Tag Archives: education

Common Core Math is Not the Problem

02 Monday Jan 2023

Posted by in Education Adjacent, Non-Fiction

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You Are.

It’s not the curriculum that is being taught and it’s not the teachers who have to teach it that are the problem, it is the parents who were never taught it who are.

Do not misjudge my point. Or do, I’m not the police. But fighting over common core math is a pointless endeavor maybe.

What is Common Core Math? And why do it be?

Yes, I know I don’t use proper English. Have you even read my posts?

Common Core is a set of standards adopted by states, which governs the way that subject matter is taught in public schools. Common Core Math is just one subset of Common Core, which I will abbreviate to CC for the remainder of this post. CC includes language arts and mathematics subjects taught to K-12 students. It is a set of standards that are the same throughout the United States, throoughout the states who have adopted it, which is important considering education is dictated and governed by individual states.

Honestly, I’m researching as I write this, most of my prior knowledge about education and its practice comes from education I received over a decade ago and never used. So, I mean, don’t quote me. The state of Kentucky, the state I was born and raised in, got my education degree in, and currently live in adopted Common Core Standards in 2010, two years after I graduated from college. Actually, according to my research, Kentucky was the first state to adopt CC, out of all those who did so.

States have always used their own set of standards in education, but CC was created in 2009 and states began to adopt it as their education standards in 2010.

Former Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue and I co-chaired the initiative to create the standards because we shared the concerns of lawmakers, teachers, school leaders, businesspeople, and parents that expectations for our students were not high enough to prepare them for life after high school. Although the effort was entirely voluntarily, 45 states ultimately adopted this set of fewer, clearer, and more rigorous standards in English language arts and mathematics. With the input of educators, policymakers and experts, we laid out the knowledge and skills students need to be prepared for college and career opportunities and set practical bars for them to achieve.

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Basically, CC was created to improve the learning of and prepare students for growth and life after high school. There was an idea that the standards were not high enough for students to gain the knowledge they needed to succeed in life as adults. So, someone saw a need for it and created a solution. Each state voluntarily chose to adopt CC, as each state was given control over their education systems. These standards were also created to establish a set of standards that could be used across all 50 United States to equalize education throughout the country.

What’s the Problem Though?

The main issue I see with the adoption of CC by states is that the parents of today have not learned the way that their children are currently learning. The kids who started learning with CC are, at the oldest thirteen years old, and babies shouldn’t have babies that need to learn based on CC standards. Meaning that there shouldn’t be a soul who learned that way who has a kid that needs help.

Like I said earlier, I went to college to be a teacher, an elementary school teacher, and I graduated two years before my state adopted CC. I do not recall being taught HOW to teach kids with CC standards.

Why is doing so as hard as it seems? Well, because CC Math isn’t just teaching kids that 2+2=4. It’s teaching kids that to get the answer to that problem, you need to figure out how to add it step by step.

For example:

This is a math problem my child will have to do tomorrow evening, at home, with me. The second image is me trying to figure out where the 30 came from.

The whole idea for this post came from me having to deal with frequent messages to a message group created by the teachers of my child’s grade. One parent was, let’s just say, not thrilled with the complication of the problem. Where, in fact, did the 30 come from? The problem does not explain the existence of the number 30. I assume it’s existence in the problem came from rounding up 27. That would explain one of the threes. Maybe? Yes. I don’t know.

My theory as to why these problems are so complicated is that it can cater to children’s different learning abilities and also contribute to critical thinking skills. How is there another way to figure out how many kids joined the first 27 kids to make a total of 63, besides subtracting 27 from 63 (which is, in fact, 36).

Actually, the problem is already done, they literally just trace out the answers. At least The Kids likes to do that.

In fact, this sheet is part of a four page, back and front, packet that she brought home that has to be done by Friday. I don’t like to rush her or over work her, but she wanted to do ALL FOUR PAGES tonight. The kid likes math, and I’m not mad.

Now, had there been more of an explanation to the problem, perhaps access to an article or video or something that the parent could have observed and understood the problem better, maybe there would have been less issue. But these kids aren’t given textbooks to read to take home, they have their own workbooks that sheets are removed from when they have work to bring home.

There is some controversy with CC. More than one or two states who have adopted the standards have repealed them Wikipedia says that Kentucky adopted them in 2010 but repealed them in 2017. A quick google search reveals that to be false. Republicans wanted to repeal the standards and also make charter schools a thing, which, no. Republican’s said that because the state’s students were not improving on their test scores (do not get me started) that CC needed to go. But based on that article they only started making noise once Obama gave his thumbs up.

