Mandowife Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 Hi everyone, I don't post here much, but could really use your opinions here. I hope this doesn't get too long and I hope that it is clear enough to read, as this is very difficult for me, but I don't want to ramble. You see, I got fired Wednesday (not going to renew my contract, same thing, IMHO) from the classical school that I teach at. The reason, some parents have complained to the board that you are not "classical enough". When I asked what that meant, the principal said, she couldn't define classical or tell me how to be classical, but they just knew I wasn't it. So I'm trying to figure out, if that is indeed the case, or if it was just an excuse and the real reason is personal. Background: I teach World History, American HIstory, American Gov't and Economics. I use the Notgrass curriculum...their suggestion. We only do the history part in my class. I work with the Lit teacher every week to assign writing assignments, projects, etc. Last year was my first year teaching there. I came in at the last minute because the teacher they had hired moved suddenly to SD. The teacher before that quit. I have read the WTM book, seen SWB speak, read these and the high school forums every day (ok, not all of these pertain to how to educate and what it looks like, but it is fun) I assign a unit to read each week, along with the primary sources to read. They have a writing assignment, usually an opinion piece, or to defend on view over another, etc. They also have to do a current event each week. Sometimes they have comprehension questions. I make them take notes on their reading. Most of my students haven't been classically educated their whole school career, so I try to bring them along with extra help. MOst of the 90 minutes spent in class (one day a week) is spent reviewing the material and me asking them questions about the reading. The questions are a mix of facts (Who shot the first shot in the American Revolution) but they are always followed up by thought questions, such as, What might have happened if that snowball had never been thrown at the Brittish soldier. We also answer questions like "Was the American Revolution a biblical war according to Rom. 13?" I know I'm not perfect, but NEVER did anyone come to me to say what I might be doing wrong, or how to correct what I was doing, etc. Just praise before this. NO parent or board member has ever sat in my classroom. I was told at this meeting that the students love me. That I am great at what I do, but I'm just not classical. (when asked to define that again, she couldn't)..She even said that she was sure that I could do classical if they could tell me what that looked like, but they didn't have time. Sorry this is so long......I"m just really trying to wrap my brain around what happened. I go to church with most of these people and had no clue that this was coming. So please, if you can, define what classical is, how that looks in a classroom that meets once a week for 90 min. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much Donna This is a Veritas school if that helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama Geek Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 I think if you have read the WTM then you know what classical is. It sounds like it was just an excuse. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lang Syne Boardie Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 :grouphug: Whatever 'classical' is or isn't, you have been treated abominably. I'm so sorry this happened. I hope our many teachers on the board will advise you of any measures you might take to get your job back, or any recourse you might have as a person fired in this fashion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mandowife Posted January 20, 2012 Author Share Posted January 20, 2012 I think if you have read the WTM then you know what classical is. It sounds like it was just an excuse. :grouphug: They have read WTM, but yet they can't define it? That is exactly what my dh and I are thinking. But I don't want to just jump to that conclusion, which is why I posted here in case there was something I was missing. I would rather they tell me that I am a horrible teacher or that I offended someone or something....you know. We are requesting a meeting with the board and may end up with a meeting with our pastor if it isn't resolved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thescrappyhomeschooler Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 Seems like they can't keep a teacher in that position. I think the problem is theirs, not yours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ester Maria Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 There are two definitions of "classical education". One is content-based: a classical education is an education which incorporates the study of classical antiquity and its languages and which roots much of its other content in that tradition; the other one is method-based: a classical education is an education that is organized and provided in a certain way, supposedly different from the usual way of doing things. WTM actually combines the two definitions into one, but "modernizes" it a bit. I am in the "content-based" group. The school you have taught at seems to belong to the "method-based" camp, especially keeping in mind that you do not teach classical languages, literature or civilization as such, but other areas, which may be tangentially related. The problem with the method-based definition is that few people can articulate what, exactly, it would be. Mostly it is a pretty fuzzy concept - I see on these boards called "classical" all kinds of methods and approaches which are in my view just "normal", and I cannot seem to grasp what is specifically classical about them. You should discuss the issue with your authorities and ask to pinpoint to you what exactly you are doing wrong and how they think you should improve - even if they still do not renew your contract. The way it seems *to me*, based on your description (which is a limited insight into what you do, of course), you may be doing too much reviewing and trivia questions, and too little discussion of the primary sources, too little cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural connections, but then again, who knows what is it that they want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluegoat Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 I tend to agree with Ester Maria's view of what classical means, but I think the problem with the school may be different. They don't know how to lead their teachers, tell them what they want, and they have pretty poor procedures in place for resolving and questions with what there teachers are doing. No one should be fired for "not being classical" without having been given direction about how to improve before hand. So, if they really think that is the reason what it is is bad leadership and administration. Or, they are lying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justamouse Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 That was a total excuse. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.... Posted January 29, 2012 Share Posted January 29, 2012 That was a total excuse. :grouphug: :iagree: That really stinks! Also thinking that there are different approaches to classical ed... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Lulu* Posted January 29, 2012 Share Posted January 29, 2012 I tend to agree with Ester Maria's view of what classical means, but I think the problem with the school may be different. They don't know how to lead their teachers, tell them what they want, and they have pretty poor procedures in place for resolving and questions with what there teachers are doing. No one should be fired for "not being classical" without having been given direction about how to improve before hand. So, if they really think that is the reason what it is is bad leadership and administration. Or, they are lying. :iagree: IME teaching in church affiliated schools, esspecially if you are a member of the church, can be a tricky thing. I would do what is necessary to walk away with a good letter of recommendation, and start looking for another position. I am sorry this happened to you, it sounds like an unpleasant situation all the way around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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