Get Schooled

By jim d

October 20, 2006 10:34 AM | Link to this

Wow Patti,

I think I’ve made my opinon of school counselors abundantly clear on these blogs, but this one really needs to seek a bit of help.

“not one of the favorites”? “feels slighted”?

Funny as it may seem, while I don’t hold most school counselors in very high esteem. Most of them I know aren’t in it for the accolades, they are really trying to help the kids. Sounds like this one may have a bit of low self-esteem or at best is somewhat insecure in that it appears she feels she needs others to toot her horn.

Me? I’m the very best at what I do and draw a great deal of satisfaction from doing it right. I really think I’m pretty normal in that regard and that most people don’t do a job for recognition. If it comes—fine. But it’s not what they are are about.

By SET

October 20, 2006 10:51 AM | Link to this

This poor woman is in bad shape if she requires validation from public school educrats.

She needs to read George Orwell’s “Animal Farm”. Pay careful attention to the Horse.

Professional help, hopefully at her employer’s expense, may assist her in reconnecting to reality. If she can’t find her rewards in finding and promoting students with potential into the best careers possible, she needs to move on.

By jim d

October 20, 2006 10:52 AM | Link to this

Patti,

I don’t believe that includes wasted labor costs.

Any way to find out what a days wages for the entire system are? Like maybe finding what the entire annual teachers payroll is and then dividing it by the numbers of days teachers are actually required to put in?

By Patti Ghezzi

October 20, 2006 11:03 AM | Link to this

Jim, as I said on an earlier thread, I did not include “lost wages” in my request. It was a teacher work day. The school system administration decided this was the best use of the teachers’ time. I think people have enough information to draw their own conclusions without a “lost wages” calculation.

By jim d

October 20, 2006 11:30 AM | Link to this

Ok Patti,

I went and looked it up and did the math anyway though. I’m kinda anal that way.

If any of your other readers care to see how phenomenal those numbers would be, if they consider it a wasted day, they can go to

http://www.atlanta.k12.ga.us/insideaps/finance/apsbudgets/FY2006/FY06_xpsummary2.pdf

and do the calculations.

By V for Vendetta

October 20, 2006 11:33 AM | Link to this

DANG! I had a really good response but it didn’t post for some reason. I’ll sum it up by saying “yeah, what jim said”. I do what I do because I like it. I don’t need someone patting me on the back all the time. Time spent being patted on the back is just time wasted in my opinion.

By KA

October 20, 2006 11:36 AM | Link to this

I have never understood all of the teacher awards and events like this. People thrive in a positive environment where they know their work is appreciated. Awards for the few singled out give them a temporary and inflated sense of accomplishment, but make the many others not selected feel slighted or unappreciated. I am not a fan of awards and special recognitions. Do your job and treat others with dignity and respect and you will reap the rewards of respect yourself. That’s all you need.

By Ernest

October 20, 2006 11:47 AM | Link to this

Karen, I hope I did not misinterpret your response. In this capitalistic society we work it, being recognized for your accomplishments is what also pushes everyone to do their best. I work in a sales organization and it amazes me to see how driven folks in our group are. They compete against themselves (last year) and each other. Being recognized at the top salesperson for a year is the ultimate for some.

Though the finacial rewards are not the same, aren’t some teachers driven by this also? True, most do it for the love of the job but doesn’t that competitive nature exist in all of us?

By Nja

October 20, 2006 12:20 PM | Link to this

As far as what the counselor interviewed said- anyone working in a school district may feel that way. I don’t think it has anything to do with her position. I have heard teachers and other staff say the same thing. I don’t feel that awards increase employee moral. I think administrators supporting their staff and treating them like professionals would do the job.

By irked

October 20, 2006 12:33 PM | Link to this

Wellllll….what the system paid for the actual event to take place was less than the bonus Dr. Hall will receive. Do the research and find out how much she gets…I think it is more than a first year teacher’s salary!!! I’m curious as to what she does to get this bonus? I haven’t seen very much. Maybe she should use the money to adopt a very strong discipline program for the out of control students in her system!!!!

