This is a forum for TEACHERS to discuss issues and share information that inspires us, enrages us, excites us and scares us.

  • Need a "parent-teacher conference" asap?

  • Click
"Mom, the White House Called You"
click link to see VIDEO

Posted by Rachel Martin onto the White House blog on August 18, 2010:

Ed. Note: Rachel Martin joined President Obama last week during his remarks in the Rose Garden calling on Congress to pass legislation that would save 160,000 teacher jobs.  Since then, Congress has passed and the President has signed this critical legislation. 

“Mom, the White House called you” is what my daughter Annita told me when I came home on August 9, 2010. I honestly did not believe her at first, so I called back the number and it was really the White House. I didn’t think the call would have led to me standing with President Obama to support the profession that means so much to me. Before, I knew it I was on a plane to Washington D.C.

I am a third year third kindergarten teacher, whose contract was not renewed for the following school year.  Teaching is not a job for me it is a calling.  I love working with children.  So, like many teachers across America, I was disappointed and worried about my future when my contract was not renewed.

Since going to Washington and witnessing the signing of the bill, I have been hired back and I am excited about returning to Richton Square School.  The staff welcomed me back with signs over my door and pictures of me with President Obama.  The local newspapers and local news media have been contacting me to conduct interviews as well! Words cannot explain the way I feel knowing that I was involved with something that will help bring thousands of my fellow teachers back to work.

To go from being worried about losing my job, to standing with the President as he made sure I and so many others could keep preparing the children of our communities for the world was an experience that I will share and treasure for the rest of my life.

I would like to thank President Obama, and the White House staff for allowing me this great opportunity!

Rachel Martin is a kindergarten teacher at Richton Square School in Illinois

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

What is the one thing you wish all parents knew on the first day of school?

VIDEO: Pres. Speech Regarding Legislation
Wash.Post-Higher Education Article



  • rochesternative

    Hey, about merit pay...there was a really great op-ed in today's (6/18/10) Washington Post by Michele Kerr. I tried in vain to do a link and I am obviously without a clue! (Even my 12 year-old computer whiz couldn't help) I thought it was good...and gave some fair qualifications for merit pay. I don't know if merit pay is the way...but SOMETHING has to change we are cheating our children
    on 06/18/10
    Reply

    • MichelleO-MAMA

      Calling all teachers...any time you find a LINK that you want posted, you can include it into your post and we will copy it and activate it...or you can email it to us and we will activate it onto the site...hit the "contact O-MAMA" button or email directly to michelle@o-mama.com. Also, if any of you want to write an opinion about education issues for this page, from a teacher's perspective, we would be happy to post. Thanks TEACHERS!!!
      3 weeks, 1 day ago
      Reply

  • calijen71

    I have taught in AZ for two years, where part of our pay is linked to student performance on standardized tests. Last year, the entire school did not make AYP because two grade levels did not score well on said standardized tests... So ALL teachers were punished by the state by withholding about $1000 of our pay, even though my students performed well and the reclassification rate for my English Language Learners was well above the state minimum. Ack! We are crossing our fingers that we did better this year - lots of time, effort, and STRESS went into preparing for "success" (as measured by the ST). I completely agree that linking my pay to the performance of students is wrong and impossibly unfair. The question is, how do we convince the powers that be of that? Hmmm...
    on 05/23/10
    Reply

    • angrypop

      I agree with you absolutely - I just read today that Arizona officials want immigrant teachers with heavy accents removed from classes for students still learning English. My question is what about non-immigrant heavy accents - does that mean someone born and raised in Alabama - can't teach in Arizona either? Just askin'?
      on 05/24/10
      Reply

  • tiredmama

    My head is spinning. Too tired to absorb it all I guess?!
    on 05/16/10
    Reply

  • MichelleO-MAMA

    Leann has posted her first blog...TEACHERS and MOMS please share your opinions!
    on 05/10/10
    Reply

  • LCHARLESWORTH

    I feel a great need to reply to rochesternative. I have a degree in Early Childhood Education and have been teaching in pre-school programs for 20 years. While working with pre-schoolers I was mostly working in schools that are mostly in the private sector. Fortunately, I have now gone to the public sector. I can tell you that unions and public education are both very needed and make the teaching profession a lot more respectable and give greater dignity to teachers. I was treated like dirt in the private sector even though I had more education than the owners. Every aspect of the private schools were wrong they didn't benefit the children at all. They only tried to please the parents rather then educate them on what really has been proven as best practices for children. Most of the time they were really didn't care about the parents or the children or the teachers only what was best for them. I was given wages of barely above minimum wage no benefits, was suppose to spend my own money on any thing I thought was needed to make a good program. They only spent money on useless things made to have the parents think they did care at all about the children but the bottom line is they only cared about making money. Now, I work in a public program for pre-school children. I can tell I feel so much more pride in being a teacher I work twice as hard and see how we are really doing things to help all children and that our program is about children and teaching not just about money. I appreciate the union because I feel they are there to support me as a teacher and a professional. I don't know where you work, but I don't know anyone who doesn't appreciate the union for standing up for the rights of teachers and the educational profession.
    on 05/08/10
    Reply

