From Separatist to Rebel Alliance

When the State started rolling out the STAAR (State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness) exam, it was first known by teachers as the EOC (End of Course) exam. Based solely on the whisperings of what the test would entail and the level of rigor (man, I hate that word) involved in preparing students for it, many teachers jokingly began referring to it as the "End of Career" exam. Some of us were hoping the new exam would force out the teachers who probably needed to pursue other career opportunities. These of course being teachers who never wanted to get on board with working together or improving themselves or only took the job for the summer break, etc. Recently, the truth within "end of career" has become more apparent, and it is an ugly reality.

My core belief when it comes to teaching is that the classroom is meant to be a safe place for students to experience life through a particular content area. If all my students are able to do when they leave me is read and write, then I failed them as a teacher. Students should be able to connect to everything that they read. Students should be able to express themselves in numerous ways, including the written word, without being dismissed because of who they are and where they are from. Students should be able to hear opposing viewpoints respectfully without losing their own convictions and/or unjustly criticizing others. Students should be able to set goals for the future (regardless of it including immediate entrance into the workforce or further academic study) and have the appropriate support to reach them. It is my responsibility to make all of the above happen in the most engaging ways possible. At least, that was what teaching used to be about.

The STAAR results over the past couple of years have created the wide spread panic that many schools will be rated "unacceptable." While some districts are handling this in stride, many are investing in anything and everything they can to "fix" a problem in the name of "doing what is best for the students." Unfortunately, this means at the expense of quality/great teachers. All trust in what I do in my classroom has been erased and replaced with micromanaging on an alarming level. Since many teachers do not share the same core belief regarding education as I, those of us who know that teaching is encoded in our DNA are suffering because of the few who see it as just a job.

Many of us are faced with a curriculum full of "benchmarks/checkpoints/milestones." All terms really just meaning STAAR formatted mini-exams. One thing I swore would never happen in my class is teaching to a test. That is NOT an education, and no true teacher could do that with a clear conscience. When a true teacher is trusted to give students the type of education they deserve without the fear of reprimand and/or ridicule, then standardized tests take care of themselves. (A true teacher also realizes that his/her worth will NEVER be reflected by test scores and it is cruel to do so.) However, it seems the only way to project how students MIGHT preform on the actual exam is with the mini versions. I can understand that if we only did it a couple of times a year, and if the teachers were not brow beaten and humiliated based on the results of these "practice" tests. It seems that is not the case. Every time we have done one of these this year, I have had to listen to how inefficient and deficient my peers and I are at our jobs. It hurts and is exhausting because basically, all the love and care I have for my students and the dedication I have pledged to their success has been reduced to a percentage point.

When I express my feelings, I am repeatedly told "they don't mean you." Well, you know what? Whoever "they" do mean doesn't care. Whoever is supposed to feel shame and lose sleep and be upset that s/he isn't giving all s/he can is not. I am. I am because I care so much about what I do and those kids. Then, I am told "just close your door and do whatever you need to." Well, the problem with that is deep down I am a rule follower, and if the rules say to do something a certain way I try to do it. 

In the end I realized, "End of Career" exam didn't mean teachers who couldn't hack it because of a lack of desire/passion/enthusiasm for the job. No. It referred to the many idealistic educators who entered the classroom in hopes of impacting the world one student at a time. Teachers who believe that what a student learns in a classroom cannot be measured nor does it derive solely from a textbook. Teachers who refuse to allow one test to dictate every aspect of what and how s/he teaches. Teachers like me.

And this is where the Star Wars reference comes in. See originally we are meant to believe that the Separatists are no good because they want to operate outside the bounds of the Senate. This is like teachers who do whatever they want even if the district and curriculum are strong and others want to work together to teach similar things. For a long time, I was easily frustrated by these teachers because they weren't "team players." But now, the Senate has become the Galactic Empire, and I watch as the Separatists morph to a Rebel Alliance of teachers who will keep the integrity of education at the heart of all they do. I am finally ready and willing to don my orange jumpsuit and blow The Death Star to bits. How this will manifest with regards to my teaching career? Only time will tell.