The Thing Is

If parents understood CC better, math being the biggest issue from what I can tell, then I think they would have less issue with it. In a way, CC complicates education, and doing so makes it difficult for teachers to teach it and parents to assist their children in learning it. And having nothing to go by but a worksheet with mystery numbers can increase a parent’s frustration. And not being able to help your kid when you need it can lead to that kid struggling, and every suit’s favorite thing–numbers–get affected.

And by numbers I don’t mean math problems. I mean the test scores by which students’, and there for the schools’ progress is measured. And teachers have had to teach to a test and not to a student for years, long before CC, and having funding for those schools depend on the numbers complicates matters further.

I’m going to put all of this simply, using the same explanation I’ve used for a number of things in the past, and will use again in the future. Someone is always going to find a reason to hate something, or stir up a ruckus, no matter what you do. Repeal Common Core, then the things that change will be what everyone else has a problem with,

My Opinion

Common Core is a subject in and of itself and it is complicated. On the one hand, I can see the benefit of having one set of standards throughout all of the United States. I can see the benefit of having math problems that teach multiple ways of finding an answer, and lessons that trigger a child’s critical thinking and problem-solving skills. On the other hand, having something so compilated and hoping the parents, who don’t all have college degrees in education (perhaps the old system failed them?) and no way for them to know how to find the answer the way the problem is asking, puts a burden on the parents, who feel like they are failing their children.

Me? I’m just going to do my best to help my math loving child. She got that from her dad, by the way. I hate math.

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BMB: I’m doing it again

16 Saturday Jul 2022

Posted by in BMB, Dreams

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Day like whatever. 16? Oh. 16

Hello and welcome back to “Oops Crystal Is Doing It Again”. The show where I let the tiniest seed of an idea slip into my head that I might still be able to be a teacher.

Ah yes. All the factors are there. Talking about teaching. That’s it. That’s all it takes. oh and Back-To-School has begun in Retail Establishment. Actually probably at all retail establishments.

Backstory for those who might not know

Hi, I graduated from one of my states top teacher colleges in 2007. Approximately 15 years ago. I had wanted to be a teacher for most of my life (that and a writer). And I made amazing plans for myself.

But then I got stupid and have been working retail ever since.

I have made NUMEROUS half-hearted attempts to get back into it over the years. I substituted for a while, I even interviewed. Once, 1,000 years ago. I’ve started stuffing for the praxis (two separate tests I needed to take to renew a thing) about a million times.

Between exhaustion and depression, parenting and a full-time job, I pretty much only have the energy to stare at my phone all day (you should see my house. Better yet, please don’t you’d have me committed or something).

A few months back I made the mistake of looking at job openings, not to teach but anything to get my into a classroom. And, of course, I was let down. Because even if I could have gotten the job, I wouldn’t have been able to pay my bills.

And part of the reason I’m in this mess is because I didn’t want to burden my husband with bills.

You see, I graduated in December 2007. Student loan companies give you a six month grace period before your payment comes due. My student loan came due July 2008. I got married in October 2008. I did not want my new husband to have to pay my student loan anymore (my parents paid it before that). So ya girl got her first real big girl job. IN. RETAIL.

I told myself, “I’ll be here six months and I’ll get a teaching job.”

Well 13+ years later and I’m still there. I’ve jumped around a few times in where I worked in the building. But I never left, no matter how much I want to some days.

And because I have been there for more than a decade, I’m making more than what “entry level” pay would be for any “non-certified” position in my local districts school system. And because I’m making what I am, my expenses have increased to match.

Meaning… I make just enough to pay my bills but not have nice things. Which also means that if I drop in pay in any significant way, then I will not be able to pay said bills.

The only way I would let myself commit such a stupid act is if by some miracle I woke up to roughly $25,000 to pay off all my outstanding debt. That’s not including the services I pay for. That or my husband some how gets a really big raise.

See, I’m very very lucky in a lot of ways. First, my husband’s income provides a LOT for us. The only shared things I pay for are Netflix, Cellphone (which he contributes to) and daycare.

The remainder of my bills is literally my own stupid decisions, namely credit cards and a truck payment. Somehow this post turned into a very depressing financial post. And that’s not what this post is about.

This post is about teaching. And why I can never.

First off, since it has been 100 years, in education years, since I graduated, a lot has changed. State standards, requirements for being an educator, and even technology.

There also used to be alternative routes to becoming an teacher in my state.

But, Crystal, why would you need an alternate route?

