Comments for VIVA Teachers http://vivateachers.org a different way to make a difference Thu, 16 May 2013 15:57:25 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 Comment on Give Educators the Tools to Be Lifelong Learners by Jim Szewc http://vivateachers.org/2013/05/13/2196/#comment-6080 Jim Szewc Thu, 16 May 2013 15:57:25 +0000 http://vivateachers.org/?p=2196#comment-6080 Hi K - Time constraints tend to keep us from learning and using new technologies or applications that have a steeper learning curve. One area where I believe we will see plenty of growth in the coming years is technology-based professional development and the delivery of more technology-based resourced via our mobile phone and through other social networking sources in which many of us already belong (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest). This will at least shrink some of the time used seeking out new resources, so ideas will flow in places we are already looking. I would be willing to bet that if the developers of these technologies listen to educators like you and me, they will focus their development on tools that utilize instructional time efficiently so that there IS time to try other new ideas. Do you see something like this working alongside a social networking source that you already use? Maybe just as an "add-on" feature imbedded in those sites? Let me know what you think... Jim Hi K –

Time constraints tend to keep us from learning and using new technologies or applications that have a steeper learning curve. One area where I believe we will see plenty of growth in the coming years is technology-based professional development and the delivery of more technology-based resourced via our mobile phone and through other social networking sources in which many of us already belong (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest). This will at least shrink some of the time used seeking out new resources, so ideas will flow in places we are already looking. I would be willing to bet that if the developers of these technologies listen to educators like you and me, they will focus their development on tools that utilize instructional time efficiently so that there IS time to try other new ideas. Do you see something like this working alongside a social networking source that you already use? Maybe just as an “add-on” feature imbedded in those sites? Let me know what you think…

Jim

]]> Comment on Give Educators the Tools to Be Lifelong Learners by ann neary http://vivateachers.org/2013/05/13/2196/#comment-6073 ann neary Thu, 16 May 2013 08:42:05 +0000 http://vivateachers.org/?p=2196#comment-6073 K-that is where professional development comes in. It must arrive with the new technologies as Jim points out. As teachers we cannot afford not to learn everyday. We expect that of our students, don't we? K-that is where professional development comes in. It must arrive with the new technologies as Jim points out. As teachers we cannot afford not to learn everyday. We expect that of our students, don’t we?

]]> Comment on Give Educators the Tools to Be Lifelong Learners by K http://vivateachers.org/2013/05/13/2196/#comment-6063 K Tue, 14 May 2013 12:58:06 +0000 http://vivateachers.org/?p=2196#comment-6063 As a teacher, it isn't always that I'm resistant to change (I happen to love the use of technology and use it constantly), but that I don't have the time (or given time within my work day) to learn and use new technologies. It always seems to be on my own time which I have learned to guard like a lioness. As a teacher, it isn’t always that I’m resistant to change (I happen to love the use of technology and use it constantly), but that I don’t have the time (or given time within my work day) to learn and use new technologies. It always seems to be on my own time which I have learned to guard like a lioness.

]]> Comment on Sensible Solutions for Safer Schools: An Educators’ Vision for Positive Learning Environments by Clifford Wagner http://vivateachers.org/2013/04/24/sensible-solutions-for-safer-schools-an-educators-vision-for-positive-learning-environments/#comment-5996 Clifford Wagner Thu, 25 Apr 2013 13:15:45 +0000 http://vivateachers.org/?p=2154#comment-5996 The debate continues over issues that are brought to school by students who are taught violence, disrespect and bullying at home. It is a societal problem that we have let fester for years. We need smaller class sizes. more teachers who are properly trained, new teachers should assist for a year before they are hired full-time. Student teaching is not enough to prepare a young teacher for a classroom. Assisting an experienced teacher while not having to worry about a grade can be an immense help in the classroom experience. This all costs money but it is less expensive than having an uneducated individual dropping out of school. Many of these individuals seek menial jobs or become a drain on society . Invest in the future by hiring more teachers in the primary grades and give help and understanding to those who are in need of help. The debate continues over issues that are brought to school by students who are taught violence, disrespect and bullying at home.
It is a societal problem that we have let fester for years. We need smaller class sizes. more teachers who are properly trained, new teachers should assist for a year before they are hired full-time. Student teaching is not enough to prepare a young teacher for a classroom. Assisting an experienced teacher while not having to worry about a grade can be an immense help in the classroom experience. This all costs money but it is less expensive than having an uneducated individual dropping out of school. Many of these individuals seek menial jobs or become a drain on society . Invest in the future by hiring more teachers in the primary grades and give help and understanding to those who are in need of help.