By JustMe

October 20, 2006 12:35 PM | Link to this

Every human being likes to be recognized for doing a good job. Teachers are human beings.

I do not think that the school councilor was asking to be placed on a pedastal. She likely wanted simple respect and maybe even a “thank you” once in a while from her boss, the principal.

As a teacher for a few years, I have given up on any recognition from adminstrators. The only time that recognition comes is when my EOCT scores are super high or when a large number of my students go to GHP, or something like that (but that isn’t really a function of my teaching but rather a function of the exceptional students).

For me, real recognition and job satisfaction comes when a student from years ago stops by to visit me and tells me that they made an A in the course in college because they learned so much in my class.

By irked's friend

October 20, 2006 12:41 PM | Link to this

Dr.Hall is a joke! HA HA!!! She gets a bonus only because she is the superintendent. Teachers who show up every day and deal with wacked out administrators, crazy parents and spoiled rotten kids need the bonuses….or should I say combat pay. That convocation is a waste of time. It is called a teacher planning day and we get no time to do anything that will benefit the kids. We spend the majority of the day at the GA dome listening to stuff that does not impact what we do in the classroom. Yea, it looks good for the news but is the convocation raising test scores? No just my blood pressure!

By catlady

October 20, 2006 12:48 PM | Link to this

The “cost” is much, much higher if you consider time and lost opportunity costs.

By jim d

October 20, 2006 12:58 PM | Link to this

Awards or Rewards?

Ok, here’s a brief story. I have 3 very close relatives in the teaching profession for a combined total of 61 years of experience. I’ve seen drawers full of awards that the only way of knowing they ever existed was to open the wrong drawer. One relative added to her drawer recently, commenting she wished they just give her money and keep the awards, but further commented that her school had not given a merit increase in 8 years to anyone.

Be careful what you wish for—-

She got a 4% merit increase. And that my friend was the recognition she appreciated.

While I’m certain “NONE” of the teachers here are teaching for the money, let’s be brutally honest and admit you guys appreciate a raise a whole lot more than a plaque or a certficate, and you should. What better recognition for a job well done?

By Ernest

October 20, 2006 01:12 PM | Link to this

JimD, well said!!!!

By Joy in teaching

October 20, 2006 01:23 PM | Link to this

That counselor sounds more in need of a little appreciation than professional help, to me.

I’ve been teaching for 19 years and it’s not so much awards and recognition that teachers want. What teachers really want and need are systematic morale boosters. Sometimes in a school year, there are whole weeks that go by when teachers become so overwhelmed with testing, parent conferencing, administrators, problem students, paper work, etc, that they need just a small glimmer of recognition that, “yes, your hard work is being noticed and you are appreciated.” (Trust me…occassional kindnesses are sometimes the only thing that has kept me in teaching this long.)

It doesn’t take much…and it doesn’t have to be expensive. For example, our P.T.O. occasionally puts a small flyer in our mailbox telling us how much they appreciate us…with a small peppermint stapled to it. Yes, it’s cheesy and cheap, but it’s nice to be noticed occasionally. Other times, there is a Chick Filet coupon in there or even free coffee and donuts in the teachers lounge.

By jim d

October 20, 2006 01:26 PM | Link to this

Unfortunately Ernest,

The reason they hand out plaque’s and certificates is two fold.

1) they can make more teachers feel appreciated and

2)It’s cheaper than well earned raises.

By jim d

October 20, 2006 01:29 PM | Link to this

J.I.T.

Maybe I’m a bit hardcore but my hardwork and dedication has always been rewarded with CASH and cash works just fine for me.

By jim d

October 20, 2006 01:35 PM | Link to this

I think some of you educators may sell yourself a bit cheap. You know an attaboy and a buck fifty will buy you a large coffee down at the QT.

