My dear friend Sharon sent me this FIRST PHOTO OF MICHAEL PHELPS:
Thanks, Sharon!
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
I Need to Blow Off Steam!
I am so frustrated by our education system. Years of trying to advocate for my children - and why is this? Shouldn't educators be in the profession because they want the best for the children?? Why would parents need to fight for what is right for their kids? We had middle school orientation this evening and once again I was frustrated beyond belief. If nothing else, I will be so glad when my kids graduate and I will no longer have to deal with public school!!
I was AMAZED to find out my kid's school (Forest Hills Eastern) scores in the top 6% of the nation. If this is the top, I am horrified to even consider what a school in the 10th percentile looks like, let alone less than the 50th percentile. During orientation this evening, the principal, 2 counselors, and the "student dean" spoke briefly. Afterwards, as near as I could tell, all but 1 made themselves very scarce (I think maybe they left out the side door!). Hundreds of parents and children milling around with questions, scheduling issues, etc. and not one person to help. All there were was 2 office assistants left alone to try to handle the line of people that went out the door. When the woman in front of me asked when the counselors would be available, she was told "They have an inservice tomorrow and they won't be here until next week because they aren't paid to be here." Well. I was left standing there wondering what they are paid for.
My sister teaches high school in Maryland. She's there already, full-time (before the students!). Michigan teachers are some of the best paid in the country, yet they aren't around. I want to homeschool very, very much but both my boys want to stay in school to be with their friends, experience school athletics, electives, and school activities. As most of you know, I already pulled Harrison out of all math and homeschool that (and he did GREAT this summer - his teacher from MSU actually wrote me a letter sharing how very much she enjoyed having him and what a great kid he is). My sister is one of the "good guys" when it comes to teaching. She works in a state that doesn't pay teachers great and has mediocre benefits, yet she is willing to tutor students during her prep hour, her lunch hour, and her time after school hours. I wish I could find more like her! So far, my experience here has been a few (very few) awesome teachers, let's say 5%, and about 15% just OK, and 80% shouldn't be anywhere near a school. (OK, I admit I'm worked up right now - I might be a mite kinder in the morning!).
Here is an interesting article I will share that highlights the fallacies of poor pay for teachers; what this means is teachers must be intrinsically motivated:
Civic ReportNo. 50 January 2007
How Much Are Public School Teachers Paid?
by Jay P. Greene and Marcus A. Winters
Executive Summary
Education policy discussions often assume that public school teachers are poorly paid. Typically absent in these discussions about teacher pay, however, is any reference to systematic data on how much public school teachers are actually paid, especially relative to other occupations. Because discussions about teacher pay rarely reference these data, the policy debate on education reform has proceeded without a clear understanding of these issues.
This report compiles information on the hourly pay of public school teachers nationally and in 66 metropolitan areas, as collected by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in its annual National Compensation Survey. We also compare the reported hourly income of public school teachers with that of workers in similar professions, as defined by the BLS. This report goes on to use the BLS data to analyze whether there is a relationship between higher relative pay for public school teachers and higher student achievement as measured by high school graduation rates.
Among the key findings of this report:
According to the BLS, the average public school teacher in the United States earned $34.06 per hour in 2005.
The average public school teacher was paid 36% more per hour than the average non-sales white-collar worker and 11% more than the average professional specialty and technical worker.
Full-time public school teachers work on average 36.5 hours per week during weeks that they are working. By comparison, white-collar workers (excluding sales) work 39.4 hours, and professional specialty and technical workers work 39.0 hours per week. Private school teachers work 38.3 hours per week.
Compared with public school teachers, editors and reporters earn 24% less; architects, 11% less; psychologists, 9% less; chemists, 5% less; mechanical engineers, 6% less; and economists, 1% less.
Compared with public school teachers, airplane pilots earn 186% more; physicians, 80% more; lawyers, 49% more; nuclear engineers, 17% more; actuaries, 9% more; and physicists, 3% more.
Public school teachers are paid 61% more per hour than private school teachers, on average nationwide.
