Cynthia, be honest, how much more could get done, ACADEMICALLY, during a school year if teacher didn't have to spend an inordinate amount of time dealing with discipline issues from a subset of the class?
Oh thanks for the question, Prof.
Actually, I think I answered this one in my post to BT. Hope my answer is clear. I am a bit tired this evening. We have had a lot of changes in our school this week, as we are moving into a new classroom that was just remodeled after 25 years+. Tax payer's dollars of course! But, at least I don't have to teach with 1950's window blinds, mold on ceilings, ...etc...I am so excited and so are the students. We pack every recess and we move in next week. The children are still learning the constructivist math, core reading strategies, and six+1 traits writing each day- no backin' off of curriculum! ha!
We all want perfection, and ease in our world, sure....but that's not always what is reality. XO said it best. He always does;)
I still maintain he's the professor's professor.....Thanks Xavier for your ability to speak for most educators...so far anyway.
By the way, I had an autistic child in my class two years ago. Was I to ignore him...or send him away, BT? No. The paper work to get him into special ed took almost the whole year. I learned a lot about perseveration, OCD, aspergers and autism...not to mention how to teach a child in such a world. Priceless! I loved it.
XO:
What is needed is a teacher (idealist, pragmatist, vegetarian, whatever) that knows how to make this particular kid want to learn.