tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4718514650634739931.post845818336514488857..comments2023-08-29T11:00:10.512-04:00Comments on Mr. B-G's Blog: Losing [His] FacultiesMr. B-Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00628569059610320379noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4718514650634739931.post-18037603150473823392007-08-10T12:52:00.000-04:002007-08-10T12:52:00.000-04:00I think having a functional working relationship w...I think having a functional working relationship with one's administration is a big key to enjoying -- and being effective -- in your job. I worry sometimes that these books set new teachers up to view principals as the enemy.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10922244604362491254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4718514650634739931.post-34652464332780471472007-08-09T22:09:00.000-04:002007-08-09T22:09:00.000-04:00Mr.B-G -- excellent recommendation! I picked up th...Mr.B-G -- excellent recommendation! I picked up the book yesterday (which was quite a feat -- 3 local supersized bookstores didn't carry it) and am halfway through tonight. I have to admit that Halpin's story makes me uneasy as a future teacher (particularly how hard it seems for an English Teacher to find a job), but many truths resound with me -- especially stuff about his students.<BR/>I have to say that I think Halpin's negative relationship with his administration and colleagues greatly affects the way he sees education as a whole. I certainly hope this is not the norm! I see a lot of myself in Haplin.EnglishTeacherMehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12009243006121165703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4718514650634739931.post-21040395041641012692007-08-09T20:50:00.000-04:002007-08-09T20:50:00.000-04:00I too view my principals as partners, although I a...I too view my principals as partners, although I am still cognizant of the power they have, and do my best to show my respect for it.<BR/><BR/>I would say that the relationship and rapport I've developed with my school's administrative team is one of the reasons I really enjoy and feel comfortable teaching at my school.<BR/><BR/>For the most part I trust their vision and even agree with the majority of their decisions! Alas, this type of professional relationship would probably seem foreign to Halpin. One begins to wonder, how much of Hapin's negative experience can be attributed to him vs. his working conditions.<BR/><BR/>As for the hat rule in Halpin's situation, I don't think the rule was ever articulated to him, thus he was unable to elucidate his students...Mr. B-Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00628569059610320379noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4718514650634739931.post-76891709945121900802007-08-09T18:56:00.000-04:002007-08-09T18:56:00.000-04:00I view my principals as my partners, not my enemie...I view my principals as my partners, not my enemies. Is that unusual?<BR/><BR/>What was stopping him from explaining the reasoning for the rules to his kids? Our hat rule derives from a particular bullying incident in the school, and I tell the kids the story. I write detentions for cells because they're just as rude in my classroom as they are in a restaurant, a movie theater, etc. I encourage them to use ipods, etc. when writing (my principals don't particularly care, but I made a big deal about them not saying anything so that it seems like they're getting away with something) The kids have to drink or they'll dehydrate, but no food because it grosses me out when roaches jump out of the portfolio boxes.<BR/><BR/>Last year I read a book called Teachers Have It Easy that I thought was very on target. The authors interviewed teachers who had left and teachers who have stayed. It did a good job laying out the pay issues and working conditions that make teaching difficult. FWIW, I think many corporate environments are more poisonous than schools.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10922244604362491254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4718514650634739931.post-27006181720344741652007-08-08T14:12:00.000-04:002007-08-08T14:12:00.000-04:00I'm going to have to purchase this book as well. T...I'm going to have to purchase this book as well. The only other teaching narrative I've read is Teacher Man by McCourt. This one sounds like a great read as well. Thanks!Dr Pezzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09160506091556539766noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4718514650634739931.post-18585727577512540602007-08-08T12:31:00.000-04:002007-08-08T12:31:00.000-04:00Englishtecherme - Hey, you're welcome. I'd be inte...Englishtecherme - Hey, you're welcome. I'd be interested to hear your thoughts once you're done. Good luck with student teaching!<BR/><BR/>Happychyck - I hear what you are saying about teaching, publishing, and "escaping." I say all the power to whomever decides to attempt this. I say this because I think we need as much publicity as we can get from those who are in the know.<BR/><BR/>Despite many of the wonderful things that occur within the confines of a school building, there are a surprising number of inane occurrences too. <BR/><BR/>Maybe once the parents and taxpayers have a better understanding of what can go on, they can join the new wave of educators in meaningful reform of a system that, quite frankly, is failing those it is intended to serve.Mr. B-Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00628569059610320379noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4718514650634739931.post-65596401872255413572007-08-08T10:18:00.000-04:002007-08-08T10:18:00.000-04:00Great, now I'm going to have to read the book :) I...Great, now I'm going to have to read the book :) It sounds interesting -- different than the warm fuzzy books I've had to read as an education major. Thanks for the tip -- I'm going to the bookstore today.EnglishTeacherMehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12009243006121165703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4718514650634739931.post-85911194844930308772007-08-08T00:01:00.000-04:002007-08-08T00:01:00.000-04:00Ha! I found this book as I was unpacking boxes tod...Ha! I found this book as I was unpacking boxes today. I'd forgotten I had it still, but I did recall that is was the specific book that broke me from reading anymore stories about classroom experiences--sugary or cynical. It's not that I didn't enjoy or relate to his book. I truly did. It's that on those bad days when I don't want to teach anymore, I get mad that there are so many others who have already written books (plus escaped education and made money?)with stories very much like my own. ;-) I should find comfort in the common reality, though, shouldn't I? Guess on those days I'm too bitter! BTW, the quotes you pulled are great. Spot on!HappyChyckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00586840416488114845noreply@blogger.com