be much safer during storms and should allow for students to remain in the classroom during a storm wheresa now most trailers are evacuated during heavy storms, disrupting the class.

This type of construction might even satisfy both camps. (those that don’t like trailers and those that do)and the cost is comprable.

By lwa

March 30, 2006 10:46 AM | Link to this

What is the difference btwn a TAPP teacher and a new certified teacher? Depending on the TAPP teacher’s background in the workplace, the TAPP teacher may be more equipped with life experience vs. a 1st year teacher who is approx. 25, straight out of college and knows nothing.

I had a choice btwn a young K teacher and one who was teaching for 15 years when my 13 year old entered the school system. I took the 15 years exp. in a K classroom vs. the new teacher b/c the older teacher was that, older and had more experience dealing with little ones. I did’t want a young teacher who was still wet behind the ears wanting to “be friends” with the students vs. knowing how to take control of the classroom.

I was approved for TAPP and had to drop out b/c my husband’s job moved us out of state. However, I have a B.S. in Math and an M.A. in Economics. Teaching math would have been my subject area. You can’t just put a blanket statement on TAPP vs. certified teachers.

Remember, most TAPP candidates want to be there in the classroom.

By Archie

March 30, 2006 11:03 AM | Link to this

I wish every one would quit using the words trailer like it’s a bad word. These modular classrooms are constructed to the latest code requirments by the state and federal standards. There are alternate exteriors that can make them look more aesthetically pleasing. It all depends on the money available to spend. Having smaller classrooms can only assure a teacher has more time per child. My sister has taught class in both circumstances and she has told me many times the modular classrooms, in her opinion, has been a better enviroment for learning. Modular classroom buildings provides quick space at reasonable costs. Also it gives school districts the opportunity to move required classroom space to where it is needed. This has to save major tax dollars.

By Leia

March 30, 2006 11:14 AM | Link to this

Archie - trailers are horrible! They are very hard to keep clean and as far as alternate exteriors to make them look aesthetically pleasing; my county is not going to pay for that! They are broken into very easily and are not convenient for restroom breaks. I teach at a high school, and have 7 minutes between classes. Sometimes, it will use most of the 7 minutes getting into the building! I know what you’re saying, but, is it worth it to have your child in these little deathtraps? This is tornado country and those “modular classrooms” shake like nobody’s business when the wind blows hard. Sorry for the rant, but, I had (past tense, thank goodness) a horrible trailer experience!

By jim d

March 30, 2006 11:57 AM | Link to this

Arch,

No sir they are trailers not modular buildings. (big difference)Do a little checking.

To be PC and appease, I guess we could refer to them as mobile learning units.(MLU’s)

By Archie

March 30, 2006 12:24 PM | Link to this

Leia,

I am sorry you have had a terrible experience with the classroom modulars. I do realize there will be some bad experiences with any service. The old saying” You can’t please all the people all the time” always comes up. I do understand your concerns and as a father of three I want my kids in as safe enviroment as possible.
I wish I could buy them a tank to drive around in but I can’t afford it. My biggest grief about modular classrooms is all the bad publicity they get. You read one of the above post that came from a teacher stating she has had the opportunity to move out and would not. She seems pretty happy. As I stated, these buildings are built to the state code requirments. If they are not put on correct foundations and are not anchored correctly, its not the buildings fault.

Example, I know for a fact ther were some classrooms built in the U.S. and sent to the Cayman Islands. When the hurricanes hit this year, the modulars had the least damage of other structures around them. There is more to this story but I want bore you.

The point I am trying to make is classroom modular buildings are an excellent alternative to site built construction. If the counties would spend a little more up front they could help some of the bad feelings you and others share about them. They will still be more economical and help take care of any permanent or temporary needs.

Thanks for reading

By Archie

March 30, 2006 12:36 PM | Link to this

Jim,

How about mobile modular?? :) Anything that can be designed to 150mph wind speed is constructed pretty dang good.

By Leia

March 30, 2006 12:39 PM | Link to this

Archie - I understand the point you’re trying to make, and you summed it up yourself by saying -

If the counties would spend a little more up front they could help some of the bad feelings you and others share about them

That is not going to happen in my county!

And FYI - the teachers at my school who prefer trailers are the ones who don’t exactly follow the rules, and are less likely to get caught because nobody wants to go out to the trailer park!

By Ernest

March 30, 2006 12:53 PM | Link to this

Jim:

In DeKalb, there are several schools that have modulars. Essentially, they consist of 4 rooms interconnected and also include restroom facilities. They are recommending these for schools without a short term relief plan for overcrowded conditions.

