By KA

November 28, 2006 08:18 AM | Link to this

Welcome Bridget! Patti has set the stage, and I look forward to you taking over the lead role. We are a diverse group, opinionated and passionate, but well meaning for the most part. I have enjoyed the personal touch that Patti put on her blog topics and in her responses to us, and I hope you will do the same. Good Luck!

By luvs2teach

November 28, 2006 08:25 AM | Link to this

Ditto KA’s comments - welcome!

By Jeff

November 28, 2006 09:06 AM | Link to this

Bridgett:

Welcome!

A question: Did that article ever appear in the paper? I looked for it and never saw it!

:)

Have fun!

By Ernest

November 28, 2006 09:33 AM | Link to this

Welcome aboard Bridget! I also want to echo Karen’s comments. I’m looking forward to more interesting topics for the GetSchooled community of bloggers.

By jim d

November 28, 2006 10:21 AM | Link to this

Bridget,

Welcome home sweetie, (non-condescending) I add this because some folks on this blog think I’m an egotistical, smart-ask, sorry sob.)——— Who knows they could be correct.

What you will discover over time is that yes I too am opinionated, passionate and involved in the educational process as a parent and children’s advocate with a deep disregard for the management of the largest school system in the state.

None the less, I welcome you to what we hope becomes your new home away from home, and that you soon look upon us all (the good, the bad, and the ugly) as your extended family.

As for a topic? How about considering the accusations on this blog? And why the AJC continues to ignore the story?

http://gcps.blogspot.com/

Happy blogging Dear.

By Jim Dummond

November 28, 2006 10:24 AM | Link to this

Why has the AJC not investigated or reported on this blog site and the alleged corruption in Gwinnett County Schools. The schools are contributing computers, money and the services of employees to Gwinnett Christian Churches.

What about the separation of Church and State in public education!

The teachers in Gwinnett County have formed the White Rose Society to stop Mr. Wilbanks mismanagement of Gwinnett classrooms does this merit a story.

This site was front page news in The Gwinnett Daily Post last week.

Please click on this website and review it and please leave your comments! Welcome aboard here is a story to get you on a solid start…

http://gcps.blogspot.com/

Thanks, Jim

By jim dumond

November 28, 2006 10:49 AM | Link to this

Just for the record,

The post above is not —- nor was it ever mine.

While I may agree with the imposter that this story and accusations warrant investigation, I thoroughly despise anyone posting as me.

Use your own damn name or come up with an alias!! or at least learn to spell my name correctly

By JustMe

November 28, 2006 11:47 AM | Link to this

Welcome to the blog! I look forward to your insight using your unique experiences and background.

I do wonder why your “beat” did not include the DeKalb school system (since it is the largest) or any of the others in the area.

Here is a blog idea….. a discussion on how to increase parental involvement with their kids and their school. Studies have shown that involved parents increase student performance. However, there are many school districts where parents are no-shows. What can or what should be done? Should there be a State law requiring a parent/guardian to attend at least one teacher conference per year? Any ideas?

By Janine

November 28, 2006 12:17 PM | Link to this

Welcome, Ms. G.…Look forward to your leadership and input on the blog. I also wonder why the AJC seems to avoid controversial education topics…and even when they write something, they tippy toe around the real issues and never seem to ask the hard questions [and press for answers ] of the big whig educrats in the county offices. I have asked individual reporters about this and they always seem to blame their editors.

By Lisa B.

November 28, 2006 12:17 PM | Link to this

Hi, Bridget! I have spoken with you on the phone in the past. My impression of you and your background make me very comfortable welcoming you to this blog.

By jim dumond

November 28, 2006 12:18 PM | Link to this

Just me,

Here’s a thought to add to yours.

If making PT meetings mandatory lets make it mandatory that teachers be responsive and positive towards parents concerns.

Whatta think?

By catlady

November 28, 2006 12:49 PM | Link to this

On the topic of parent involvement, don’t I remember that several years ago a county in the N. Ga mtns. had 9th grade parents sign an agreement that had to do with involvement? As I recall, the idea was to cut the dropout rate. Anyone know what became of that?

Seems like to me there should be basic, minimum requirements for showing up and responding (or even initiating!) contacts with the school.

By catlady

November 28, 2006 12:50 PM | Link to this

Oops, let me be clear—by 9th grade parents, I mean parents of 9th graders. We have far too many of the others up here as it is!

By Blue_Kolla

November 28, 2006 02:06 PM | Link to this

@ The Real Jim Being impersonated ha? LOL

JustMe ;)

Don’t know about yoll, but I’d just like to find a Catholic school where the Nuns still put wood to behinds.