    • leann-w

      Amen LCHARLESWORTH, I totally agree! Unions constantly get a bad rap because people don't like us defending ourselves. Teaching is such a political job, in the last year alone I have seen some of the best teachers on my campus get abused and punished simply because they wouldn't brown nose or kow-tow to the administration--the only thing that we have to keep admin and the district in line and not abuse us totally is the union. Believe it or not, we do need them!
      on 05/10/10
      Reply

    • mamasgirl

      I believe the unions have a role in protecting good teachers and getting them the pay and benefits they deserve, but what do we do about the bad teachers? Don't get me wrong, I LOVE TEACHERS, but I have had some really bad ones (I'm in high school) and they seem to stick around forever. It makes learning impossible and BORING. LOL.
      on 05/25/10
      Reply

    • rochesternative

      Hey, about the whole early childhood thing...can you give me an idea of where your philosophy is...on the side of "developmental appropriateness" or "kindergarten readiness"? What were the differences you saw between public and private curriculum wise? And...if you don't mind me asking, what state are you in?
      on 05/28/10
      Reply

  • rochesternative

    I've been teaching for 14 years in a variety of roles. A couple of things send me off the deep end: 1. low expectations of students, particularly urban students, 2. Teacher's unions...time for them to GO, 3. School Choice ....why exactly is this not a good idea? America is in a crisis, it has been brought on partially by our educational system. We "experiment" on our kids and follow "evidence based programing" Just because "research" has "proven" something does NOT mean it is a good idea. Teachers need to be allowed to do what they do best...which is teach. Politics, political correctness and unions all get in the way. The goal should be to train students to 1. have a common body of knowledge that all (or at least most) Americans know, 2. Be able to use that knowledge in a productive manner, 3. Use knowledge to problem solve and come to creative conclusions/solutions, 4. Teach material appropriate to the students age and ability level. We as teachers need to stand up and tell the unions to take a hike. A hundred years ago teachers needed unions, now what do they seriously do? Yes, you can get liability insurance, but it can be had elsewhere (normally for far less) (For a really scary, although dated ditribe read NEA:Trojan Horse in American Education) All I can say is CHARGE! We (the teachers, the parents) need to take back the system. For those of us who live in states with no "right-to-work laws" that needs to be high on the priority list as does educating our fellow educators about unions.
    on 05/08/10
    Reply

    • ocmama

      I agree with #1-expectations and #2 - unions, but explain to me more about #3 - school "choice"... I have choice. I send my kids to private school. You seem very informed, pls. clarify for me. Thanks rochesternative!
      on 05/08/10
      Reply

    • rochesternative

      Until very recently, all three of my children were in private schools. That was my choice. However, the only way I was able to afford it was through scholarship programs and living way below the poverty line to qualify for food stamps and such so I could "afford" the tution. School choice would provide options to parents of all income brackets. It would allow the parent to choose public, private,charter, Christian, or any other type of school with the funds that are given by the state per student following the child to whichever school was chosen by the parent. Of course the kids have to meet the standards of the particular school (academic and behavioral) but it would give options to those who couldn't afford private school otherwise. We had a program here in Rochester NY several years ago sponsored by a local grocery store. The chain paid 80% of Catholic school tution for 5 urban schools. The program was a huge blessing...until the head of the stores died and the program was discontinued. (4 out of the 5 schools closed, since the parents couldn't afford the 3,500 tution for their kids) I'm not suggesting welfare, just that the money t hat is already slated for the kids should follow them. My only concern about such a program would be that the government could then have their fingers in ALL the pies and potentially control all schools regardless of what type they are. BTW, all three of my boys are in charter schools this year. The one, run by Uncommon Schools is OUTSTANDING, the other is horrible and my son won't be returning after this year.
      on 05/10/10
      Reply

  • tiredmama

    How do we deal with the BULLYING situation that goes on in schools? Teachers, we need your HELP! Any thoughts?
    on 04/06/10
    Reply

  • afcroz

    Wow...just wow...need I say more...you go teach.
    on 03/07/10
    Reply

    • spunkymom

      Smart comments and scary! Kids should not be allowed to get away with rude behavior at home or in school, but can teachers really even discipline the kids in public school anyway...can they be told "no" without the teacher hearing about it from the parents? In our school the parents tend to get upset if the teachers cross any sort of line with the kids which puts the teachers at a further disadvantage. The unfortunate part is the kids are the ones who suffer because time is being taken away from their learning ...so the teachers can discipline the unruly kids or mitigate problems that should not be problems. I agree with you guys in here...kids should come to school prepared to learn- which means- ears open, minds open and manners in place!
      on 03/09/10
      Reply