The Detroit metropolitan area has the highest average public school teacher pay among metropolitan areas for which data are available, at $47.28 per hour, followed by the San Francisco metropolitan area at $46.70 per hour, and the New York metropolitan area at $45.79 per hour.
We find no evidence that average teacher pay relative to that of other white-collar or professional specialty workers is related to high school graduation rates in the metropolitan area.
About the Authors
JAY P. GREENE, Ph.D., is Endowed Chair and Head of the Department of Education Reform at the University of Arkansas and a Senior Fellow at the Manhattan Institute. He has conducted evaluations of school choice and accountability programs in Florida, Charlotte, Milwaukee, Cleveland, and San Antonio. He has also recently published research on high school graduation rates, social promotion, and special education. His articles have appeared in policy journals, such as The Public Interest, City Journal, and Education Next; in academic journals, such as the Teachers College Record, the Georgetown Public Policy Review, and the British Journal of Political Science; and in major newspapers, including the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, and USA Today. Dr. Greene is the author of Education Myths (Rowman & Littlefield, 2005). Dr. Greene received his B.A. in history from Tufts University and his doctorate in political science from Harvard University.
MARCUS A. WINTERS is a Senior Research Associate at the Manhattan Institute and a Doctoral Academy Fellow at the University of Arkansas. He has performed several studies on a variety of education policy issues, including high-stakes testing, charter schools, and the effects of vouchers on the public school system. His op-ed articles have appeared in numerous newspapers, including the Washington Post, USA Today, and the Chicago Sun-Times. He received his B.A. in political science with departmental honors from Ohio University in 2002 and an M.A. in economics from the University of Arkansas in 2006.
As a teacher myself (well, technically, a college instructor), I am appalled by what goes on in 6th through 12th grades. Yes, students are different than they used to be (I've taught for 16 years). They question more now (even authority) and are much more cynical. However, they are also able to do amazing things. I have consistently seen students rise above their own imagined ability to obtain excellent grades, and more importantly gain knowledge. I design new tests every semester so my students can have their test back and see their mistakes (something my highschool student isn't allowed - he gets his scantron back so his teachers don't have to make up a new test- EVER). If I see a student struggling, I'll stay and help. I'll come in to meet with them. I'll set up tutoring - even if it's not in my subject (when they're struggling in another course). Heck, isn't this my job?? I love teaching and I feel each and every one of those students deserves the best I can give, just exactly as if each one were my own child. I honestly have to say, teaching is like the ministry. Those who have no faith shouldn't be ministers and those who don't believe in their students and enjoy giving their all to them shouldn't teach. Hard line, I know.
I've read and heard so much about how HARD it is to teach now-a-days. Well, tell me how hard it is to get your child to respect their teacher that refuses help when the kid asks for it. Tell me how hard it is to get your child to respect their teacher when she comes to a parent/principal meeting wearing a peasant skirt, 2 layers of tank tops, a nose ring, and flip flops. Tell me how hard it is to get your child to respect their teacher when he comes to class and describes how he and his wife enjoy bondage games and last night he locked her in the closet, tied up, with a rubber ball in her mouth, for hours, then took her out and spanked her. Hmmm (all true stories from FHEHS, one of the top schools in the nation!). It's a two-way street. While I agree students do need to respect elders and authority, I also say those in authority need to respect themselves and others as well. Our children (and I mean all our children - the future of our world) both need and deserve better than what they're getting now.
If you wanted to play basketball in the olympics, wouldn't you search out the best coach possible? Olympic teams don't employ the local rec-league coach - they get the best. In the same fashion, those who are TEACHING should be the BEST. I mean they should be the top of their class - overall college gpa at least 3.0. They should be upstanding, respectable citizens. They should adhere to a professional dress code. They should be people our children look up to, admire, and aspire to be like. Maybe I'll take this on statewide after I finish my PhD!
