Warning: The truth behind inservice

Inservice…  one of those days at work that all teachers dream of… well not really…

After receiving a 9 page article that was to be an overview of the day’s topic ( I didn’t read it) I spent several days bracing myself for the knowledge that was about to come my way.

While there were at least 20 tables in the room, they choose to have us all sit at 10 of them. This made sure that all of the teachers were front and center, and rubbing elbows with one another.

The presenter began by making sure that we had the necessary handouts, and told us some story about how we were one of the first schools to receive this training, this was to make us feel special, but instead it confirmed that this was going to be a waste of our time, however we saddled in for the ride.

In fact, several teachers spent the morning playing basketball with the superintendent, who told them not to take the inservice too seriously. Stating that it didn’t come from him, but  from the state. The presenter than shares, not to shoot the messenger, this isn’t her deal, it’s from PDE ( Pennsylvania Department of Education). You always know that you’re in for something good, when everyone is working hard to pass the credit to someone else.

My question here is, if everyone knows that it’s stupid, a waste of time, and just another thing that’s going to go away, then why do we all do it?

 The only way that I make it through these trainings , is to find a way to make it a joke. After listening to the speaker for just a few minutes I knew that I could be entertained by writing quotes, and boy was  I right. In fact there was a moment where everything she said was quotable and I needed my table mates to help me keep me up.

Here’s what I learned: All Quotes from the IU13 Speaker

 

-There are lot’s of holes and lots of questions that I can’t answer.

– You may realize that testing more students gets you more data than testing less.

– You will be happy with the mandatory elective  ( can an elective be mandatory?)

– In 5 years you’re going to be happy with SLO ( student learning objectives)

– It’s recommended that you have more students than less

– SAS ( I don’t remember what this stands for, I just know that I hate using it) has lots and lots of big ideas, and they’re fine ( I feel like we should be shooting for more than fine, but that’s just me)

– Things to think about… have someone else score your assessments. ( I’m pretty sure that every teacher would love to pass their grading off to someone else, but that just isn’t going to happen. )

– It’s going to take a few years to get this figured out

– Your students can’t do what you’re asking them to do until you teach it.  ( I have no comment)

– Use what you have and do what you’ve always done ( at this point I was very sure that I should be leaving the room. If all that I have to do is what I’ve already done, then why am I sitting in this training? But I stayed because I was practically falling out of my seat with laughter. While the day was not meant to be funny, I was highly entertained. )

 – Good teachers all have smart students

 – Use the helpdesk to help you create the SLO, which might not be until whenever

 Her response to many of today’s questions: ” WHO KNOWS?”

 – This part is going to be difficult to explain  ( I think she then skipped that part)

– You think it’s all about the students, but it’s not ( well now I’m officially confused)

 – The goal is learning

 – Questions: you’ve asked a lot of them, and I can’t answer most of them… Do you have any more questions?