To Tenure or not...

There has been a lot of news lately about the tenure of teachers.  Does it create good or bad teachers?  One can find documentation in support of either pro or con.  New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is a proponent to remove teacher tenure. “Teaching can no longer be the only profession where you have no rewards for excellence, and no consequences for failure,” Gov. Christie told crowds earlier this year. I know I'm quoting a Republican.  Make no mistake, I can see both sides of the issue.  Perhaps there is some middle ground to protect teachers who might be ousted by over zealous school administrators to save the almighty dollar.  However, we all know or have had one bad teacher in our lives.  Nor do I believe a teacher should be let go based on a "bad" year.  Teachers will tell you classes differ from year to year; decade to decade.  But there must be a rubric developed to look at all aspects of teacher's ability to do their jobs to make an intelligent decision with regards to their continued positions.

Trisha Parks, a seventh-grade teacher at Cedar Park Middle School outside Portland with nearly 20 years experience, says the renewable contract system has worked for her.

“It keeps me accountable for my own learning,” Parks says. “It keeps me accountable for staying in top shape on the job. Doing the job, delivering the job. And then it keeps the principals accountable for measuring me.”

It would seem Oregon has come up with a evaluation system.

Does tenure provides too many ineffective teachers with job protection and makes firing bad teachers nearly impossible?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41956922/ns/nightly_news

next blog... learning styles

Tumbleweed

I renamed my blog from Ramblings to Tumbleweed... The official Wikipedia definition is:

A tumbleweed is the above-ground part of a plant that, once mature and dry, disengages from the root and tumbles away in the wind. Usually, the tumbleweed is the entire plant apart from the roots, but in a few species it is a flower cluster.^[1] The tumbleweed habit is most common in steppe and desert plants. The tumbleweed is a diaspore, aiding in dispersal of propagules (seeds or spores). It does this by scattering the propagules either as it tumbles, or after it has come to rest in a wet location.^[2] In the latter case, the tumbleweed opens mechanically as it absorbs water; apart from its propagules, the tumbleweed is dead.

What it didn't say is tumbleweeds also pick up things along their travels.  I feel like a tumbleweed most days... rolling from one thing to the next.

So today, Japan is devastated from a horrific earthquake and tsunami... We are all learning new terminology related to the events.  My heart pours out to the survivors as the story unfolds.

I got a new do today... actually got my haircut a little shorter and styled... I like it and I hope hubby likes it... life is not good when hubby is not happy.

Jessica has the stomach flu now and has pirated the TV... she is watching Cesar the Dog Whisperer.  I would rather continue watching the breaking news.

I had a goal of completing 10 small tasks during spring break... I've accomplished only one... hopefully will complete another here in a few minutes... After 18 years you would think I would quit setting hefty goals.  Then depression sets in because I didn't meet my goals.

Aries

March 21 - April 19

Aries is the first sign of the zodiac, and that's pretty much how those born under this sign see themselves: first. Aries are the leaders of the pack, first in line to get things going. Whether or not everything gets done is another question altogether, for an Aries prefers to initiate rather than to complete. Do you have a project needing a kick-start? Call an Aries, by all means. The leadership displayed by Aries is most impressive, so don't be surprised if they can rally the troops against seemingly insurmountable odds -- they have that kind of personal magnetism. An Aries won't shy away from new ground, either. Those born under this sign are often called the pioneers of the zodiac, and it's their fearless trek into the unknown that often wins the day. Aries is a bundle of energy and dynamism, kind of like a Pied Piper, leading people along with its charm and charisma. The dawning of a new day -- and all of its possibilities -- is pure bliss to an Aries.

The symbol of Aries is the Ram, and that's both good and bad news. Impulsive Aries might be tempted to ram their ideas down everyone's throats without even bothering to ask if they want to know. It's these times when you may wish Aries' symbol were a more subdued creature, more lamb than ram perhaps. You're not likely to convince the Ram to soften up; these folks are blunt and to the point. Along with those qualities comes the sheer force of the Aries nature, a force that can actually accomplish a great deal. Much of Aries' drive to compete and to win comes from its Cardinal Quality. Cardinal Signs love to get things going, and Aries exemplifies this even better than Cancer, Libra or Capricorn.

Aries is ruled by Mars. Taking a peek at Roman mythology, we find that Mars was the God of War. Our man Mars was unafraid to do battle, and much the same can be said for Aries. These folks are bold, aggressive and courageous. They can summon up the inner strength required to take on most anyone, and they'll probably win. Aries do not lack energy or vitality, and they can stay in the game longer than most anyone else. Now that's a winning edge. Rams are also, for the most part, independent and well aware of their own interests in a given situation. This sometimes myopic view may not be for everyone, but it does help Aries get things going. Further, their competitive natures ensure that they will play the game with zeal and vigor. At times, their approach may be construed as arrogant and domineering, but it takes a lot of focus to be a leader (or so an Aries would say). Sadly, Aries won't usually be around for the final victory (defeat? never). These folks will more than likely have bolted to the next project before the first one is done.

The element associated with Aries is Fire. Think action, enthusiasm and a burning desire to play the game. Aries love physicality, so they won't sit on the sidelines for long, if at all. They'll jump into the fray full force and will contribute much in the process. Talk about eager beavers! Sure, some of their decisions may later prove to have been hasty, but you'll never find an Aries who regretted taking a shot.

