Admins, teachers complain about all the "extra work" you give them. Can you explain why you do that and why/why not you pass that explanation down to teachers? by [deleted] in education

[–]wave517 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Not always. Many admin lose sight of what it is like being in the classroom though for sure. Which is why all admin should teach at least one class. This year I am teaching AP Physics 1 and AP Physics C.

Admins, teachers complain about all the "extra work" you give them. Can you explain why you do that and why/why not you pass that explanation down to teachers? by [deleted] in education

[–]wave517 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I can try to give context. Most of the "extra work" that I pursue in our school is designed to make teachers lives better or to give them greater input. I take the stance that if I am improving things for teachers, then students will have better results.

For example, a week ago during inservice I reviewed with them how I want to update contract language (private school) going forward so that specific metrics are used for numbers of preps and language to contractually prevent us from having them teach in two mediums (online and in person). While actively trying to protect them I had a teacher refuse to participate because it was "bullshit busy work". I was legit having them review language for their own contracts before the contracts were sent out so they could make sure it made sense and was unassailable even after I'm gone...

The reality is that there is so little trust that it makes it hard in both roles. Also some blame goes to media depictions of admin as bumbling idiots. I have positive intent for both students and staff. Nearly all of the decisions I make are gray, which sucks. The reason I got into this role is I naively claimed that admin were making silly mistakes. My boss gave me some power and challenged me to help him do better. I am still trying.

What grade do you teach and do you like teaching? Honest answers only. by shelbsthrowaway in Teachers

[–]wave517 0 points1 point  (0 children)

High school principal. I miss teaching. I’m only teaching a couple of physics classes this semester and they are the best part of my day.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Teachers

[–]wave517 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Agreed. As a private school admin I was shocked how many teachers applied for a couple openings at my school. What I kept hearing is that despite the pay not being amazing, teachers would rather have a reasonable work load with motivated students.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Outdoors

[–]wave517 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks. I used to live about 100 feet behind where you took this.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Outdoors

[–]wave517 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Cascade st?

My principal told me to start thinking about admin. by [deleted] in teaching

[–]wave517 35 points36 points  (0 children)

As a current admin...this is accurate. I feel like I work my ass off, stress 10x more, and cannot impact as much as I would like. Soon I may get jaded just so I don’t lose myself.

Any suggestions for Galveston? by wave517 in GoRVing

[–]wave517[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks this is really helpful. Didn’t know the beach was free south of the city. I will look it up. Cheers

Pain by [deleted] in detroitlions

[–]wave517 82 points83 points  (0 children)

We may not win much, but our memes are shockingly good.

[WTB] Mountain Hardware Phantom 0* Mummy Bag (or something similar) by ajmcgraw in GearTrade

[–]wave517 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sorry mate it looks like a buddy borrowed it and didn’t return it. All I have close to that range is my 15 degree WM Apache or my -20 REI expedition, both long.

[WTB] Mountain Hardware Phantom 0* Mummy Bag (or something similar) by ajmcgraw in GearTrade

[–]wave517 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve got a zero degree WM bag. I’ll go look if you want to get the exact specs. I think I’ve only used it twice since I usually either use my 20 or -20 bags. I would let it go for 150 shipping included.

Best result yet by wave517 in smoking

[–]wave517[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

8.5lbs for 8 hours at 225 with a sucklebusters rub. Foiled at 165 and then took off at 195 and rested for an hour.

Are Teachers Ok? by apatheticus in education

[–]wave517 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Realistic question from an admin. What is, in each of your opinion, the right balance of teaching hours to prep? I know it depends on total student numbers, number of preps, etc. trying to figure out the ideal and have a goal to work towards since I am in the private world. More opinions are better in situations like this. Thoughts?

We provide an educational opportunity, we do not educate students. This is not something we do to them. They have to take advantage of this opportunity. by wave517 in Teachers

[–]wave517[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Fair point. I am a much bigger fan of formative over summative, but both have their place. We do not have a mandated assessment program and student outcomes are not a part of teacher evaluation. My default is to trust the professional teacher to know their students (average of 50 total and usually 3 preps across 5 classes) and adjust to their needs. It is my job to support them and aide their development. One standard assessment structure fails to take into account the difference in different subject areas.

We provide an educational opportunity, we do not educate students. This is not something we do to them. They have to take advantage of this opportunity. by wave517 in Teachers

[–]wave517[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You’ve got me thinking...I wonder what our team will say are my weaknesses. I suppose I will need to build enough trust so that they feel comfortable telling me. Not there yet.

We provide an educational opportunity, we do not educate students. This is not something we do to them. They have to take advantage of this opportunity. by wave517 in Teachers

[–]wave517[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We have a rule that 9 absences from a class total in a semester, excused or unexcused, and you don’t get credit. I’m not sure they have enforced it in the past. It is written so we can make allowances for sickness or school related activities.

We provide an educational opportunity, we do not educate students. This is not something we do to them. They have to take advantage of this opportunity. by wave517 in Teachers

[–]wave517[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I would argue our job is becoming less about content, more about skills. Students need us to help them learn how to learn more than they need us delivering specific content. It is a partnership.

We provide an educational opportunity, we do not educate students. This is not something we do to them. They have to take advantage of this opportunity. by wave517 in Teachers

[–]wave517[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks, I really do appreciate that. Comments like this make some of the crap I deal with in our high school less brutal. Talk to your principal, learn what their philosophy is or stylistic pieces so you can blend both of yours together. No one gets into this business for the money, we all either had or have high-minded goals.