ELA exam

April showers bring ---well a month full of testing. As the end of the school year is quickly approaching us, citywide testing is the topic of discussions. I had an opportunity to sit down wit a fourth grade teacher and test grader who gave me her thoughts about the ELA.

As a teacher, how do you think the test was?

The state ELA exam was fair. Day 1 was the reading comprehension part had several passages to read with several follow up questions for each passage. The passages ranged from non fiction to poetry to narrative procedure to fiction. Students reading at or above grade level should do very well...however due to the states norming procedures that is not always the case.



How did you prepare your students to succeed on the exam?

With lots of test prep. The students were prepared, however the most growth is always seen in the students that are approaching or below level, especially if it is an election year.


What are your thoughts on testing? Do you think standardized tests are the most effective way to measure student’s academic performance?

I do not put much faith in the result of the test due to the norming. I have seen students that were not fluent readers receive a 3 and above average students receive a 3 as well. So when I give marks on the report card my standards are much higher than the states. A students grade may not reflect the score they received on the state exam. Day 2 and 3 of the test is written responses and are marked by teachers. Some of the marking may be done by early childhood teachers, ELL teachers, anyone that the principal chooses to send. I have gone to the marking several years. I can tell you marking these exams is very subjective, thankfully it does not carry as much weight as
day 1(which makes up about 60% of the grade).

Child Abuse Seminar

As an employee on a preschool, I as well as my fellow colleagues were mandated to report to a Child Abuse Seminar. As we all gathered inside our school gym, mumbles filled the air with despair and aggravation---”Just what I want to be doing on a Thursday night,” stated a teacher.

This was my first seminar of this sort and I was interested to what I was going to learn. Since working at this facility, I have come across many sad and heartbreaking situations that no child should ever have to face. As a teacher and friend, I want to take them into my arms and assure them that everything will be okay. Their innocent looks succumb any negative in my eyes. I just want the best for them, now and in the future.

Retired Police Officer John Dally* greeted us acknowledging the fact that we didn’t want to be there in a humorous way. He began stating the many forms of child abuse---sexual, physical, verbal and emotional. Without even knowing it, millions of children are affected by some form of abuse. Child abuse had many repercussions for the abuser, yet leaves the child with lifelong scars.
“As teachers,” he stated, “you have a responsibility to do all you can for these children. These are real problems and we need to protect the rights of our children. Not just the parents.”

He continued to explain the characteristics of the offender, types of offense and causes of child abuse. It amazed me what is and what isn’t consider an offense of child abuse.

This seminar opened my eyes making me want to help and work with children even more. There is a lot of danger in the outside world. Don’t we want the best for our children? So let’s protect and provide them with a home and a childhood they can enjoy.

Mainstreaming in the Classroom

Mainstreaming students in the classroom is the practice of educating special need students of all sorts of disabilities in a general education classroom. It has been a very controversial topic generating intense disagreement between administrators, educators and parents within the school system. Every student is entitled to an education that maximizes his/her potential. However, on the issue of mainstreaming, one must make a clear conceptual separation of what is “right” or “just” in an ideal world.

Though the good may weigh out the bad or vice versa, the outcome of mainstreaming differs depending on the issue that arises of a special needs child as well as general education students. Studies show that mainstreaming can help special need students develop greater self-confidence, skills and independency. Classes with mainstreaming bring students together and learn to understand and appreciate one another, learning to accept individual differences an being comfortable around others who do not fit the mold of a “normal” general education student.

Ms. T*, a special education teacher for the past fifteen years feels the middle/average groups benefit from repetition and different teaching methods offered to IEP students. “The more advanced students do suffer. Even in a class that has differentiated instruction. The advanced student often doesn’t receive enough attention and their needs are not met. On the other hand, if the IEP student has a behavioral problem and distracts the class then everyone suffers and loses.” She continued to explain, “If a teacher of a special class is good then a special education class is very successful for LD students and minor behavioral issues.”