By b. white

November 28, 2006 02:19 PM | Link to this

What do you think about CRCT, NCLB and all the testing involved. Not only does my school give the tests that count, but now they are giving practice tests and mock tests for writing assessment, CRCT, ITBS, Springboard, etc. The list goes on and on. During October there were only a few days that did not involve testing the students. This is ridiculous!

By thomas

November 28, 2006 02:19 PM | Link to this

Bridget,

Welcome aboard!!!!

By b. white

November 28, 2006 02:22 PM | Link to this

test post

By jim dumond

November 28, 2006 02:36 PM | Link to this

blu kollar,

Fraid so.

While I may make insinuations, I rarely make an accusation I can’t back up.The fake me made some pretty serious ones.

Personally I’ve been to the blog in question and have seen the documentation posted there. However, I don’t take it as gospel. Nor do I pass judgement on that documentations authenticity. That my friend may well be a job for the courts.

By Janine

November 28, 2006 03:04 PM | Link to this

b.white I think most schools do all that practice testing. We had 3 or 4 practice sessions for the January writing test and numerous ones for the CRCT.

By Janine

November 28, 2006 03:04 PM | Link to this

b.white I think most schools do all that practice testing. We had 3 or 4 practice sessions for the January writing test and numerous ones for the CRCT.

By OldSchool

November 28, 2006 04:22 PM | Link to this

Hi, Bridget and welcome aboard! I’m sure Patti is leaving us in very capable hands.

I’m a 32 year veteran Engineering Drawing teacher down in the “below the Gnat Line” part of the state. I really enjoy the back and forth of this blog…even when it gets a bit rough. Everyone brings a different POV to the table and that is definitely food for thought. I’ve gotten a lot of useful information and hope I have offered a bit of good info myself.

Let the good times roll!

By Lisa B.

November 28, 2006 05:20 PM | Link to this

Last year our 5th grade students missed the hour-long reading class nearly 40 days due to testing, and practice testing. We wonder why kids can’t read on grade level.

By Jeff

November 28, 2006 06:10 PM | Link to this

Urgent (and completely off topic):

The Superintendent in my system has requested a personal meeting with me.

Has this EVER happened where a Super wants to meet directly with a current teacher? If so, is this a good thing or a bad thing?

By Heart

November 28, 2006 06:26 PM | Link to this

I sub regularly at a particular middle school. I certainly don’t get paid a Bill Gates salary but what I get is priceless. The meanist kids are the ones who have the most intimate conversations with me during homeroom time. I enjoy my job because I can actually be there for the teachers and the kids. I bring to the school a smile and positive words to say to every kid who takes the time to speak to me. Then there are THOSE days.

Sometimes it’s hard to think of something nice when I am the target of spitballs or a kid is a ring leader in bringing the class to a halt and making it unteachable, but it’s those kids who see me next time and want to talk. No matter how these kids treat me I will still be nice to them. I try to be consistant with my personality. It is my goal to be positive at all times but sometimes firm but loving.

My question to teachers or anybody else who has an answer for me is: Does my type of attitude really help or am I wasting my time trying to be nice to these kids? I really and truly like these people but it gets really old after a while when I feel like they gang up on me. Of course this only happens about twice a month or more around holidays but seem like more often when they take me to the end of my nerves. Do kids really, I mean REALLY know when an adult cares about them?

By OldSchool

November 28, 2006 06:56 PM | Link to this

Jeff, I’m guessing there are many reasons a superintendent might want to meet one on one with a teacher. Maybe it’s a “get to know you” meeting he does on a regular basis with the new folks. Maybe it’s a job offer in an area of your expertise that he might think you are better suited to. Maybe it’s to get you to do something. (I get a lot of that kind of meetings. I do evacuation and safety zone maps, signs, posters, additions to existing buildings, remodel study plans, etc.) Maybe you’re in the doghouse…some of your posts sound a tad scary. Maybe he’s paranoid enough to have the computer techs track everyone’s computer use and report on folks posting to blogs or checking email, or breathing out loud.

Could be good…could be not.

Good luck. Look him in the eye and be honest. You sound like a good guy and a very caring, knowledgeable teacher.

By luvs2teach

November 28, 2006 07:13 PM | Link to this

Jeff - I can’t say whether it’s a good or bad thing, but personally, I would be very nervous. I’ve never heard of that, but I’m in a much bigger system. I know you have struggled this year - is your blog persona known around school? I have no idea where you are, but others might.

Heart - do I know you? you sound like one of our regular subs - the kids love her, and she loves them in return, but they can be “challenging” every once and awhile. It’s in their nature to test the boundaries, but I wouldn’t let them walk all over you either.

