The recent budget that will surely be vetoed by Gov. Cooper did nothing to address specialties in elementary schools in next year’s budget. The fight over class size restriction and keeping the arts in elementary schools will heat up again. Many GOP state lawmakers seem quick to point out that classes such as art, dance, … Continue reading Another Reason the North Carolina General Assembly Should Fund Specialties in Elementary Schools
Author: caffeinatedrage
Dear Sen. Jerry Tillman, You Are Making Treebeard Very Angry and You Can’t Gerrymander Ents
Even before he dropped the gavel on the Senate Finance Committee meeting, Sen. Jerry Tillman, a notoriously cantankerous Republican from Randolph County, seemed to be in a particularly bad mood. He mumbled about being angry. He barked at audience to take their seats, lest he start selling tickets. And with eight bills to plow through — … Continue reading Dear Sen. Jerry Tillman, You Are Making Treebeard Very Angry and You Can’t Gerrymander Ents
Why Teachers Suck …
Rarely do I ever reblog anything, but as a public high school teacher in a state whose legislature is bent against public schools, I will gladly share with anyone.
A friend and I were grousing about ignorance run amok.
“Americans get their information from internet memes,” I laughed. “And in the true spirit of democracy, dullards who have never cracked a book will cancel the votes of people who actually have a clue. What could go wrong?”
“You know what the problem is?” Tim challenged. “Our country’s a mess because teachers suck.”
I bristled.
Although I’ve been out of the classroom for a number of years, once a teacher, always a teacher. Plus, I have family and friends still slugging it out in the trenches. I know their battles and the wounds they carry.
“Dude, do you know what teachers endure on a daily basis?” I asked Tim. I found that, no, he didn’t. I fear most Americans might be as clueless.
I emailed a former colleague (she’s two years from retirement) and asked one question: “How has education…
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Become An Ordained Teacher Online Now! – Sen. Chad Barefoot’s SB599
If you grew up in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, you might be familiar with a landmark television show called Northern Exposure which aired on CBS on Mondays during the 10 PM time slot. It was about a quirky, eccentric small Alaskan town called Cicely who had literally secured the services of an Ivy-League … Continue reading Become An Ordained Teacher Online Now! – Sen. Chad Barefoot’s SB599
The Interrogatophobia of Betsy DeVos – Or, The Secretary’s Kryptonite
Interrogatophobia – (noun) The fear of being asked a straightforward question This post is not to dissect the various times that Betsy DeVos has appeared before a congressional committee to comment on her impending confirmation or her policies for protecting all students under the umbrella of civil rights. As the leader of the nation’s public … Continue reading The Interrogatophobia of Betsy DeVos – Or, The Secretary’s Kryptonite
School is Never Really Over – Thinking of Sen. David Curtis and “Summer Vacations”
It is the first day of “summer vacation” and at this time of year I am reminded of the iconic response to a teacher’s letter back in 2014 by one Sen. David Curtis. It’s worth rereading for me at least because Sen. Davis Curtis’s response to Sarah Wiles literally started my foray into public school … Continue reading School is Never Really Over – Thinking of Sen. David Curtis and “Summer Vacations”
Where In The World Is State Superintendent Mark Johnson?
Last week ended the regular school year for at least many of us in the state who teach in traditional public schools and it was ironic to see that many teachers were having to wait until after "grade verification" deadlines passed before they could get test scores back from state and local entities. I understand. … Continue reading Where In The World Is State Superintendent Mark Johnson?
When a North Carolina Lawmaker Says, “Well, We Are Spending More on Education Than Ever Before,” Then Consider This
Say in 2008, a school district had 1000 students in its school system and spent 10 million dollars in its budget to educate them. That’s a 10,000 per pupil expenditure. Now in 2017, that same district has 1500 students and the school system is spending 11.5 million to educate them. That district is spending more … Continue reading When a North Carolina Lawmaker Says, “Well, We Are Spending More on Education Than Ever Before,” Then Consider This
Sen. Ralph Hise’s Huge, Humongous, Heaping Hummock of Hypocrisy and Hubris
“Gov. Cooper has no constitutional role in redistricting, and we have no order from the courts to redraw maps by his preferred timeline. This is a clear political stunt meant to deter lawmakers from our work on raising teacher pay, providing relief to the communities affected by Hurricane Matthew and putting money back into the … Continue reading Sen. Ralph Hise’s Huge, Humongous, Heaping Hummock of Hypocrisy and Hubris
A Thank You Letter to Graduates From a Middle-Aged Public High School Teacher
Dear Graduates, Tomorrow, I will be a part of what I believe will be my twentieth high school graduation as a teacher (student teaching included). And every year, it gets a little different, but for the right reasons. If I do the math correctly, I literally have had thousands of students come through my classrooms … Continue reading A Thank You Letter to Graduates From a Middle-Aged Public High School Teacher
caffeinated rage 