Special needs students who are placed in the mainstreamed classroom curriculum are lowered so they can “progress.” “They keep lowering the levels in order to mainstream more children. At first it was 85, and then they changed it to 80. Now the children just need to score a high 70,” explained Ms. Clifford a teacher who has mixed emotions dealing with mainstreaming children in the classroom. She currently teaches two high school CTT classes and finds students who have basic knowledge of the content are able to be very successful when given proper modifications. “Students who are several years behind should have the opportunity for success in special education. Unfortunately, many students are placed in mainstream classes who have behavioral problem. These students are entitled to a proper education provided they do not take away the other students who are also entitled to a proper education.”

The structure of the classroom greatly affects mainstreaming students. The teacher must design a learning environment that serves general education students as well as special needs students. “As long as the student is able to grasp the material on their level and willing to review work then it is worth the extra planning. Unfortunately, many students have already developed this helpless, unmotivated mentality and often fail to strive to succeed,” said Ms. T*.

I had an opportunity to observe a kindergarten class at a local elementary school and experience first hand a mainstream classroom. I met Christopher*, a five year old boy who has ADHD. His short temper and lack of behavioral skills kept the classroom in an uproar. The slightest distract such as a teacher or student walking through the hallway would set him off. He has a para which was completely helpless in controlling him. “I’m doing everything I can do to keep my students best interests come first,” said Ms. Sheppard*. “He needs constant attention to stay on task which is almost impossible in a general education class. He needs a teacher to work one-on-one with him. He is losing out as well as the other students.”

On the up side, I was introduced to Megan* who has had all positive experiences with mainstreaming. Megan* is autistic. Unlike Christopher* who was a disturbance, Megan* never presented any distraction in the classroom. Although she was given modified work and more time to complete the assignment with the aide of her para, she responded well to this learning environment.

The aim of mainstreaming shouldn’t focus on minimizing each student’s differences, but should maximize student’s potential skills socially, emotionally and intellectually. With some prior knowledge and first hand experiences, my opinion is titter-tottering on the edge of the true effectiveness of mainstreaming children in the classroom.

Closing Schools----"Fugheddaboudit"

On April 30, 2010, the Mafia announced that they will be matching the federal grants to help education budget deficit. The money will be coming from the Soprano Foundation where the donor will be anonymous. New York City School Chancellor, Joel Klein says, “he is grateful for all the help he can get in these troubled financial time.”

National Teacher Appreciation Day

“A teacher affects eternity, he can never tell where his influence stops.”


Today is National Teacher Appreciation Day. It falls on the first Tuesday of every May and is celebrated for a full week, “honoring teachers and recognizing that lasting contribution they make to our live,” says the National Education Association. A teacher is one of the most important adults in a child’s life. They provide children with a safe, caring learning environment that encourages students to learn and make morally right choices. Being an Assistant Teacher at a local Preschool, I find teaching fulfills me with the utmost gratification. It allows me to make a difference in a child’s life and take part in his/her growth. We are educators, mentors and friends which surpasses all the negative aspects that may come along with this position.

Most teachers are shown their gratitude at the end of the school year. Take this opportunity to show how much you appreciate your teacher. A student can show their gratitude by giving their teacher a gift or just by saying a simple thank you.

Ms. Henley a retired teacher of the New York City Board of Education, was kind enough to speak to me about her experiences as a teacher. Years after retirement, she is still teaching in a Private Preschool.


How many years were you a teacher in the Board of Education?

I taught in the Board of Education for 34 years, and it just flew by!


After retirement from the Board of Ed, when and why did you return to the classroom?

After retirement, I got divorced which led me to work. I subbed, did a Maternity leave, and taught music to Kindergarten children. For the past 3 years I have been teaching Preschool and adore my job.


Was teaching something you always wanted to do?

From a very young age, I knew I wanted to teach. I would play school with my dolls and stuffed animals.


If you could go back, would you do it all over again?

Yes, I would pick teaching again for I had a wonderful teaching career.


What advice do you have for people wanting to enter the field of education?

It is very difficult to become a teacher now, with the hiring freezes, and the layoffs which are coming. I would suggest to go into the field of Occupational Therapy or Physical Therapy.


Taking the monetary factor out of the equation, would you send your child to a private school over a NYC Public School? Where do you think children receive the best education?

