Mr. Deckard: Perspectives on my life, teaching, and school leadership

Teacher Mentoring... Rescue From College Preparation

matt@mrdeckard.com (Matthew Deckard) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:02:00 +0000

Adding to my long list of educational reforms (which someday will be complete but there are just so many in public education), is the sorely underfunded program of new teacher mentoring. This program is a necessity of the lack in preparation that many colleges give their graduating teachers... the real world.

I remember my college days listening to professors ramble about teaching methods, pedagogy, school leadership, and many other techniques to make you an excellent teacher, however, these professors were missing a crucial component in prepping teachers... current experience in education. Oh yeah, they knew their subject and theories, however, many had been out of the classroom for several years. Classroom management in 1980 and today are completely different. Making lesson plans on paper and actually carrying out the plan in the classroom are completely different.

Teaching has its wonderful moments: the "a-ha moment" when a student learns something new, the supportive parents that praise everything you do in your classroom, the feeling of knowing you reached someone when they go from an F student to valedictorian at graduation. However, many new teachers are not prepared for the "crap" moments of teaching: the political bureaucracy of public schools, the non-supportive parents that come out when little Johnny is being challenged a little too much, the lack of motivation in students, and the constant interruptions for school activities.

I fondly remember my first year of teaching in Charlotte and my mentor, Mr. Yearby. He had been teaching for over thirty years by the time I started and he sure knew the realities of teaching middle school. Coming straight from the Midwest to the South, where funding and attitudes towards education are much, much different, I stepped into teaching a middle school social studies class which was far from what my education professors had seemingly prepared me for during my previous four years of college. Students did not want to learn, school discipline was a joke, and resources were scarce. I met with Mr. Yearby every morning for coffee and a chat about the upcoming day. I sat with him in faculty meetings and learned the wisdom of over thirty years in education. With those chats, I survived that year and continued on with my educational career although detouring back to Nashville with my wife.

This is why a new teacher mentoring program is a necessity. Those first few years of a teacher's employment are crucial considering a recent NEA study found that nearly 50% of new teachers quit within their first year of teaching due to many of these "crap" moments. School systems must adequately fund this program and assign veteran teachers who know the reality of classroom teaching to make up this deficiency that colleges are leaving out for new teachers.

Mr. Yearby and the many mentors I have had since those first days have changed my whole perspective about education and is one of the first pieces of advice I give any new teacher: Forget what your college professors tell you in college and talk to that veteran teacher next door to you... they know more than your college professor will ever know.

Schools' zero-tolerance policies tested

matt@mrdeckard.com (Matthew Deckard) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:31:00 +0000

View this video and then check out this interesting article in the USA Today, where many parents and elected officials (who, by the way, do not work in schools) are calling for many school districts to ease up on their zero-tolerance laws. The request is the result of their concern that many students are being expelled from schools for bringing frivolous items that are considered weapons under the zero-tolerance laws, like a camping tool and eyebrow trimmers.

While I can see that school districts need to use better discretion when considering what may be zero-tolerance. The high-profile case last week of a 6 year old with his camping knife innocently using it to eat his lunch that was suspended is, in my opinion, not really zero-tolerance. However, the laws are in place for a reason…to put “bite” into a policy that will restrict students who decide to bring dangerous items on school campuses.

What we need to look at as a society is why we have these zero-tolerance laws in the first place. It is sad that schools warn students of zero-tolerance as if it is expected someone will violate the law.

When does good old fashioned parenting take effect that keeps tabs on what your children are doing in school? Maybe schools should add zero-tolerance to bad parenting???

Inspirational Pumpkin Carvings

matt@mrdeckard.com (Matthew Deckard) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 02:06:00 +0000

With Halloween around the corner, we all start looking for inspiration for that perfect pumpkin and art carving to impress our neighbors. Here are a few of my favorites I found around the web... enjoy and have a safe and happy Halloween!

Lastly, don't leave alcohol with your pumpkins...

