Peter Weller
@mrbg
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High school English & journalism teacher in year 21. Interested in authentic learning, intrinsic motivation, and student expression. Celtics fan. (he/him)
Western Massachusetts
Joined December 2007
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Teachers should not be assigned duties requiring them to monitor bathrooms or cafeterias. Any non-instructional time should be teacher-directed work time. Honor the work of educators, treat them like professionals, and allow them to actually do their jobs.
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Yesterday I taught five 55-minute classes and had one 55-minute prep. That's 83% of the day in front of Ss, with only 11 minutes to prepare for each class. If there's research that shows this schedule leads to the best educational outcomes for Ss, I'd love to see it.
#bfc530
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English teachers should have an additional prep period for reading and providing feedback on student writing. It takes over 8 hours for a writing teacher with 100 students to read and respond to a typical set of essays - and that's assuming only 5 minutes per essay.
#bfc530
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As an English teacher in 2023, my job has partially morphed into that of compliance officer. How can I get you to actually do the reading? How can I know this essay you submitted was not written by AI? How can I help you see the value in actually doing the work?
#bfc530
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The job of a public school teacher as currently constructed is unsustainable. The state of Massachusetts lost 10,000 teachers last year. People are no longer lining up at the door to do this work. Pay and working conditions must be improved if public ed is to survive.
#bfc530
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Our high school got rid of quarters five years ago. Instead we have rolling grades, which keeps a continuous average throughout the year. No more "end of quarter" last-ditch efforts to submit work. And because there is no "end," I can be more accommodating.
#bfc530
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@crozier_anne
The education profession is built on the backs of unpaid labor - or at least it was. People are realizing there are better opportunities that don't require them to work for free on their own time. Unless working conditions improve, education jobs will continue to go unfilled.
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@MarcusLuther6
@Mr_Rablin
I'm kind of leaning toward six word memoirs with sidewalk chalk. Gets us outside, gets us writing for an audience, gives us an opportunity to learn something about one another.
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If it were up to me, nothing would be graded in my classroom. In my experience, grades serve as a detriment to learning. Practice, feedback, and reflection are what result in real growth and improvment. And failure. We must normalize and honor the role of failure.
#bfc530
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@UKCrazyCatLady
And this is tragic and wrong. I'd much rather my daughters' elementary teachers have time to build on their instructional expertise and plan engaging lessons. It is a misallocation of taxpayer dollars to have professional educators monitoring bathrooms.
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@heymrsbond
For me, it's time. The days when I teach 5 classes in 3 content areas with only 1 hour of prep time are brutal. I have a class, then prep, then classes back to back to back to back with only 4 minutes transition time between periods. There's no time to take a breath.
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@VernAtKagan
@robertjmarzano
Research shows that downtime is essential for learning. Not sure where this "all day every day all the time everyone" mentality comes from, but it's neither realistic nor healthy.
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@MadisonPayton2
Administrators are the educational leaders of a school. They should have sufficient classroom experience. That being said, our current principal has a background in guidance and counseling and is absolutely crushing it. Sometimes, the right person is just the right person.
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@SustainTeaching
Take a look at how most districts run PD and that will give you the first piece of your answer. So many potential opportunities for learning end up feeling like mandates "done to" practitioners, rather than authentic opportunities for meaningful growth that honor educator voice.
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@FaithfulMentor
This workload certainly does not seem equitable when compared with colleagues who do not have to assign, read, and respond to such volumes of student writing. If the district wants you to do it, the district needs to give you time in your workday for it.
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@EDUwithEmily
That question requires time to consider so it can be answered thoughtfully. I wonder what admin actually IS able to take off your plates. Perhaps teachers are skeptical because the fundamental changes that are needed can't be accomplished in one afternoon faculty meeting.
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@carlosbaggage28
Does this unnecessarily create a false dichotomy? Teachers' working conditions are, after all, students' learning conditions. I'd prefer an analogy that fosters togetherness and illustrates our shared purpose. Teaching and learning is a cooperative endeavor.