I believe that every program is as good as the teachers working in that particular school. A good education comes into play when the school has wonderful teachers; whether it is a Private or Public School.


What is the difference between UPK in a Public School verses Private School?

UPK in a Public School has their Principal to answer to, and I do believe there is more flexibility there. I know programs that give Homework etc, and in the private UPK programs this is not allowed. We answer to out Director and follow all the guidelines given to us.


Do you believe children learn better through play or by receiving homework on a daily basis?

Both have their pros and cons. I believe younger children learn better through play. Lets be real the parents do the home work for them. On the other hand, receiving assigned homework gives a child a sense of discipline and responsibility.


The way of teaching has change over the past few years. What are your thoughts on it?

With the changes in teaching, our children are not being allowed to be children. Too much is thrown on them as in Kindergarten now, and not every child is ready for this. Spelling has been forgotten, as well as phonics which is a disaster for the kids of today. Learning for the children of today and tomorrow is not fun anymore. In my Preschool class learning is Fun, as it should be!




I would like to personally thank Ms. Henley for her help and her inspirational words of advice. I had the pleasure of observing her in the classroom and gained a lot from this experience.

Poem In Your Pocket Day

Yesterday, in celebration of National Poetry Month, some New York City Public Schools participated in the 8th annual Poem In Your Pocket Day. Students were encouraged to write or find their favorite poem and recite them to their teachers and fellow classmates.

Mayor Bloomberg joined in the celebration by reading his poem which was inspired by an Emily Dickinson poem.


"Hope" NYC
By Mike Bloomberg

"Hope" is the thing with feathers
That makes our City soar
It will take us to the future
As it's carried us before
Hope is the thing with feathers
That travels all our streets
It sings in every language
It sometimes even tweets
And though we may not see it
It perches everywhere
In new shops and small businesses
In every schoolroom chair
It could be our famous pigeon
Or fabled red-tailed hawk
Hope is the thing with feathers
That flies throughout New YAWK


Some students found out that they were a poet and didn't even know it!

Silly Bandz

Yesterday, I was subbing a Universal Pre-K class, where my students actually taught me about the new craze of “silly bandz.” Usually up to date with the new trends, I was bombarded by students with silicone bracelets going up their arms. When removed they reverted back to their original shape of animals, foods and other objects. I asked one student where she got them. She responded so innocently saying, “I broke my piggy bank to get money to buy them….”

A distraction at first for many became a learning device and show and tell for them. This week’s theme was patterns and at first my students had trouble with the concept and concentrating. We all know once we replace numbers with oranges and apples everything become easier. Using the different shapes and colors of the “bandz,” my students quickly picked up the concept and found fun out of learning. Years ago when “Power Rangers” were famous, the action figures weren’t permitted at first in my brother’s preschool because they promoted violence. Once the teacher realized of the shows success, she used the “Power Rangers” as a learning device to teach colors.

In some schools (such as the girls I baby-sit), “silly bandz” were banned from the classrooms. Kids abused the trend causing a stir throughout the school. They brought them to school, trading them which caused fights and/or money being exchanged through the children. There was also a safety concern brought up by their principal. Students who wore multiple bracelets began to lose circulation and experience tingling in their fingers. “Bullies” would also shoot them across the classroom hitting classmates and their teachers.

Like other fads, this one turned viral and will shortly dwindle, making room for others. I wonder what our next trend or “learning device” may be. A teacher must grab and keep the students attention by drawing connections with things that interest them. It makes learning fun on a whole new level.

Timeout for Teachers

Mayor Michael Bloomberg, School Chancellor Joel Klein and United Federation of Teacher President Michael Mulgrew signed an agreement on Thursday, April 15, 2010 to end all “rubber rooms,” where teachers under investigation of misconduct and incompetence are assigned, pending their cases within the five boroughs.

This past year, roughly 550 teachers were under investigation for misconduct. Some teachers spend months or even years doing futile things such as reading, surfing the web, playing cards, sleeping and creating their own businesses, while still collecting full salaries ranging from $70,000- $100,000 a year plus full benefits from the Board of Education. Their “work schedule” even follows the school calendar.

