Ok, so this isn't a word from my sponsor, it's just some
Apparently, since I've been on maternity leave, my super
smart (and often smart ass) colleague has taken it upon
himself to champion the fight against charter schools.
Although I'm a public school teacher, I've always believed in
choice - that is, until I voted Governor Christie into office and he
began to promote his own fiscal agenda under the guise of "choice"
for our families and then inferred that because I belong to a union,
I am "selfish, self-interested, greedy" and "care
more about putting money in [my] own pocket, and
the pockets of members, than [I] care about
educating our most vulnerable and needy children".
more about putting money in [my] own pocket, and
the pockets of members, than [I] care about
educating our most vulnerable and needy children".
Ever since Christie launched his attack on NJ public school
teachers, I've felt a fool for falling for his campaign bullshit
and have been more diligent in my efforts to determine the truth
behind his rhetoric. Since school vouchers are his weapon of
choice for his latest attack on public education, I feel it's
important to understand their impact on public schools.
teachers, I've felt a fool for falling for his campaign bullshit
and have been more diligent in my efforts to determine the truth
behind his rhetoric. Since school vouchers are his weapon of
choice for his latest attack on public education, I feel it's
important to understand their impact on public schools.
The more I read and think about charter schools,
the more I'm inclined to agree with my friend Dave.
In theory, charter schools appear a good idea because they
afford choice to communities with failing public schools.
Unfortunately, that choice serves only to band-aid these
failing schools while they continue to fester under its cover.
to check out his latest side project, a blog devoted solely to the subject.
And if you're not interested in education and would prefer
like I said, he's a smart guy but for many, it's his smart
ass comments that make him truly loveable.
*I apologize for the formatting issues.
I worked at a charter school where we were making a difference for students that couldn't make it in the "traditional, brick and mortar" schools because of being a teen parent, having to work to support family at home, or because their differences made it difficult to be successful in the "traditional" school.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first began my career there it was all about the student. We, the teachers, were involved in all aspects of the school.. the planning, the decision-making, and it gave us each what we felt as "ownership" of the school. We knew every student by name that walked in the doors of our school. Then it all changed about 3 years ago...
A new administrator with new ideas and the need to make drastic changes.... and to remove the teachers from assisting with the planning, the decision-making, and the loss of "ownership". We no longer knew each student that came into our building unless they were on your caseload.
Charter school vs. traditional, brick and mortar schools should not really be the issue at all. The educational system needs to be revamped and changes implemented because we are failing "our" students and children, and losing our ability to compete with other countries who make education more important than we do here. I think we lose sight of the bigger issue when we get tied up into the location of where a student gets their education.