M A D Project

I did my project on School Security, Safety, and Violence.  I spent a ton of time looking up statistics and solutions to the problems in today's schools associated with this subject.  I really found this to be interesting.  There is a visible security presence in the school where I am doing fieldwork this semester.  While I was doing this project, there happened to be a school stabbing at Ohio State University.  I was very surprised to find out that only 11 people were injured during this tragedy. 

After I presented, I realized that this is a very touchy subject with everyone.  I realize that the solution that I came up with may not be realistic or viable, but it is a drastic solution to a horrific problem. 

This project has really opened my eyes.  I learned a lot researching and presenting to the class.  There needs to be some sort of change taking place in today's society.  School shootings and terrorist activity needs to be eradicated permanently. 

my first classroom

http://www.screencast.com/t/IZDgkusW

Here is the link of the picture of my first classroom.

You'll see that at the front of the class is the Smartboard.  At the back of the class is my desk with the computer.  In the middle are the students desks.  I've set it up this way so that I can pay attention to all of my students from the back of the classroom.  I project my notes and classroom discussions from the back of the class.  I am trying to do something different for my students that are probably used to having the traditional teacher at the front of the classroom.  I want them to pay attention to the Smart board.  I want them to be able to interact with the board, not me.  I would have them go up to the board and interact with the board, writing answers to the examples.  I can go through some of the internet activities that I will be designing for them in this manner.

Merit Pay

Is merit pay a good way to improve teacher performance?

Merit pay is a very good way to improve teacher performance.  Assigning a label to teachers and rewarding them for "climbing the ladder" is the same way that people in the financial industry are rewarded as well.  If Merit Pay is coupled with Peer Review and Peer Coaching then that is a perfect set up.  As discussed in the articles this week, teachers should be labeled and rewarded for those labels.  The labels should be Veteran down to a Novice teacher.  Veteran teachers should be given more money for coaching younger, less-experienced teachers.  If we are trying to get away from the use of standardized testing, then merit pay shouldn't be linked to student performance on any standardized test.  I believe that the Merit Pay programs that are rewarding teachers for student improvement on standardized testing are in place because the government wants more teachers to favor the use of standardized testing. 


Would you want to work in a merit pay environment?

I would be willing to work in a merit pay environment under certain circumstances.  I would not want a list of teachers published to any website that contains names of people that have been awarded money for progress in the program.  I think that should be kept private because parents would have too many questions and concerns about what is going on with their children.  They may want teachers that don't receive any rewards fired. 

Of all the teacher recognition/compensation alternatives discussed on these web sites, which makes the most sense to you?

The only program that makes any sense to me is the program with the most teacher involvement.  The programs that discuss merit pay based on teacher output not on student output.  The point is to have better teachers in our schools and the "trickle down" effect will be that the students will learn more and become better students in the long run.  We are a society that wants immediate results, and that's why they want to tie these Merit Pay programs to standardized testing.  The idea is that if we incentivize teachers to do better and they become better teachers, then we get better results on the standardized test from our students.  If teachers cover everything they need to cover in a school year and prepare their students to take a standardized test, then what have they taught their students.  They have taught their students to get through a test.  We want our students to take what we teach them into the real world and do something with it; that's the real result of a good teacher. 

The NBPTS: Latest Developments and Future Plans

What are the latest activities and initiatives of this organization?

Their purpose is the elevate the teaching profession so we can increase student learning and help students reach their full potential in the future.  Professionalism is having a coming language amongst teachers and the NBTPS helps with that.  It helps in talking to other teachers and using teacher language in collaborating and learning that teachers are going through.  They are looking at the entire spectrum of teachers; from pre-service teachers to teacher leadership.  Every teacher that becomes board certified becomes a better teacher; they are able to examine the work that they do everyday and builds courage and strength in order to find new ways to reach children.  It forces you to have higher and more rigorous standards for the students and yourself.  You learn to be more reflective on your own practice and you transfer that reflectiveness onto your students.

Now that you are more familiar with this organization, do you think you will work toward board certification? Why or why not?