Bankers vs. Pirates

matt@mrdeckard.com (Matthew Deckard) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 03:42:00 +0000

via americanprogress.org

Eagle Scout to Appeal Monthlong School Suspension

matt@mrdeckard.com (Matthew Deckard) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 21:24:00 +0000

Zero tolerance for this??? I hope the parents get the last laugh on this one... The school board focuses on a good kid that keeps a small knife in his car, but right under their nose is most likely a kid disrupting class and disrespecting teachers. We should have zero-tolerance laws for brats that don't want to be in class.

Parents Want Answers to "Obama" Song

matt@mrdeckard.com (Matthew Deckard) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 20:35:00 +0000

Disturbing video showing elementary students in Burlington, New Jersey singing praises to Obama. I don't have a problem with pointing out the successes of our leaders in history class but why teach and encourage students to praise a leader who has yet to show any leadership. Obama has just talked about how he is going to make change without really any actions to make the change. The scary part of this is that Hitler Youth began in Germany the exact same way. Parents, just be aware of what your child is doing in school.

When Life Has An Emergency

matt@mrdeckard.com (Matthew Deckard) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 01:50:00 +0000

via sownseed.com

Imagine how much life would be different if people would call these numbers more often????

If Only They Were Around To See This

matt@mrdeckard.com (Matthew Deckard) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 03:29:00 +0000

Ah, the wisdom of our founding fathers... only if they could see how their country evolved

School Officials to Fill In As Teachers in Broward County, FL

matt@mrdeckard.com (Matthew Deckard) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 02:10:00 +0000

The Broward County School System outside of Miami is trying something new in a way to save the system money: sending certified administrators back to the classroom to fill in the substitute shortage, saving $200,000 for the system.

No one is exempt... even the big boss, Superintendent Jim Notter, will join the substitute ranks.

It is a plan that Miami-Dade Schools has successfully carried out and is catching on among budget-crunched districts. Will the idea work? Read more from The Miami Herald.

Now & Then: The Brady Bunch

matt@mrdeckard.com (Matthew Deckard) — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 02:22:00 +0000

via foxnews.com

I loved this show growing up...let's see if they are as clean cut now as they were then in this slideshow.

Eternal Moonwalk - A Tribute to Michael Jackson

matt@mrdeckard.com (Matthew Deckard) — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 01:48:00 +0000

via eternalmoonwalk.com

Tax Free Weekends

matt@mrdeckard.com (Matthew Deckard) — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 02:57:00 +0000

Many states offer tax free weekends during the back-to-school season to help parents and others purchase items such as clothing, school supplies, computers, and large ticket items without the costly addition of sales tax.

Check out the following chart for each participating state and save some money!

Alabama
Connecticut
Florida
Georgia
Iowa
Louisiana
Maryland
Mississippi
Missouri
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
Oklahoma
Tennessee
Texas
Vermont
Virginia
Washington D.C.
West Virginia

The Most Loved Overplayed Songs

matt@mrdeckard.com (Matthew Deckard) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 02:04:00 +0000

I love music... all types in fact. Whether it is on VH1 Classic, XM Radio, or Last.fm, I am listening to music somewhere. But oh how I cannot stand hearing the same songs over and over... or maybe I do? I could create a list of 5000 songs just containing most of today's music but I'll stick to my favorite genre, classic rock, and give you my list. So ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, I now present my Top 10 list of the most overplayed but loved songs of all-time...or at least in my time:

10. "Free Bird" - Lynyrd Skynyrd (1974)
Hold up your lighter and sway to this classic...again and again and again. Oh, and would somebody punch the next putz that yells out in a crowd for this to be played?

9. "Hard To Handle" - Black Crowes (1990)
A party favorite...except everyone, including your grandma, wants to chant the wrong words of the chorus while shaking their finger to the beat.

8. Any song by Michael Jackson
MJ's songs actually were never overplayed... until now. I actually like his music and have been wearing my sequined glove since 1983, but since his recent death they really "don't stop until they get enough" but I have had enough! How strange that when he is alive the media beats up on him... but he passes on and the media acts as if he should be martyred.

7. "Peace of Mind" - Boston (1977)
Actually I don't know if this is the song that is overplayed too many times or another Boston song since they all sound the same.

