ojlowe

Who Suffers Most in Education Today

Posted on March 19, 2014March 21, 2014 by ojlowe

Education in America is in a fight for survival. Whether its Common Core, Technology, or Bullying, Education is at the forefront of many discussions. Visit your nearest water cooler, or turn on the 24 hour News channels, sit back and enjoy the experts discuss what is wrong, and what would be their solution. You just might hear, “Bill Gates built an enterprise like no other, we should listen to the group he has formed to help education.” “Common Core is a mess and asks students to show abilities that are above their developmental level.” “Digital technology is the best avenue for our student success”, and yet “it is also the worst.” “Our attack on Bullying is weakening this country by raising sissies.” Heard any of this?

One of the hottest topics is how American students have “fallen” behind our international competitors. You will hear some say they believe we led the world in education when they were growing up in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. Really? You will hear how our students are ranking in the range of 20-30 and how China now ranks #1 in the world! Sadly, the facts are all being taken out of context. Do you know that International Testing (PISA) was initiated in 1997 with the first test being given in 2000 and every 3 years after? Would it change your view to know that we have ranked around 20-30 every year? Even as more countries join the testing? Would it help to know that China only lets certain kids in Shanghai who prep for the test to take it, and first joined testing in 2009? Does it really matter?

Ladies and gentlemen, let’s make one thing perfectly clear, Education around the world is changing. Our mentality of being scared of change has opened a huge door for critics to attack our educational system. Unfortunately, it may lead to the false claims becoming true. The ones who have been able to keep our Educational System afloat are being attacked from the flanks and it is quickly weakening their positions. As a teacher of 15+ years experience, I have seen, first hand, the damage that these attacks are having on the profession. The negativity has relations from teachers to parents, students, and community strained and continues to force the very best of educators to leave the profession they truly love. More importantly, it is tearing down the structural integrity of the classroom and the control a teacher can have. History has shown that the most damaging of attacks take place silently without detection. We must be very conscious of the damage that the wave of adult negativity can cause in the structure of the educational system, especially in the classroom, as it eventually filters into the eyes of the students.

We are undermining every teacher’s effort in the classroom and thus weakening the educational system. The true power of our Educational system lies in the influence our teachers can have on our students. The so-called experts don’t understand this. Bill Gates and any other “non-experienced” expert can talk about studies and research, but there are instincts and factors to teaching that just can’t be measured. Yet, we listen to these experts tell us that our teachers are failing? In reality, it is THEY who are failing our teachers! Mr. Gates and his committee have produced the Common Core State Standards (they may be a great step forward), but did they train and equip the classrooms and teachers to perform to these new standards and way of learning? NO. Did he follow the same “business plan” with Microsoft by setting new standards of work for his employees, but never equipping them with proper training and material to do so? Did he tell his Secretary to produce documents in Microsoft Word by giving her a user’s guide, however keeping her on a typewriter? Of course not.

Education is changing around the world. The difference is that the rest of the world continues to show respect for their teachers. The best of the best are known to openly respect all teachers on the same level we respect doctors and lawyers. So while they also go through the shift with technology, their framework around the classroom is solid and supported by the surrounding community, parents, and students. We, the American community, must not continue to damage the structural integrity of our classroom, for a collapse will be on our teachers, leaving our students alone to fend for themselves. Be careful America, when we begin to listen to experts in the field of business on Education,you must ask, What is more important: My child’s education, or the Bottom Line?

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Why Won’t My Son Listen?

Posted on March 8, 2014March 21, 2014 by ojlowe

There I am, in the middle of lecturing my son with raised voice, when I see the tears welling up in his eyes. I wonder why it has to come to this again- why he simply won’t listen to me. One minute he is frustrated about homework and the next minute he’s annoying his sisters. How can he ask for my help, then turn around and tell me that I don’t know what I’m talking about? Why did he go upstairs to bother his sisters when I just told him to leave them alone? Obviously he refuses to just listen!

Tonight he is Bo Jackson in “The Wax Museum”, a school project based upon famous people for his fourth grade class. He is so excited, but I am extremely frustrated as he procrastinated on his research and speech, then argued with everyone about how to prepare his costume. With every piece of advice, he did not want to listen. Between his school bag, lunch, helmet, bat, football, and the rest of his costume, there was just too much to carry, so I told him I would drop his costume and extras off later to the school. Instead of listening, he makes life hard on himself and struggles to drag everything in this morning.

