Mulling It Over

So I haven't been writing to Time every week, but I am trying to write frequently. So here is this weeks letter.

Dear Editor:

Concerning the article "How to Fix No Child Left Behind," I
praise Wallis and Steptoe for finding the positive attribute of NCLB,
which is the spotlight the law has put on the discrepancies in
learning that still exist between social class and race in our
country. It is my hope that we are on our way to mending these flaws.
However, Wallis and Steptoe could have put a more effort into
delving into the deep hurt that this law is putting on actual learning
in this country. Doing well on an exam in no way reflects how well
students comprehend and retain material. The reasons students are
doing well on the tests are largely due to these drill sessions like
the "Super Saturdays" mentioned in the article. Rote memorization and
cramming are poor substitutes for comprehension. With every year that
we descend into NCLB, teachers are forced to include additional
material into the already loaded school year, which leads to coverage
and a mere survey of the subject matter, not depth.
Finally, until the United States as a whole values education we
will be stunted in the gains we could make regardless of what law is
currently governing education. An educational institution, no matter
how effective can ever replace the qualities instilled in children at
home.

I'm beginning to hate spring. It's never been my favorite season; I'm really more of a fall person, but now I really don't like spring at all. I really shouldn't blame this on spring herself. It's not her fault that she falls at a horrible time of year for me. For the last three springs, I've had to apply for jobs. For the last three springs I've spent my days and nights applying for jobs only to be continually shot down. In the last week, I have sent ten, that's right ten application packets out.

For those of you who haven't applied for a job lately and especially a teaching job it is a whole lot of paper work. If someone were to steal one of my applications they could steal my entire identity. You need college transcripts, your teaching license, references, a heart felt cover letter, and a resume. My resume in my mind is some sort of magnum opus due to the amount of time I have spent with it over the last three years. I've cared for it and nurtured it, added to it as frequently as possible. It's high time for it to give something back to me, namely a job.

If I don't get a job, I'm going to give up teaching at least while I'm here NH and try something else for awhile. It' s not what I want to do, but I need a job that pays on a regular basis. Not getting a job would lead to me having to apply for other jobs in what would most likely the business sector. An office is basically the antithesis of who I am. I hate punching a clock and being inside in all day.

Ahh I shouldn't be so down on spring; It's really not her fault after all.