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An emphasis on FCAT is draining the life out of teaching

Re: Teachers troubled with job, poll says, May 14.

Thomas Tobin and Melanie Ave's article was, I hope, a revelation for both education officials and the general public. Something is certainly amiss in the education world. I am a soon-to-be graduate from USF's English education master's program and a two-year teacher in a local high school. For now, I love my job. But already I can see the dark clouds on the horizon. Every issue in the article rings true. The concerns over pay, respect, autonomy and morale are all very real. And, as the poll demonstrates, they are becoming increasingly pressing with each year.

Coming out of my English education training, I was excited to hit the classroom with everything I learned. I had wonderful ideas for projects and a curriculum that would involve music, drama, Internet research, media literacy, Web page design, etc., all built around a study of literature. However, the realities of the situation are that most of what is gathered in teacher preparation programs is tossed out by higher-ups.

Educational leaders pay lip service to promoting higher standards and focusing on the individual, but they do not follow through in action. Instead, they distribute booklet after booklet of FCAT prep material, which our students become bored with very quickly. And in the end who can blame them? Who wouldn't become bored with mundane, uninspired busy work?

The county and state are so hyperfocused on FCAT scores they are willing to alienate those on the front lines, teachers. This is a sad state of affairs, one that must be mended if we want an education system that can grow and progress as rapidly as our culture and our students.

A. Graham, St. Petersburg 

Prospect of teacher shortages grows

Re: Teachers troubled with job, poll says.

Your research properly sights the proverbial tip of the iceberg. With looming teacher shortages, decreasing rates of people choosing to teach, and veteran teachers considering early retirement or other careers, from where will we attract our "highly qualified" teachers for the immediate future?

Leaders who are surprised by this poll are not in touch with the people they serve. We all need the full story if we are to meet this approaching crisis. Political platitudes and posturing avoid and obscure the hard work.

Please consider one of your well researched, in-depth series to uncover the full story behind the growing discontent within one of civilization's most important professions. Good public education is essential for all of us. Good teachers with good morale are essential for good public education. Please listen to what they have to say.

Stephen W. Ritch, St. Petersburg

Teachers should not be deterred

"A sizable number of teachers in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties are discouraged, strongly opposed to their daily marching orders in the classroom and thinking about other ways to make a living," according to a recent St. Petersburg Times poll.

It has always sparked my attention when I hear someone say "if they had to do it over, they would do something else" when they chose a societal vocation including but not necessarily limited to teaching, ministry, journalism, medicine or law.

My response to those who have said this would be that most of you may have entered into these fields for the wrong reasons. Having been in this earthly arena for approximately 78 years and having personally and professionally experienced and endured the good, bad, indifferent and even the ugly aspects of all these vocations, I still hope that those who are now in these fields, as well as those who intend to be, will not be deterred because of the obstacles caused by some administrators who have abused their power and control over them.

I have interacted with those in the teaching vocation for three generations, and notwithstanding the actions and opinions of administrators, I have seen more, rather than fewer, of these teachers rise above their "daily marching orders," making an outstanding and a commendable contribution to the children, parents and society they serve.

Russell Lee Johnson St. Petersburg

Teaching isn't what it used to be

Re: Stress took all the joy out of what was once a dream job, May 14.

I read the article about Melanie Woods, a teacher that both my sons had at Palm Harbor Middle School. She was a wonderful teacher! It was very sad, but understandable, that her desire to teach was lost after so many good years of teaching.

I am also a teacher at the elementary school level. I have taught for 29 years, 25 of which have been in the same elementary school that my children went to. I can identify with Ms. Woods' frustrations and disappointments. Teaching is not what is use to be! Teachers were respected and applauded for their desire to make a difference in the life of a child.

Now, there is no respect, only criticism! Teachers and schools are the dumping grounds for everyone and everything. Nothing else is taken into account when children don't perform! Where is parent accountability in this equation? Teachers can't do everything!

I will be retiring from teaching at the end of this school year. I have no regrets. I wish all new and future teachers good luck and strength for the years ahead!

Marilyn Satinoff, Palm Harbor

Call tracking doesn't pass smell test

Re: Poll finds support for call tracking, May 13.

This concerned citizen wonders how a program such as this telephone call database can be acceptable to any American. We know that before 9/11, the government already had more than enough information to determine that an attack was to take place, but failed to connect the dots.

So now, who gets to know about all of these phone records? Those in power can use this kind of data against their rivals while ignoring real threats, such as unprotected infrastructure, chemical plants, etc. I might have supported this myself, had the Congress been able to debate this openly, deciding it was a good idea. Without that, this secret program doesn't pass the smell test. And for Verizon, you were just fired!

Mike Meyer, Safety Harbor

We need to know more

Re: Poll finds support for call tracking.

When the news broke about the gathering of data from of millions of Americans' phones, I recall great consternation, myself included. Each day since there have been long articles of criticism. Is it legal? Has privacy been invaded? Both the public and the lawmakers have been vocal.

Now we have a poll indicating approval by a clear majority. How come? I would like to point out that no one has asked whether the data gathered have actually uncovered information that can be acted upon to make our country safer.

Our lawmakers say it has contributed to making us safer but offer no examples, no proof. It seems to me that the American public is accepting the whole thing blindly. I would like to know more.

Bea Donis, Tampa

Let's read up on our rights

I would like for you to publish the Constitution of the United States of America and the Bill of Rights in their entirety to remind our citizens what the United States was founded on -before the people give it all away in the name of national security.

Robert Stahl, Tampa

[Last modified May 17, 2006, 05:59:37]