So there I am listening to Bo Jackson talk about growing up and not being proud to have been a bully. I am happy to see him standing in front of all these parents speaking loudly and clearly, but wondering why things had to be so hard. When is he going to listen to what we as parents say?

As the show ends, I am walking a couple feet behind my son down the hallway when my son begins to run ahead. I am left thinking I told him not to run in the hallway at school. He stops at Betsy Ross, who is struggling to carry a heavy chair and knitted American flag. He proceeds to ask if he can help her, takes the chair, and walks it back to her class for her! In that split second, it becomes clear that he is listening and watching. “Be an Individual…, never give up when things are hard…, think for yourself and be a leader…, always be considerate of others…”

It is clear that I should not be frustrated with him, but rather with my own way of thinking. I can only advise him on ways that worked best for me, but who am I to think that my way is the best way? Why should I tell him to “Be a Leader”, but expect him to follow what every adult says? Why do I expect him to do something my way, yet tell him to “work through adversity”? It is clear that he is listening, and even though I am giving him mixed messages, he is clearly making great decisions to make himself the best he can be!

Upon tucking him into bed, I mention how happy I was seeing him as Bo Jackson, but more importantly, I make it clear how PROUD I am to see him, as Jake, help out his classmate! As I go to bed, I wonder how long it will be before I forget what my son has “told” me with his actions tonight. It is clear he is listening, and it is I who needs to listen more. I am holding him to high standards, but must be willing to allow him to learn on his journey. As for today, with one simple action, I know he is clearly listening!

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Which person, character, legend, superhero…..are you?

Posted on February 27, 2014 by ojlowe

I Got EDWARD LOWE! Which person, character, legend, superhero…..are you?

You are an individual like no other. There may be 6 billion people on the planet, but your friends would agree that you stand alone. While everyone else needs to know what sandwich, color, wrestler, superhero, furniture, snack, room, bird, celebrity, singer, dog, cat, state, candy, fish, job, athlete, sport, or artist they are, you are one of the few who understand that YOU are YOU! Unless what your mom said is true…”You are what you eat”, in that case, you might want to find the “What food are you eating Quiz”…..

(feel free to replace your name, copy/paste for your status)

13 New Educational Terms Defined in Pictures (New? Teachers Don’t Think So!)

Posted on February 14, 2014 by ojlowe

1. Blended Learning- Whether defined as a mix of Technology and Paper/Pencil or a mix of Learning In and Out of School (watch a TV Special at home/ write a summary), students have been a part of Blended Learning for years…..

2. Flipped Classroom– Students learn subject matter at home to provide more discussion for understanding time in the classroom………hmmmmm

3. BYOD- Bring Your Own Device……parents have been providing devices for years….

4. Reform- Term to define when politicians and their cronies discuss their ideas to improve education and provide a revolutionary plan.

5. Charter School- (See #4 Reform)…..when you mix business and politics with education…..the question is what is more important- the bottom line, or your child’s education?

6. CMS- Course Management System……says it all…….

7. Inclusion- to include all students in activities? Now there’s an original idea to education……

8. Interactive Whiteboard- a giant board where a student can work out or demonstrate a solution? Who would have thought……

9. Open Educational Resource- a place where students and colleagues can share teaching/ learning materials…….

10. Small Learning Community- Revolutionary idea of working in small groups…….

11. Tier 1-2-3 Intervention- The idea that students may need little, some, or lots of extra help…….

12. Learning Environment- Whether it’s the school or the classroom, the Learning Environment lives on……

13. Performance Pay- As if the expression of “I got it” wasn’t enough, simply put a letter of thanks confirms a teacher’s performance is above and beyond……

Obviously, this was written with a bit of sarcasm. Contrary to what mass media is promoting, there are many dedicated teachers who have been doing an OUTSTANDING job of educating our children. Using new terms to describe ideas already in place can only fool so many. I am not against technology. On the contrary, I wish to promote it in education. However, it must be understood that technology is another tool that can make the teacher-student relationship more effective when used properly. Simply replacing a hammer with a nail gun does not make a better carpenter, and in the same mold, better technology tools do not guarantee a better education. Don’t believe the hype– Education in America is strong, and will continue with our move to Technology!

