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Time for teachers to fight back! By Allan Alach How did it happen? Well, here we are at the start of another year , which in New Zealand and Australia is also the start of the school year. I wonder what 2017 will bring as far as education is concerned . I fear that little that is good will happen, especially in the USA , given the suggested Secretary of Education. The possible exception could be a change of government in New Zealand when the elections are held later this year. Such a change should mean the end of the current standards based nonsense , but we will have to wait and see . I welcome suggested articles, so if you come across a gem, email it to me at allanalach@inspire.net.n z Burnout's devastating impact on teachers who can't switch off Burnout sneaks up on you, as I found to my cost. Beware. ‘Defined as the process of collapse attributed to excessive and continuous demands on energ y, strength and other physical, psychological and emotional resources, burnout dev...

Begin the year in style The summer holidays in the Southern Hemisphere are coming to an end and teachers will be starting to think about the new year and  their new group of students. Over the years I have posted  a set of readings of ideas to select from that may be of use at the beginning of the year . From the feedback I receive some people have found them of use so here they are again. Take a quick look - you never know might be something worthwhile to make use of . What are the students' attitudes toward aspects of the curriculum ?  It is a good idea to survey the views/attitudes towards various aspects of learning before you introduce your curriculum. This idea will show you what attitudinal areas of learning you need to focus on. Link to posting . Beginning the school year - sharing our storie s. The power of personal writing .  It is a cliche for teachers to begin the year by asking students to write about their holidays but if n done in a focuse...

The pressure to privatize public education apparent in the appointment of Secretary for Education by Donald Trump .  There is an amazing amount of Federal money  up for grabs for those who believe in Charter Schools . Sadly Americans spend highly per pupil for education but are well down in international scoring - no wonder charter schools are attractive . What is required, rather than privatizing schools, is a transformation of the public school system - to move it away from the current standardization to a more creative personalized approach - away from Henry For d and back to the progressive ideas of John Dewey   . We need schools premised on developing the gifts and talents of all students. America has paid the price for standardization of education with their large factory test orientated schools . . . Teachers need to be freed to teach and to be respected - and given all the resources and help they need - not blamed for system dysfunction. There are c...

2017 Hekia Parata has gone - and our populist Prime Minister - and 2017 is an election year. Time for teachers to get political if teaching is to be more joyful and creative for students and teachers Some teachers ended last year stressed to the maximum. Time to place developing students , talents, passions and creativity central. National Standards are distorting education! Schools have been sucked into formulaic teaching : WALTS, success criteria, and in the process student 'voice' and idiosyncratic creativity has been neglected. The real life world of the learner is being lost. Forget your plans - help the students learn - personalize learning not standardize it! Its not MLEs, ILEs. FLS, ( or whatever they are called these days) or technology. What is required is a creative teaching pedagogy. Students need authentic ( to them ) learning experiences. Forget all those 'experts' ( someone who never has to do what they say). The answers lies, as always, with creative tea...