Teaching in the Middle - Latest Comments

Re: Contributors

Tom — Wed, 16 May 2012 20:21:53 -0000

I am interested in being part of this blog @mrmclaughlin

Re: When Will Enough Be Enough? A Teachers Rant

Nootropics — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 02:07:00 -0000

This article has inspired me to continue working on my own blog

Re: Contact Us

Mike Gailwind — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 06:15:11 -0000

Hello,

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Re: Top 5 Reasons Why Teacher Turnover Is Rising

Dr. James Norwood — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 03:52:08 -0000

Thanks for the thoughtful comment. When good teachers are forced out, the students do indeed suffer.

Re: Top 5 Reasons Why Teacher Turnover Is Rising

TDanyel — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 21:46:28 -0000

Excellent post! It is so true and so scary... The message that constant teacher turnover sends to students in a school is that they are (the students) are not desirable to teach. "No one wants to teach us cuz we be bad." is a quote I actually had a child tell me one day. The sad part is that in the case of this school, the administration got rid of certain teachers because of school politics, not caring at all about the effect it would have on the students!! We are taking too high of a gamble with the education of our next generation. It's got to stop! Thanks for all you do.

Re: Thoughts on Summer's End

Dr. James Norwood — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 06:03:54 -0000

Thanks for the vote of confidence!

Re: Thoughts on Summer's End

Ruth Ellen Schmutz — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 05:57:48 -0000

You are a great teacher! You really make a difference!

Re: Calif. Legislation Would Ban Many Public School Fees

Alice Hemby — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 08:02:25 -0000

Just what I was searching for, thanks for putting up. "There are many victories worse than a defeat." by George Eliot.

Re: Merit Pay: Is it Worth It?

Dr. James Norwood — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 00:02:16 -0000

Thanks for the comments. I'm always on the hunt for like-minded educators who can share their thoughts intelligently. Good work!

Re: Merit Pay: Is it Worth It?

Bill Ferriter — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 00:20:55 -0000

Hey James,

Glad that bit stood out to you. I've been railing against overly simplistic proposals to reward teachers differently for years.

To me, one of the biggest hitches is that merit pay discourages collaborative behaviors between teachers. If we know that collaboration makes everyone stronger, anything that we do that puts teachers into a competitive situation with their peers CAN'T be good for our schools---or more importantly, for our students.

If I'm fighting for a limited pot of extra cash, I have no motivation to help the struggling teachers on my hallway. Let 'em struggle and I look better---and get paid more.

Creating policies that promote that kind of thinking just doesn't make sense to me.

Anyway----good thinking with you.
Bill

Re: Educating for Democracy: Programs That Teach, Not Drill

coogmawhaws — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 12:49:31 -0000

thanks for the interesting information

Re: The Bell Curve and Standardized Tests

Dr. James Norwood — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 04:59:50 -0000

Thank you so much for the kind words.

Re: The Bell Curve and Standardized Tests

Vena Rotherham — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 10:10:39 -0000

I simply wish to say your article is amazing. The clearness in your post is just great and i could assume you're an expert on this subject. With your permission I grab your feed to keep updated with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please carry on the rewarding work.

Re: Why is Technology Blocked in Our Schools?

Dr. James Norwood — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 16:11:16 -0000

I agree with you. Thank you for the comment. Keep reading "Teaching in the Middle", I will be writing more on this topic soon.

Re: Why is Technology Blocked in Our Schools?

Shauna — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 03:08:50 -0000

It makes no sense to me that access to useful information would ever be blocked. I think the only restrictions should be on things inappropriate for the age group. I work in a high school and all we block is access to porn and gambling.

Re: Education Reform is NOT About Educational Fads

Dr. James Norwood — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 03:03:47 -0000

Thank you for the comment. I understand completely where you are coming from. I am actually going to be spending a week in training coming up here shortly. While I feel this particular training is useful, so much time is wasted on unnecessary programs. Keep reading Teaching in the Middle to help keep the true reform conversation going!

Re: Call for Educator’s Experiences

Dr. James Norwood — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 03:01:48 -0000

I will let you know when I have finalized what I need. Thanks Janie!

Re: Education Reform is NOT About Educational Fads

Lisa M — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 00:10:48 -0000

Let us spend our resources wisely in this age of budget cutting and stop spending money on “the next big thing” and instead focus on what is most important – our students!"

YES! My district is now spending money on the next big thing! We have had workshops from experts(and of course there are more to come). They are paying teachers to come in during the summer to work on it.(I refuse to go)I give it about 5 years, and then it will be on to the next thing! I have taught for over 26 years and I have seen it happen again and again.What a waste of money and time!

Re: Call for Educator’s Experiences

Janie — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 20:56:08 -0000

I would love to contribute to your book... Just let me know what you need!