A Christmas Wish List for Teachers

As the holidays are swiftly approaching, I thought it would be a good time for educators to come up with a list of things to hope for as we enter the New Year.

Please feel free to add additional requests.

1)   Always #1- Peace around the world

2)   That Congress will retain the deduction for teachers out-of-pocket supply expenditures.

3)   All students who are “Dreamers” should be allowed to complete their education without fear of deportation.

4)   Issues of social justice and tolerance need to be a part of every curriculum.

5)   There should be public support for those who have the courage to come forward and discuss issues of sexual harassment

6)    The teaching profession should be recognized as that occupation that prepares students for all other occupations and not degraded by others.

7)   School districts and states should honor collective bargaining agreements.

8)   Better methods need to be established to evaluate student learning

9)   Politics needs to be removed for the textbook selection process

10)                   We hope that 2018 will be a successful year for teachers and students

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy New Year

C.2017 J. Margolis

Teaching About the Holidays

It is that time of year again. The dilemma continues to arise about how to address the holidays with your students. How to decorate your room- how to explain the significance of the holidays- should you have a party in your classroom- and so on.

How do you respond in a politically correct manner?

Here are a few caveats.

1)   Hanukkah is not the “Jewish Christmas.” Although the holiday commemorates a significant historical event, it is not a major holiday. There are no special services in synagogues and temples for the event.

2)   ) Kwanzaa is a cultural holiday rather than a religious one.

3)   Diwali, The Hindu Festival of Lights, was celebrated in October.

4)   Christmas is both an historical and religious holiday and is celebrated by millions around the world, so it gets the most attention.

You may get questions like “Why are schools closed for Christmas and not the other holidays?

What should you say when someone wishes you a “ Merry Christmas?”

The Scholastic website offers teaching suggestions for celebrating.

c.2017 J, MargolisHow 

International Education Week

The week of November 13-17 has been designated as International Education Week. This event is a joint initiative of the State Department of the United States and the US Department of Education. The purpose of the event is to “promote programs that prepare Americans for a global environment and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn, and exchange experiences.”

This week, Florida Southwestern College in Ft. Myers sponsored a program featuring noted children’s author Alma Flor Ada. Born I Cuba, Ada spoke of the importance to” preserve our humanness,” and believed that expressing yourself in writing was an important part of that goal. She said that diverse views and opinions must be heard and that “ we need to build bridges, not walls.”

In a standing room only gathering of students, faculty and community members, Ada challenged the gathering stating,” Without justice, we will have no peace.”

Many of those in the room were future teachers and Ms. Ada told them to never stop reading and to pass that notion along to their future students.

c.2017 J. Margolis

Preparing for Veterans Day

November 11 is fast approaching and if teachers have not done so already, it is time to plans for a Veteran’s Day commemoration. In past years school have held assembly programs to honor local vets, often inviting them for lunch after a program. Some schools have prepared certificates of appreciation and have placed flowers at local veterans cemeteries. In some states, the education departments have identified World War Two vets who had not obtained high school diplomas and issued honorary high school certificates of completion. There is no one best way to honor veterans and to thank them for their service. Any acknowledgement is appreciated.

Teachers looking for printables and lesson plan ideas may wish to view these four websites. (There are others)

1) Teachervision.org has K-12 worksheets and activities including a fact sheet about the origins of Veterans Day.

2) NEA.org- The national Education Association also has downloadable and printable materials for classroom use at all grade levels.

3) PBS.org- the public Broadcasting Station has an activity, designed for a 45 minute class period entitled” The Greatest Sacrifice- A Veterans Day Lesson Plan.

4) Educationworld.com also offers lesso0n plan ideas.

However you choose to honor veterans in your school be sure that you take the time to honor them.

C.2017 J. Margolis (former US Army)

DACA Teachers Face Danger of Deportation

There has a great deal of news in recent weeks about the current administration’s plans to deal with DACA children. Estimates indicate that there are approximately 800,000 people in the US who fall in that category. And while changes in government policy will have an impact on those DACA students currently enrolled in school, nothing has been mentioned about teachers. According to a USA Today article, there may be as many as 20,000 DACA teachers currently employed in schools throughout the United States. These are teachers who came into the United States as children with undocumented parents. They attended school, obtained good grades, were admitted to colleges and universities and graduated with degrees. They were also able to obtain teaching certifications in the various states. Some obtained advanced degrees and are teaching in institutions of higher education.

Imagine what would happen if those teachers were deported. They came here, not on their own volition, and made the best of the American experience.

According to reports from labor unions and professional teacher organizations, there are already significant teacher shortages throughout the nation’s public schools. Some estimates are cited at over 300,000. A loss of 20,000 additional teachers could be catastrophic, especially if you agree that many of these teachers are bi-lingual and speak fluent Spanish.

IT is imperative that the education community stay on top of this issue, by contacting their legislators, writing editorials and letter to the editor to keep this issue in the public forefront.

C.2017 J. Margolis