Disclaimer

It has been brought to my attention that I probably shouldn't spout off so much on Twitter and this blog.  Honestly there are like ten people that read this on a regular basis, so I'm not too concerned.  And someday I hope to be back in a place where I can be more constructive and happy about what's going on.  But that time is not now.

Nevertheless, I thought about deleting or modifying my last post, I Take This Stuff Personally.  I thought about taking out the part where I tell people at my district office to shove the decimal vs. whole number flow chart up their keister.  But I'm not sure there's a better way to fully convey my disgust for what's happening, I really don't.

Also know I live by these words: plan with logic, attack with emotion.  I have worked every channel possible to steer SBG into a successful venture in our district.  I was part of the committee until it was clear that the committee was of no consequence.  I have tried to convince my colleagues and parents why SBG can be a good thing.  Sadly my efforts have been undermined by poor leadership and now I'm trying a different tactic.  Steering it from the inside didn't work so now I'll muscle up and push it from the outside.

Maybe that won't work either, but it's the only idea I have left.

Now to the disclaimers.  Theoretically, administration, parents, and students can all read this blog.  I have a special message for each of you below.

Students: Believe it or not, I like almost all of you.  I got into this business for you.  I carry your frustrations home with me every night and work hard on your behalf.  I wish I was a better teacher for you.  I wish I had more time and energy to put together better lessons for you.  I wish I could make math fun and exciting for each and every one of you.  I wish I had more emotional energy for you.  I wish I could take each and every mistake you make a personal affront against my being and work tirelessly until you never make that mistake again.  Any anger, sadness, and indignation you read on this blog is because I think we can do better.  I think we owe you that.

Parents: Bless you for caring enough about your child to look up her crazy math teacher on google.  I'm doing everything I can for your child both in my classroom and within the system that is the district.  I am frustrated by poor decisions that have been made in the system, but know that although leadership has clearly bungled the SBG initiative, they do a lot of good too and they are only trying to do what's best for your kid.  You should also know that the problem is NOT standards based grading.  Rather, it's poor implementation.

District-Level Administration: I'm not going to lie, I've lost confidence in a few of you.  Some of the decisions you've made have been indefensible.  I've never been one to mince words, sorry about that.  I'm as passionate about this as I am because I want my students to get our absolute best as teachers.  We owe them our best everyday.  Sometimes the things you require prevent us from being at our best.  It's really frustrating and I don't know what to do about it.  But know that everything I do and say, whether you agree with it or not, is because I want to give our kids our absolute best.

Oh and if you are taking some of this personally, GOOD.  I hope and wish and pray that you take this as personally as I do.  

Building-Level Administration: You know me well so nothing on this blog shocks you, I'm sure!  Come say hi if you'd like to discuss anything further.  And if you see anything on here that reflects poorly on our school or you, let me know and I'll take it down.

Thanks all; happy reading!