“Here
are your desk
numbers…Can you find yours!?” Ms. Tyrone
threw on a chipper, oh-this-will-be-so-much fun smile. Confusion
covered the children’s faces. The parents who clustered in the back of
the room
were equally confused.
Finally smart 32 # raised
her hand, bold and brave.
“Mrs. Tyrone…why do we all have just numbers?
And why are the numbers followed by #, % or *?
And, why are we all wearing these tee-shirts of “purple penguins”? And why…”
“Mrs. Tyrone…why do we all have just numbers?
And why are the numbers followed by #, % or *?
And, why are we all wearing these tee-shirts of “purple penguins”? And why…”
Ms. Tyrone held up her
hand. “I am to be called ‘Ms. Tyrone’
since that will not indicate whether or not I am married…er… 32 # . The Purple Penguins shows all that
being a girl or boy or one who is not sure, we all are exactly the same.”
Oh those parents are not happy, not happy at all.
 |
 |
Ms. Tyrone continued,
sweat covering her face. “Having a
number completely eliminates having your own name, which invariably would
indicate that you are a girl or boy or one who is not sure.”
Dear Lord, I hate this, I hate this…
Dear Lord, I hate this, I hate this…
"And then finally, 32 #, we have these symbols--- # or a * or %--- next to your number. These will help me call you up by groups, to work
especially with you or to arrange the desks.”
I wonder how long that will last…
I wonder how long that will last…
Some parents snickered,
some looked confused, and a good number looked angry.
“Well, then! 26 % , will you please read the rules on the
board, and we’ll get down to all the wonderful new history we will be learning this year."
I think I am going to vomit…” which she did, on 32 #.
I think I am going to vomit…” which she did, on 32 #.
 |
| partyplace: nice stuff |
"Purple
Penguins" is also a computer game in which children can play with other
children in a protected site and monitored by the parent. That is all I
know. I'll ask my gr-kids.
For further information on this issue in education, please go to these sites:
This
is a huge issue in education, and will increase. If you want to know
more, access Google where both sides will be presented. The above sites
are a mixture.
And, now....
# * %... These are entirely my idea, maybe my projection into a time where this will become reality. A bit of 1984 thrown in, followed with Attica, The Giver, Hunger Games, and with Animal Farm on the side.
Now, "Common Core" is radically changing education. Please research this and come to your own conclusions. And the Purple Penguins say, "Hi!"
Twenty years ago in a staff meeting, the Principal informed us that there were some big changes in education coming in 15-20 years. The NEA (National Education Association, one of the most powerful unions in California, if not all of the USA), along with many lobbyist and special interest groups, were promoting changes in the curriculum that would drastically change education to reflect new approaches, all of which would require revisionist viewpoints.
I asked what-if questions: What if the changes conflict in the teacher's beliefs? What if the changes eliminate or rewrite important elements of education ? He told me (all of us), "Those are good questions."
As a teacher and a parent, I believe that math should be taught as math, not with an agenda. Reading and writing should promote improved reading and writing skills, not a chance to indoctrinate. History should reflect the history of our nation and world, including every single person in those events.
I also believe that any student who bullies another student should receive severe consequences. Anti-bullying should become part of instruction in the classroom and at home. Every child should have a safe classroom.
What is deemed to meet these standards should be approved by independent educators, not special interest groups.
Parents should be given back the power they once had, and teach standards at home. They must make the decisions that were/should be theirs to make.
So here we are, and he was right. I am retired.
And, now....
Now, "Common Core" is radically changing education. Please research this and come to your own conclusions. And the Purple Penguins say, "Hi!"
Twenty years ago in a staff meeting, the Principal informed us that there were some big changes in education coming in 15-20 years. The NEA (National Education Association, one of the most powerful unions in California, if not all of the USA), along with many lobbyist and special interest groups, were promoting changes in the curriculum that would drastically change education to reflect new approaches, all of which would require revisionist viewpoints.
I asked what-if questions: What if the changes conflict in the teacher's beliefs? What if the changes eliminate or rewrite important elements of education ? He told me (all of us), "Those are good questions."
As a teacher and a parent, I believe that math should be taught as math, not with an agenda. Reading and writing should promote improved reading and writing skills, not a chance to indoctrinate. History should reflect the history of our nation and world, including every single person in those events.
I also believe that any student who bullies another student should receive severe consequences. Anti-bullying should become part of instruction in the classroom and at home. Every child should have a safe classroom.
What is deemed to meet these standards should be approved by independent educators, not special interest groups.
Parents should be given back the power they once had, and teach standards at home. They must make the decisions that were/should be theirs to make.
 |
| Source: Very Interesting |
So here we are, and he was right. I am retired.
This was written in 2019, predicting what was coming in education. What Christian teachers do? Stand up for beliefs, get fired by the District school board.
🙂
ReplyDeleteBack atcha.
DeleteI am old enough to have seen many changes in school protocol. For instance I remember when they instituted adding "under God" into the Pledge of Allegiance. I also remember when they removed it. I remember prayer in the mornings before class started. My opinion is that prayer and religion do not belong in the schools. I agree that math is math, science is science and history is history. As long as each subject is taught completely and accurately, I will be satisfied. And a teacher should teach the subject without coloring with personal beliefs. Thank you for such a thought-provoking post.
ReplyDeleteI am hoping that this tells a little of my own teaching life.
Deletei agree with all your writing in the yellow highlighted.
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing that anyone would do this to our children. School Choice would not work anymore. Every public school will teach the same thing. Charter schools are an excellent choice.
DeleteI agree with many of your points, but "parents should be given back" the power they once had and teach standards at home. When was this power ever revoked? Parents have always been allowed to teach standards at home, don't bully, right from wrong, be polite, good manners etc. It's just that many parents don't do this and that is one reason why there are so many out of control children in schools. It isn't the schools job to teach these things and when they try the parents get all upset over it. It's a no-win situation that began decades ago when people thought disciplining their children would somehow "inhibit" their growth or imagination or some other nonsense.
ReplyDeleteStudents are so easy to hurt, fists or words.
DeleteEducation here in US is in desperate shape. Parents are forbidden to object to the educational practices being hoisted on the children. I can't say how bad it is, because I don't know if it is more than just bad. Going to the school board meetings has branded some parents as "domestic terrorists" and they have been dragged out of their houses by SWAT teams with weapons. It is bad here.
ReplyDeleteSusan, this was an important post, but since I've never been involved with the educational system in this country, while I'm aware of some issues, I really don't feel I have enough knowledge to comment.
ReplyDeleteThe movie "Sound of Freedom" about child trafficking is tremendous. It is in the theaters I think. Children are so fragile.
DeleteEducation is so messed up, Susan. I used to teach, too, but "retired" in 2010 because already then, those of us who refused to join a union were being singled out for bullying - yes, bullying! What's going on today is shameful, and I pray daily for the situation.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
DeleteI joined the Union to avoid the bullying. Never did anything related to their activities. But, that was 20 years ago.
It's so much easier to just call a kiddo by their preferred name, no matter what their legal name might be.
ReplyDeleteI had names on their desks. I think I even used print and cursive.. The behavior chart was just numbers.
DeleteIt's a sad situation. That's all I can say, or I'll start to rant.
ReplyDeleteI know. I had another post for 2012, it was more of a rant. I won't post it.
DeleteI'm glad my girlies are grown up, and we don't have to deal with a lot of nonsense in schools. I think at this time, I'd homeschool instead of sending them to school.
ReplyDeleteI agree. If it is possible, checking into charter schools is a wise decision.
Delete