A Full Plate

Yesterday I said that the plates of teacher's are at full capacity and, well, they are. There are many attendant problems with the plate being TOO full. Two major ones. First, with so many additional non-direct classroom initiatives added to the daily routine of actually teaching, less time is available for teachers to focus on lesson preparation, sharing materials with colleagues, writing lessons, formulating evaluation tools and meeting with students.

A second major drawback to the 'plate being too full' is the very real problem of retaining teachers, most of them quite capable of making a positive impact on the lives of children. Aside from the issue of teacher retention is the very real and growing problem of people not entering the teaching profession. This isn't some 'conspiracy' notion...it is happening all over the country.

Don't for a minute wonder if the above isn't taking place, at least in part, because of teachers being asked and told to do too much.

Dick

We Have Enough to Do

Those of us who have been retired from teaching for 5, 10, 15 or more years would be stunned by the increasing demands placed upon teachers. Keeping up with technology is just one such aspect as it seems as though schools are constantly putting new hardware out there that teachers and students have to adapt to year in and year out.

It's not just keeping up with technology that makes a career in teaching so imposing. The consternation arises from all corners;, standardized testing, the demand for instant feedback on all sorts of issues, new forms of evaluating teachers, the drumbeat for being 'better' from critics for alleged shortcomings, fending off unwarranted attacks about unions and so very much more.

All of these new demands (and so many more that I haven't included) are on top of grading papers, developing lesson plans, teaching day to day, meeting with students, working in sports/clubs/activities and the other teaching duties. School governance needs to be careful about what I see as 'piling on.' Yes, piling on, adding so much to the plate that the plate can't handle one more thing added to it.

Dick

Giving Tuesday

There are plenty of great schools out there. District #86 has two such schools, Hinsdale South and Hinsdale Central. Though they are terrific schools where students are thriving, there are also a number of students who are homeless and are part of the federal government's free and reduced lunches. In fact, there are a large number of such students, 75 homeless and 641 in the latter category.

Their needs are great and we are raising money through our 'Go Fund Me' initiative. To make a donation simply go to the website, www.gofundme.com and type in the word 'Pircon' where its says search. You will see our endeavor which says D86: Neighbors in Need and "We rise by lifting others."

Let's lift up those who could benefit from a helping hand. Whether its clothing, school supplies, gym uniforms or a prom dress/tux, these hard working students would be able to be that much more successful at our schools.

Thank you,
Dick

News Flash

The number of unions in America has been dwindling for many decades. And, as a former teacher and someone still engaged in education, I have first hand information and knowledge on teacher associations and unions. Are you ready for this? They aren't a problem nor do they stop progress in the classroom.

To hear soon-to-be Secretary of Education, Ms. Devos, talk about unions, one would think that the future of education in America is doomed if we don't get rid of them. If unions are such a problem, why is it that Hinsdale Township District #86, Stevenson High, Skaneateles Central, New Trier, Naperville Unit District, Lyons Township and hundreds more/thousands more, perform so well if unions are the alleged problem?

No, I want an answer to the above. Unions don't prevent progress, they are often on the cutting edge of real progress in the classroom.

Dick

Here A Coat, There A Coat...

A special and loud shout out to all those who donated coats or funds to our annual drive. You were able to acquire 400 coats, 150 pairs of gloves and 150 hats into the hands of the students at the following schools; Barton, Jahn, Yates, Chase, Gregory, Hughes, Pilsen, Pickard, Lavizzo, Arthur Ashe, Haley, Bryant, Sandburg, Lowell Longfellow, Maya Angelou, Holmes (in Harvey), Whittier and Brooks.

Keeping kids warm, making the holidays special, putting a smile on their faces and seeing to it to let them know whey are not forgotten; rather, they are cared for!!

Dick

Chipotle, Chipotle!!

Today, Monday, November 21st marks the final day of the Hinsdale Central H.S. boys varsity soccer team's KICK fundraiser. From 4 pm today until 8 pm you can purchase any number of meals (with a flyer) and 50% of the proceeds will benefit the fundraiser and, in turn, our charity. The only Chipotle honoring the flyer is the one located on 300 E. Ogden Ave. in Westmont.

If you are planning to grab a bite to eat, while helping School Count Corp., I'd be glad to send you a flyer so that you can participate in the event. Simply email me at rich219@comcast.net and I'll send you a flyer.

Thank you!!!
Dick

A Well Rounded Person

I think the vast majority of us could agree upon the idea that they would like to see their son/daughter be a well rounded person. I'll let you come up with your own definition or criteria for such a person. One thing is for certain, the more well rounded people we have in the world, I believe, we will be all the better.

That's one of the reasons that I am adamantly opposed to the over emphasis on STEM...Science, Technology, English and Math. There is certainly every reason to support each one of these curriculum. No argument here in terms of the need for each of these. My point is that STEM is often used as the 'holy grail' for a top education and producing, so to speak, a top notch student. In my view, nothing could be further from the truth.

A well rounded person is what we need to shoot for and having a public school, or private for that matter, that puts an over reliance on any area of ones education works to the detriment of seeing to it that we have well rounded students.

Dick