Mel Jacobson on mon 29 sep 97
the saddest thing about many of the `new breed` is they have 4.0 averages,
follow the company line, and don't make waves...never have an opinion.
i saw dozens just like that come to our school the last few years.
principals do not like people with opinions. so, always hire people
that can be managed.....teaching is about being a `leader`...never
a follower.
the fear of making people un-happy, not getting tenure, or fear of
fear, making the boss un-happy is rampant.
the `new breed` also works on the `rat system`, go to the boss
with little stories each day, you might get a nugget.
sorry to vent on this one....but a tender spot was hit.
i like the `zorba story, if you go into battle, get scars on your chest,
never on your back.` (in the book, that all potters should read, he was a
potter, went to the butcher and had his little finger removed...it got in
the way when he threw pots.)
nikos kazinzakas, (sp) `letters to greco` and `zorba`
mel
p.s. i never understood how anyone could go to college and get
all `A's`......god, did one never have a real`fight` with a teacher, esp
an art professor.......that was half of the learning curve.
http://www.pclink.com/melpots
Mary Finegan on tue 30 sep 97
As an elementary school teacher and a potter, I can see both sides of
this issue. I have never really felt like I fit in with the rest of the
faculty. I have been referred to by my co-workers as the "creative one'
and I don't think it was a compliment.
On the other hand, I've come to respect the work of many of my
colleagues over the years. Many people who pursure a degree in
education score high on justice on the Meyers-Briggs test. Some of my
co-workers aren't very creative, but they are skilled at imparting
information in an orderly, sequential manner. Not all kids learn best
this way, but many do. Over the years, I've had to learn that people
are different and to appreciate them as they are, not how I'd wish them
to be. No, I don't always "get" them, and they often don't "get" me.
But I am glad that people are different; it makes life alot more
interesting.
mew zack on thu 2 oct 97
Mel -good post - you can vent all you want as far as I'm concerned , I
agree with you completely, the whole situation scares the Hell out of me
I'm glad I was schooled in the 60's(God that sounds old), if I could
be locked in a period of time ,that would be it. You could even tell the
cars apart back then. As each day elapses we're edging closer & closer
to the "Little Prince Syndrome", and that's my fear. Indviduals are
becoming the minority. Mark
Roxanne Hunnicutt on sat 4 oct 97
Mel:
"...the `new breed` is they have 4.0 averages, follow the company line, and
don't make waves...never have an opinion...principals do not like people with
opinions. so, always hire people that can be managed.....teaching is about
being a `leader`...never a follower.the fear of making people un-happy, not
getting tenure, or fear of fear, making the boss un-happy is rampant.the `new
breed` also works on the `rat system`, go to the boss with little stories each
day, you might get a nugget.sorry to vent on this one....but a tender spot was
hit."
Boy do I agree! I have been put out to pasture through disability but it is
really all about being a thinker, speaking up and challenging authority,
specifically the superintendent! I am happy to be potting and not a part of
the whole sick system!
They hate creativity! I was so stupified the day a parent said to my face that
the Talented and Gifted parents knew that they had a problem on their hands
with me when they heard that I taught art, in addition to English that I was
teaching their babies! I almost was shocked to the point I couldn't comprehend
his point!
Rox in OR
It is clearing!
Kris Baum on sun 5 oct 97
Roxanne:
Re: the GT parent who said they had a problem with you, what WAS his
point??? He was getting two for the price of one!
I'm so frustrated that my seventh grader can't take art this year as
part of her arts rotation because " the art teacher only works in the
afternoon, and the seventh graders have all their electives in the
morning"!
It depresses me that the arts (fine art, music, etc.) are treated as
inconsequential extras in the public schools, to be cut when money
runs short. There have been published studies showing that music
helps kids with math. The "Tech ed" teacher lamented that the
traditional shop activities are being replaced with computer design.
Pretty soon, will anyone be able to make anything - either
beautiful or functional - with their own two hands anymore?
===============================================
Kris Baum, Shubunkin Pottery
mailto:shubunki@erols.com
===============================================
Molly Gorger on tue 7 oct 97
> the whole situation scares the Hell out of me
It always made me nervous too......Even in the sixties when I was
attending school. I knew something was wrong.....just couldn't put my
finger on it.....
When you learn about the system and know it was developed by the Dept.
of Labor......Well ......to have folks who didn't ask questions......to
not think for themselves......to do just what they were told......
Come on........we are a product of the same system....and our teachers
today!!!!! Guess what.........they are too!!
There are exceptions to all general rules I believe......there are great
teachers out there! It is not a job I would want.
When I found the book "Dumbing us Down" the author put words to what I
had been feeling my whole way through school......It is a great
read....not a big book but he tells it like I felt it anyway......The
authors name is John_________Gatto....John something Gatto....He taught
in the system for years and won teaching awards. He speaks from
experience.
I recommend it to ALL! Anyone interested....frustrated....angry.... or
in love with the system, anyone with an iota of curiosity about of
school system..........
Enjoy Hearty Laughter!
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