I am moving this article by Steve Ford over here from the Forum. It is powerful and parallels what we have been reading from Melissa today:
Hello PLC,
Once again I’m seeking advice. Thanks in advance for your input. Here is a short summary of events that led up to my current situation:
My school, Del Oro in Loomis, California uses a dated version of TPR/TPRS. Our program is very much grammar/conjugation based. We do TPR for three months and we do only 1 story at the end of the term.
The principal has observed me doing stories and encouraged me to be the agent for change in the department. However, when I present the features and benefits of TPRS/CI based instruction at meetings, my presentation is met with hostility. The department chair commonly says “we’ve been doing it our way for 23 years and it’s working just fine!” To add insult to injury, she commonly references Krashen/Terrell’s “The natural approach” to justify her grammar and pacing approach.
On Thursday of last week, our principal delivered me the ultimate bait and switch. Whereas my final observation evaluation was scheduled, instead I was given the choice between accepting a non re-elect or resignation. I have to make the choice by February 24th.
Of course I would like everyone’s advice and job leads. However, the message I want to convey is that this has not deterred me from believing in TPRS/CI based instruction. This leads me to my reflections on the workshop with Von.
The workshop was completely reaffirming. What we do at DO is hopelessly outdated. The more I described to Von, the more he confirmed it. A colleague with 10 years experience at DO attended with me. She has been observing me on her prep and has been, in turn, using stories. The feedback that she gives me is that she finally feels like she’s really teaching after 10 years and she believes that students are actually learning. I enjoyed watching her expressions of surprise during the workshop. Throughout the workshop she repeated several times, “DO says we do this, but we don’t really do this”.
I remain optimistic and motivated. At the workshop, I volunteered, stood up and taught a lesson to the group. I was completely honored to be coached by Von.
Best regards to the group. Again, thanks in advance for your input.
Steve Ford