Conversations with the creators of the best in science fiction and fantasy. If you love SF literature, are an author or aspire to become one, you'll enjoy this podcast.
Middle-school teachers talking about ideas and challenges in real-world classroom environments. Discussions on education, ideas for both parents and teachers, interviews with top young adult literature authors.
Show Notes: The Discipline of Education
Lorrie, Megan, Joyce, Noemi, Carla and Brad respond to a voicemail from Kat in NJ, wondering what the teachers would change about public education in the US, if they had the power to do so. The consensus is: reduce the class size, period.
Joyce also elaborates on how much work teachers do, and how the salary levels do not match the impact they have on the lives of the students. The suggestion that teachers should be paid the same as babysitters could be a good start (per head and per hour together!).
The discussion ranges from student discipline, parental support of the students, the discipline set by students, and whether or not the mandatory school age should be lowered. The different levels of discipline by classroom and by school conflicts with the discipline the students receive (or don’t receive) at home.
Do you have questions you’d like the teachers to talk about on future shows? The teachers have their own voicemail line now! Call in and ask your questions: 206-202-2673!!
YA Books: There are a handful of YA books in the studio, and the teachers chat about them: Afro Samurai manga; Thornspell by Helen Lowe; Wizard’s First Rule by Terry Goodkind (parents should definitely check the book first!); Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan; Savvy by Ingrid Law.
Promo: How To Grow Your Geek
I do agree class size is one I would consider as well. However, if I could change anything?, If I were the Education Czar and if reform was all about MY wants and needs?… I would provide each district with mental and physical health facilities on campus. We have so many children coming to us today that have unmet mental health needs. Whether it’s anxiety, eating disorders or oppositional behavior and family dysfunction, we get more kids (and younger kids) every year that could benefit from regular mental health help. Yet, the families don’t have the insurance or the funds to get professional help. As a result, the schools are left to deal with these huge problems with a special education teacher and a school counselor. Not that these are fabulous and caring persons (being one myself), but they are woefully unschooled in therapy and ill prepared for the severity that these children present with.
~waves magic wand~ Now just imagine what I would do to the post office….