tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10536145.post995365818924923905..comments2023-10-08T09:01:17.216-07:00Comments on The Murgatroyd Blog: Jeff Johnson and the Temple of DoomStephen Murgatroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14407855028282306596noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10536145.post-14594377823746545072014-05-05T22:00:08.383-07:002014-05-05T22:00:08.383-07:00P.S. Why in the heck do you even have an opinion o...P.S. Why in the heck do you even have an opinion on this anyway??? You are a home school supporter who lives in Phoenix??! Just saying...or does that say it all?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10536145.post-15496992353003513362014-05-05T21:54:58.330-07:002014-05-05T21:54:58.330-07:00I would very much like to know where you get your ...I would very much like to know where you get your facts from. I have been an educator in this province for almost 20 years and I have seen teachers let go and removed from their positions. So do you research before you start spouting off about these important matters.<br /><br />And no, teachers were not given input on this so called task force. We sit by and watch MLA after MLA reward themselves with high pay cheques that have little to do with merit while we are told that we will not get a raise for 5 years. All I am after is to be able to keep up with the cost of living...I am NOT looking to renovate my entire home for myself and my teenage daughter...oh wait, that was our last premier. God forbid we say anything about it either, because then the media paints us as selfish instead of loving children. It's called trying to pay our bills while we do what we love. I have yet to be invited to part of this task force.<br /><br />The trouble with so many of your comments are that you do not seem to be informed. There are many research papers and current leaders, who I might add who are NOT in education, who have looked closely into merit pay. The research indicates quite clearly that it does not create better teachers. What will happen to schools in low income communities when merit pay comes into effect? We will become like the American system where schools in lower economic communities will continue to suffer because why would anyone want to teach there? Their results will not show their merit even if their students do score well!! Is that the kind of education system we want to become, when we currently rank quite well? <br /><br />It's so sad that you choose to focus on the so-called slackers in the systems. There are so many fabulous teachers in this province but many community members still paint us all with the same brush. They think that schools are run just like when we were there 30 years ago. There are so many great innovations and savvy teachers that are doing great things. Why can't that ever be in the media? Go to your schools and see what is happening!! I can assure you that good things are happening that we are held to high standards. Please do your research.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10536145.post-22734530993872035672014-05-05T20:30:13.052-07:002014-05-05T20:30:13.052-07:00You can turn off autocorrect. And even if teacher...You can turn off autocorrect. And even if teachers support curriculum redesign, for how long?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10536145.post-91260591977381018712014-05-05T20:12:04.322-07:002014-05-05T20:12:04.322-07:00Diana Stinn said:
There is a need to change the A...Diana Stinn said:<br /><br />There is a need to change the ATA. And yes, it is a conflict to have principals belong to the same organization if they are supervising and disciplining teachers.<br /><br />I am an administrator and a member of the ATA. I do not see or feel the conflict. I do my job and if a teacher needs to be disciplined, I do it (several times with guidance from the ATA). I am insulted that you would suggest I would do otherwise. V. Hansonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10536145.post-49223216351959401112014-05-05T18:54:11.879-07:002014-05-05T18:54:11.879-07:00Ms Stinn is a home schooling advocate associated w...Ms Stinn is a home schooling advocate associated with a foundation based in Arizona, where schools that teach creationism as though it were a legitimate academic subject are publicly funded. I happen to get this link this morning. Of course it overstates the case; it's from the Onion, but ask yourself if the jokes don't point to an anti-public school mentality implicit in the minister's initiative. http://www.theonion.com/articles/the-pros-and-cons-of-homeschooling,35947/?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=SocialMarketing&utm_campaign=Default:1:Defaultbillrankinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17786007835820774818noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10536145.post-3073675786705703152014-05-05T18:01:43.557-07:002014-05-05T18:01:43.557-07:00Diana Stinn is a homeschooling blogger . ?????Diana Stinn is a homeschooling blogger . ?????Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10536145.post-43757601831644944482014-05-05T17:23:42.381-07:002014-05-05T17:23:42.381-07:00Ms Stinn - are you aware of the process of helping...Ms Stinn - are you aware of the process of helping teachers be better teachers? We are a collaborative profession and work to help each other. Yes, there are some teachers who need more help, but ripping apart one of the best systems of education in the world is not going to help these people. You are throwing the baby out with the bathwater. Why is there such a hatred of teachers when they work hard, spend their own money on supplies, and love the kids they teach. Principals are part of the collaboration of the ATA and I do not agree that making them bosses will make better teachers. <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10536145.post-25658884703139673382014-05-05T17:18:58.412-07:002014-05-05T17:18:58.412-07:00I totally agree with your comments regarding the c...I totally agree with your comments regarding the changes in education. I have sent your blog onto Mr. Hancock and Mr. Johnson as I truly feel they need to read it. It expresses what I believe to be true much better than I could write. Thank you.ladylorachttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08236134905384384756noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10536145.post-18033935956022350362014-05-05T17:06:39.917-07:002014-05-05T17:06:39.917-07:00Here are my points about your article:
(1) 3000 s...Here are my points about your article:<br /><br />(1) 3000 stakeholders participated in the task force. This included parents, teachers, principals, associations and more. The ATA was given equal opportunity to participate. ONE chance for input same as the rest of us. And please don't go on that the ATA should have more, after all they represent thousands of teachers accross the province . . . Each of those teachers had a chance too!<br /><br />(2) There are ~40,000 teachers in the province and in ten years no one has lost their certification . . . This is strong evidence that the current method of evaluation is not working! The statistical odds that there isn't one in over ten years is impossible!<br /><br />(3) Yes, we have "dud" teachers. Seriously, please go and talk to parents, other teachers . . . They all know who is a good teacher and who is not! <br /><br />(4) I agree . . . There is a need to change the ATA. And yes, it is a conflict to have principals belong to the same organization if they are supervising and disciplining teachers.<br /><br />(5) Mandate - This government was given a very clear, strong and loud mandate from the people of Alberta through INSPIRING EDUCATION to make change to the education system. And as one of thousands of Albertans who have many hours to this initiative, stop insulting us! The government is doing what we told them - go back and look at the thousands of comments. <br /><br />(6) teachers work for us! And Albertans have spoken about the poor quality of some Alberta Teachers.<br /><br />(7) you demand evidence of the government . . . And yet no where in your article do you supply any. <br /><br />(8) yes, Premier Handcock was the Education Minister of Inspiring Education NAND Jeff Jognson was his co-chair. I am glad that Dave is in this position. It helps ensure that the work will carry on as Albertans indicated.<br /><br />(9) the curriculum changes will and do have the support of teachers. They are actively engaged in creating that curriculum. <br /><br />(10) This is not a sad day - hard working teachers and educational professionals will be happy to improve standards and get rid of slackers who drag the profession down! <br /><br />Submitted from my iPad! Please forgive auto correct!<br /><br />Diana Stinn, Phoenix Foundationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16396130037479981215noreply@blogger.com