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@charaharris79
Agreed. But that does not mean teachers must be staffed outside bathrooms or inside cafeterias. That's a misalignment of professional resources. Staff those positions with instructional aides and provide educators with time to actually design lessons and assess student learning.
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@robertjmarzano
@Salem_Principal
Ah, but teachers are not omnipotent. And students are not pawns to be controlled. Ask my students' guidance counselors about why some of them are, at times, inattentive and unengaged. I think you'd find their perspectives enlightening.
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@WTBOTTCast
I would love to start at 8:00. Heck, I'd gladly take 7:45. But my actual start time of 7:23? No thank you. Students are zombies first period. I legitimately feel bad they have to be there so early. It's definitely not in the best interest of their education.
#startschoollater
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@mrosvhs
@SteeleThoughts
Love this idea. Hire a permanent building sub who reports every day. Give each teacher one work day per quarter. That would be a fantastic investment that could yield real benefits for students.
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@Mr_Rablin
We do a community circle question at the beginning of each class Tuesday-Friday. On Monday we do peaks and valleys, something I borrowed from
@MonteSyrie
, who calls it smiles and frowns. Taking the time to show your interest in students' lives lets them know you care.
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@MartinOdimaJr
It's an ongoing process for me. One period I think I'm on solid ground and the next I'm searching for bearings. The job has a way of keeping you humble. I also think that if you're doing it right you're constantly tweaking and adapting to meet the needs of your students.
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@kasal_finley
Love the inspired leadership there. Let's take an already flawed in-person system and replicate it digitally...
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@kasal_finley
"Placed in their proper racial context, the Teach Like A Champion techniques can read like a modern-day version of the Hampton Idea, where children of color are taught not to challenge authority under the supervision of a wealthy, white elite."
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@srstolz
@AfroFranco2
Yes. It's so presumptuous. "Students will be able to," as if by decree you can make it so, at the moment of your choosing. The reality is some students may already be able to, while others may need more time. Also, SWBAT does little for student agency.
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@EDUCarboNEK
That's a big step. I'm sure it was not easy. I'd be lying if I said I haven't dusted off my resume and thought about other possibilities. Unless you're in the classroom every day, you don't know. Which is why it's essential the powers that be truly listen to those doing the work.
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@Drlsemperscott
My contract provides for less than an hour of prep time each day. Sliced five ways, it's about 11 minutes per class - nowhere near enough time to do everything the job entails. The message is that teachers need more contractual prep time.
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@hilarym99
Too bad those "assistants" can earn more working at Target or Burger King than they can at most public schools.
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@alicekeeler
I like the PTO days with no need for a designation and no blackout dates. This is something that more unions should bargain for in their contracts.
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@coachdavidgreen
The majority of "textbook" companies are now digital. And there's a different level of focus and comprehension required to read a novel than this tweet.
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@abbeydick
Teacher prep periods are so short because there aren't enough staff to provide coverage for sufficient planning, grading, feedback, and collaboration time. Hiring additional teachers would help us move closer to a more desirable 75% "on" 25% "off" ratio.
#bfc530
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The education system is built on the backs of unpaid labor, and we're at a crisis. Enrollment is educator prep programs is at historic lows. Talented professionals know they can find more pay and better working conditions in other fields. Systemic changes are needed.
#bfc530
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@Tom_Newkirk
Absolutely. Which is why the experience and judgement of veteran educators is an invaluable resource that must be respected and honored.
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@Mick06340623
Ask them to provide you with peer-reviewed research that shows posting learning targets in the form of "I can" statements improves student learning outcomes. If they can't generate such evidence, then they don't have much of a leg to stand on.
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I suppose the question to ask is why are excellent teachers - or teachers, period - being forced to teach "programs?" Now, more than ever, students need inspired educators who know their craft and are empowered to create authentic, meaningful learning situations.
