I’m a teacher. I’
ve taught elementary school for five years. I’
ve always told people, “I have the best job in the world.” I have always felt like I made a difference. Like, I could change the world. At the end of the day, I felt energized. Lately, more often than not, I feel demoralized....
This year our school found out that it did not make
AYP (Annual Yearly Progress). Now the average person might hear this and say, “Oh, that school must have a bunch of stupid kids, or lazy teachers, or maybe they all just suck." But, the devil, as always, is in the details. Unfortunately, what looks good on paper, doesn't always translate to good practice, as is the case with No Child Left Behind (
NCLB).
The fact is.. because of
NCLB schools are losing many amazing teachers. I, myself, have never before felt the strains of
NCLB as I do this year.
NCLB requires states to set reading and math target scores progressively higher each year, with a goal of all students testing at grade level by 2014. Remember that year as is it key to
NCLB. It is the year that every child will be achieving at 100% at or above grade level in reading and math.
Ahhhh, the year when I can say my job is done and take a
sabbatical leave from education. In reality, it will be the year the all schools will be failing.
This year, my school, fell short of
NCLB goals causing us to receive the "needing improvement" label. This is a scary thing for educators as it means work harder, cram in more curricula, teach teach teach to the test or else you will possibly lose your job. You start to feel like your previous efforts were meaningless and you are a worthless excuse for a teacher. It is defeating. It is frustrating.
As an educator, I know these
standardized tests are only one measure, one snapshot, of student achievement. Unfortunately, it the make-or-break assessment that determines our status with the Department of Education. They are the numbers that are published in the paper. They are the scores that
home buyers look at when deciding if they should move into a neighborhood. They are the numbers that are pulled out and held over us, whenever administrators feel the need to put the blame on someone. They are what decides if a school is up to par or not.
As a teacher, I measure progress and achievement for my students on a daily basis. I set the bar high, expecting a lot. I don’t argue with the importance of assessment; it informs my instruction for each child. I don’t argue with the importance of accountability; I believe in it strongly--for myself and my students.
I have empathy for our administrators who have to stand up and be told that we are “needing improvement” in our schools. I have empathy for our administrators who have to turn around and drill it into us, telling us we must do things “this” way to get results. I feel for them. They are judged on the numbers, as well. I think about the stress they are going through. I think of this as daily, as I feel unsupported and unappreciated in my efforts in the classroom by my
administrator.
My support comes from my coworkers; my peers. I say this proudly, I teach with phenomenal teachers. Everyday they hit the ground running. Everyday it's about what is best for students. Everyday it's the attitude of "What else can I do?" We promote high levels of learning because it is our job! The fear of
NCLB has ruined a lot of wonderful things but it will not ruin me. I am a great teacher. I work with great teachers. We do "Whatever It Takes".
When I drive home demoralized after another meeting where our success is dissected with a
machete knife, I remember different students I had in classroom over the years and where they are and how I attributed to that. I think about my efforts now and my efforts then.. I think about all of the celebrations with student's learning I've had... and somewhere I feel a little but energized again.