*Knocks everything off the table in anger*

BECAUSE. Because it’s been 15 years since I’ve learned anything. And in that amount of time, I’ve forgotten things. There might even be different standards to getting certified in the state. That’s where I screwed my self over, again.

I made the terrible mistake of looking at these routes, and imagined the possibility of taking one of these paths, and becoming a teacher.

This is starting to feel like, like infertility. Like wanting a baby and getting so close to it that you take a test and it says positive, but you have to wait for the doctor to tell you, “you’re not pregnant.”

(Do not take it the wrong way I am not comparing it to a miscarriage, I’ve never had one but know how devastating it would be.)

And because I keep letting myself fall back into this vicious cycle

I haven’t given myself any real chance to accept it, mourn, go through the stages of grief, and get all the way to acceptance. And because of that, I keep telling myself teaching might have been the one thing I could have been great at. The one thing where I could have made a difference.

And it is all, every single aspect of the entire disappointing situation, is all my own stupid fault. It has all been my absolute terrible decision making skills that have lead me down this path. A path away from what could have been an amazing and I’m wonderful career but instead to a “Same thing every day never making a single step in a positive direction” job.

I am grateful for my job. There are people out there that would kill for my job with my pay, because I do make decent money. I am glad I can pay my bills and sometimes scrape together a few dollars to buy The Kid a thing.

But just like always, I had big dreams and poor follow through. My situation is my own and I need to accept it.

I’d like to apologize for this rant of a post. In the coming days there should be some more interesting posts. I hope you stick around.

Thanks for reading

-c

I Dreamed About Being a Teacher Last Night

03 Saturday Apr 2021

Posted by in Non-Fiction, Retail, Truth, Uncategorized

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In 2007 I graduated from college with a bachelors degree in Elementary Education. There has only ever been two things I dreamed of being: a teacher and a writer.

I haven’t successfully written fiction, and by successfully I mean finished or even gotten halfway through a piece, in a very long time. I’ve done some very short fiction, but the last “chapter based” writing I did was a Handy Manny story (not fan fiction, I just had a small child), and that’s a whole other blog post.

After I graduated college, I decided it was a good idea to take a break (famous last words) and get settled into adulthood. Then I got married. I didn’t want my new spouse to have to pay my fast approaching student loan payment. The grace period was about to end and I didn’t want him to have that burden.

I’ve now been in retail for twelve years (in five days). In that time I was a substitute teacher for a short time while working retail. I also did not have my drivers license, so getting me to and from Sub gigs and my mail source of employment were my spouse and in laws.

At one point I became so exhausted that I couldn’t physically do it anymore. I’d go eight hours without eating sometimes. Debilitating social anxiety and fear of failure can be considered the main reasons why I’m still in retail.

Oh and at one point in all this I put in my application for teaching positions. I got an interview at the school closest to me. I BOMBED. It had been so long since I’d graduated and been in a classroom that I had NO IDEA what they were asking me. I knew I didn’t get it before I left the building. My child now goes to that school.

I took that very hard at the time and told myself I was going to give up. But had I really tried? I hadn’t done a single thing to do with education since I graduated, and the substitute work didn’t come until a few years later. How did I expect an interview to go well? Duh goober.

It has now been more time between the substituting and now than has been between the interview and being a sub. And I still want so desperately to be a teacher that I dream about it.

I’ve had dreams about being in a classroom before. But Mia think recurring dreams where someone found out that I didn’t pass some elementary grade and they won’t let me be a teacher until I go through school over again. And NOT EVEN COLLEGE. I have to go through elementary or high school again! *facepalm*

I told myself in October of last year that I wouldn’t still be in retail a year later. I think I even wrote a blog post about it. And now there’s only 206 days left before that day in October. And I’m gonna be super bummed if I don’t get the heck out of dodge.

Don’t get me wrong. Things at my current employer have improved. I’m much happier and much less stressed but I’m still struggling some with not feeling good enough or part of the click. But once in a while I do feel like I’m making some difference.

Lately I don’t really remember much of my dreams. They really have to hit me a certain way for them to be remembered. But with this one, no recurring dream, nothing I’ve ever had before, it just hit me the right (or wrong) way. It reminded me that I want to teach badly, I want more. But am I good enough? Will I ever get there?

Thanks for reading

-c

In the dream I was wearing a dress that looked like my face mask that has a dinosaur puking a rainbow and like said mask it kept slipping down so I had to keep covering my chest with my iPad.

