TOPICS:

What is "eduspeak?" ... beyond the definition [immediate right ].

Eduspeak: 'The use of acronyms and abbreviations to further the cause of American education.'

What is "eduspeak"? May 11, 2008. 6:30 p.m.

I started this "blog" because I have a lot of complaints. I'm angry and disheartened and isolated and fear for America's children. I know that there are many other public school teachers who feel the same, but because they fear retribution, they keep to themselves, suffer silently, and pray for retirement to come quickly. Also, nearly every kid I speak with today has their own list of complaints. I think back on my own high school years back in the 1960s, and though I was exceedingly happy to graduate, I never looked back on those years as something to be endured. Today, our children are enduring our failing educational system. And, the sad reality is, we — as a nation — don't seem to have the moral imperative to do anything about it. Make no mistake about it: it is a moral issue.

"Eduspeak," for the purposes of this blog, is twofold: it derives from the terminology that educators use. When I was taking my education courses, I was told more than once to "learn the vernacular of your profession." Throughout this blog I'll be refraining from the use of these terms, because I've found, to my consternation, that the terminology is regional. When I run the latest catchword by a colleague in another state, I usually hear: "What?" So, I revert to common English and conversation continues. Eduspeak for the purposes of this blog is simply stories from the front lines of teaching. All entries by myself, and references to other teachers, will be anonymous -- for the protection of the source. In the news profession it is called "protecting your sources." I'm protecting my sources.

So far I have been unable to find a blog that offers teachers a place to vent their pedagogical spleens. I am a California public school teacher who -- to steal a phrase -- is "mad as hell and ... not going to take it any more." I may never receive a comment, or an email from any other teachers who agree with me. For which I am prepared. But, I know that I am not alone, and hope that someday this blog may become a vehicle for constructive and productive criticism of American education, from people who are on the front lines: regular classroom teachers.

I Googled "education blogs" and came up with literally hundreds of listings for education blogs. At first look they appeared to be highly academic, supported by research, and energetic. But, I found most of them to be -- simply put -- boring as hell. That is because there are literally hundreds of articles and books published each year proffering the latest, newest, "best," techniques for helping the students "get it" and become interested and excited and successful students and, hopefully, educated. Yet, I found most of those blogs to be more of the same old "samo." There appears to be no blogs by teachers willing to air their gripes and tell of their plights; let alone, sign their names.

American education is in disrepair. [I take that word from the medical profession which instructs us that pain is simply discomfort.] And, it's not all the fault of Bill Clinton's and George W. Bush's No Child Left Behind (NCLB). That Act is simply the latest attempt by the American federal government to fix public education. Here's a piece of advice for teachers who are still looking for the latest, best thing for their students: read what John Dewey wrote over 100 years ago, what Abraham Harold Maslow wrote over 50 years ago, and listen to what your students are trying to tell you. And cancel your subscription to Education Week. [How often do you actually read it?]

Postings at this point are anonymous, or written with nom de plumes, only because, as any teacher will tell you, being openly honest is not something many teachers are willing to do. Including me. I am currently teaching band for one district, while substituting for several others. I tell everybody that I'm "semi retired," not mentioning that it isn't by choice. More on that in a later blog.

Currently, I am a relatively new California credentialed teacher, after having been a freelance and staff hard news and features photojournalist for almost 15 years. I have been involved with two Christian schools, was a long term substitute teacher in Utah; and was a carpenter, a musician -- between gigs as a free lance writer. In 2004 I acquired my California "clear" multi-purpose, self contained, single subject teaching credential from a California university credential mill after having taught at a local community college in the journalism department. When I was informed that our budget had been cut and that my services were no longer needed, and since I had very much enjoyed teaching, and at the suggestion of my wife, I entered a teacher credential program at a California university. Upon acceptance, I was informed that my age [I received my credential when I was 55] was an "asset," and that the California public school system would welcome my "life experiences" and I would surely be hired upon graduation. I even continued my education and earned a Masters of Education degree a year after I got my credential, and was ready to dig in, get a job, and get to work contributing to the education of America's children. No such luck. I have not only not even been granted an interview after submitting many applications, but have come to the conclusion that unless a miracle occurs, I'll be receiving social security before I get a regular, full time teaching contract. More on that subject in a later blog, also.

Another, more important, reason I've commenced this blog is because I know that there are many teachers who, as I wrote above, are so discouraged that they are just waiting to retire [those who have stuck with it], are leaving the profession after only a few years, or have become administrators so they could get the hell out of the classroom.

This blog is NOT for parents; because parents are part of the problem. This is for teachers. My sincere wish is that this blog will become a vehicle for hope. This is also for the classified [non credentialed]school personnel -- who are the backbone of the education profession and who are getting an even worse deal, many times, than their teacher colleagues.

In future blogs I intend to comment upon the following subjects:

Save American education: end compulsory attendance

Clueless administrators

The administrator merry go round

Coaches make bad administrators

Minimum requirement for school board members: a teaching credential

Teachers' unions are NOT the problem

Our schools are not failing because of the 1960s

Let American society solve its own problems

The arts as punishment