Thoughts.
I miss writing here, but often am not sure what to say
or whether to say it or how to say it or to just stay hidden.
It has been one of the roughest winters for me
physically, emotionally, and mentally.
Nothing that cannot be worked through,
which I am doing.
Spring is teasing us
and winter must really love us,
because he just won't let go!
Or no, wait, that's possession obsession,
isn't it?
We begin a week of PARCC. It is the new test
that Ohio is saying it is going with.
It is supposed to be in place next year,
but I guess, the powers to be are reconsidering.
Whatever they decide,
you can bet
new hoops
will be designed
for us
to jump through.
Yes, sir!
How high, sir!
To the moon, you say? Yes and then some.
Where? In your substandard computer labs.
Never mind that you don't have enough computers!
When? Soon.
But while we're deciding, have your freshmen
take a preview test.
Let it take up four mornings of class time.
Oh, we're sorry---did you say you were busy teaching?
Don't let a little thing like that bother you!
Your kids will be happy to be guinea pigs. . .
all for the sake of better education.
(No. Because someone wants to make even more money
redesigning 'the wheel'.)
How? Take these work shops. Invest lots of money. . .
oh and lots of time, blood, sweat, and tears,
and you might figure it out.
Our job is to only appear to be helping. After all,
we are incredibly busy designing new hoops!
Why? Didn't you learn anything
from your parents? Because we said so!
Now get going!
March!
Two teachers, the librarian, the guidance counselor and I
will be administering PARCC all this coming week.
Hmmm, administering. Sounds sinister.
Me thinks it just might be!
More thoughts:
If a powerful seven-men committee has their way,
a huge pad for a fracking drill
will be placed up the hill to the left I think.
It will be very near our town park.
The men and equipment
will destroy our hiking paths.
We pray, that's all.
After all, that isn't just any lake you see.
It's our reserve water supply!
But, hey, they'll be careful!
Yeah, let's ask those folks in WVa
what they think.
(They still haven't fully recovered from a major leak
that made their water unusable for anything.)
But, hey, they'll be careful!
Yeah, let's ask those folks in WVa
what they think.
(They still haven't fully recovered from a major leak
that made their water unusable for anything.)
Sorry you've had such a crummy winter. I hope that with Spring, comes other renewal as well.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sick of government rules and regulations. We see the same thing in health care - they want more all the time with less money spent. As for th Fracking - I pray it doesn't make it to your area.
I love the way you write, Beth... You sound skeptical, my friend about the new education tests and about the fracking.... GADS is all I can say about BOTH....
ReplyDeleteSorry you have had a bad winter... Hope the spring will be much better. Maybe Spring is finally coming to our area this week... I hope so since it has been a LONG winter and a crazy one!!!!
Hugs,
Betsy
Yes, it is a great time to be in education. It is a particularly wonderful time to be in English education. When do we retire??
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you've had a bad Winter, Beth. You sound very fed-up with the current educational system. We have the same difficulties here in the education and health services. We see it from the point of view of our nurse/health visitor daughter's stressful work conditions due to the demands of management, lack of financial resources and government rules and regulations. All we can do is listen and support her practically. Do take care, Beth.
ReplyDeleteSurely this is a site well worth seeing.
ReplyDeleteHope you can retain these wonderful views and that your spring is better than winter has been.
ReplyDelete