#bfc530
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@spencerideas
I've been a public school teacher for 20 years and have ALWAYS been grateful for any gift or recognition received from students. The same can be said for all of my wonderful colleagues. As I'm not on TikTok, I haven't seen those videos; are you sure they're actually teachers?
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@MrNunesteach
Data walls and the red yellow green light punitive discipline system that utilizes public shaming have got to be up there.
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Kind of discouraged to see so many educators latching onto the idea of rewards (including money and pizza) in exchange for grades or student performance. Research shows that extrinsic incentives yield diminishing returns. Let's stop bribing children.
#motivation
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@EDHotTakes
@sage_stage
I'd take a teacher in jeans with a strong lesson plan over a teacher in khakis with a mediocre lesson plan every single day. My own principal wears jeans and guess what? I respect her because she's thoughtful, compassionate, and wants what's best for students and teachers.
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In answering the question what gets graded, we need to ask what's the purpose of grades. Do they measure what students know and can do? Do they assess executive functioning? Compliance and hoop jumping? All of the above? And do they really measure, or do they rank & sort?
#bfc530
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When designing rubrics, categories like "advanced" and "exceeds expectations" become superfluous when the performance standard is sufficiently articulated. In this way, the standard is either met, or it's not. There is no "beyond the standard."
#rubrics
#singlepoint
#masterychat
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Imagine actually treating teachers like professionals and giving them time to work.
@DrBradJohnson
Here in America, not only do we give teachers little time to plan during the school day, but anytime there is a day without school we expect staff to sit in meetings all day long. Time to wake up and smell the coffee. No wonder why no one wants to go into this profession.
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@mattpieco
@cultofpedagogy
Great strategy. Make parents stakeholders and involve them in the conversation - which was initiated by the student! Out of curiosity, if a student refuses or simply fails to send the email, do you still accept the work?
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@MarcusLuther6
Yes. Absolutely. But the system has been built on the backs of unpaid labor. It normalizes sacrifice by perpetuating the super teacher myth while masking the disillusionment and burnout that comes after. We need to pay teachers more and hire more of them to do the work.
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For the last two years I've worked at trying to cut down the amount of "fake reading" by assigning less busy work and giving students more opportunities for authentic discussions (see
@MarisaEThompson
for ideas on that). It's an ongoing process.
#bfc530
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Students are so saturated with technology and overbooked with screen time that I'm actively looking to find ways to go analog here in 2024. Tech tools have a place, but so do notebooks, journals, mini whiteboards, movement activities, and face-to-face conversations.
#bfc530
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@MaireCervenak
There can be give and take, but it's a slippery slope. You can allow them for academic purposes, but as soon as they get a Snap, they're focused on replying. Smartphones are the new cigarettes, as
@IAmMarkManson
says, filling the air with attention pollution.
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@MissNikkiIn5th
I'm not keen on the "publicness" of this. It definitely puts student privacy at risk, and immediately invites students to compare their mental well-being with their classmates'.
I prefer something more along the lines of the "Just So You Know Form":
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@NicholasFerroni
One of the great tragedies of education is that the further away from the classroom one gets, the more money one makes.
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@Mrneilhistory
@H1story_7eacher
Exactly. If this is an admin priority, admin needs to give you time to do it. And if they can't give you the time, then they need to remove other obligations from your plate.
As an aside, this is terribly burdensome and reeks of micromanagement/poor leadership.
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@susangbarber
Being removed from school can be a good time to think about school - but in a sort of whimsical way. I'll curate materials I might want to use or make a note of something I'd like to try, but I don't do any hardcore planning. It's more of a dalliance.
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A great opportunity for teachers to double down on authentic writing assignments that encourage Ss to write in a variety of genres and forms. Writing can be both analytical and personal. It can incorporate research and narrative. And it should always help Ss find their voice.
