education perspective

After reading the front page of today's Tallahassee Democrat today, I found myself agitated. Charlie Crist was quoted as saying that Florida needs to maintain it's focus on education by holding schools accountable for student progress and having stricter teacher standards. Relief washed over me as I read Jackie Pons' response stating that he agreed stricter standards are important, but without adequate funding, little can be accomplished. AMEN, Mr. Pons!

Can I tell you how hard it is to teach with out-dated textbooks? And if you're lucky enough to get updated curriculum, it's highly likely that you won't receive all of the necessary at one time. For example, my co-worker who teaches high school English is still waiting for the Teacher's Guide that accompanies her students' textbooks which were delivered to her back in OCTOBER. Seriously. What good are scientifically-researched, organized, structured textbooks if the teacher doesn't have the teacher guide to go with it? Sure, teachers can "wing it" and improvise, but that process will not necessarily produce quality instruction. (This is NOT to say that I doubt my co-workers ability. She is a great English teacher!)

Can I tell you how hard it is to integrate technology into instruction when the computers we have are so out-dated that daily internal system failures occur? What about when you don't have enough desks - forget nice desks, just enough desks for all your students? What about a not having a music teacher, art teacher, drama teacher, or school nurse?

I could go on forever, but I won't. I'm not intending to complain, but rather make people aware at how hard it really is to teach these days. I really, really wish that the powerful political leaders knew what all this pressure and lack of support was doing to teachers AND students in schools. They seem so out of touch. I love my job, and would like to continue loving my job. Thanks.