By Ernest

October 20, 2006 01:40 PM | Link to this

JimD, I’m sure you have a few plaques/certificates in your work area like I do in mine. It is nice looking at them from time to time. But you are correct, nothing like having the Benjamin’s!!!! :)

Along the same lines, TOTY for respective school districts are rewarded with some nice trinkets. I recall attending a banquet a few years ago in which the teacher got free airfare in the continental US whereever Delta flies. This is a good opportunity for many of the local corporate sponsors to help with recognizing teachers.

By jim d

October 20, 2006 01:40 PM | Link to this

Jimmy D’s school improvement plan:

1) pay teachers a bonus for excellence in the classroom.

2) to garner school administartive support—pay the principal a bonus based on number of teachers earning a bonus.

3) to garner top school admin. support— pay the school super a bonus based on the number of principals that earn a bonus.

You want to see schools improve and everyone happy? That’d do er.

By V for Vendetta

October 20, 2006 01:41 PM | Link to this

jim, we might have an admin. position open at my school soon… .

you busy? :-)

By jim d

October 20, 2006 01:58 PM | Link to this

Sorry, I’m more of a top level administrator.

Would you want me on a school board?

:-)

By V for Vendetta

October 20, 2006 02:03 PM | Link to this

If it meant getting J Alvin out, um, yeah I WOULD like to see you on a school board!

By Janine

October 20, 2006 02:03 PM | Link to this

jimd,et al Love your idea, but feel pretty confident in saying IT AIN’T GONNA HAPPEN!!! So,in lieu of the green stuff, or even in addition to it, I think most teachers would be happy with R-E-S-P-E-C-T!!! Respect for a teacher’s opinion about what his/her students need…what they will respond to …as well as what they do not need…! Respect so that teachers will be included in making plans, selecting programs, etc. Just to hear “WHATEVER YOU THINK IS BEST, MS.TEACHERLADY[MR. TEACHERMAN!!

By jim d

October 20, 2006 02:09 PM | Link to this

Ernest,

You might be surprised.

My office walls contain pictures of the kids, a few professional licenses and a single award for hanging with a professional organization for 15 years.

At home there’s a couple hidden in drawers that were presented by schools for support and a few trophies for supporting Scouting collecting dust in the spare bedroom.

Only personal trophies I show regulary are a couple of mentor pins presented by Eagle Scouts in appreciation for having worked with them and a parents Eagle pin presented by my kid.

Most the rest has been filed in file 13

By Joy in teaching

October 20, 2006 02:09 PM | Link to this

I’m not going to be one of those teachers who gripes about pay because I knew what it would be like going in. A raise wouldn’t be bad, though.

That being said….personally, I find it offensive that some teachers feel that they have to be paid extra for, oh, doing their job. Shouldn’t they be doing their best anyway?

(I know I’m gonna get slammed for this. That’s ok..I’m gonna blame it on the flu.)

By jim d

October 20, 2006 02:14 PM | Link to this

V,

Since you obviously work or reside in Gwinnett, I can assure you J.A.W. wouldn’t have me any other way. We don’t exactly see eye to eye.

By jim d

October 20, 2006 02:18 PM | Link to this

JIT,

Doing ones best isn’t the same as going the extra mile. Teachers are like everyone else, they will go the extra mile more readily if they see the pot at the end of the rainbow.

I personally have no problem with hanging that carrot out there for them if it were to help the kids.

By MA

October 20, 2006 02:20 PM | Link to this

Every year for Secretary’s Day they got flowers, candy, a gift card to a local restaurant and a catered lunch brought into the school. On School Nurse’s Day she got flowers, candy, a gift card to a local restaurant and a catered lunch brought to her at school. On National Counselor’s Day we got —- a coupon for a free Chic-Fil-A. Guess which professionals transferred to another school this year?

By jim d

October 20, 2006 02:21 PM | Link to this

Janine,

Sorry, I still spell respect M—O—N—E—Y !

