TeraD's comments

TeraD's comments from the Banned Books group.

Note: TeraD is no longer a member of this group.

Well, the idea that teachers get to teach what they want is foreign to me. Where I teach, we are given our Essential Academic Learning Requirements (EALRs) from the state, the district takes those and decides on curriculum that will address the EALRs, they order the chosen curriculum, disseminate it throughout the district and tell us to teach. They tell us we must teach 90 minutes of uninterrupted reading and 60 minutes of uninterrupted math (of course the math lessons generally take between 75 and 90 minutes). We have lunch, recess and specialists...plus kids that need extra intervention (in reading) are pulled out an additional 30 minutes in the afternoon. We are given a science curriculum that we are expected to teach....next year will be the new social studies curriculum. There is no room for teacher creativity or input.

Then there is my classroom. I teach a self-contained class of students with varying disablities. They range in grade level from Kindergarten to 3rd grade, but cognitive levels range from 2 years old to 10 years old. I am expected to teach all of these children and make continued progress at moving them toward their grade levels, however, the district will not give me curriculum. I have to fight or get on the inside with a textbook coordinator who will "accidently" send me curriculum. Once I have curriculum, I am never included in receiving refills on consumables or updated materials. I have to begin fighting all over again. When I do get curriculum, I have to choose a grade level because they will only give me one set when really I could use K,1,2 and 3. I typically choose 1st grade and modify curriculum as best I can. The view of the district and my principal is the this is a special ed issue. I should be using my district special ed funds for curriculum needs...really? I get $100. This won't even buy me the teacher's guide. In addition, my students come from extremely low income families and even when I request supplies, they are unable to provide them, so I have stopped asking and use my $100 to buy supplies...

Anyway, my experience as a teacher is much different then what Kat is portraying. Kat, do you teach in private school? The one year I had absolute control over my teaching was when I taught 3rd grade in private school. I felt like a much better teacher, I wasn't confined to strict guidelines. I felt respected and important to the children and families, but they were just not the type of children I wanted to teach, plus I make double the salary in public schools which is important as I have my own family that I have to help provide for.