6. "American Pie" - Don McLean (1971)
A nice music chronicle of a sad time in rock history but could this song be any longer? I once took a radio broadcasting class in college and this song was the one to play when you had to use the restroom. Must be a run on the toilet at most stations...

5. "Hotel California" - Eagles (1976)
I must hear this song at least five times a day on XM and Jack FM. The Eagles are a good band but do I have to constantly hear that they "haven't had that spirit here since 1969" ???. Oh, and can I check out anytime I want? Good, then I am outta here.

4. "Pour Some Sugar On Me" - Def Leppard (1987)
With Coyote Ugly girls dancing unsynchronized to this song and a terrible rendition recently sung by Taylor Swift, I hesitated to put this song on the list but there is just something about it that brings back those junior high days at the skating rink.

3. "Back In Black" - AC/DC (1980)
Hearing this song at nearly every sports event when the team makes a big entrance causes this song to make the list, however, the drum beat and guitar riffs at the beginning brings out my air guitar every time.

2. "Tom Sawyer" - Rush (1981)
A "Rock of _______ (fill in the city)" staple, this song and it's techno sounds, drums, and kick butt riffs by a three man band makes it a favorite.

1. "Carry On Wayward Son" - Kansas (1976)
Another "The Rock" radio favorite, this song has made a resurgence by being played on toy guitars by pimply teens, and um...adults, everywhere. Oh and how can you forget the freakishly hairy band in their video.

Southern parents spank their kids

matt@mrdeckard.com (Matthew Deckard) — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 01:47:00 +0000

A recent poll showed 62% of parents in southern states spank their children compared to 41% in non-southern states. An ongoing poll conducted by The Tennessean shows that many readers agree... over 80% feel that spanking is a good form of discipline for their children. Many states in the south also lead the country in incidents of corporal punishment administered in their schools. Just one more thing I love about the south... conservative values still exist.

Critics feel that a time-out and other non-violent methods are more effective but fail to realize the problem most likely lies with ineffective parenting. I remember growing up in a conservative part of Indiana and seeing the wooden or fiberglass paddles hanging on the chalkboards. They were a pleasant reminder of our school discipline code. However, the biggest fear wasn't the paddle but how your parents would react if you were in trouble at school. You never heard the complaints you hear today that it is the teacher's fault or the school is picking on you... it was your fault and why in the world would you disobey and get in trouble. Then came the second paddling at home...ouch! But you know what? My self-esteem wasn't hurt, my psychological well-being is still intact, and I know how to respect authority and follow rules. Interesting that some do not see this anymore...

Ahh, the good ol' days...where in the world did they go????

Read more about Southern parents spank their kids - The Tennessean (Nashville, Tennessee)

Hendersonville, TN among top 10 places to raise a family

matt@mrdeckard.com (Matthew Deckard) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 05:38:00 +0000

Family Circle magazine ranked Hendersonville, Tennessee as one of the top 10 cities in which to raise a family. I can vouch for this wonderful city located a few miles north of Nashville on Old Hickory Lake. My wife and I live in this area and agree that it is definitely a wonderful place to raise a family, including our two boys ... good schools, parks, medical facilities, and shopping. Plus, it is the home to some country stars like Taylor Swift, Marty Stuart, and the late Johnny Cash.

Read more about this great city...

Schools Looking to Parents to Pay for Sports

matt@mrdeckard.com (Matthew Deckard) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 20:31:00 +0000

Many school districts around the country are looking at ways to help pay for their extracurricular activities. One option is to turn to parents and require a participation fee for their child to participate in the activity. Some experts feel that this is imposing a little too much on parents but some advocates feel this is a way to fund activities that might otherwise be eliminated in an already strapped budget.

Read more...

Teacher Certification Map

matt@mrdeckard.com (Matthew Deckard) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:50:00 +0000

For aspiring educators or teachers looking to relocate to other states, be sure to view the Certification Map. This useful website has information about teacher certification and licensing for all 50 states. It also includes information on salary comparisons, program requirements, and other useful material to help transition you into a education career.

You can also find out about the Masters of Art in Teaching program at the University of Southern California which sponsors the Certification Map.

