tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9025948832913694345.post3265108466037214166..comments2024-03-22T02:15:56.280-07:00Comments on Jersey Jazzman: In State-Run Newark, The Wheels Fall OffDukehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16535645107179796099noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9025948832913694345.post-61723675871349061272013-04-29T18:19:37.204-07:002013-04-29T18:19:37.204-07:00Not an expert on how things are going on the groun...Not an expert on how things are going on the ground in Newark, but you're certainly right that it has been tough sledding for the superintendent recently.<br /><br />I think your description of the superintendent's background is grossly unfair -- she wasn't in 'the central office', she was the 'Superintendent of Alternative High Schools and Programs.' The 20K kids in District 79 are some of the absolute highest need kids in the city. And New Leaders for New Schools is a principal preparation and training program. <br /><br />Everyone's entitled to their own opinion, but not your own facts. If your goal here is to provide fair but opinionated coverage of NJ schools, I think you should correct your characterization.almhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07420465709926105665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9025948832913694345.post-43349076551770853682013-04-26T17:10:19.598-07:002013-04-26T17:10:19.598-07:00Amen. I have taught in Newark since 2000. I stil...Amen. I have taught in Newark since 2000. I still love every minute of my time with students, but find it harder and harder to go to work every day. In fact, it is only because of my students that I continue. Quite frankly, I would rather wait tables than feel like I do every day in my Newark Public School. It's no fun being made to feel like Public Enemy #1. The political nonsense trickles down, so that even the most reasonable principals (like mine) are between a rock and a hard place. That trickles down to us, and we must every day make decisions to either do what's best for us, or what's best for the kids. Sadly, these things are no longer the same. What's best for me, if I want to receive good evaluations and keep my job, is to teach to a test that really only benefits the companies who are involved in producing said tests. It means adhering to some ridiculous practices that don't help anyone - they are for show. If I want to do what's best for my kids, I have to risk the ire of the powers that be,and teach my students so that they truly know the subject matter - not just enough to pass a dot-test. I could take the time to run a truly inquiry-based classroom. My kids would internalize and remember what they learned. Wouldn't that be awesome?! Instead, those who have no clue - but are in charge - see that as wasting time, taking too long, etc. <br /><br />Work is work now. It rarely feels like my vocation or my destiny anymore. It makes me really sad.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com