New Athenian Academy

I want to run you through my day today:

•   8-9am — gave a final to one student that took 20 minutes, then watched Shrek
• 9:05-10:10 – supervised study hall, then watched Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
• 10:15-11:45 — watched Elf (one of 4 movies the middle and high schoolers could choose to watch)
• 11:50-12:20 – ate lunch
• 12:25-12:55 — made gingerbread houses
• 1-2:30 — watched The Santa Clause III (one of 4 movies they could choose)
• 2:35-3:00 — Christmas Chapel in the gym

Looking over this schedule, can anyone tell me what’s missing?   Wait, say it all together — EDUCATION !!!!!!!

The state of Indiana mandates 180 days for school to be in session.  It does not necessarily mandate what we do during those days.  So we get days like today, lots of fluff and no real education.  I find myself wondering why I am actually at school on days like this.  I am a glorified babysitter.  That is not why I got into teaching. 

Overall I think the problem is our mindset.  Many (students, teachers, administrators, parents) feel like the days before breaks (Spring, Christmas, Easter) are days for parties, movies, silly games.  Why??? In my mind, these are still school days where we can learn, teach, explore.   I have many students who are not even at school today.  Their parents decided to call them in as absent so the students could go on vacation early or something of the like.  Why?  I am a parent and would never let my kids get off a day of school to go to their grandma’s or Florida.  School and their education should be the #1 priority.  Unfortunately, not many people feel that way. 

If it was up to me, students would be assessed on their attendance to school, but also what they did during the day.  Now I know this might ruffle a few feathers, especially those teachers who don’t really teach.  Teachers should be held accountable for the hours they spend with students.  Are they actually doing something worthwhile or frittering away the time?  I would hope that parents would want their children to be spending their time at school in pursuit of a good education.  Maybe I am sadly mistaken.  

For now, I guess I have to put up with the 6 hours of movies (at least I get to watch Elf, one of my favorite Christmas movies) and hope that when I have my own school (right after I become a multi-millionaire) we can address these issues.

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Education Problems by Tobe