School Start Times

Interesting that in the span of a few weeks Boston Public Schools walked back its decision to change start times for all of its schools. It is clear that a later start time for high school students would be beneficial for them since the internal clock of a teenager is set for late nights and sleeping in a little bit. This is where most of the dialogue regarding start times centers when school districts consider what school hours should be. If the decision about start times was solely related to 9-12 grade, then the decision to start later is very easy. High school students will perform better if they can start their school day at 8:00 or later.

The problem that Boston ran into was the fact that there are children who are in grades pk-8. These students also have needs, and, while they might perform better early in the day than high schoolers, it became very clear, very quickly that small children should not be on a bus at 6:15 in the morning. Also very clear was the fact that earlier start times would mean earlier end of day times for these students. This would mean higher costs to working parents for after school care or programs. It also would cause issues for those families where the high school student has been the care provider for younger siblings after school as now the younger children would potentially be home alone for extended periods of time waiting for their siblings to get home.

Huge issues: safety for young children waiting for buses at early hours, day care and after school costs, buses and transportation, athletics, and after school jobs. All of these have to be taken into account if a big city or a poorer community try to take on the issue of whether or not to change school hours. Some communities in Massachusetts have successfully figured this out and have later start times for high schools. However, districts with many schools are tied up by bus schedules and budgets. They are usually the main child care providers for working families.

As a high school administrator, I see the potential benefits of a later start for my students. As my school is private and 9-12, the path seems clear to a later start. Until you start to ask parents about what they think. Then, their concerns come about care for their younger children, the need for their high schoolers to work, and the need for string athletic programs to keep their children on the straight and narrow. As a person who cares about the whole student and that student's family, I see that any school must proceed with caution when it comes to changing hours. Any district needs to recognize the needs of high school students but start any changes with a focus on the needs of its most helpless students. 

What are your favorite digital apps/sites/resources?

Many schools are (or are moving to) 1:1 and/or are implementing blended learning, as well as personalized learning models. 

What are your favorite digital apps/sites/resources? 

If possible, offer some background, support, and/or info about your own implementation

What Would You Do Scenario

What Would You Do Scenario 

My real-life “What Would You Do” scenario happened about two weeks ago in my classroom at Burncoat High School: my teacher abruptly left the room to answer a phone call, came back to class, and asked me if I could handle teaching the second period Honors English class. Another student teacher and myself said we could manage it. Our Supervising Teacher left to pick up his kids — his car broke down — and the students began filing into their seats. I hadn’t read this week’s novel, Things Fall Apart, in about six years, but I remembered enough to facilitate a circle read and a discussion about theme. I almost panicked — here were 26 students in the classroom, waiting for class to begin. It was an emergency situation and certainly was anxiety-producing at first. I learned to stay calm, no matter what. 

Suppose this...

Suppose this...
You are a first-year teacher trying your hardest to be the best and most effective teacher you can be. Between creating the most effective lesson plans possible and grading your students' assignments, it seems as though there is no time left for yourself. You also have to run a club or an after school activity per the request of the school. Meanwhile, you are also trying to get your master's degree. It seems as though you are quickly heading down the path of being burnt out. What would you do to prevent this?

What would you do?

Sometimes when a student is acting out, you address their behavior publicly, but sometimes its better to do it privately. Here's the scenario: students are completing an assignment, and you asked the students to work on a separate sheet of paper instead of trying to show their work on the half sheet that has the problems printed on it.  In the middle of class, after writing a few hints on the board, you notice a student is writing their work on this half sheet.  You address the student publicly and make a statement along the lines of "You better copy that work onto another sheet because I will not be grading that", and the student looks visibly upset.  Similar situations have happened with this same student and each time he looks more and more upset, when is it time to speak with him privately or will changing the way you address the problem publicly be enough?

Norwood Public Maternity Leave

Norwood Public Schools has a high school ELA maternity leave position open (3 months). Please pass along the information to anyone who might be qualified/interested. They can contact me (mcashman@holycross.edu), Sarah Paine (spaine@norwood.k12.ma.us), or the Department Head,
Teresa Drummey at tdrummey@norwood.k12.ma.us.

First Year Memories

For all of you new teachers out there, welcome to the profession. The charge you get from helping a student "get it" is worth everything.

No one forgets their first year of teaching. Probably because that is the first time you really learn how to teach and manage a classroom.

A couple of memories from my first year.

I got a job at Cathedral High School in Boston. With an MA, I still was working for $11,600 my first year. Yes, it was in 1984, but $11,600 was very little event then. I worked part/full time in a hardware store as well to pay bills and have some semblance of walking around money.

I was the displaced teacher. I did not have my own room. In fact, I taught in four different rooms. The only room I had more than one period was the typing room because I was asked to teach two typing classes. If you saw me typing this, you would understand why I never demonstrated typing. Instead I explained the process and drilled the  students mercilessly. Every student that year did learn to types at least 60 words per minute (some over 100). But they never did see me type.

I also taught English, World History and Career Skills. The thing about small, Catholic schools is that you get to teach a lot of things in a lot of subject areas if you are willing to say, "yes." I am a better teacher and person for all the times and things I said yes to as a teacher.

I also remember that between the teaching and the part time job, at one point I found myself at a stop light reflecting on the fact that I had worked 38 consecutive days and was scheduled for 9-10 more before I would have a day off. I asked myself the real question, "Why am I doing this?" Fortunately, before the light changed, I had the epiphany, "because I love it." Been fine ever since.

What are some of your first year teacher memories?