“I have always felt that teachers under investigation should receive full pay and benefits. Many cases of misconduct are often unfounded. Teachers need protection and due process. The tactics of the rubber room has hurt the teacher’s union credibility and integrity. One spiteful accusation can ruin a career. All a student has to do is accuse a teacher of some sort of crime,” says Ms. G*, an elementary school teacher with the Board of Education for over 15 years.

On the other hand, Ms. N*, also a New York City elementary school teacher for 10 years feels “with due process, which is mandated by the law, claims of wrong doings should be addressed in a timely manner with no pay during the interim.” She believes that those then found innocent of charges can be paid retroactively, while those found guilty should receive nothing. As for benefits, Ms. N* believes that “teachers need to start contributing to health benefits they receive like everyone else in America.”

While their cases are pending, teachers will now be assigned to administrative or clerical positions in their schools which do not involve interaction with children. “The city is paying for them. There is no reason why they shouldn’t do a days work…all city employees do,” stated Mayor Bloomberg during his press conference Thursday morning.

“I do think that teachers under investigation for misconduct should be allowed to work in some capacity. I feel very strongly that all teachers need the protection of the teachers union. This is true now more than ever. It seems that principals coming out of The Leadership Academy are taught intimidation tactics. They no longer know how to play nicely in the sandbox. So while the teachers union is absolutely necessary and all teachers should have due process, the process can and should take place at a quicker place,” said Ms. G*.

To move the cases along, the number of arbitrators who hear teachers’ cases has increased from 23 to 39 so “multiple cases can be heard simultaneously,” said Mayor Bloomberg. United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew said, “We want a faster, fairer process. That is the way this process should work and that is what this agreement does.”

Ms. N*, stated “the funds that were previously used to pay these teachers to sit around in a room doing nothing need to go to hiring a small group of legal administrators that could expedite all these cases in a matter of months. The United Federation of Teachers is too cushy with their teachers. Bad teachers need to get the boot.”




According to officials, the rubber rooms will not be closed until September and they intend on resolving all pending cases by the end of 2010.

Under the new agreement, the Department of Education has 60 days to investigate charges of misconduct and 10 days for incompetence, after removal from the classroom. If the Department of Education fails to complete the investigation during this time period, teachers are allowed to return to the classroom. Previous to this new agreement, the city had 6 months to issue charges.

I strongly believe that the city and the United Federation of Teachers are taking a step in the right direction. Like other New York City employees, such as the Fire Department and the Police Department, teachers should be assigned to “desk duties.” A firefighter and/or police officer who violates the “Oath of Office,” on or off the job, has severe disciplinary actions that are executed. Once one is accused, firefighters and police officers are taken out of the field and assigned desk work under strict supervision. However, they are innocent until proven guilty.

There is no doubt in my mind that the rubber rooms should have been the first thing to go. Instead of terminating the rubber rooms, Mayor Bloomberg thought it was more effective to lay off 8,500 teachers this year and close New York City Public schools on top of that. A comment Mayor Bloomberg said that I thought was the most absurd thing a person of his prominence and intelligence can say is, “There’s never been any pressure to do so [referring to the closing of the rubber rooms]…We can’t afford to do that anymore.”

These rubber rooms are costing the city $30 million each year, which does not include substitute teachers for the accused teachers, renting space for the rubber rooms and hiring security guards to keep peace. Mayor Bloomberg said the $30 million that will be saved from salaries, will be going back into the classroom where it belongs. “I think over time we should be able to recapture a significant sum of that and put it back in the classroom,” Chancellor Joel Klein stated. Ms. G* says, “I also hope that the $30 million saved will go back into the classroom…but that remains to be seen.”

Test Prep

Still to this day, the words #2 pencil, scantron, standardized testing, multiple choice, short answer questions make me cringe and recall those torturous days of testing during my adolescent years. Day in and day out, teachers were and still are devoted in preparing their students to succeed by improving their test taking skills. Standardized tests are used to measure students’ academic performance indicating where students would be placed in the upcoming school year and which students would need additional help outside the classroom. Nowadays due to the budget cuts, our children’s test scores decide which schools are sufficient enough to stay open. Unfortunately, standardized testing is not the most effective way to test today’s students. It does not actually reveal the child’s understanding of a topic, it just establishes how well he/she does on a generic test. Students become frustrated and nervous upon taking these exams and do not perform on their optimal level.

