This is actually John’s latest comment turned into a post because it is so compelling. His previous report from the field (it’s been like a soap opera!) told us that he was leaving his position, tired, I imagine, of living a Jurassic Park sort of existence. But then this:
Wow! Thanks for all of the kind words and positive responses. Here is an update on the situation…
After I received the job offer, a miniature bidding war started between the new school and my current one. My principal, department head and assistant superintendent practically begged me to stay. I was also given advanced notice of some “changes” that will be occurring. The new school offered to increase my starting salary and a few other things.
My department head, who has been surprisingly supportive of my CI practices, said that I was one the best teachers in the district and that he now wants me to start teaching CI techniques to my colleagues during meetings.
Also despite the crazed efforts of a group of parents to blame the lack of enrollment in their language of choice on me, my enrollment numbers are still through the roof. It turns out that this group was essentially told to “back off” by my assistant superintendent.
This information, plus the “changes”, job security and this new dynamic have convinced me to stay put for the time being.
Lessons Learned:
1. One year of poorly executed CI has made my teaching standout in an insanely competitive field of applicants.
2. CI teachers are in demand! The only people who don’t want CI teachers are insecure grammar grinders, 4%ers and sometimes their parents. Everyone else is rightfully impressed by what we do.
3. The term “Comprehensible Input” does not seem to raise the filters like “TPRS” does. “Comprehensible Input” sounds like “I go to the gym”, whereas “TPRS” sounds like “I do Cross Fit”.
4. When I pretend to be Laurie Clarcq in my conversations with administrators, the meetings go ONE MILLIONS TIMES BETTER!
5. I can’t believe that this blog only costs $5 a month!