I was AMAZED to find out my kid's school (Forest Hills Eastern) scores in the top 6% of the nation. If this is the top, I am horrified to even consider what a school in the 10th percentile looks like, let alone less than the 50th percentile. During orientation this evening, the principal, 2 counselors, and the "student dean" spoke briefly. Afterwards, as near as I could tell, all but 1 made themselves very scarce (I think maybe they left out the side door!). Hundreds of parents and children milling around with questions, scheduling issues, etc. and not one person to help. All there were was 2 office assistants left alone to try to handle the line of people that went out the door. When the woman in front of me asked when the counselors would be available, she was told "They have an inservice tomorrow and they won't be here until next week because they aren't paid to be here." Well. I was left standing there wondering what they are paid for.
My sister teaches high school in Maryland. She's there already, full-time (before the students!). Michigan teachers are some of the best paid in the country, yet they aren't around. I want to homeschool very, very much but both my boys want to stay in school to be with their friends, experience school athletics, electives, and school activities. As most of you know, I already pulled Harrison out of all math and homeschool that (and he did GREAT this summer - his teacher from MSU actually wrote me a letter sharing how very much she enjoyed having him and what a great kid he is). My sister is one of the "good guys" when it comes to teaching. She works in a state that doesn't pay teachers great and has mediocre benefits, yet she is willing to tutor students during her prep hour, her lunch hour, and her time after school hours. I wish I could find more like her! So far, my experience here has been a few (very few) awesome teachers, let's say 5%, and about 15% just OK, and 80% shouldn't be anywhere near a school. (OK, I admit I'm worked up right now - I might be a mite kinder in the morning!).
Here is an interesting article I will share that highlights the fallacies of poor pay for teachers; what this means is teachers must be intrinsically motivated:
Civic ReportNo. 50 January 2007
How Much Are Public School Teachers Paid?
by Jay P. Greene and Marcus A. Winters
Executive Summary
Education policy discussions often assume that public school teachers are poorly paid. Typically absent in these discussions about teacher pay, however, is any reference to systematic data on how much public school teachers are actually paid, especially relative to other occupations. Because discussions about teacher pay rarely reference these data, the policy debate on education reform has proceeded without a clear understanding of these issues.
This report compiles information on the hourly pay of public school teachers nationally and in 66 metropolitan areas, as collected by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in its annual National Compensation Survey. We also compare the reported hourly income of public school teachers with that of workers in similar professions, as defined by the BLS. This report goes on to use the BLS data to analyze whether there is a relationship between higher relative pay for public school teachers and higher student achievement as measured by high school graduation rates.
Among the key findings of this report:
According to the BLS, the average public school teacher in the United States earned $34.06 per hour in 2005.
The average public school teacher was paid 36% more per hour than the average non-sales white-collar worker and 11% more than the average professional specialty and technical worker.
Full-time public school teachers work on average 36.5 hours per week during weeks that they are working. By comparison, white-collar workers (excluding sales) work 39.4 hours, and professional specialty and technical workers work 39.0 hours per week. Private school teachers work 38.3 hours per week.
Compared with public school teachers, editors and reporters earn 24% less; architects, 11% less; psychologists, 9% less; chemists, 5% less; mechanical engineers, 6% less; and economists, 1% less.
Compared with public school teachers, airplane pilots earn 186% more; physicians, 80% more; lawyers, 49% more; nuclear engineers, 17% more; actuaries, 9% more; and physicists, 3% more.
Public school teachers are paid 61% more per hour than private school teachers, on average nationwide.
The Detroit metropolitan area has the highest average public school teacher pay among metropolitan areas for which data are available, at $47.28 per hour, followed by the San Francisco metropolitan area at $46.70 per hour, and the New York metropolitan area at $45.79 per hour.
We find no evidence that average teacher pay relative to that of other white-collar or professional specialty workers is related to high school graduation rates in the metropolitan area.
