There are many headlines I would love to wake up to. Some of them have to do with politics, some with science, some with parents, some with students, and some with teachers.
But there is one I dream of (this really did appear in a dream – and I am sure I am not the only one who has had this dream) regarding schools, teachers, students, administrators and policy. It reads:
Political Correctness Abolished in Schools
(with the sub-headings…)
- Today teachers entered their classrooms with renewed energy and purpose with the understanding they will be permitted to knowing that they can tell students the truth about their behavior, their grades, and how to succeed in life. They were always allowed to do this, but it just felt better to get the “green light.”
- Student Attendances is UP – In anonymous surveys students say it is due to “hearing the truth from their teachers!”
“Nationwide, students are coming to school every day with what seems to be a new sense of purpose. Teachers state that it is due to having had the cement shoes of political correctness unlocked from their teaching skills. They believe this has given them the ability to now introduce a new “sense of urgency” into the students’ way of thinking. Students say school’s ‘just different’ (and they like it)!”
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We spoke with one teacher in a district that had been performing below standards for many years as to how she feels about the change in students. Mrs. Smith (we can now use her real name since that would have been impossible under the old system as this conversation most certainly would have produced a “letter” in her file.) “The last year has been wonderful! It is hard to explain but without having to be so “politically correct” when I speak with students, I am able to get my point across much easier. I am not tripping over words, looking for a word (usually not the right one) that will not get me in trouble. I would end up delivering a “speech” the the students that had nothing to do with what I really wanted to say to him or her. This is the best business decision the DOE has made since I have been a teacher. And I’ve been a teacher for twenty years!”
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New York City teachers start a video-taping program designed to help teachers learn from the mistakes (and successes) of other teachers! Both the teachers’ union and the mayors off ice are backing this idea 100%. After much discussion by a small group of teachers it became apparent that not all teachers grades were in the gutter and that some teachers were actually seeing great results where so many others had failed. As one of these teachers put it, “I think this program will be a great success. I am seeing great strides made in my students in the areas of Regent’s grades as well and final exam marks. On the other hand I am still in need of help gaining a foothold in having students raise their hand s and answer me in class. I am looking forward to sharing my ideas as well as seeing what other teachers are doing in their classes that are working!” Ain’t life grand!