I would definitely want to work towards board certification because this is a very competitive field and I would like to set myself apart.  After watching the video, it seems like board certified teachers become leaders of their schools and not just teachers in a classroom.  I want to make a difference in whatever school I am going to be involved with and I believe this certification can help set me apart from other teachers.

Dream Job Search

Indeed.com  

They had mostly tutoring positions that came up.  I am doing a search for High School Math Teacher positions.  I did find one position that seemed very interesting at a school in Middletown, NY.  There was also an interesting position in Flushing, NY at the Lowell school.  They only have 144 students in the entire school.

Education World

On this site, I found a position for a long-term substitute position in Darien, CT that seemed very interesting.  It pays $270.00 for people holding a Masters Degree and $250.00 for people with a Bachelors Degree.

I also found this advertisement on Education World.  Math Teacher Job Opportunity in the Bronx, NY.  Soliant is working with a local charter school near the Bronx that is seeking a Full Time Math Teacher for contract or direct hire. Salary is dependant on experience ranging from $55-$85,000 per year.

Local Jobs Index

This site just kept asking for more and more information.  After I filled out multiple pop ups of information, I was texted with a link for a job-openings.  None of the job openings are anywhere near the zip code that I entered.

Which resources did you find most helpful?
The answer to all of these questions is based on the success of my job search on each website.  Since Education World yielded the best result, I am going to tell you that it was the best resource.

Least helpful?
The Local Jobs Index was the least helpful and most frustrating because of the continuous pop-ups and lack of search ability.

When it comes time to start your real job search, do you think you will use the Internet as a primary resource? Why or why not?

I will use the Internet as a primary source for my job search because it is the easiest and most likely way to get my name out there.  I can sit at my computer and post my resume on multiple sites all at once and sit back to wait for responses.

Qualities of a Good Teacher Survey

1		Sense of humor
		(278 responses)
		3%	1 -- Barely Important
		2%	2
		17%	3
		40%	4
		42%	5 -- Very Important
2		Knowledge of subject matter
		(279 responses)
		1%	1 -- Barely Important
		0%	2
		2%	3
		15%	4
		82%	5 -- Very Important
3		Manages behavior well
		(279 responses)
		2%	1 -- Barely Important
		0%	2
		3%	3
		25%	4
		72%	5 -- Very Important
4		Enjoy and respect young people
		(277 responses)
		2%	1 -- Barely Important
		1%	2
		4%	3
		18%	4
		78%	5 -- Very Important
5		Adapt to change smoothly
		(278 responses)
		2%	1 -- Barely Important
		1%	2
		12%	3
		42%	4
		43%	5 -- Very Important
6		Motivating and inspiring
		(276 responses)
		2%	1 -- Barely Important
		0%	2
		5%	3
		26%	4
		68%	5 -- Very Important
7		Creative and innovative
		(274 responses)
		2%	1 -- Barely Important
		1%	2
		14%	3
		32%	4
		52%	5 -- Very Important
8		Cool in a crisis
		(275 responses)
		3%	1 -- Barely Important
		1%	2
		13%	3
		32%	4
		53%	5 -- Very Important
9		Good with adults and workmates
		(275 responses)
		2%	1 -- Barely Important
		0%	2
		12%	3
		40%	4
		48%	5 -- Very Important
10		Approaches things with variety
		(276 responses)
		1%	1 -- Barely Important
		1%	2
		17%	3
		34%	4
		47%	5 -- Very Important
11		Well-organized
		(273 responses)
		1%	1 -- Barely Important
		1%	2
		7%	3
		28%	4
		66%	5 -- Very Important
12		Reflective and introspective
		(275 responses)
		2%	1 -- Barely Important
		2%	2
		19%	3
		36%	4
		44%	5 -- Very Important
When I went through all the questions, I marked the number 5 for all of the questions except for Question #1.  I think that all the attributes are important qualities for teacher to have except for a sense of humor.  I've been in many classes where the teacher and atmosphere of the class is very serious all the time.  I think that depends on the students, teacher, and subject matter being discussed.