About the Authors
JAY P. GREENE, Ph.D., is Endowed Chair and Head of the Department of Education Reform at the University of Arkansas and a Senior Fellow at the Manhattan Institute. He has conducted evaluations of school choice and accountability programs in Florida, Charlotte, Milwaukee, Cleveland, and San Antonio. He has also recently published research on high school graduation rates, social promotion, and special education. His articles have appeared in policy journals, such as The Public Interest, City Journal, and Education Next; in academic journals, such as the Teachers College Record, the Georgetown Public Policy Review, and the British Journal of Political Science; and in major newspapers, including the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, and USA Today. Dr. Greene is the author of Education Myths (Rowman & Littlefield, 2005). Dr. Greene received his B.A. in history from Tufts University and his doctorate in political science from Harvard University.
MARCUS A. WINTERS is a Senior Research Associate at the Manhattan Institute and a Doctoral Academy Fellow at the University of Arkansas. He has performed several studies on a variety of education policy issues, including high-stakes testing, charter schools, and the effects of vouchers on the public school system. His op-ed articles have appeared in numerous newspapers, including the Washington Post, USA Today, and the Chicago Sun-Times. He received his B.A. in political science with departmental honors from Ohio University in 2002 and an M.A. in economics from the University of Arkansas in 2006.
As a teacher myself (well, technically, a college instructor), I am appalled by what goes on in 6th through 12th grades. Yes, students are different than they used to be (I've taught for 16 years). They question more now (even authority) and are much more cynical. However, they are also able to do amazing things. I have consistently seen students rise above their own imagined ability to obtain excellent grades, and more importantly gain knowledge. I design new tests every semester so my students can have their test back and see their mistakes (something my highschool student isn't allowed - he gets his scantron back so his teachers don't have to make up a new test- EVER). If I see a student struggling, I'll stay and help. I'll come in to meet with them. I'll set up tutoring - even if it's not in my subject (when they're struggling in another course). Heck, isn't this my job?? I love teaching and I feel each and every one of those students deserves the best I can give, just exactly as if each one were my own child. I honestly have to say, teaching is like the ministry. Those who have no faith shouldn't be ministers and those who don't believe in their students and enjoy giving their all to them shouldn't teach. Hard line, I know.
I've read and heard so much about how HARD it is to teach now-a-days. Well, tell me how hard it is to get your child to respect their teacher that refuses help when the kid asks for it. Tell me how hard it is to get your child to respect their teacher when she comes to a parent/principal meeting wearing a peasant skirt, 2 layers of tank tops, a nose ring, and flip flops. Tell me how hard it is to get your child to respect their teacher when he comes to class and describes how he and his wife enjoy bondage games and last night he locked her in the closet, tied up, with a rubber ball in her mouth, for hours, then took her out and spanked her. Hmmm (all true stories from FHEHS, one of the top schools in the nation!). It's a two-way street. While I agree students do need to respect elders and authority, I also say those in authority need to respect themselves and others as well. Our children (and I mean all our children - the future of our world) both need and deserve better than what they're getting now.
If you wanted to play basketball in the olympics, wouldn't you search out the best coach possible? Olympic teams don't employ the local rec-league coach - they get the best. In the same fashion, those who are TEACHING should be the BEST. I mean they should be the top of their class - overall college gpa at least 3.0. They should be upstanding, respectable citizens. They should adhere to a professional dress code. They should be people our children look up to, admire, and aspire to be like. Maybe I'll take this on statewide after I finish my PhD!
Monday, August 25, 2008
More Michigan Beauty
The straights of Mackinac - viewing from atop a hill on Mackinac Island (this is the front lawn of the Grand Hotel).
Downtown Mackinac Island during the busy part of the day! Thankfully, no single-rider horses.
The other end of the main street, but a less busy time of day. I always enjoy seeing the kites on Mackinac.
The boys dining - always fun to see them dressed well!I caught (by accident) the opening of the Democratic National Convention this afternoon. Intersting. I've never watched any convention before. I was changing to meet up with friends for dinner and clicked the tv on. Now I'm intrigued! I might watch more - and would also like to see the beginning of the Republican National Convention.
