Sunday, October 17, 2010
Waiting for "Superman"
I just got home from the theater and my head is spinning. I'm pissed off, I''m frustrated, I'm sad, and now I'm motivated. I went into the theater after spending a few hours reading about NCLB, the ESEA re-authorization, and Race to the Top trying to understand what it was all about. Waiting for Superman helped me get to the simple truth about education - it is broken and needs to be fixed! The bureaucracy of funding and policy from the federal level to the state level and then the district and school board levels is enough to complicate any school system. Teachers are not valued, or teachers continue to teach but do not value kids and only think of themselves. My head hurts and my heart aches. And yes, I am now motivated to make a difference and have more clarity - paper, here I come!
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Katya, I am interested in seeing this movie and it sounds like a perspective similar to mine. I wanted to provide some fuel for you.
ReplyDeleteYesterday in my teacher's mailbox, I recieved my monthly newsletter from my local AFT chapter called LFT (Lompoc Federation of Teachers).
This is a one sheet of paper update on union related news. The first of six paragraphs says this:
"NOT WAITING FOR SUPERMAN: The documentary, WAITING FOR SUPERMAN, is basically an indictment of teachers, teacher unions, and pretty much anybody and everybody associated with the public school system in this country. The message is that charter schools are the only viable alternative because of the failure of public education. The American Federation of Teachers has launched a website (aft.org/NotWaiting) that presents the "whole story" not just that of the director, Davis Guggenheim, who by the way sends his own children to private schools. I urge you to log on and to encourage friends and family to log on also.
The link to the site they launched is http://www.aft.org/notwaiting/
Looking forward to seeing this movie.
Todd
Thanks Todd! I am realizing how defensive the movie is making many in the field of K - 12. For me, it is a perspective and I'm sure it holds true for many schools and districts. I also know that there are many great traditional schools and many, many wonderful teachers and leaders in schools (my kids have had and still have some great teachers!). Personally, I think the movie spurs conversation and perhaps shakes some people up to pay attention- and god forbid, action!
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