[etni] Fw: Just for the record
- From: "Ask_Etni" <ask@xxxxxxxx>
- To: "ETNI" <etni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 12 Feb 2010 07:40:36 +0200
----- Original Message -----
From: sbshai - sbshai@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Just for the record
I feel compelled to respond to the portion of my message that was quoted by
Dr. Tsur because it gave an impression I did not intend -- namely, that the
Inspectorate is totally unresponsive to teachers' concerns. The fact (as we
are all aware by now) is that after the initial HOTS petition letters were
sent at the beginning of the academic year to the MOE by many individual
teachers, coordinators and the entire English staff of various high schools
in Jerusalem, we did receive a response some time later (perhaps after other
colleagues throughout the country joined the protest) with an announcement
about the postponement of the program.
Prior to that, those of us who took the in-service course were indeed asked
for feedback, and some changes were made while we were taking the course.
However, it must be pointed out that the hishtalmut courses often left the
participants more confused than enthused about the program. Therefore, it
cannot be said that conscientious teachers who took the course emerged
worry-free as far as implementing HOTS was concerned.
As has been pointed out at length on ETNI, the structure of the course
(apparently both face-to-face and online, though this may not be so in all
cases) would need overhauling in order to make it effective enough to ensure
a good chance of success for the program. (I happen to know that
suggestions were made based on our experience in the course.)
I do not believe that anyone meant to imply that officials at the
Inspectorate, in particular Dr. Steiner, are completely unconcerned or out
of touch with teachers in the field -- but it seems that the overall feeling
in the ranks is that we are meant to accept an ever-increasing workload
without adequate preparation or compensation. While the latter is an issue
for the unions, the former is in the hands of the MOE.
It is precisely the teachers who have always followed the Ministry's
dictates with complete dedication that are most upset when we realize that
our only reward is more work, which makes our jobs more stressful if we
don't want to cut corners. It is also fair to say that our expectations are
not unrealistic because a precedent has been set in other subjects (e.g.,
civics) for a more just arrangement.
It's natural for people to cry out at a perceived injustice, and that's what
has been happening here. If we observe what happens in any industry, we are
sure to see that the management will give the most challenging assignments
to its best workers. While that may be very complimentary, this policy
cannot have long-term success if these workers, be they professional or blue
collar, are not equitably recompensed -- and this does not merely refer to
money, but also to improved working conditions.
Teaching is a very demanding profession, and after almost 30 years of work
in various situations in two continents, I can say that teaching English
(especially ESL) is the most demanding of all if it is done properly. Isn't
it about time that we get the right kind of acknowledgement for our efforts?
Shabbat Shalom,
Batya
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