5 Rules on Parent/Teacher Conferences

Posted on February 6, 2014 by ojlowe

As the time approaches for spring conferences, I thought it would be helpful to offer some advice to parents as you head in.

Time is limited to have a meaningful conversation with your child’s teacher at Parent/ Teacher Conferences, so be sure to make the most of the time you have. Here are 5 simple rules to follow that can make the difference in helping your child in Elementary and Middle School:

1. Stop focusing on the Grades: Especially in Elementary School and even Middle School, parents tend to focus way too much on whether or not Johnny is getting straight A’s. Let me be clear, grades are important, however the need to debate turning some B’s into A’s is ludicrous. Harvard will not be checking Johnny’s 5th Grade report card to determine his acceptance or rejection. The question to ask is whether or not your child is giving a great effort towards their education. It is about preparing your child for their future education: A “hard-working” C is better than a “lazy” A!

2. Identify Strengths and Weaknesses: You will most likely be surprised as a parent to hear what the teacher sees as both strengths and weaknesses. Seeing your child in the different light of a classroom allows the teacher to be open-minded and not be prejudiced towards certain actions. Each child can truly start with a clean slate every year, so the teacher should be able to express individually what he or she sees in your child. Celebrate and be proud of the strengths your child demonstrates, but take more notice about their weaknesses. Each child is only as strong as their weakest link. The question to ask is simply what strengths and weaknesses does the teacher see in your child. No child has every suffered low self-esteem based upon their strengths.

3. Importance of Social vs. Academic: If you are focused on grades, you will never get to the most important factor for success in life. Your child’s ability to socialize with their classmates is just as, or, I would argue, more important than their academics to be successful in life. Collaborating with partners and groups is a fact of today and tomorrow’s workplace, and those skills are developed throughout the school day, in the classroom, at lunch, and at recess. The question to ask is what does the teacher see in your child’s ability to interact with others in the school, not just with classmates, but all students, staff, etc. Some of the greatest ideas have been lost because someone never voiced them.

4. Identifying Gifted/Remedial: You may feel as if your child needs to be placed into Gifted and Talented, or needs remedial help. Should you wish to discuss the options, or requirements for either, please make sure to have some documentation. For GnT, your opinion that your child is as smart as Billy who is in GnT, is not the requirement. If your child is not receiving straights A’s on average, then please be rational. As for remedial help, be passionate about the help your child needs, but come with organized thoughts not centered on grades. Behaviors that you see at home that can be compared to what is seen at school is extremely helpful. Also understand that there is a difference between a struggling student and one who needs remedial help. The question to ask, either way, is whether or not the teacher observes your child on the same level as you do, and what steps can be put into place to 1) help your child immediately, and 2) ensure your child receives proper support if identified in observation. In either case, GnT or Remedial, documentation to support your child will go a long way.

5. Place your Pride aside: While it is great to hear your child is doing well, there will be times that you will receive information you don’t agree with or don’t want to hear. Keep an open mind about what is being said and how the situation can be rectified. The last thing a teacher wants to do is create an irate parent by making up situations. It is not a knock on your parenting abilities, just simply communicating the situation they observe to obtain the best possible solution WITH you. Also, remember that for the teacher, it is NEVER about you and parenting, it is ALWAYS about what is best for the student. The question to ask is what can I do to help solve this issue. It is a sensitive discussion that every teacher dreads having to approach, and you reaching out an olive branch of joining forces will be welcomed.

As an added bonus, never be afraid to ask you the teacher for advice on helping your child. How to help a child with Homework is something most parents want to know. You can ask for a list of questions to ask to help with Reading Comprehension, options in developing study skills and note taking, or even help with the “new ways” of solving math problems. Just don’t ask if they have extra workbooks for you to have. They spend enough of their hard-earned money on the students, and I am letting you know that the local teacher supply stores are open to the public. You can purchase most teaching materials there and get help from the sales person who is usually a teacher or former teacher themselves, or simply ask during your conference where you can go and what is recommended for your child!