Friday, August 22, 2008
A Real Blessing
Today, we were heading back south to home on I-75 and dear friends of ours were minutes behind us. Long story short, they were in an accident (this picture doesn't do justice to the damage in reality!). Two of them whacked their heads pretty good and I have no doubt they will all be very, very sore tomorrow, but God was watching over them. After hitting a guard rail, they flew back sideways across the highway - it's amazing there was a break in traffic and they weren't hit by another car. They did spin around and hit the guardrail again. We are so thankful they are all OK and we all made it home this evening. I am so relieved they are fine; right now sitting here it's really kind of hitting me more how much worse this could have turned out.Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Quick Update
For those of you wondering ... little G. is doing fabulously! Only a week and half since surgery and he's already put on a pound. Mom says he's not needing any pain meds at this point, either. Such great news!
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Summer's Almost Gone
This picture really has nothing to do with anything today, but I like it! It shows the 2 big hotels in downtown Grand Rapids: the Amway Grand on the left and the J.W. Marriott on the right. Both are lovely hotels with great restaurants! You might notice they both also have wonderful views of the Grand River.
So I spent much of the day working on my dissertation. I am now working on the final numbers for the actual draft of chapter 4. I got about half way through today and plan on spending time on it Monday and Tuesday as well. Clay and I took a break mid-afternoon to see "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor." I liked it a lot. The whole family went to see "Tropic Thunder" a few days ago and I liked that as well - irreverent humor, but funny! I will say I liked "The Mummy" better though. Clay and I have been keeping up with doing "Wii Fit." I like my Wii Fit age - it gives you an age based on your real age and your fitness level == it makes me about 10 to 15 years younger (depends on the day)!! Can't argue with those results! Harrison and I have also continued to lift weights 3x a week. Ladies, want a way to GAIN weight? This is it! Ha ha. The last thing I need is any more weight (I was shocked to find out that 1 more pound and I get an "obese" BMI) - but lifting has put several more pounds on me. I keep reminding myself it will pay off in the end and I do like feeling stronger - I really hate the more pounds though. Walking has been a challenge as the mold levels outdoors have been so high (mold is my worst allergy so my asthma kicks in big time). I went a little over a mile this morning then gave up on it.
We had dinner with friends Mary and Bob this weekend which was a BLAST! It was GREAT to see them; we enjoy their company so much. I was stunned to find out a few weeks ago, when checking my fall class rosters, that I have Mary and Bob's oldest son in a class! He's still in high school, but will have dual enrollment. THAT will be fun and weird at the same time.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Bigfoot Hoax?
Well, now I really can't wait for the press conference today at noon! Some are saying this is all a hoax and the body is mixed gorilla costume and animal entrials, just to get business for these two cops who are starting a "hunting for bigfoot" expedition business. Hmmm. I guess a number of things will have to be present to make it believable (rather than a hoax), such as legitimate US scientists, presentation of the body, presentation of legitimate DNA evidence and turning over the body to a legitimate research facility, such as at a major university with animal studies (how about the veterinary school at MSU?). If they're unwilling to turn over the "body" to a legitimate university for study, I'll get on the hoax bandwagon! Ah well, it would still be cool to find a real bigfoot! I'll update after the press conference!
It's now almost 8 pm; it looks like this is a hoax. Harrison and I watched the newscast online and I sure don't believe these guys at this point. It's a shame charlatans such as these take advantage of others. I hope they don't make any money from their websites, treks, or online store!!
On a more positive note, Clay and I went to see "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" and it was watchable (from me, a person who is not a Star Wars fan). Clay thought it was great!
It's now almost 8 pm; it looks like this is a hoax. Harrison and I watched the newscast online and I sure don't believe these guys at this point. It's a shame charlatans such as these take advantage of others. I hope they don't make any money from their websites, treks, or online store!!
On a more positive note, Clay and I went to see "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" and it was watchable (from me, a person who is not a Star Wars fan). Clay thought it was great!