  • afcroz

    I am only a substitute teacher but I am teaching almost every other day so I get a real insight on what is going on at my daughters school. Its only elementary pre-k thru 6th grade but the manners are horrible. I have never had so much eye rolling and talking back from children in my life. There is no respect to teachers it seems. I am embarrassed and sadden that in america that people have allowed their children to become the kind of people that we complain so much about in society. If you think society is going to h-e-double hocky sticks then stop and take a look at your children. It is not the teachers job to teach your children manners or respect for themselves or others...they are their to teach education so the children can be all they can be and prosper as adults. It sickens me that in america its okay where manners and pride which was once very important is now a joke. Contrary to what some people may think Teachers really do care about your kids...they definitely don't get paid enough to want to do it for the money...especially the way they are treated these days by kids and yet they still do it...I definitely admire how much a teacher must really care to put up with all that they do everyday. Just wanted to put out to all the teachers out there in my old town...if I was ever disrespectful to any of you...I am so so sorry. And thank you for my education because with knowledge there is definitely power...keep doing what you do best...EDUCATE!
    on 03/07/10
    Reply

    • momof3

      Well, that about sums it up! Knowledge is power and EDUCATION is key, both in school and out of school. As a parent, I believe that my job is to teach my kids how to behave, how to love, how to share, how to treat people, how to pick up after themselves, how to appreciate all the world has to offer them...I am their first teacher. I need to teach my kids to respect their teachers and fellow students. Then, they go to school and I can only hope that their school teachers reinforce what I am teaching at home...that we are all on the same page. It is NOT up to teachers do fill in all the blanks, they do not have enough time, energy, money to parent 20-30 children every day. We need to be a team with our children's teachers. Otherwise, what are we really teaching them?
      on 03/07/10
      Reply

    • afcroz

      and momof 3 you made a very good point...teachers don't have enough time, energy, or money to parent 20 to 30 children every day...I mean most of us don't seem to have enough time doing this at home with 2 or 3 of our own...why would we expect or see how teachers can do it with 20 or 30...is that fair to expect more out of the teachers than ourselves as parents.
      on 03/08/10
      Reply

  • Debomama

    Hey teachers! Take a well deserved break next week, but don't forget to visit O-MAMA and dish away on your favorite topics. We'll be here!
    on 12/14/09
    Reply

  • MichelleO-MAMA

    Hi Ladies. We have separated all the school age kids rooms, so please EDIT your discussion groups and pick the appropriate age groups for your kiddies!
    on 12/13/09
    Reply

  • Debomama

    Check out all the news from this weekend!
    on 12/06/09
    Reply

  • joemama

    i've seen kids just not participate in halloween because of their beliefs....if she has a problem with the whole class participating then have her take it up with the principal.i'm not a teacher but was a sub for three years and have coached some so i have had my share dealing with uptight parents...
    on 10/30/09
    Reply

  • latinmama

    I like this blog area, but there arent any other teachers...where are you my friends...i have a story to tell about a crazy mom who got all freaked out about Halloween stuff. She got mad about the PAGAN holiday and how witches were bad...lighten up, francis.but, .course I can't say that. She'll get her revenge at Christma/hana/kwanzika right? What to say, what to do? Help teacher pals?
    on 10/21/09
    Reply

  • latinmama

    Teachers...check out the book reviews in the book chat rooms you can even buy the books through the site if you click on the pictures of the books.
    on 10/12/09
    Reply

  • momof2

    Go into the education hot button...some child in ohio bit his teacher and had to be physically pulled off the teacher...what the heck?
    on 10/06/09
    Reply

  • momof2

    Yeah teachers is right! I dont think that you feel like you have to teach our kids manners entirely...but you guys are at the helm all day for us during the school year...so re-enforcing is nice...right? Thanks so much! We REALLY appreciate the help! Its a tough job!
    on 10/04/09
    Reply

  • ocmama

    YEAH teachers!!! I have to say, you have been picking up the slack for a long time and moms need to make sure our kids are RESPECTFUL and have excellent manners...no matter where they are! I think this room can be very valuable to us, so we can figure out what is going on when we aren’t around.
    on 10/03/09
    Reply

  • bflogirl

    I think we're doing a disservice to kids (and society) when we don't encourage/require kids to use their manners. I am always on my daughter to be polite to others and respectful to adults. 'Please' and 'thank-you' are always required, and I like for her to address adults as Mr. or Mrs. I think kids have a sense of entitlement now that we didn't have growing up, and therefore they seem to be more self-centered and demanding of attention. Maybe some parents think those formalities aren't as important? I don't know. Where I teach, children have to stand and greet an adult when he or she enters the room. And they have to say, "Good morning, Mrs. So-and-So." Very old-school, but I love it.
    on 10/03/09
    Reply

  • momof2

    Are you finding that kids are less well mannered today than they used to be? Smarter? more motivated or less?
    on 10/03/09
    Reply