]]> Comment on VIVA MET: Reflections from the Classroom – Measures of Effective Teaching Idea Exchange by Ray Myrtle http://vivateachers.org/2013/02/19/viva-met-reflections-from-the-classroom-measures-of-effective-teaching-idea-exchange/#comment-5971 Ray Myrtle Wed, 17 Apr 2013 19:37:53 +0000 http://vivateachers.org/?p=2097#comment-5971 I have been focused upon the special challenges faced by early career teachers. In British Columbia, many new teachers begin with short term, mixed assignments. Resources and curriculum are especially challenging in these conditions. While much of this report does not relate specifically to our situation in BC. The suggestions: #4- help with learning formative assessment, #6-data base of resources; #7 a professional social network; strongly fit my understandings of what is needed. I'm interested in any examples from US educators who are working in these areas. I have been focused upon the special challenges faced by early career teachers. In British Columbia, many new teachers begin with short term, mixed assignments. Resources and curriculum are especially challenging in these conditions. While much of this report does not relate specifically to our situation in BC. The suggestions: #4- help with learning formative assessment, #6-data base of resources; #7 a professional social network; strongly fit my understandings of what is needed.
I’m interested in any examples from US educators who are working in these areas.

]]> Comment on School Safety: Licensed to Teach by Michael O'S http://vivateachers.org/2013/02/15/school-safety-licensed-to-teach/#comment-5858 Michael O'S Fri, 15 Mar 2013 22:10:13 +0000 http://vivateachers.org/?p=2082#comment-5858 Mrs. Ricker, I want to thank you for saying what I have been saying for a long time now..... Thank you ! Thank you!! Thank you!!! Everyone, please "tweet" this post, put it on "Facebook" and "Google+", send it to every elected official (even though they won't understand it) . Mrs. Ricker is absolutely correct. Mrs. Ricker, I want to thank you for saying what I have been saying for a long time now….. Thank you ! Thank you!! Thank you!!!

Everyone, please “tweet” this post, put it on “Facebook” and “Google+”, send it to every elected official (even though they won’t understand it) . Mrs. Ricker is absolutely correct.

]]> Comment on School Safety: Is a teacher with a gun an oxymoron? by Michael O'S http://vivateachers.org/2013/02/11/school-safety-is-a-teacher-with-a-gun-an-oxymoron/#comment-5857 Michael O'S Fri, 15 Mar 2013 22:05:30 +0000 http://vivateachers.org/?p=2064#comment-5857 You have a valid point. There are teachers who were formerly military or law enforcement. However the keyword here is "formerly". They are educators now and should be focused on educating their students. Do a quick look at some numbers, in the last 20 years approximately 500 students have been killed by gunfire at school. Approximately 50% of those were from students who brought guns to the school. There are 1.8 million students enrolled in public education in the state of Ohio. Extrapolate that to approximately 100 million students attending school in the USA every day.... 100 million every day! Now I believe that any student death rate over 0 is unacceptable, but for the last 5 days, 100 million students have attended school each day and as of today I am unaware of any shooting deaths..... Increase safety at the schools - YES. Does this mean arming educators - NO. You have a valid point. There are teachers who were formerly military or law enforcement. However the keyword here is “formerly”. They are educators now and should be focused on educating their students. Do a quick look at some numbers, in the last 20 years approximately 500 students have been killed by gunfire at school. Approximately 50% of those were from students who brought guns to the school. There are 1.8 million students enrolled in public education in the state of Ohio. Extrapolate that to approximately 100 million students attending school in the USA every day…. 100 million every day! Now I believe that any student death rate over 0 is unacceptable, but for the last 5 days, 100 million students have attended school each day and as of today I am unaware of any shooting deaths….. Increase safety at the schools – YES. Does this mean arming educators – NO.