Possibly long thread on why GPT3 algorithm proficiency at producing fluent, correct-seeming prose is an exciting opportunity for improving how we teach writing, how students learn to write, and how this can also benefit profs who assign writing, but don't necessarily teach it.
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Cross curricular opportunities - in the rare instances when they happen - are few and far between. The structure of our school day does not allow for different content teachers to even talk with each other, let alone actually collaborate on a lesson or unit.
#bfc530
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@DrBradJohnson
And if you're adding something and actually want it done and done well, then you have to take away something that's comparable in effort and time.
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@rebelmusicteach
My students are earnest, kind, and curious; my colleagues are compassionate, competent, and supportive; my building administrators embrace servant leadership; and the work continues to be important and meaningful.
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@ZBauermaster
Like others said, there are logistical reasons for why principals should be able to park close to the entrance. But do you know who else should have their own spots? Paraprofessionals - the unsung heros of every school district. Pay them more and give 'em plum parking.
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@EmilyAPaschall
Out of curiosity, are they being compensated for setting up their rooms over the summer?
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Drunk on magical realism and exaggerated promises of the 'digital revolution,' schools are converting to computerized test-taking and screen-reading programs just as research is showing that old-fashioned paper is better for teaching children how to read.
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@DanBenson23812
Agree 100% with the second half of your statement. Not so much the first half. In my view there are better places to do this than the bathroom and cafeteria, including: sport events, clubs, field trips, community service, plays, open mics, talent shows, and musical performances.
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@susangbarber
Here in Massachusetts, remote learning is not allowed. Roughly 20% of students at my high school were absent last week. I'm not sure what our strategy is besides disassociate from reality, slide on our blinders, and trudge forward into the mire.
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I would be all in on a 4-day school week. The school day as constructed is hurried and rushed. We have 4 minutes - four! - between periods. That's not a transition. Brains just don't "switch" on command when faced with new environments & stimuli. More time would be great.
#bfc530
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@SteeleThoughts
Yeah, faculty are awesome, and often too selfless. When you take on a colleague's responsibilities - in addition to your own - you can't help but not be less effective. Your post speaks to the problem of providing sufficient sub coverage in our public schools.
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@MonteSyrie
I find the term "mastery" somewhat absurd. Do we ever really master anything? Even people at the pinnacle of their professions will tell you there's always more to learn and always something to tweak or improve. We would do well to foster a beginner's mindset with our students.
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@TeacherTired4
Yeah. That's a hard pass. My school tried that about 18 years ago. It didn't take admin long to realize there were more pressing issues worthy of our time and attention.
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Before I went to graduate school to get a teaching degree, I spent a year as a permanent building sub at a middle school. When there wasn't a teacher out, I worked as a one-on-one para. Going to classes and observing other teachers was invaluable experience.
#bfc530
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Good morning and happy Wednesday
#bfc530
. Peter, high school English teacher from Western Mass, who for a second day in a row is administering a multi-million dollar standardized test that will partially determine if students in our state can earn a high school diploma.
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@MrTravisDrake
I would much prefer to have students over a longer period of time and collaborate on interdisciplinary projects with my awesome colleagues.
#bfc530
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@pernilleripp
It's also a lot easier to correct a comma error than generate thoughtful feedback that shows you value the writer and their ideas.
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@HeyListenGames
The grind is unsustainable. Meaningful, systemic changes are necessary if public education is to bring the next generation of educators into the fold and hold on to those currently doing the work.
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@SteeleThoughts
And they've likely had excellent training, wonderful mentors, and a supportive administration that encouraged risk taking and meaningful collaboration.
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I'd love for us to take an honest look at how we're creating (or failing to create) a culture of reading by peddling the same texts our students' parents read when they were in high school. While we have made improvements, there's still a long way to go.
#DisruptTexts
#bfc530
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@kasal_finley
@cultofpedagogy
Wow. You have to hang lesson plans outside your door? I'd love to see the body of research that shows that practice supports student learning...
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