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Report from the Field – Robyn Moreth
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10 thoughts on “Report from the Field – Robyn Moreth”
What’s really a joke is how the school system runs. Admin observes you one time and they want to see it all. How about actually having an administrator who actually gets to know teachers and is visiting classrooms and talking to teachers all day?
How about coming to observations on time and staying the entire time?
Sorry….just one of my pet peeves….
Imagine if YOU were late for your observation…..
That’s the entire point, right? They are so important that when they show up late it’s normal. We get dinged. But really, unless they can embrace the research and standards and start, like you say Greg, a daily dialogue of searching with us for what is best for kids in SLA, then they are useless and actually cause harm via their ignorance and pride. Most admins are rather sad little creatures. They leave the classroom where they are usually ineffective to look for more money and more respect in the building. Thus they come off as greedy and needy. Then you take someone like Sean who is as fine an example of a human being as I have met, and he has to sweat what these people think about his work? Gag me with a stick.
So far, there has been great support despite the tardiness. I was nervous, but excited for him to see CI in action. I am very hopeful that it will continue.
Way to go! I hope that you continue to love it and be supported by your admin!
Robyn just be aware that those admins come and go through the revolving doors of education with great frequency. The work you are now embarking on will likely impress many such people. We can say with our 10 years here now as a private group that we are in this for the long haul. In my mind the few teachers who are attracted to this group are the no-nonsense teachers like you and Brielle who joined this past week. It is good after ten years to be building a safe intellectual and emotional landing place for the enormous struggles required by this new work. We are very happy to have you in this group!
Ben, being the founder and heart of this group, please never think of retiring from us!
I will stay with this group until I am dead and, to quote Frederick and Mabel, even after, as per the 1:00 mark:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxNfSaQ58xo
Great job, Robyn! It takes courage to go against “the norm” and create a new normal and even more courage to be observed the first day you are trying something as radically different as teaching with TCI techniques for the first time.
I think it is entirely appropriate to respond to an administrator’s comment about being confused after walking in 15 minutes late with a kind and pleasant, “Yeah, that’s the problem with coming in late to a class. You miss important things in those first few minutes and have to catch up. Isn’t that why we have a no-tardy policy?” If you have a good enough relationship with the administrator (I do with mine), even joke about serving a detention to make up the work – but every situation is different, so not everyone can do this.
As your students become excited about the course and tell their parents and friends, perceptions will change. When your students start using the language outside of class, other teachers and then administrators will take note. Your track record will speak for itself.
Passive-aggressive parents are often simply trying to protect their children’s interests but don’t know how to speak directly with others without being aggressive. Of course, others are trying to engage you in a power struggle and show their perceived superiority. For this particular question, I think I would treat it as legitimate and send a reply something like: “Thanks for your e-mail. I appreciate your concern that your son/daughter be in a class where Spanish is spoken. The changes I am making in strategies and practices mean that students will hear more Spanish, not less. If you would like to come in and discuss the research, experience a lesson yourself, or observe your child’s class – or any combination of the above – let’s make an appointment. I am available after school most days. What day next week would you like to meet?” You’ve not tried to defend yourself, and you’ve put the ball squarely in the parent’s court. They can either follow up and learn or they can back down (usually with something like, “no, that won’t be necessary”). Either way, you can show that you have taken their concerns seriously. Oh, and be sure to keep a record of the correspondence.
Sorry, I went into problem-solving mode there. But it helps to have scripts in mind.
Sounds like you are doing a great job, and as Ben says: we are happy to have you in the group.
I tried telling the story of la Llorona for the second time last week. The second time was much better. Students were reacting more. Eyes were more perky. So yeah, I get how getting a practice during the first couple periods of the day really helps for those students in the afternoon.
Bravo for taking the leap into CI, Robyn, and doing so well at it! Please don’t fret over the opinion of your admin too much. Rapport with your students is much more important to fret about.
Welcome on board, Robyn! I’m sure you won’t regret it. In my experience this is the only place where teachers open their hearts fully bc they needn’t be afraid of being put down. We are sharing our experiences and beliefs in a respectful, supportive way.