Poll of the Day > What should be done about teaching this year? Opinions.

(+) Yeah! (+)

Ok, some of you may know I'm normally a teacher, but I have not taught since my wife passed away almost 4 years ago now (4 years next Feb). I was planning on working as a TA this year (teachers assistant) to get back into the swing of things before starting to teach again next year.

Because of the virus I already decided to suspend that till next year, but what do ya'll think about in person teaching this year?

When I taught last it was in CA, in Gilroy CA where 2 schools had been closed recently, our classrooms typically had over 40 students. Currently the guidelines state you are supposed to have 6 feet between each child's desk, which would limit most class rooms to only 10-15 students max.

Personally I'm all for a MUCH better teacher to student ratio (and if you are going to have 30+ students you should ensure the teacher has a TA to help). The problem is, if you have only 10-15 students per class you need at least double the number of classes and teachers, to compensate.

I should also mention that in CA we had special needs students mixed in with the normal classrooms as well (I never had less than 3), which often take alot of attention/extra effort etc. Again, a TA would seriously help, but there was a massive lack of money/funding (hence the schools closing) which prevented that from being possible.

My personal suggestion is to suspend in person school for 2 months right now, and then if we can get the numbers under control, open up classes in October, and just continue school through July this year to compensate. I also suggest passing a bill to freaking BUILD MORE FREAKING SCHOOLS, and to fund TA's for most classrooms. Limit all classes to 20 students max as well. While that won't solve everything, and it requires we actually get a freaking handle on the virus before October, it would be way better than trying to open the schools right now.

What do you all think we should do as far as opening up schools etc? I know there are other teachers on here as well. Curious what everyone thinks.

On a personal note, I plan on getting the blood test done to see if I already have gotten the virus (supposedly it's accurate now). If it shows I already have then I will volunteer or work as a TA this year, but I'm still not ready to start being in charge of a full classroom yet.

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Having half come in on M/T and the other half R/F, with W being used to disinfect, seems like an okay plan.

While I was at first going to cite possible changes to the learning model as a silver lining, I remembered that much of school's purpose is "free" childcare so I guess we won't see anything too innovative in the long run.

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It will be difficult to get kids to wear masks all year.... you just have to make it fun.

Instead of masks, how about bandanas? I mean, over-the-nose bandanas have protected people from dust and such for hundreds of years. Sure, it won't be AS effective as a full-filter mask, but it will be significantly more effective than nothing while also not restricting breathing in any way (since all your air goes downwards)

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wolfy42 posted...

Because of the virus I already decided to suspend that till next year, but what do ya'll think about in person teaching this year?

The school year starts in September so kids going back to school as normal as possible then is the best idea and that's what's happening in the UK. My brothers SO is a teacher for young kids and she's been working through this pandemic from home mostly. She has 6 weeks off now(stranded summer holidays for schools in the UK) but she'll be back in a classroom next month as far as I know. She's missing actually teaching. It'll probably be good for her.

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wwinterj25 posted...

The school year starts in September

I think one of my SO's sons started already. Like just the other day, I think...
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Lokarin posted...

Instead of masks, how about bandanas?

https://i.imgur.com/ySslwCC.jpg

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LinkPizza posted...

I think one of my SO's sons started already. Like just the other day, I think...

Might be different in the states. Although over here key worker kids are still going to school I think. Such as folk who work in the NHS. What job does your SO have? Perhaps he's classed as a 'key worker'.

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Lokarin posted...

t will be difficult to get kids to wear masks all year.... you just have to make it fun.

I was thinking of that, perhaps having the students decorate their own masks etc, could be fun to do.

wwinterj25 posted...

The school year starts in September so kids going back to school as normal as possible then is the best idea and that's what's happening in the UK. My brothers SO is a teacher for young kids and she's been working through this pandemic from home mostly. She has 6 weeks off now(stranded summer holidays for schools in the UK) but she'll be back in a classroom next month as far as I know. She's missing actually teaching. It'll probably be good for her.