Making things happen is what it's all about to these folks. Aries are also unafraid of stepping onto new terrain. The challenge inherent in taking on the unknown is heaven on Earth for Rams. Sure, they may appear arrogant when they take on the world, but they'll be quick to tell you it's the only way to go. While a common Aries refrain might well be 'me first,' there's no point in arguing with them since, in their minds, they are first. Is this unbridled ego? Maybe, but that might be what it takes to blaze a new trail. Oh, and on the subject of arguing, it's the Ram who will have the last word, so save your breath.

Aries plays as hard as they work. These folks are happiest in a spirited soccer match or engaging in the martial arts. In the game of love, the Ram's ardor is unquestioned, although Aries can also be playful and romantic with their mate. With Aries ruling the head, face and brain, those born under this sign need to be on the lookout for headaches and are well-served to take the occasional deep breath. The Ram's color is bright red, a sure sign of the fire that breathes within.

The great strength of the Aries-born is in their initiative, courage and determination. These folks love to get things going and are fearless along the way. Their dynamism and competitive spirit add considerably to any of their endeavors.



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Question:  Does Aries match my personality?

It's a quarter after 3... and I can't sleep...

I'm thinking God has me awake at this hour for some reason.  So I thought I would try this blog thing.  I miss writing and also think this might be a way to save the world.  You're laughing, but you see, I am an Aries and I believe in such things.  So why do people blog?  Do they think their ideas are so superior that everyone wants to read about them?  Does anyone really read blogs?

Change
I'm at the age of change.  I won't bother you with the gorry details of night sweats, heart palpations, and sleepless nights... ohhhhh I did just bother you.  I'm not sure I want to be changed.  I like the old me... well, at least most of the time.  I'm not sure what the new me will be like.  I already know she won't be able to remember anything, will have trouble concentrating... and I'm hoping this sleep thing will go away.  But maybe I only need five hours of sleep and the rest of the time should be spent saving the world.

Opinions
You will find I am a very opinionated person. These opinions do not reflect my employer's opinion... or whatever that legal jargon is when newscasters have editorials.  My position probably sometimes should not voice opinions on certain issues... but how will I save the world if my opinions are not published?  You will find while I am opioninated, I try to look at all angles of any given subject.  As I 'change' I find my interests also change.  Or I should say they become deeper.

Unions
Tonight I think about the Wisconsin Government revoking the collective bargaining rights of state workers.  This is very personal to me.  Yes, I am pro union.  Let me explain why.  My great-grandfather moved here from A... see there goes the brain.  It's a country in Euorpe that begins with an 'A'.  I won't let that detail distract me from continuing.  He was a coal miner and fought in the coal mine wars of Christian County.  He fought for unionization so that all of us could have safe working conditions, fair wages, and equal treatment.  Just as soilders of the United States military fight for our freedom, my great-grandfather and grandfather fought for our safe employment.  While some unions might have gone rogue --- everything has a chance of going rogue.  Overall, without unions or the threat of unions, working conditions, wages and treatment will return to the days of... well, let's just say I don't think any of us would want to work in those conditions.

While I am not part of a union and many of us are not.  I still believe all the unions benefit us in our jobs.  Without unions or the threat of unions, the boss man (I believe that is what they used to call them) can pay you want ever they want, provide you will unsafe working conditions, and fire you without due process.  Those conditions are no longer pleasant, but they would be that way everywhere.  The boss man would be in charge and only looking out for his profit.  I saw today where 90% of the worlds socks are made in Japan (I think - once again details the brain can't keep) at a weekly wage of $100 compared to the same US wage of $500 or something comparative.  Without Unions ... we could be the next Japan.

Politics
This brings me to the GOP vs. Democratic Party.  The GOP can campaign for change and the middle class, but once elected we can see that they vote along party lines... example Wisconsin.  Some say that it's not a GOP/Democratic thing, that we are all in this together.  However, I believe history will show most votes go along party lines which fall back to the parties primary beliefs.  Quite simply, those beliefs are GOP equals rich, Democratic equals everyone else.  Enough politics.

Education
As I drove my granddaughter to HeadStart today 17 miles away from her home (34 round trip) - usually a bus takes her, I wondered if this was the best use of education dollars being spent on gas?  My daughter choose the federally funded HeadStart program over the sometimes state funded Pre-K program to ensure my granddaughter had an early education.  These programs are dire for the future of America.  I think the rationale of why my granddaughter or anyone must attend 17 miles from home should be investigated.

But, on the other hand, I am a proponent of school consolidation.  YIKES... I know I said it!  Being in education, I always ask myself - how does this benefit the students?  When small schools are struggling with giving students a solid basic (Reading, Writing and Arithmetic) curriculum, how can they hope to provide advanced opportunities?  Many states have county schools and I would like to research if students in these schools perform better or worse that students in neighborhood schools.  I still believe in neighborhood schools for K-6.  I also think year round school should be researched.  The nine month school year was devised at a time when students needed to help on their family farms... that was a long time ago... perhaps the education system should get with the 21st century.  Just sayin' - I don't have all the answers, just putting some ideas out there to the world or who ever reads blogs.  So much research so little time.

Final Thoughts
I hope I can go back to sleep soon... five hours just doesn't feel right.  I welcome your thoughts....