Although a nuisance to teachers, parents and students, these standardized tests are here to stay. Let’s make the best of it and help our children do the best they can.

Test day is as stressful to parents as it is for students. Parents can prepare themselves and help guide their child in the right direction using Kaplan’s Parent’s Guide to the New York State 4th Grade Tests, Second Edition. Using the tools provided in this book can benefit your child’s test score. It is proven when the parent sits down with the student and explains what will be on the test, the student experiences a confidence boost.

There is only so much a child can learn through test prepping such as test taking skills and time management skills. Their knowledge of a subject should be learned on a day to day basis. “Test prepping gives student confidence in acing their exams,” says a New York City Public School 4th Grade teacher. “I encourage test prep inside and outside the classroom. I highly recommend Spectrum Test Prep. It is a practice and review book for Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, and Science providing students with practice tests, answer keys and important skills needed to do well on an exam. Each topic is divided into section allowing students to focus on a certain area.” There are multiple choice questions, short answers as well as charts to see how one had progressed.

Another test prep book I came across was Flash Forward Test Prep Grade 4. It is a very colorful book with multiple choice answer questions, which captured my eye and can help students stay engaged. Unit 1 is the English Language focusing on reading and written and oral language conventions to develop comprehension skills. Unit 2 focuses on Math reviewing number sense, algebra and functions, measurement and geometry, mathematical reasoning etc. to excel in problem solving. After each section is a test reiterating what students learned in previous sections.

Children who need more help outside the classroom, I extremely recommend Kaplan’s Test Prep and Admission courses. They can be quite pricey but money worth spending. They offer private tutoring as well as high school admissions test prep, regent reviews, SAT prep classes and so much more. (http://www.kaptest.com/)

Prepare your child for all tests, even if it is a spelling test. They will fill more confident and ace the exam.

Homework Assignment #1

I hope you did your homework assignment by filling out the 2010 Census form. It wasn’t extra credit, it was a mandatory assignment assigned by the U.S. Census Bureau. Every ten years, the U.S. Census Bureau takes a census to assess the population in the United States. Not only does filling out this Census determine the number of seats occupied in the United States House of Representatives, it determines how federal funding is spent each year in areas such as education. Your child’s school funding depends on the responses of the 2010 Census questionnaires. The US Census Bureau has put together a program called 2010 Census: It’s About Us. They created appropriate lesson plans for all age groups for teachers to enforce the importance of the Census to their students and their families. Students in grades K-5 learn about the Census through song, worksheets, and games. Grades 6-12 learn the importance of continuing their education after graduating high school through worksheets. (http://www.census.gov/schools/)

If you had failed to complete your "homework assignment," a Census Taker will be paying you a visit to your home asking you the questions on the form in person. These Census Takers are people of our communities hired by the Census Bureau to make sure we are all accounted for. If you feel speaking to a person in your community invades your privacy, well then you should have filled it out and mailed it in on your own. Fortunate for you, according to 2010census.gov, Census Takers are sworn to life under Federal Law Title 13. If violated they can receive a costly fine and/or time in prison.

It is your grade. You get what you put into it!


2010 Census Multimedia Center: Local Benefits of the Census: Schools -

First Day of Class

As an aspiring teacher, I am very concerned and interested about the freeze that is taking place with New York City Department of Education. After finishing my degree in about 2 years, I hope the freeze will have subsided and I am able to get a job with the Board of Ed doing what I love---teaching and working with children. I, as well as others are very passionate and work extremely hard to be successful in their field of work and to get to where they are today. Teachers with their degrees and credentials are still out of work and struggling to make ends meet. Maybe the best thing for me is to stay in school. I was influenced by family and friends that getting a degree in Education is the way to go. They would say "There are always going to be job opportunities in education as well as in the medical field because people need to go to school and people will always be getting sick." Guess this freeze has proven them wrong.

Besides following the hiring freeze, I plan on blogging about other things that fit under the category of education. So raise your hands and feel free to ask any questions. Class has begun!