By Janine

October 20, 2006 02:23 PM | Link to this

*Patti * A few years ago, some of you who teach in Dekalb will remember that big Opening Event that Johnny Brown and his crew orchestrated at Memorial stadium. All teachers from all schools were herded onto school buses and transported to the stadium. It took hours for everyone to get it and seated. THey handed out water and fans as we entered. We were all absolutely confounded as to why we were there…the program lasted maybe 30 minutes, probably less. The school board and county administrators road around the field waving from a school bus. Then a couple of educrats babbled some nonsense from a stage. We then proceeded to board the buses again [ another couple of hours] and return to our schools..day wasted….UNBRIDLED INSANITY!!

By Ernest

October 20, 2006 02:29 PM | Link to this

OK, I’ll bite. At James D. HS (formal name), how would you measure excellence in the classroom? That seems to be part of the issue. Would this ‘encourage’ teachers to seek lower achieving classes with hopes for seeing a measureable increase on test scores?

As we say in sales, you ‘work the plan’ to maximize your income. Could a plan be put in place that would be equitable for all?

By KA

October 20, 2006 02:38 PM | Link to this

Ernest, I am not against competition and fully appreciate and understand bonuses in businesses and industries like sales. Monetary bonuses certainly encourage people to work hard, and I am not talking about those. I have attended a few awards ceremonies and received a few in my time, and frankly was embarrassed by the attention. I feel best when someone at work, or someone I have dealings with, says thanks or says they appreciate my efforts.

By jim d

October 20, 2006 02:39 PM | Link to this

Ernest,

Here’s a hell of a thought.

Why not have a “weighted measure” Parents vote 30% Test Scores 35% Prior Student vote 18% Teaching peers vote 12% Current student vote 5%

Requiring a minimum average test score in the class of say around 80% and a 2/3 majority on all voting issues.

In other words allow the consumer to decide if they’ve recieved any value.

By Janine

October 20, 2006 02:41 PM | Link to this

jimdOf course,you’re right..and I totally in favor of your JIMMY D’S SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN… and there is no contest as far as medals, plaques, certificates, vs. money…or trips or airline tix,,,But there is so little of the valuable incentives [tix, trips, money] to go around that choosing one teacher or even a few teachers in a school to receive these little bonuses sometimes causes really bad feelings. HOw are the recipients to be chosen? DId one teacher’s class improve more because she worked harder, was a better teacher, or because she had more willing students and involved parents. OR why did the principal[s] choose a particular teacher and not another…It is very difficult to choose the best in our profession.

By jim d

October 20, 2006 02:48 PM | Link to this

Ernest,

Understand That I do see one huge flaw in my plan. We’d have to come up with a real test instead of the bogus ones we currently use.

By jim d

October 20, 2006 02:54 PM | Link to this

Bad feelings amongst teachers, Janine?

Surely you jest! They are all professionals—remember?

By Jim in Marietta

October 20, 2006 03:05 PM | Link to this

I think teachers should be given gold stars if their work is up to par. In fact all the other wonderful motivation techniques that have been applied in the public school system over the years must be good enough for the teachers if it’s good enough for the students.

By OldSchool

October 20, 2006 03:25 PM | Link to this

Over my 33 years I’ve gotten plenty of plaques mostly for “doing stuff” like hand-calligraphy on athletic and band certificates and various graphic designs for various items: t-shirts, signs, posters, community projects. They sure do fill up some boxes!

The certificates I am the most proud of are the ones from honor grads who named me an “Honored Teacher” and most especially my “Star Teacher” certificate. Never in my wildest dreams did I think any student would confer upon me such an honor! Vocational instructors seldom get potential honor graduates in their classes. Those precious certificates are on my wall because they mean the world to me.

Aside from those, the most appreciated “awards” I get are the simple “Thank you! I really appreciate you!”s I get from my fellow teachers who really mean it. I would move heaven and earth for them.