Ruminations from a Winding Career
Viewing comments for Chapter 12 "Professional Development"Thoughts from almost 50 years
10 total reviews
Comment from Jennifer L Newcomb
This world is changing at a fast pace. Most can't keep up with the never ending demands that are set in place to help with this transistion of human life. It is anyone's guess how much more will be demanded up ahead. My heart is anguished and screams for our future descendants. How will they be educated truth of history with so much schooling of the present happening. It is almost as if every living condition or activity in the world has division within it all. How good and fruitful can that be? We all need to appreciate all those that are sacrificing much of their time to be equipped for the challenges daily. Thank you for your time and for caring!
reply by the author on 19-Mar-2021
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This world is changing at a fast pace. Most can't keep up with the never ending demands that are set in place to help with this transistion of human life. It is anyone's guess how much more will be demanded up ahead. My heart is anguished and screams for our future descendants. How will they be educated truth of history with so much schooling of the present happening. It is almost as if every living condition or activity in the world has division within it all. How good and fruitful can that be? We all need to appreciate all those that are sacrificing much of their time to be equipped for the challenges daily. Thank you for your time and for caring!
Comment Written 18-Mar-2021
reply by the author on 19-Mar-2021
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Thanks so much for this very meaningful review, Jennifer. I, too, fear for the generation that is in elementary school, in particular. Jan
Comment from Wendy G
I found this insight very relevant, (although our schools only missed six weeks or so of face to face learning), because it gives me insight and understanding as to just how hard it is for all of the students and teachers in other countries. You are all doing an amazing job, in the midst of enormous challenges. Thanks for sharing.
reply by the author on 08-Mar-2021
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I found this insight very relevant, (although our schools only missed six weeks or so of face to face learning), because it gives me insight and understanding as to just how hard it is for all of the students and teachers in other countries. You are all doing an amazing job, in the midst of enormous challenges. Thanks for sharing.
Comment Written 08-Mar-2021
reply by the author on 08-Mar-2021
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Thanks so much, Wendy. Jan
Comment from royowen
Thanks for sharing, apart from a few times last year due to viral outbreaks, the schools here have been pretty well uninterrupted since the pandemic began, although professional development is more sporadic, and about once a term here, the pandemic has been well handled. Well done Jan, blessings Roy
reply by the author on 08-Mar-2021
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Thanks for sharing, apart from a few times last year due to viral outbreaks, the schools here have been pretty well uninterrupted since the pandemic began, although professional development is more sporadic, and about once a term here, the pandemic has been well handled. Well done Jan, blessings Roy
Comment Written 08-Mar-2021
reply by the author on 08-Mar-2021
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Roy: We have two more tomorrow afternoon - thank goodness, I have an appointment with my eye doctor that will excuse me from them. Jan
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That?s good
Comment from barbara.wilkey
I have sat in professional development on numerous occasions where it was a complete waste of teachers time, especially when we all had important things we could be doing that would actually help students learn. Thank you for sharing.
reply by the author on 07-Mar-2021
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I have sat in professional development on numerous occasions where it was a complete waste of teachers time, especially when we all had important things we could be doing that would actually help students learn. Thank you for sharing.
Comment Written 06-Mar-2021
reply by the author on 07-Mar-2021
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Haven't we all? Thanks for reading. Jan
Comment from Elizabeth Emerald
Groan! Glad this ended on a positive note. RE the first session--points taken. Annoying and distracting indeed to hear background music, even if you enjoy it in normal contexts. Well done! Good luck.
reply by the author on 07-Mar-2021
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Groan! Glad this ended on a positive note. RE the first session--points taken. Annoying and distracting indeed to hear background music, even if you enjoy it in normal contexts. Well done! Good luck.
Comment Written 05-Mar-2021
reply by the author on 07-Mar-2021
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Exactly. the music was Circle of Life - one of my favorite Disney songs. Jan
Comment from blondie560
I feel your frustration with the meetings. I have listened to my daughter's rants through this school year. At the beginning of the year she was so frustrated with the meetings not being organized and one person not knowing what the other was supposed to be doing. The standard answer to questions was "we won't know till it happens", or "we'll look into it." She was so upset she wanted to quit for the first time in her career. But teachers do what administration can't and they work it out with their peers. In the second quarter of the year she had one boy with special needs come to in person learning, but she couldn't interact with him while the other students were virtual. She said it made no sense that he was there but she literally had to ignore him. Her school has had teachers in their classrooms since the start of the year. They now are on hybrid classes. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday some students are in class. Wednesday everyone is virtual. I don't know how she keeps it straight. I'm really frustrated with people cutting teachers and their unions down as to why kids aren't back in school. Every teacher I know has wanted their kids in school since day one. But teachers are not expendable, so without proper precautions you can't have a school with over 3000 students just act like it's a normal day. Teachers, janitors, bus drivers, cafeteria workers and other staff are people too that can get sick, bring it home to loved ones, or in the worst cases die. Teachers are always the scapegoats for tax payers. Our school districts are almost completely reliant on the community property taxes. Probably 2/3rds of our taxes go to the schools. So affluent suburbs have better schools to the poorer downstate communities. Chicago school district is its own little world. Our state contribution is a joke. And for three years it was held up by the governor and state legislature failure to settle the budget.
