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Why I Still Believe in Philadelphia Schools

1/27/2011

11 Comments

 
Thanks to Jen Crawford for a great name for a blog! This first post is dedicated to Danielle Morris who, I think, needs a kick in the pants to motivate her to stick with it.

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Educational research states that 2014 will likely be my last year teaching. Since the majority of teachers leave their posts after five years, most of my colleagues in the 2009 Teacher Induction class of Penn GSE will be out of the system by the time the Imagine 2014 plan is complete. However, I plan on being here for decades to come. Why? Because I still believe in the School District of Philadelphia.

At times I still question that premise. At the end of many Fridays, I am glad to leave the building for a two-day break. I feel frustrated that another week has gone by where so many things have gone wrong. I feel hated by students, who give up because they have missed three days of class in a row and then blame me for their not knowing information. I feel diminished by the lack of communication within my building between teachers and the administration. I feel drained from coming to school an hour early and staying an hour late to help students who should have completed the assigned work three months ago.

Yet despite all that, I still believe in the School District of Philadelphia.

Call me crazy, but I am so excited that I get to talk with high school kids every day about what is happening in their lives. I love it when they tell me about their weekend. I love it when I see the “aha” moment in their eyes, when they understand how to factor a complex quadratic expression (sorry, a little math moment there). I love the high-level pedagogical discourse I have with my colleagues as well as the inane chatter about the kids (yes, we talk about them).

Yes, I still believe, for all these reasons and more:

Because of students who ask the perfect segue question during a math class.

Because of teachers give up their prep and/or lunch periods to participate in programs like “Critical Friends,” wherein we observe each other and provide informative feedback.

Because of students who get up before the sun rises in order to get to school on time.

Because of teachers who struggle to balance the needs of an unrealistic core curriculum with their student bodies.

Because of administrators who teach social studies courses in an effort to push back against the demands of doubled-up Math and English courses because they are tested on the PSSA.

Because of teachers and students who adapt to constant roster changes on a day’s notice.

Because of counselors who deal with caseloads of 400 students on a daily basis.

Because of teachers spending hours working on creative methods of implementing scripted lesson plans, demanded of them even though they lack any basis in research.

Let’s be honest: the School District of Philadelphia is in shambles. There is a looming budget gap of over $225 million dollars; the bloated central offices have a narrow focus on test scores instead of actual learning; the teachers are feeling so much pressure that we are leaving the profession before we are skilled enough to make a large difference!

I try to bring my whole self into the classroom with me when I teach, so I am not shy about explaining how my Jewish background affects my pedagogy. There is a quote in the Talmud (a Jewish book of rabbinic law) that states, “Whosever preserves a single soul…scripture ascribes to him as though he has preserved a complete world” (Sanhedrin, 37a). I believe that education is saving lives every day. If that is true, then while the rest of America may be waiting for Superman, I recognize that every teacher is a Superman or Superwoman every day they work.
11 Comments
Adele
1/27/2011 01:42:22 am

But you are superman!! Keep on writing to inspire others.

Reply
B2
1/27/2011 03:49:40 am

Inspiring words, B1. So many good teachers are burning out under the weight of unrealistic demands from an inept and callously managed administration. Which brings me to my point: how can teachers in the School District of Philadelphia come together to demand meaningful change of the SYSTEM in which we work? So many, no, too many demands are being placed on many teachers in some of the toughest schools. When will the time come when teachers shout a collective "enough is enough"? Maybe that day is not too far off. I hope someone out there has ideas...

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Elaine
1/27/2011 06:34:50 am

Go Brian!

Reply
Jenny
1/27/2011 11:22:11 am

I admire you and simultaneously imagine being your student with much hilarity. Keep writing Brian!

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Alon
1/27/2011 11:57:14 am

Wow Brian, all that lifting totally paid off. Mental lifting, of course!

Seriously, though, you work out.

But really seriously, you are amazing and I love your passion, and you are so inspiring in what you do and write. I admire you, my friend!

Hang in there, and keep writing!

Alon

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Maureen
1/27/2011 10:44:15 pm

This is an uplifting testimony to the possibilities of transformational teaching. Would that the possibilities be turned into actualities more often that sporadically so that your students could truly soar. They are lucky, lucky to have you as a teacher, Brian! I'm hoping you achieve a teaching climate that deserves and cherishes you!

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Dr. Dana Liebmann
1/27/2011 11:36:44 pm

Brian,
I loved reading your essay, and I hope you still have your passion three, ten, and twenty years from now. As a school psychologist for thirty years, I still believe in what I do because of the kids. That's always the best part, no matter what tries to get in the way. Your students are lucky to have you.

Reply
Shanna
1/28/2011 01:30:54 am

I admire your passion, Brian, and you know how often I turn to you for inspiration. But I can't help feeling defeated in that the School District of Philadelphia depends on levels of superhuman patience, dedication, and energy in order to function -- in other words, it depends on you and teachers like you, and when others aren't as resilient or as driven as you, it's the teachers' fault, and the students suffer. If every person involved in educating children in this city gave half as much as you do, we'd ALL be better off. But they don't. So how can we, who are as enthusiastic and willing and passionate as you are (or constantly trying to be), not burn out in a system that seems determined to suck us dry until we have nothing left to give? How can we make this line of work sustainable when those above us are constantly undermining our efforts to serve our students?

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Emily Donati link
1/28/2011 04:38:38 am

I have seen this man in action and he is everything any student should dream of in an educator. I think being a teacher (especially in the notorious Philadelphia district) takes drive and motivation. Most struggle, complain, and take negativity out on their students. But Brian seems to effortlessly inspire and his presence requires the utmost attention of his students. I even learned a few good lessons, both mathematical and ethical from Brian.

And undoubtedly, as many teachers try to separate their students from themselves, Brian is probably sharing this blog with the masses at The School of the Future. If Brian Cohen is the future, then we have nothing to fear. Except maybe slip-on shoes.

Reply
Crooke
1/28/2011 07:43:16 am

Right there with you Brian -- let's figure this out, one school, classroom, teacher, and student at a time if need be. Remember the Math Ties!

Reply
Brian Cohen
1/28/2011 01:40:17 pm

Thanks for all the comments, everyone! I'm going to try to update this fairly regularly with interesting musings. If you have any suggests, I welcome them!

@Emily gets madd props for the best comment. Slip-on shoes are the best!

@Shanna - I agree. I would love for the District to recognize this fact and somehow support us like they say they are going to. I haven't felt it yet.

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    I am a math teacher in the New York Department of Education. I infuse technology and real-world problems into my curriculum in order to prepare my students for the future. I would love for people across the country to recognize we teachers can't do it alone. If you don't believe me, come visit my classroom!

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