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Georgia Gorilla
I don't know about anyone else, but I think the news about the two cops finding a "bigfoot" in Georgia is just cool!! Here's a link to the story on Fox News http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,402882,00.html
The news story has a still from old footage (1960's) but here is the actual photo of the creature in the freezer. An interesting commentary from Jane Goodall: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NmCmfdFAhQ
So, that made my day! I bet they'll find after DNA assessment that this guy is gigantopithecus (a 7 foot tall gorilla that lived in Northern Asia and was thought to be extinct). People into the "bigfoot" think have speculated that in the past and it seems about right. Won't it be fun to listen to and watch the news conference on Friday and hear the full DNA report??!
Monday, August 11, 2008
Update
Well, the little guy is doing wonderfully! He was moved out of the ICU yesterday afternoon ( a couple of days ahead of schedule) and has had most of the tubes removed. Mom reports he's still pretty groggy but otherwise doing very well. Such a positive outcome! Thank you all for your prayers.
On another note, is the high mold count getting to anyone else?? My asthma has been terrible for the past week or so and I'm getting tired of not being able to breathe well! It's especially irritating at night. Well, hopefully the mold counts will drop later this week (obviously I won't be holding my breath waiting! ha ha).
Any of you try WiiFit?? What a great thing! Clay got the WiiFit "game" last week and it's so cool! It measures your BMI, posture, flexibility and gives you a "real age" for your body. It also has lots of different types of activities to help you stay fit. I've been doing the yoga so far. Try it if you have the opportunity - it's really fun and healthy!
On another note, is the high mold count getting to anyone else?? My asthma has been terrible for the past week or so and I'm getting tired of not being able to breathe well! It's especially irritating at night. Well, hopefully the mold counts will drop later this week (obviously I won't be holding my breath waiting! ha ha).
Any of you try WiiFit?? What a great thing! Clay got the WiiFit "game" last week and it's so cool! It measures your BMI, posture, flexibility and gives you a "real age" for your body. It also has lots of different types of activities to help you stay fit. I've been doing the yoga so far. Try it if you have the opportunity - it's really fun and healthy!
Friday, August 8, 2008
The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
The GOOD: The very, very good news is that baby G. is out of surgery and doing well! He'll be in CICU for a few days and I'm sure cranky, but isn't it just wonderful that things went just as planned (by the surgeon), smoothly, and he's doing as well as can be expected! Thank you all for your prayers.
The BAD: Clay sprained his left ankle last night. He just got out of the cast on his right leg the beginning of June and now is in an air cast on the left with crutches!
The UGLY: More trees are dying. We're trying to save at least some of the trees ... we walked the yard with a tree specialist today and chose older, larger trees to try to save through innoculation. We're going to lose a lot. Right now we've got 6 confirmed dead and several more going. I don't even want to think about the removal of all these old oaks in the fall!! What a loss.
Even so, with the good news about baby G., I can hardly brood for too long over the trees!
The BAD: Clay sprained his left ankle last night. He just got out of the cast on his right leg the beginning of June and now is in an air cast on the left with crutches!
The UGLY: More trees are dying. We're trying to save at least some of the trees ... we walked the yard with a tree specialist today and chose older, larger trees to try to save through innoculation. We're going to lose a lot. Right now we've got 6 confirmed dead and several more going. I don't even want to think about the removal of all these old oaks in the fall!! What a loss.
Even so, with the good news about baby G., I can hardly brood for too long over the trees!
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Please Pray
Remember this sweet little guy? He's several months old now and weighs 12 pounds. Tomorrow, he, his mom (B.) and dad will leave for Ann Arbor for open heart surgery. The surgery is scheduled for Friday morning. Please pray for this sweet baby, that his surgery will go smoothly and his recovery will progress equally well. Please pray also for his mom and dad that they find the strength to carry them through this. This child is so precious; he is an absolute joy to be around. His eyes and face just light up when he sees mom or dad. He watches everything around him with curiosity and pleasure in discovering new things. His smile is one of the best baby smiles I've ever seen! He has been such a blessing to his family already in his first few months of life. I hope you will all find it in your hearts to say a prayer for this little guy, his heart, and his family.
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