I know of at least two elementary teachers who used this last week of school to present very constructive and worthwhile lessons to students. The lessons were well-designed, well-executed, and encouraged learning at multiple levels. One "practiced Shakespeare" with a fourth grade class. Another had a younger class write and illustrate a mini-journal reflecting on accomplishments over the school year. Besides getting students to read, dramatize, write, reflect, illustrate, and think, these lessons conveyed important ideas about the value of Shakespeare, the value of writing, and the purpose of school. Thank you to all the teachers in the Newburgh School District who put in the time and effort to make this last week valuable for students, your professionalism is greatly appreciated.
The Multipling Factor
These examples should be the STANDARD for every teacher and administrator; students and staff immersed in the process of improved learning. If two more teachers / administrators integrate this as the standard each day, then four, then eight and so on then every one of the 180 teaching days would add up to a more successful school year. It wouldn't be long until improvements across the board would be on the rise. All the consultants, packaged "programs" and newest theories couldn't do as well.
Thank you for sharing!
How do you know they aren't?
If you want to criticize educators, may I suggest you start by actually gathering some data. The commentary on this site appears to be largely opinion-based. Who says the students weren't learning in the last days of school, exactly? If you want to posit about what the Newburgh school teachers are doing, may I suggest that guessing and/or referring to the two that you know does not an informed opinion make. I know teachers who go above and beyond every day for their students, but I'm not fool enough to post that as a standard that represents all of the district because I haven't got the data to back that up. I know teachers who volunteer as free tutors to bring kids from at-risk backgrounds up to par, even over the summer, but I wouldn't offer that as representative because once again, I don't have the data. You should take a step back from what you offer as "examples" and ponder whether there is integrity in your portrayal of the teachers in this school district. Anecdotal evidence is not considered representative. You might also ask yourself, "To what end is my purpose?" I know that's a question that runs through the mind of at least this reader.