One Year

24 Saturday Oct 2020

Posted by in Non-Fiction

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Starts Now

In 2007 I graduated from college with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. Besides being a writer (which is either hilarious or depressing at this point) it’s the only career I could ever see myself in.

I love education. I have never held a teaching position.

I got married almost a year later and ended up getting a job at my current employer. I told myself, “Six months. I’ll be here six months and I’ll get a teaching job.”

But I got comfortable (which is either hilarious or depressing at this point). I’ve been with <REDACTED> for eleven years, six months, and sixteen days (whose counting, amirite? FACEPALM).

Cha-cha-changes.

In my extended tenure at <REDACTED> I’ve been a victim of “Structural Changes” two and a half times (the half is complicated). Now it’s three and a half. I’m losing my position once again. I’m coming to terms with the loss. Slowly. But not the reasons. Maybe not the reason why I’m not good enough for a promotion, either.

But the benefit to it is that I do get something called “pay protection” for one year. Which means I get to continue to be paid for the position I lost instead of the one I’ve been chosen (forced) to do. After one year, if I haven’t been promoted to a position with comparable or better pay, I will lose my pay to a more “appropriate” rate suited to my position.

A Year for What, Exactly?

Remember that education stuff I mentioned?

Well, it’s been 12 years since I graduated. My statement of eligibility (like a learner’s permit for teaching in my state) expired after five years. Poor fella died of starvation. In order to get that renewed I have to take two tests or start on my Master’s Degree.

The tests are cheaper. At least for ya girl.

So I’m giving myself one year to take and pass these tests. I’ve been back and forth on this process for nearly a decade. I tell myself, “I’m gonna do it this time, I’ll get them done.” But I falter. I’ve not even come close to taking them yet!

But What Happens If I Fail?

If I don’t make it to take and pass the tests in a year, I deserve my lot in life and I’m as worthless as I’ve been made to feel by more than one person at <REDACTED>.

Cha-Cha-Challenges

The simple fact is that I’ve been in this field for so long that quitting and starting all over would be absolutely bonkers. I have no other bankable skills. So I’m stuck at <REDACTED>.

Problem number Dos is that the field of education has changed so much in the decade plus that I’ve been away that I basically need an entire new degree to catch up. I may, in fact, be bonkers.

I would love a mentor of some type in my state, with my knowledge of my state’s educational policies and such, to guide me on what I need to learn, or relearn. I can study and pass a test or two (hopefully). But can I hold my own in a classroom.

One of the many steps I should take this year is renewing my substitute certification. I think it only costs $15. Last I check (been a WHILE). I could sub and learn a little. And make some connections.

I’m literally working some of this out as I write this post.

I might do great. I might end up in a mental institution. Hopefully it’s one of those like Passages Malibu where famous people go because of “stress”.

Thanks for Reading.

-c

Education

28 Tuesday Apr 2020

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As some of you may know, I graduated with a bachelors in elementary education. I also currently work in retail.

I have gone through “phases” over the years, usually during back-to-school, but where I really wanted to get back into education and teach in a classroom. Well, I always want to, it’s just stronger and sometimes I try harder, especially if I’ve had a rough go of my current employment.

I’ve been in and out of a phase lately, and I ordered a book to help me study for one of the tests if need to take to renew my papers. It’s a long story.

I also decided, a few days ago, to take the unpaid leave offered by my employer to people who are afraid to risk exposer to Covid-19. I did this because of the risk to my 5 year old, but also because being quarantined and isolated from all the people she got used to in daycare, not to mention the lack of structure, has begun to show a negative effect on her.

You wouldn’t think that a 5 year old would begin to become anxious and depressed, but yep. They can. And she is showing signs. So I took leave, not only to protect her and those around us (my sister was bringing her kids to my home so she could watch mine two days a week, exposing them to what I might bring in) but to ensure she is not losing her mind or missing out.

Therefore I’ve taken it upon myself to not only make her a schedule, but to provide learning and lessons. A child in public school in my state has access to NTI work provided by the county school system. She was only in daycare (due to start public school in the fall). While he teacher in daycare provided some work, no one knew daycare would still be shut down almost two months later.

The point I’m attempting to make here, before this post reaches novel length, is that I’m enjoying the glimpse into what it might be like to teach. Although I’m still rusty on lesson planning, still unprepared, I’m enjoying it.

I miss education terribly. I’d love the opportunity to be back in a classroom. I know I wouldn’t be worth a plug nickel thirteen years later. But a girl can dream, right?

-thanks for reading

-c

Learn Me Right

04 Sunday Oct 2015

Posted by in Non-Fiction, Truth

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A few days ago I decided that I WILL teach before I die. Yes, I am aware that it’s an odd way of putting it. 

