What Does It Take to Heal?

I'm currently suffering with some minor injuries. Therefore, I've cut back on my running. I have not cut it out all together. I have however, cut my monthly distance in half.

I probably could have run today, but when I felt the shin splints acting up, I decided to stay off the roads.

What does it take to heal?

1. Cross Training: Do some form of exercise that will maintain cardio health other than running.
2. Rest: In other words, cut back on your running or cut it out altogether.
3. Ice where it hurts.
4. Compression and massage of the effected muscles.
5. Elevate the legs.

Don't try to come back too quickly once you're feeling better or you will have a relapse.

Cross the bridge when your body says you're ready, but maintain your fitness while you wait!

Thoughts On The Run: Ruining The Teaching Profession in Georgia Through Teacher Keys

The teacher evaluation system in Georgia is broken down into four levels of teacher performance. Any teacher who does not meet the standard of proficient is not deemed adequate for the job. Since test scores are down in Georgia, thanks to the new Milestone Tests, some administrators across the state have been advised to rate more teachers in the category of  Needs Development.

From what I have learned recently, this is apparently true in Newton County. I have learned of teachers formerly rated Proficient who are suddenly receiving ratings of Needs Development on walk throughs.
We are now involved officially in the witch hunt, seeking out teachers so we can destroy careers, in the name of improving education. These evaluations will also be used to reduce the salaries of teachers who "Need Development."

Teachers whose students do not improve enough on test scores will be beyond help. Teachers who are "Proficient"  will fall into the "Needs Development" category. Those teachers who receive even one rating of  "Needs Development" on their walk throughs will be deemed "Ineffective" because their student's test scores.

The reality is, most teachers are proficient. The real problem in schools is that teachers lack support when dealing with difficult students AND they are being blamed when students refuse to learn. Students are no longer being held accountable for the problems they create. Teachers really are doing their jobs.They deserve our praise and support. SUPPORT MEANS MAKING STUDENTS ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE PROBLEMS THEY GENERATE IN THE CLASSROOM. Teachers are asked to teach, they cannot LEARN for students.

"And let me clear one thing up right away: bad teachers are extremely rare, but if you’re in the presence of a truly bad teacher, as opposed to a good teacher on a bad day, you will have no doubt about what you are witnessing."  Ellie Herman

Exemplary

The teacher continually demonstrates extensive content and pedagogical knowledge, enriches the curriculum, and guides others in enriching the curriculum. (Teachers rated Exemplary continually seek ways to serve as role models or teacher leaders.)

Proficient
Proficient is the expected level of performance.

The teacher consistently demonstrates an understanding of the curriculum, subject content, pedagogical knowledge, and the needs of students by providing relevant learning experiences

Needs Development

The teacher inconsistently demonstrates understanding of curriculum, subject content, pedagogical knowledge, and student needs, or lacks fluidity in using the knowledge in practice.

Inneffective

The teacher inadequately demonstrates understanding of curriculum, subject content, pedagogical knowledge and student needs, or does not use the knowledge in practice

Fab Four

Today's four miler was a pleasant, easygoing run. The temperature was 65 degrees and the weather was misty. That's the best running weather of all.

It's always great to run in perfect conditions. Teachers deserve perfect conditions in their classrooms.  Students need to pay attention.  Administration needs to be supportive. It's not their job to "fix" teachers while aiding and abetting difficult students.

Speaking as a runner, there's nothing better than a great running environment.  Speaking as a teacher,  there's nothing better than a classroom where students pay attention and learn. When real learning occurs,  there is complete joy for teachers and their students.

Thoughts on the Run: Georgia Teacher Evaluation

Yesterday, in the middle of my six mile easy paced run, I kept thinking about a letter to Governor Nathan Deal written by a consortium of Georgia education professors in 2012. I have recently been reminded of this because President Obama and Secretary Duncan have said that we are testing students too much across the nation.

One of the most telling segments of the letter was its criticism of VAM as a teacher evaluation tool. An excerpt from the letter follows.  

"The state’s new evaluation system, Teacher Keys and Leader Keys, centers on “value-added” measures of student growth. The use of value-added measures in teacher and leader evaluation will likely lead to negative educational, social, and emotional outcomes for Georgia’s children. We believe it is our ethical, moral, and professional obligation to raise awareness about how the proposed evaluation changes not only lack a sound research basis but also, in some instances, have already proven to be detrimental.

Georgia has already used a value-added statistical model to determine which schools were to be put on probation, closed, or turned around under No Child Left Behind (NCLB)and found this model wanting. For the new teacher evaluation system, “student academic growth” will be measured with VAMs or similar models. Myriad researchers have found that value-added models (VAMs) of teacher effectiveness do not produce stable ratings of teachers."

How Much, How Far, How Fast?

How much should I run?

 I believe that this runner needs to be consistent. I need to run at least three days a week. I try to run 4-5 days a week. However, I am not afraid to take time off if I feel an injury coming on. On days when I'm extra tired, I'm not afraid to cut back.

How far should I run?

It depends upon the event I'm training for. Marathons and half marathons demand more miles. Other distances demand more speed work. When I'm on a maintenance plan, I try to run about 20-25 miles per week. The mileage will include one speed work session and one long run of at least 8 miles.

Ready to run!!

How fast should I run?

I try to vary my paces. Long runs 11:30-12:00 per mile. Speed work 9:00-9:40 per mile Tempo run 10:30-11:00 per mile. I am not afraid to slow down If things start to fall apart. 

My basic philosophy is to survive so I can keep running for the long haul!

Thoughts on the Run: Worship Music

On my runs this week, I found myself contemplating music and worship in the church. these thoughts came about because, once again, someone in our congregation felt the need to request that we use more contemporary music. Having been involved in church music leadership for the past 40 years in a full time, and part time capacity, this topic has come up from time to time.

Of course, being a professional church musician, I have found myself on both sides of this issue. Early in my career, things were simple. We performed contemporary music with the youth choir and incorporated some of that music into the evening service because it was informal. We generally avoided use of less formal contemporary music in morning worship.I still recall one of my youth choirs singing a contemporary youth choir anthem in a revival. When we were finished I scanned the congregation, to find that it was not well received by our pastor. However, the choir had done a good job and the music was well received by the congregation.

At my first full time church in Plantation, Florida I continued this practice with much success. However, there were a few members of the congregation who decided that we needed to make the morning service more informal. These folks kept suggesting that we use more "spirit filled" music. They did not like our service, because it was too formal for them. It got to the point where I found myself deliberately avoiding these individuals, since I had no intention of changing our worship style. Our pastor felt the same way, but these folks wanted me to change things because I was in charge of the music.

Through the years, I have consistently stayed with hymn based congregational singing, while at the same time allowing flexibility in choices of anthems, solos, and ensembles. I have generally steered the less formal selections toward evening worship.

Corinthians 14:23 speaks of the need for order and understanding in worship:If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?

Whatever we do, we must do it in an orderly and appropriate manner. Churches need to decide what their musical identity is. They also need to consider how music effects their style of worship. Modern, contemporary music is really not different from the youth retreat songs of the 1970's and 80's. The style lends itself to more informal worship. It moves churches away from the reverent worship of God while co-opting the terms "Praise and Worship". I understand that there are people who love this informality, however, I prefer awe contemplation and splendor. If I want the other, I will listen to the radio.