What Most Administrators Already Know About Teacher Evaluations

matt@mrdeckard.com (Matthew Deckard) — Sat, 30 May 2009 04:06:00 +0000

Here is a real newsflash that most administrators are not shocked by... A recent study conducted by the National Council on Teacher Quality gave 49 states a below average grade on how new teachers are evaluated leading to improvement or dismissal of failing teachers. Only South Carolina achieved a B- on their teacher evaluation model.

Only 23 states require more than one evaluation a year and unfortunately nine states do not require any evaluations for new teachers.

What is quite surprising is that many of the states on the Smartest State list which compares educational programs among other fine living characteristics actually scored an F in this study on teacher evaluations.

The sad truth about this study is that student learning is affected when no formal evaluation or monitoring of teacher performance is conducted in a consistent manner. Those plans of improvement that many states give to teachers after poor reviews still allow a failing teacher to continue to teach in the classroom giving their students failing instruction.

My suggestion on how to fix??? Let's start by earlier formal evaluations in the teacher preparation programs, not just in student teaching but during the freshman year of the program. Weed out teachers before they enter the classroom.

Full story: States get D-plus on teacher reviews

School Law 101: Attendance

matt@mrdeckard.com (Matthew Deckard) — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 20:09:00 +0000

Most educators and parents are aware of the compulsory attendance laws that require students to be in school until a certain age. Attendance is taken daily in classrooms not only to ensure students and parents are in compliance with the law but school systems receive government funding by using a formula that utilizes the average daily attendance of each pupil in their schools.

For schools, legal responsibility begins when students step onto school campus. From the time the morning bell rings to dismissal, the school must keep account of where students are at all times. Schools keep account by requiring their teachers to take attendance in each class and reporting present and absentee students to the office.

Sounds simple, right? However, you would be quite surprised how many times classes are conducted in schools without attendance ever being documented. Number one excuse...teachers are too busy. From a legal standpoint... if you are teachers are too busy to do attendance then they better get out of teaching because it is a primary reason of teacher dismissal and lawsuits. In fact, the seriousness of accurate attendance taking results in many states giving school boards authority to dismiss and will revoke teacher licenses, despite tenure, for failure to take attendance.

Bottom line is this... schools rely on teachers to keep account of a student's whereabouts during the school day, so teachers must take attendance every class meeting time and record it accurately in their grade book / roll book. These are legal documents and can be subpoenaed by a court. If a student is absent from class, accurate reporting and advising administration will absolve the teacher's responsibility for that absence. However, if a teacher doesn't report a student missing and they end up getting hurt, then the responsibility falls back on the teacher. A simple task not worth jeopardizing a career.

While They Fire, They Hire

matt@mrdeckard.com (Matthew Deckard) — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 19:09:00 +0000

A note to many school boards is this: When you are hiring for teaching positions, don't layoff those who already are teaching.

Here in Nashville you see this every year, teaching jobs are cut or a hiring freeze is put in place, then comes August and schools are screaming out for teachers because their own prior actions have created a shortage of teachers. In California, where many things make no sense, a comedic move from a few school districts caused them to wind up interviewing the same teachers they previously laid off during an annual job fair.

School districts will say they are hiring for different positions than those being cut, that it is cheaper to hire a young teacher with no experience than a veteran with years of experience, but why not spend some money on getting those already employed to be certified in the area where they have a shortage. Work on developing your certified staff not eliminating them. Many states now offer programs that allow teachers with non-critical endorsements to be certified in critical-need areas.

Bottom line is that it'll be far more cheaper to have teachers that are already familiar with your policies, schools, parents, etc., instead of hiring newbies who will need expensive training, acclimation to the school district, and most likely will not stay over five years in your district.

Lifetime "Must Reads"

matt@mrdeckard.com (Matthew Deckard) — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 19:55:00 +0000

John Maxwell, an authority on leadership, has compiled a list of lifetime "must reads" for anyone. The books range from spiritual growth to marriage and family. You can browse the list here.

Also, check out his site for more leadership tips and advice.