I wish you an abundance of patience as you navigate this new chapter.
reply by the author on 05-Mar-2021
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I feel your frustration with the meetings. I have listened to my daughter's rants through this school year. At the beginning of the year she was so frustrated with the meetings not being organized and one person not knowing what the other was supposed to be doing. The standard answer to questions was "we won't know till it happens", or "we'll look into it." She was so upset she wanted to quit for the first time in her career. But teachers do what administration can't and they work it out with their peers. In the second quarter of the year she had one boy with special needs come to in person learning, but she couldn't interact with him while the other students were virtual. She said it made no sense that he was there but she literally had to ignore him. Her school has had teachers in their classrooms since the start of the year. They now are on hybrid classes. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday some students are in class. Wednesday everyone is virtual. I don't know how she keeps it straight. I'm really frustrated with people cutting teachers and their unions down as to why kids aren't back in school. Every teacher I know has wanted their kids in school since day one. But teachers are not expendable, so without proper precautions you can't have a school with over 3000 students just act like it's a normal day. Teachers, janitors, bus drivers, cafeteria workers and other staff are people too that can get sick, bring it home to loved ones, or in the worst cases die. Teachers are always the scapegoats for tax payers. Our school districts are almost completely reliant on the community property taxes. Probably 2/3rds of our taxes go to the schools. So affluent suburbs have better schools to the poorer downstate communities. Chicago school district is its own little world. Our state contribution is a joke. And for three years it was held up by the governor and state legislature failure to settle the budget.
I wish you an abundance of patience as you navigate this new chapter.
Comment Written 05-Mar-2021
reply by the author on 05-Mar-2021
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blondie560: We cannot get all the kids to school because, in order to meet the social distancing rules, we can only bring 12 - 15 kids in on a 78 passenger bus. We surely do not have enough buses or drivers to make up for that. Thanks for your long review. Jan
Comment from GE Parson
I seldom rate a 6 level to any writings, but
as a fellow educator I was impressed with the details of your report and could readily see the professionalism you possess. I have been a party to a few conferences such as you describe; just seemingly thrown quickly together, and a waste of my time.
reply by the author on 05-Mar-2021
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I seldom rate a 6 level to any writings, but
as a fellow educator I was impressed with the details of your report and could readily see the professionalism you possess. I have been a party to a few conferences such as you describe; just seemingly thrown quickly together, and a waste of my time.
Comment Written 05-Mar-2021
reply by the author on 05-Mar-2021
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GE Parson:
Thank you, again, for this six-star rating. Jan
Comment from Alcreator Litt Dear
This Chapter of the Commentary and Philosophy Non-Fiction or Essay speaks informatively and expressively, easy said about professional development sessions; well done; thanks for sharing this. ALCREATOR
reply by the author on 05-Mar-2021
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This Chapter of the Commentary and Philosophy Non-Fiction or Essay speaks informatively and expressively, easy said about professional development sessions; well done; thanks for sharing this. ALCREATOR
Comment Written 05-Mar-2021
reply by the author on 05-Mar-2021
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Thanks so much, Alcreator. Jan
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
That was really interesting. We in the UK, have had similar problems, and it is difficult to get everyone do their bit in an orderly way. The children become more confused, and it can end in chaos. School returns here on the 8th March, every child will be returning. For how long, we shall have to see. Fingers crossed it goes well without further covid outbreaks. :) Sandra xxx
I was born in Ipswich Suffolk in the UK. It seems funny reading Suffolk in the US. :))
reply by the author on 05-Mar-2021
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That was really interesting. We in the UK, have had similar problems, and it is difficult to get everyone do their bit in an orderly way. The children become more confused, and it can end in chaos. School returns here on the 8th March, every child will be returning. For how long, we shall have to see. Fingers crossed it goes well without further covid outbreaks. :) Sandra xxx
I was born in Ipswich Suffolk in the UK. It seems funny reading Suffolk in the US. :))
Comment Written 05-Mar-2021
reply by the author on 05-Mar-2021
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I visited Ipswich, Suffolk in December 1997 with my daughter, who was a junior in high school. Suffolk, Ipswich is Suffolk, VAs sister city and I went as an ambassador from our school system to that school system. It was quite the trip. Jan
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That must have been fun. Is your Ipswich much differernt to mine? I was actally born in Shotley. just outside Ipswich. It was all navel in those days. We had all the war ships and submarines docked at Shotley, and it had the navel school there.
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We don't have an Ipswich. We just have a 403 square acre city; however, we have lots of lakes and rivers and are only about 40 minutes from the Atlantic Ocean.
Comment from Jannypan (Jan)
Some teachers, Jan, are the worst participants at in-service. I have seen many grading papers and knitting/crocheting during the presentation. I know your situation is way different. I'm happy that you let them know in a professional way the contrast between the two sessions. ALL presenters should be focused and ready to go in a seamless fashion. They should ALL be dressed like they were teaching a 'regular' schedule--no casual Fridays. You did a great job with this ;story.' Thanks for sharing. Best wishes for the rest of your school year,
Respectfully, Jan
reply by the author on 05-Mar-2021
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Some teachers, Jan, are the worst participants at in-service. I have seen many grading papers and knitting/crocheting during the presentation. I know your situation is way different. I'm happy that you let them know in a professional way the contrast between the two sessions. ALL presenters should be focused and ready to go in a seamless fashion. They should ALL be dressed like they were teaching a 'regular' schedule--no casual Fridays. You did a great job with this ;story.' Thanks for sharing. Best wishes for the rest of your school year,
Respectfully, Jan
Comment Written 05-Mar-2021
reply by the author on 05-Mar-2021
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Thanks so much, Jan. Jan