I miss teaching/volunteering as well. I volunteered till I moved to Tacoma almost exactly a year ago, so it's been awhile for me. Longest I have not worked in some capacity in my life (Since I was 11 lol). I think it's a much bigger difference in the UK then in the US though since our numbers are really bad here right now.

I'm also high risk, have diabetes/high blood pressure and either had the virus or a bad case of pnuemonia at the start of the year. I want to get that test to see if I have anti-bodies soon, as that will give me alot more freedom. Still till I know I have already had it, teaching would be a really bad idea right now.

Zeus posted...

Having half come in on M/T and the other half R/F, with W being used to disinfect, seems like an okay plan.

While I was at first going to cite possible changes to the learning model as a silver lining, I remembered that much of school's purpose is "free" childcare so I guess we won't see anything too innovative in the long run.

Changes especially in some states would be REALLY good, I considered not teaching anymore at least at public schools because of the state of things in CA before I left. 40 + students with 1 adult along with 3+ special needs kids in a classroom is very high stress. It's why I stopped teaching (I was a nanny/tutor etc instead), I just can't handle that level of stress. Without all the stress (my wife being sick and teaching) I stopped having migraines constantly, my blood sugars improved etc.

I finally am feeling up to possibly teaching again soon (hence wanting to be a TA this year), but not during a pandemic. It's enough stress normally for me, no way am I going to be possibly responsible for my students dying or bringing a virus home that kills their grandparents etc.

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wwinterj25 posted...

Might be different in the states. Although over here key worker kids are still going to school I think. Such as folk who work in the NHS. What job does your SO have? Perhaps he's classed as a 'key worker'.

He's not a key worker. But he ex wife may be. The son is with her right now. If it's the younger one that went back to school, that is...
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wwinterj25 posted...

LinkPizza posted...
I think one of my SO's sons started already. Like just the other day, I think...
Might be different in the states. Although over here key worker kids are still going to school I think. Such as folk who work in the NHS. What job does your SO have? Perhaps he's classed as a 'key worker'.

School schedules are diff here, most school systems in the US start by mid August I believe. Even there it varies by state to state to some degree, as do the actual school hours. I believe school starts like 2 hours later in WA than in CA for instance, really through me for a loop at first.

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wolfy42 posted...

I believe school starts like 2 hours later in WA than in CA for instance, really through me for a loop at first.

I think that's pretty normal, though. The schools around my hometown are different. Like the high schools are different from middle, which is also different from the elementary. But even the high schools are different from the other high schools... I went to different high schools than my cousins, and we finished at different times...
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LinkPizza posted...

He's not a key worker. But he ex wife may be. The son is with her right now. If it's the younger one that went back to school, that is...

Ah. That probably explains it.

wolfy42 posted...

School schedules are diff here, most school systems in the US start by mid August I believe. Even there it varies by state to state to some degree, as do the actual school hours. I believe school starts like 2 hours later in WA than in CA for instance, really through me for a loop at first.

Interesting.

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wolfy42 posted...

The problem is, if you have only 10-15 students per class you need at least double the number of classes and teachers, to compensate.

Take advantage of this and demand an extortionate rate for your high demand skill.
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Teach kids practical skills like carpentry, plumbing, and masonry. That way they can build their own houses when society collapses instead of majoring in gender studies and being useless at hunting radroachs.

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Unbridled9 posted...

Teach kids practical skills like carpentry, plumbing, and masonry. That way they can build their own houses when society collapses instead of majoring in gender studies and being useless at hunting radroachs.

Nah. Just let them sleep on the floor.... right?

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wwinterj25 posted...

Nah. Just let them sleep on the floor.... right?

And have them claim the floor is oppressing them or something? No. I like my floor.

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Unbridled9 posted...

Teach kids practical skills like carpentry, plumbing, and masonry. That way they can build their own houses when society collapses instead of majoring in gender studies and being useless at hunting radroachs.
I

Unbridled9 posted...

wwinterj25 posted...
Nah. Just let them sleep on the floor.... right?