Inaccurate Textbooks?

matt@mrdeckard.com (Matthew Deckard) — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 19:09:00 +0000

Gary Tobin and Dennis Ybarra, authors with the Institute for Jewish and Community Research, have concluded in their new book, The Trouble with Textbooks: Distorting History and Religion, that after reviewing 28 of the most widely used social studies and history textbooks in the United States, the textbooks contain over 500 religious inaccuracies. One such example is a question puts supposed truth in teaching that Jesus was a Palestinian and not Jewish, despite Biblical teachings that Jesus was from Judea and Galilee. Other arguments are that Christianity and Judaism are criticized when other religions are not by stating that the Ten Commandments are "moral laws Moses claimed to have received from the Hebrew God" but the Koran is "Holy Book of Islam containing revelations received by Muhammad from God". They say this leads to prejudices towards Christianity, Israel, and Middle East relations.

Interesting in that schools are to be teaching impartial truths and facts about history to their captive audience of students. Educators and parents must rally together to ensure that their school's textbooks are giving accurate truths in all subjects. However, this isn't the first time history textbooks have been wrong.

Full Story: Authors Warn That Many Textbooks Distort Religion

Bringing Business Bucks to the Schoolhouse

matt@mrdeckard.com (Matthew Deckard) — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 01:24:00 +0000

Many school districts are facing budget shortages as they try to keep up with the demands of increased enrollments and maintaining a quality system. So what is a easy solution for many? Advertisements. Putting for-profit business money in the non-profit schools.

Many states already implement advertising in their schools: on bus billboards, fast food in cafeterias, athletic facilities, and free televisions in the classroom... um, anyone ever heard of Channel One, the mega-advertising news program that millions of students watch each school day? Kids are bombarded by advertisements at home and on the web so why not school?

In today's financially tighter times, it just makes sense that many districts are looking at ways to increase this advertising revenue which will lead to more dollars in their budget ultimately improving the quality of educational services they can provide. More money buys better resources which leads to better instruction resulting in successful students.

Think about it.

No Coffee = Energy Savings for Schools

matt@mrdeckard.com (Matthew Deckard) — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 05:37:00 +0000

One California school district has found a way to cut back on energy expenditures... ban appliances in classrooms. The Glendale Unified School District outside of Los Angeles has ordered all microwaves, coffee pots, refrigerators that are used for personal use by the teachers to be removed. They estimate this will save them at least $60,000 per year in electricity usage.

Many other districts around the country are following suit as they put restrictions or bans on energy hogging appliances that their staff use for personal use despite the anger it causes many of the teachers and staff that rely on them for convenience.

Is the cost of savings worth the anger that will alienate teachers in the schools?

Full Story: Glendale schools ban teacher's coffeepots and fridges

Retaining Teachers For Our Future

matt@mrdeckard.com (Matthew Deckard) — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 21:02:00 +0000

According to a study conducted by the National Education Association, nearly 50% of new teachers will quit the profession within five years. Why? Low salaries and working conditions were the most given reasons.

What can school districts do to retain good teachers? Let's look at the two main reasons:

1. Low Salaries - School districts need to pay their teachers more... period. The demands and accountability placed on teachers is now higher than ever and a professional salary needs to be given. Many teachers have advanced graduate degrees and are experts in their field of education, yet start at what many jobs pay a high school graduate. Forget the vacations and breaks so many critics cite as benefits... when you take the days worked and hours after school devoted to paperwork and tutoring, the off days add up the same as a year-round position.

2. Working Conditions - School districts and school administrators need to train and mentor their new teachers. Assist them with professional development and give them the necessary resources to do their job of teaching young minds. Put them in permanent classrooms that are conducive to learning and support them by assisting in maintaining a positive learning environment. Principals should discipline the students that the teacher cannot handle by holding the student and their parents accountable not the teacher. School districts should provide enough funding for textbooks, technology, and other resources to aid the teacher in instruction. Bottom line... don't throw the teacher "to the wolves" and expect them to survive.

With these conditions going unnoticed teachers will jump ship and end up moving on to other professions which we are already seeing at an alarming rate. Let's put a stop to that today for our future's sake...