As some of you might know, I have my bachelors degree in education. I graduated from college in December of 2007. I’ve been working retail since 2009. 

While I like some of my job, I have always loved teaching. Besides writing, it’s the only thing I’ve ever wanted to do with my life–professionally. 

Since its been so long since I graduated, there are a number of steps is have to take in order to be able to teach. I also have a heck of a lot of catching up to do. 

But I am determined to be ready to apply and interview for a teaching position in two years. 

Wish me luck. 

-c

Useless Pieces of Paper

01 Sunday Feb 2015

Posted by in Non-Fiction

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The walls of my office are sparsely decorated with an eclectic mix of items. On one wall two teaching related artifacts, one a “Classroom Rules” hanging, the other a “Successful Teacher Needs…” poem, both from my mother, my biggest supporter and benefactor when I went to college for teaching, on another wall a “Don’t Quit” plaque, another wall a framed poem from a friend and a button art of my last initial, and my lanyard collection (you read right). On the last wall, is a painting my nephew made, which I loved and he hated.

On the far end of that wall, squeezed between the corner and a bookcase hangs two frames. Both containing sheets of paper that took me nearly the same amount of time to earn, one of which was very expensive. Both I will be paying for for years to come.

These useless pieces of paper are my College diploma, and a “plaque” commemorating my five years in retail.

I have a minimum of ten years or so left to pay on my student loans, and I’ve been working at my retail establishment for five years, helping me pay off said loans.

The irony here, you see, and the reason for this post, is that despite my nearly five years of college, physical proof of my bachelor’s degree in education, and an undeniable love for teaching, I am, in fact, still working at at place I thought I’d only be at for six months.

Almost six years in retail now (my next piece of paper won’t be printed until year number 10) my prospects for a teaching job are still extremely slim–even more so now. Not that I’ve tried much.

Do you know how many times I’ve been asked, upon telling someone I have a bachelors in education, “Why are you working here?” Because I don’t, I’ve lost count. I started telling people not to ask three years ago.

I like to think of it as a success, managing to make it this long in retail. I can’t count on both hands the number of times I’ve seriously considered quitting in the last five years. I’ve feared firing, I’ve been paranoid that they were all out to get me (I’ve had a rough patch or four), don’t tell on me, but I’ve called in once or twice because I just did not want to go to work. I’ve threatened to quit on a daily basis before, and I’ve cried in front of every member of management that’s lasted more than six months (I blame pregnancy for several incidents).

Of those almost six years now, I’ve changed positions not once but four times. I love my department now, but can’t seem to get done quick enough. I’ve been physically injured on the job at least twice, once actually reported and was on medical leave for two weeks. I came back with restrictions I didn’t follow. I’ve worked every Christmas Eve but two: the year of my gall bladder surgery and this past year when I had my tiny human. I’ve been written up at least three times and I’ve “donated blood” to the retail gods almost daily. I’ve developed what one might describe as chronic pain in my joints, my back, my knees. I come home every night with aching feet and legs, and if I sit too long, my muscles and joints stiffen to an immobile extent.

But I’ve made many friends, several whom I’d trust with my first born. I’ve earned respect and praise, I respect many others. I’ve helped several coworkers and tried to be as helpful and hardworking as I can (mostly). I might do it begrudgingly, but I’ll do it, and try to do it well. I love helping most types of customers, and I try to go at least a little further to help them out, when I can. I enjoy my job best when I can work quietly and and do it right.

College was a life experience i will carry with my until the end of my days. I made lasting friendships there, I learned a great deal, and I miss learning every day. I even had several moments of where I doubted whether I should remain in school or drop out. I stuck it out, mostly because I was unlicensed and lived on campus two hours from home.

But my biggest regret and disappointment about going to college is that I spent four and a half years and thousands of dollars on a piece of paper I may never use. And I think that major disappointment is the main reason why deep down I will always resent my retail position.

When I returned to work from leave, I was excited and a little nervous. I ended up having a lovely day, and coming home to my beautiful daughter after eight hours away (the longest we’d been separated) topped it off. But I’d forgotten the soreness and aches that came with being on my feet all day. That will never go away. It’s as if I’m being paid back for not using my degree. And it sucks.

I may eventually be able to use my Bachelor’s. It may not go to waste. But right now I’m stuck with a reasonably but not the best, paying job that allows me to stay out of debtor’s prison. That’s still a thing? Is that still a thing?

Do you have any regrets? What’s your dream job?

-c