I was told at a meeting recently that ALL schools are competing with one another and hurricaine victims for modulars and trailers now. Per the article, it will be interesting to see if the demand could be met. Ah, to own stock in a trailer constructions firm now….

By Archie

March 30, 2006 01:00 PM | Link to this

Leia, Again, don’t blame the portable classroom blame the county.
I really do understand you comments. The schools in our areas have fewer protable classrooms at them I’m sure. We do not describe the location as the trailer park. I dare not go to the reason the teachers at your school prefer them. Like all professions they are good ones and some bad ones. I’m older and we had no protables at my school but looking back I still had a few teachers that broke a few rules.

Nice chating. If you still teach I appreciate your efforts. My mother, now retired, and my sister both teach and I realize and know a lot of the crap you teachers have to put up with.

have a nice day. :)

By jim d

March 30, 2006 01:15 PM | Link to this

Thanks Ernest, I wish Gwinnett had gone that way when we had nearly 100 trailers setting at Daula middle school a few years ago with half the student population in them at any given moment.

We weren’t a trailer park. We were a village.

By Zoe

March 30, 2006 02:16 PM | Link to this

The TAPP attrition rate is higher than the attrition rate of teachers traditionally certified. While TAPP is a good idea on the surface, the problem is the majority of TAPP teachers are high needs schools. Most are not equipped to handle the population they are working with. While there may be a few good TAPP candidates here and there, my first hand knowledge is that many are not cut out to be teachers and this is their only option since being downsized. Teaching is the “fallback” career. Also most good school systems do not need TAPP candidates since they have enough teachers with clear renewable certification interested in working for them.

By Nikole

March 30, 2006 02:41 PM | Link to this

Zoe-I am sure that there are several reasons why TAPP teachers have a higher attrition rate. You said yourself that they are in high need schools, I wonder if the attrition rate for 1st year teachers in high needs schools is comparable. I did student teaching in APS and found myself stressed out even after having had 2 years of field experiences in APS schools. The profession can be difficult at times for anyone. My first hand experience is that there are some incredible alternatively certified teachers out there, that should replace many “master” teachers currently in the classroom.

By GW

March 30, 2006 03:53 PM | Link to this

Like the school calendar issue every reason has been given here for kids not to be taught in a trailer. Folks are more worried about conveniences and appearances, bricks and mortar, tornadoes and rain, than the best situation for teaching and learning…a small class. I don’t know how our grandparents learned a thing in one room schoolhouses with a pot-belly wood burning stove out in the woods.

By Lee

March 31, 2006 08:36 AM | Link to this

Remembering back when I was in school… The only heat we had came from a steam radiator. No air conditioning. No VCRs or DVDs - we watched “films” played on a projector. Also saw a lot of “film strips.” (Do they still have those?)

My point is that we didn’t have many of the modern conveniences, but we were still able to learn.

I don’t have a problem with trailers per se, but I do have a problem when a brand new school opens and a year later, there are a dozen trailers sitting outside. Need to plan a little better there, IMHO…

By Lee

March 31, 2006 08:39 AM | Link to this

One more thing, why is it that schools can’t seem to find the resources to build adequate classroom space, but have no problem building multi-million dollar football stadiums, etc? Priorities people….

By jim d

March 31, 2006 08:55 AM | Link to this

Aw c’mon Lee. Gotta have a place for our winning football teams to play.

By jim d

March 31, 2006 09:01 AM | Link to this

GW,

I must respectfully disagree.

“the best situation for teaching and learning…a small class”

I believe the best situation for teaching and learning is a safe environment, not class size. I know this has been an ongoing debate among education professionals forever, but I lean towards safety issues having a larger impact.

By Jeff

March 31, 2006 09:12 AM | Link to this

OK, ENOUGH with the trash talking of TAPP and/ or provisionally certified teachers!

As has been pointed out, the public has basically three choices:

BTW: The only reason I DIDN’T get a full certification was local politics and cronyism at the system I was student teaching in AND my university. (Hint: They were the NCAA Div II Basketball champions a few yrs ago.)

By Jeff

March 31, 2006 09:16 AM | Link to this

Sorry about that last rant guys. People thinking bad of Tapp/ provisionals is a real sore spot for me!

Back on subject: I’m in a class in the main building right now, and if being in a trailer means I can control my room’s temperature, then can I beg to move???? It’ll save me roughly $400! (About to buy a floor-mounted AC unit to cool my room to a resonable - aroun 50 degrees - level.)