By Jeff

November 28, 2006 07:28 PM | Link to this

Thanks OldSchool.

I’ve actually considered talking to him about changing me to Instructional Technology. My system has a TON of tech that isn’t used at all… much less effectively. It is possible that he will ask me to do so.

Paranoid is also possible, but I honestly doubt it. Two reasons: a) He has a LOT of power and knows it. b) So do I, and he knows it.

Wouldn’t doubt that I’ll at least get a slap on the wrist, I’ve made some wrong moves these past few months (particularly since the beginning of October), but I think I’ve learned from them. (Though it is STILL very rough.)

Only two things will really get my Irish up:

1) He tries to fire me.

2) He claims that I went about the tactical situations of the past few weeks incorrectly. NOTE HERE: I did some serious thinking over the break, and realized that I could have handled them better. I could have simply got administration involved and made it a very minimal issue. The way I responded took class time that I could have been using to teach. The kids realized this long before I did, and therefore I had more and more fights. (We all know - teachers anyway - that kids will do ANYTHING to avoid classwork!) That ended when I walked into class today. I’ve still got a few methods to deal with them, but they don’t take classtime….

By Jeff

November 28, 2006 07:41 PM | Link to this

Thanks OldSchool.

I’ve actually considered talking to him about changing me to Instructional Technology. My system has a TON of tech that isn’t used at all… much less effectively. It is possible that he will ask me to do so.

Paranoid is also possible, but I honestly doubt it. Two reasons: a) He has a LOT of power and knows it. b) So do I, and he knows it.

Wouldn’t doubt that I’ll at least get a slap on the wrist, I’ve made some wrong moves these past few months (particularly since the beginning of October), but I think I’ve learned from them. (Though it is STILL very rough.)

Only two things will really get my Irish up:

1) He tries to fire me.

2) He claims that I went about the tactical situations of the past few weeks incorrectly. NOTE HERE: I did some serious thinking over the break, and realized that I could have handled them better. I could have simply got administration involved and made it a very minimal issue. The way I responded took class time that I could have been using to teach. The kids realized this long before I did, and therefore I had more and more fights. (We all know - teachers anyway - that kids will do ANYTHING to avoid classwork!) That ended when I walked into class today. I’ve still got a few methods to deal with them, but they don’t take classtime….

By MMM

November 28, 2006 07:50 PM | Link to this

Bridget—welcome. I can’t remember if we’ve met. I am not a teacher, but I have two kids in a Dekalb county charter school—-the International Community School. To defend my school and some of the slightly loopy things we do there, over the last few years I have found myself dealing with the educational establishment here in Dekalb and multiple layers of DOE and the Legislature. I have an engineering and business improvement perspective that makes for some different methods and viewpoints—especialy as they relate to the almost full time volunteering I have done to try and get the school started.

By mark

November 29, 2006 08:24 AM | Link to this

how about a series of articles that breaks down where $9K (it is probably more but I did not want to overestimate) per student goes into one of the worst school systems in USA (ATL)? May be you can make a real difference in the students lives and future students lives!

If you won’t, no one else will.

Mark 770-720-4131

By MMM

November 29, 2006 09:55 AM | Link to this

Mark—-that would be quit an investigation. School funding and budgeting is especially and intentionally confusing.

It would probably hook quite nicely with the unveiling of the IE2 effort that has quietly been vetted waiting for Sonny to win again before it can be dropped into the legislature this session. But that is just the input—-the real output would tell an awful lot about power and priorities.

By OldSchool

November 29, 2006 12:30 PM | Link to this

Jeff, this much I have managed to learn: when called on to meet with anyone in power, I go “hat in hand” and humble of spirit. If I’m in trouble, I own up to my mistakes. If the mistake is not mine, I listen VERY CAREFULLY and take time to formulate a very professional response. If it’s a good thing, I still listen carefully and collect my roses with a smile and thank you.

I usually get in the doghouse with someone somewhere in the system…rightly or wrongly. I always let them speak their peace first and then I very quietly, making full eye contact, state my points. And I always admit when I’m wrong…even to my students.

Mind you, I’m not a pushover but sometimes I just stay quiet and let them think they have won. Then the next time they need me for something important, I’m usually far too busy to help.

By MomToTwo

November 29, 2006 06:12 PM | Link to this

Bridget, Welcome from another St. Mary’s grad (class of ‘87). Will never forget the duck pond, or walking through the graveyard to get to the beach. Wish I would have tried windsailing while I was there… MomToTwo (would rather not give my name here)