California Teacher Relocating to Springfield/Branson Area (St. Louis: credit, to buy)

[LdyJzz64]

My husband and I are planning to relocate to the Springfield/Branson area in June in order to be closer to our son. I am interested in finding a good school district and have no idea where to start. Also, how is the educational field in Missouri? Are teachers being cut on a regular basis due to the poor economy? Are there jobs available for English/Theatre Arts teachers?

Any advice or insight would be greatly appreciated!

[lerzen]

I am also considering moving to Springfield for a possible teaching job. I am coming from Illinois, where teachers are being cut left and right. I will be graduating in May 2011 with a Bachelor's in Elementary (k-9) Education. I wonder if Missouri has more Title 1 teaching opportunities? I am also interested in Springfield because it is a college town; in case I would go back for my master's.

[cgsred]

As mentioned in another post, teachers and the administration are not doing their collective jobs.
The USA has slipped to 34th in World standards. Thats 33 countries teaching their children better than us.
The teachers and the administration are not getting the job done.
I used to hire graduates for Corporate positions and simply asked them to write a one page essay as to why I should hire them. No computer, no spell check and it was like reading an essay from 12 year olds. They were simply not being taught basic skills.
Until we improve the system and the level of teaching our children will continue to be dumbed down. 34th in the world is not news, we have been on the slide for 20 years.

[LdyJzz64]

Originally Posted by cgsred

As mentioned in another post, teachers and the administration are not doing their collective jobs.
The USA has slipped to 34th in World standards. Thats 33 countries teaching their children better than us.
The teachers and the administration are not getting the job done.
I used to hire graduates for Corporate positions and simply asked them to write a one page essay as to why I should hire them. No computer, no spell check and it was like reading an essay from 12 year olds. They were simply not being taught basic skills.
Until we improve the system and the level of teaching our children will continue to be dumbed down. 34th in the world is not news, we have been on the slide for 20 years.

As an English teacher, I feel your pain about writing from "12-year olds." although my own writing may not be perfect, nor as creative as it most likely should be at times, I can understand your frustration.

I feel one of the problems here in the U.S. is that too many teachers are letting students "slip by" in the system. I was recently told by my department chair that I was being too tough on my seniors because I required them to write a 10-page essay over an eight month period. Give me a break! I am taking them step-by-step through the process! In college they will have the same assignment in a 1-2 week time period!

In California, so much of the focus is on testing that they have forgotten to teach the basic skills and teach only to a test. Although I come from a school with the highest academic performance index in eight counties, I still wonder at times how we attain that status when I look at student work. Our students can take a test, but when it comes to writing, reading, or critical thinking they fall short.

By the way, I would love to take your test and write a persuasive essay as to why I would be the best candidate for a position with your company.

Soon to be in Missouri,
RHW

[cgsred]

Originally Posted by LdyJzz64

As an English teacher, I feel your pain about writing from "12-year olds." although my own writing may not be perfect, nor as creative as it most likely should be at times, I can understand your frustration.

I feel one of the problems here in the U.S. is that too many teachers are letting students "slip by" in the system. I was recently told by my department chair that I was being too tough on my seniors because I required them to write a 10-page essay over an eight month period. Give me a break! I am taking them step-by-step through the process! In college they will have the same assignment in a 1-2 week time period!

In California, so much of the focus is on testing that they have forgotten to teach the basic skills and teach only to a test. Although I come from a school with the highest academic performance index in eight counties, I still wonder at times how we attain that status when I look at student work. Our students can take a test, but when it comes to writing, reading, or critical thinking they fall short.

By the way, I would love to take your test and write a persuasive essay as to why I would be the best candidate for a position with your company.

Soon to be in Missouri,
RHW

An excellent reply, no need for an essay, you have the job !!!
As a tutoral aside, I had an applicant who tore up the essay paper, threw it away and said " I will debate you for 15 minutes on the topic ". I hired her, she was brilliant and our best employee for 5 years. The amazing thing was, she was from Iowa and taught in Montana, however a genuine free spirit, an American.
The essay for the job was on International gem trading, I will say no more.
The "slip by" comment did not miss my attention and unfortunately it incurs racial connotations. This forum has limitations in that regard.......... its a matter of choice.
cgsred.

[mrschilicook]

Originally Posted by cgsred

As mentioned in another post, teachers and the administration are not doing their collective jobs.
The USA has slipped to 34th in World standards. Thats 33 countries teaching their children better than us.
The teachers and the administration are not getting the job done.
I used to hire graduates for Corporate positions and simply asked them to write a one page essay as to why I should hire them. No computer, no spell check and it was like reading an essay from 12 year olds. They were simply not being taught basic skills.
Until we improve the system and the level of teaching our children will continue to be dumbed down. 34th in the world is not news, we have been on the slide for 20 years.

I believe our education system, at all levels, has been slipping for more than 20 years. I went back to college as an adult in the 80's in the St. Louis area.
I was shocked at the lack of skills in the areas of math and spelling. Fellow freshman students didn't know the difference between the spelling of words that sounded alike but were spelled differently (waist and waste for example).
More importantly, they did not even care. Look it up in a dictionary? Not a chance. Add and substract? yes. Fractions...not a chance. Then there is the whole "life skill" issue. Balance a check book? Understand credit? Nope.
I can't say it's just a school issue...this is an issue for society as a whole.

Starts with parents, goes to teachers/administrators/school boards, and then the rest of us....corporations, businesses, individuals who influence our youth.

Ever go to a college to see who is signing up for the advanced math, computer, and engineering classes. It's an eye opener.

[TUPAC_in_the_KNOW]

Originally Posted by mrschilicook

I believe our education system, at all levels, has been slipping for more than 20 years. I went back to college as an adult in the 80's in the St. Louis area.
I was shocked at the lack of skills in the areas of math and spelling. Fellow freshman students didn't know the difference between the spelling of words that sounded alike but were spelled differently (waist and waste for example).
More importantly, they did not even care. Look it up in a dictionary? Not a chance. Add and substract? yes. Fractions...not a chance. Then there is the whole "life skill" issue. Balance a check book? Understand credit? Nope.
I can't say it's just a school issue...this is an issue for society as a whole.

Starts with parents, goes to teachers/administrators/school boards, and then the rest of us....corporations, businesses, individuals who influence our youth.

Ever go to a college to see who is signing up for the advanced math, computer, and engineering classes. It's an eye opener.

I really don't know if this is a valid argument. People have been saying this for as long as I can remember. They said that my generation was going to be the end of civilization with our heavy metal music and lethargy. I had to sit back for over 20 years and listen to how no one in my generation had the basic skills to make it. No one could balance a bank account, show up for work on time, get out of bed before 1:00 PM, make breakfast or feed ourselves. Guess what when I got out in to the work force I met lots of people who were more than capable of doing all those things and more. The people who couldn't ended up living down at the Coachlight trailer park and waiting on their wlefare checks to buy dope. In turn everyone was saying the same thing about my brother's generation and they are the ones working and paying taxes now.