]]> Comment on Teacher leadership: How about some autonomy? by Kim Farris-Berg http://vivateachers.org/2013/02/11/teacher-leadership-how-about-some-autonomy/#comment-5684 Kim Farris-Berg Sun, 24 Feb 2013 18:11:19 +0000 http://vivateachers.org/?p=2058#comment-5684 Mm, The answer is zero. The ideas I wrote about here are based on the work my colleagues and I did observing and listening to teachers who call the shots. They have hundreds of years of experience teaching students from preschool through age 21. Mm, The answer is zero. The ideas I wrote about here are based on the work my colleagues and I did observing and listening to teachers who call the shots. They have hundreds of years of experience teaching students from preschool through age 21.

]]> Comment on School Safety: Is a teacher with a gun an oxymoron? by Rachel Jones http://vivateachers.org/2013/02/11/school-safety-is-a-teacher-with-a-gun-an-oxymoron/#comment-5683 Rachel Jones Sun, 24 Feb 2013 04:32:07 +0000 http://vivateachers.org/?p=2064#comment-5683 You make an important point. What are the most important approaches educators should take to be responsible for their own, their peers and their students' safety? Have you had a chance to join the conversation at vivanea.mysocialsphere.com? Hundreds of teachers from nine states, including Connecticut are collaborating on answers to this very question. A small group will be presenting their ideas to the President of the NEA, senior state government officials and our leaders in Washington. I hope you will share your ideas. Thank you, Elizabeth Evans You make an important point. What are the most important approaches educators should take to be responsible for their own, their peers and their students’ safety? Have you had a chance to join the conversation at vivanea.mysocialsphere.com? Hundreds of teachers from nine states, including Connecticut are collaborating on answers to this very question. A small group will be presenting their ideas to the President of the NEA, senior state government officials and our leaders in Washington. I hope you will share your ideas.

Thank you,
Elizabeth Evans

]]> Comment on School Safety: Is a teacher with a gun an oxymoron? by MM in CT http://vivateachers.org/2013/02/11/school-safety-is-a-teacher-with-a-gun-an-oxymoron/#comment-5681 MM in CT Sat, 23 Feb 2013 23:00:42 +0000 http://vivateachers.org/?p=2064#comment-5681 The author and the people responding to her article seem very afraid for their own safety and the safety of the people around them. They want to feel safe but don't want to take any responsibility for their own safety. I'm afraid it's people like these who will never feel safe until they take some responsibility for their own safety. They may not believe they can protect themselves or those around them and I believe them. They have already made the decision to be a victim. It's just a matter of time before they become one. Why do we put on a safety belt before we drive? Because we are GOING to get into an accident or "in case" an accident happens.? Not until we all begin to take more responsibility for our own safety will anything change. There are teachers in every school who have had police, military or other weapon training that we can look to for help. I happen to be one of those people and yet I'm forced to be a victim because of "gun free" zones. While we are reexamining our safety in schools we need to look at all of our options which may include the arming of some of our teachers with these special skills. I'm not saying to arm all teachers. I work with some that shouldn't be driving, let alone carting a weapon. We need to be open minded "adapt and overcome" and make use of all of our resources. The author and the people responding to her article seem very afraid for their own safety and the safety of the people around them. They want to feel safe but don’t want to take any responsibility for their own safety. I’m afraid it’s people like these who will never feel safe until they take some responsibility for their own safety. They may not believe they can protect themselves or those around them and I believe them. They have already made the decision to be a victim. It’s just a matter of time before they become one. Why do we put on a safety belt before we drive? Because we are GOING to get into an accident or “in case” an accident happens.? Not until we all begin to take more responsibility for our own safety will anything change. There are teachers in every school who have had police, military or other weapon training that we can look to for help. I happen to be one of those people and yet I’m forced to be a victim because of “gun free” zones. While we are reexamining our safety in schools we need to look at all of our options which may include the arming of some of our teachers with these special skills. I’m not saying to arm all teachers. I work with some that shouldn’t be driving, let alone carting a weapon. We need to be open minded “adapt and overcome” and make use of all of our resources.

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