And have them claim the floor is oppressing them or something? No. I like my floor.

You guys rock:)

Actually I'm a strong supporter of spending the last 2 years primarily teaching students a practical skill they can use to get a job, basically the same as vocational schools. I happen to love teaching math, but honestly I don't think every student needs to learn more than pre-algebra tbh, and if students wanna focus on shop skills/mechanic skills etc instead, they should be allowed.

The last year in fact should include vocational/volunteer positions so they get on the job training etc. You can't even hint at that at most schools as it's all about getting the students to prepare for college (or at least it was, it's been a few years so maybe that is finally slowing down now).

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As much distance learning as possible, probably for the rest of the year, see where we're at next year.

Its not ideal, but better than making the pandemic worse.

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Im gonna say the same thing of teachers a ton of you here said about cops: if they cant do their job they should just quit.

Lokarin posted...

Instead of masks, how about bandanas?

No fucking way. The kids in my area aren't even allowed to wear colored shirts because of gang violence. Absolutely no fucking way they could allow bandanas. There are already going to be problems with kids wearing colored masks.

In my opinion (and this only applies to my area, idk what the rest of the country is like right now), they should force the kids back to school. No restrictions.

Something like 40% of the children that attend the public school near me do not end up graduating. This year 100% of them graduated because they just gave everyone a free pass. The majority of them never attended online classes because they do not have computers at home or reliable internet access.
We are giving dumbass, irresponsible, children diplomas they didn't earn and are creating a host of problems because of it.

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We should kick the lawmakers in the ass and have them force the internet companies to have decent and affordable service everywhere in the country and have distance learning for everyone.

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We should focus on technical skills.

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wolfy42 posted...

You guys rock:)

Actually I'm a strong supporter of spending the last 2 years primarily teaching students a practical skill they can use to get a job, basically the same as vocational schools. I happen to love teaching math, but honestly I don't think every student needs to learn more than pre-algebra tbh, and if students wanna focus on shop skills/mechanic skills etc instead, they should be allowed.

The last year in fact should include vocational/volunteer positions so they get on the job training etc. You can't even hint at that at most schools as it's all about getting the students to prepare for college (or at least it was, it's been a few years so maybe that is finally slowing down now).

Not only that, but colleges need a trim too. Get them refocused on STEM and trim out all these terrible classes like gender studies.

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DocDelicious posted...

No f***ing way. The kids in my area aren't even allowed to wear colored shirts because of gang violence

That sounds like a fun activity! Take the class out to meet the gangs!

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Remove any teacher that are remotely activists/political in the schools/colleges.

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The_tall_midget posted...

Remove any teacher that are remotely activists/political in the schools/colleges.

Most teachers (at least in primary school) are fairly non-political at least in class and with the students. Parents come in all political colors and spouting your ideals in class is a great way to end up with serious drama you don't want.

There are exceptions to every rule, and probably in areas that are extremely right/left things are different, but in the schools I have worked at I never saw a teacher who was teaching (admittingly elementary kids), anything political, other then the whole pledge of alligence, which I guess could be considered political by some.

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wolfy42 posted...

Most teachers (at least in primary school) are fairly non-political at least in class and with the students. Parents come in all political colors and spouting your ideals in class is a great way to end up with serious drama you don't want.

There are exceptions to every rule, and probably in areas that are extremely right/left things are different, but in the schools I have worked at I never saw a teacher who was teaching (admittingly elementary kids), anything political, other then the whole pledge of alligence, which I guess could be considered political by some.

Oh I agree. I am not going to do the leftist "ALL <insert job> ARE BAD CAUSE WE SAW A FEW BAD ONES ON THE INTERNET. TIME TO RIOT AND BREAK STUFF CAUSE WE'RE JUSTIFIED."

The majority of teachers are great and are careful to mind their own business. But I strongly believe that the ones who are being sociopolitical nutsos, and I don't give a shit on what side they are, should be removed immediately.


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