Let's fix education - one classroom at a time! Tips for teachers

[@ican4ever]

I have no idea how I ended up here, I'm not even a teacher. Heck, I just graduated from high school. Just the crazy youtube algorithm I guess. You have such a great personality, I'll bet you were a spectacular teacher. :)

[@mariee.5912]

A teacher is always a teacher. Even if not in the classroom

[@sonyagoldstein3433]

I met with a financial planner to figure out how to retire ASAP and be able to afford it. I was never interested in retirement before this school year. Laura, I am so glad you are back on KZbin. You have been an inspiration to me and I still have 8 years to go!

[@DogandaTopHat]

The more I teach, the less I worry about grading. I used to really care about the rubric, specific points values, and deep feedback (that kids never read anyway), but now I have made that much simpler. Throw out point values altogether and just focus on the letter grades alone. I use a simple mental checklist of my expectations related to letter grading and then go home enjoy spending time with my son each night. The feedback I give to kids is during the lesson WHILE they are doing the writing, not afterward when they submit it. I also do all open-notes and open-book assessments. That's what all standardized tests are anyway. Plus, admin wants us to give kids a million chances to do better.... I might as well help them do it right the first time with me rather than fail 3 times on their own and learn nothing.

[@CrissyAlwaysSunny]

That’s all we do at my school. Letter grade only.

[@neoshenlong]

I have to use numeric values because the school asks me to but I just set some specific numbers I use for certain cases. I might switch them around every now and then when I want to recognize some extra effort even if the score didn't turn out as good as it could've for someone. Then there's feedback, I spend a whole lesson giving feedback after they turned in a big assignment, there's no point on writing it, that's for sure. And the last part, yeah. First thing they told me when I got into school was the ridiculous amounts of chances students get to save a grade. If they're going to do all of that then I'd rather spend more time on the first chance. It also saves time for me. If they try 3 times that means I have to check it 3 times and sometimes even prepare extra material for them.

[@laurax1433]

I think so many of us have had a time of reflection during Covid, and now we are wanting to make changes to have less pressure. We enjoy our family, and we don't want to go back to the workload and stress we had before. Teaching is just too much for one person to do. The expectations are just too much to keep up with and remain healthy at the same time.

[@leticiageldart3149]

Thank you. I am sitting here in tears, feeling grateful to hear these words. You have given me the courage to face my 'right now' with hope and the desire to walk on a different road with my classes

[@laurarandazzo1158]

Yes, Leticia! I know you have boxes that need to be checked, but there is still wiggle room in your daily work to fold in the things that matter and will do more to help your students. You can build the classroom you want - or at least a better version of what you have right now. I'm here when you want to kick around ideas. :)

[@KameronFranklin]

I've been a Alfie Kohn "disciple" for 5-6 years (I'm in my 8th year of teaching). The summer after I discovered him, I printed and shared his essay with my fellow English teachers, and was so surprised by how many teachers wanted to hold on to their archaic, point-based grading practices. Thanks for pointing me toward Sarah Zerwin. Just ordered her book on Amazon. My colleagues might be seeing a copy of her book in their inboxes before we leave for the summer.

[@laurarandazzo1158]

Great! I'm reading her book now and will report back on it soon. :)

[@brieb777]

I’m so elated you are back on the regular. WE NEED these chats! You’re a mentor for so many of us! 💓 What’s worked for me, and has since my first year teaching, is to “pick my battles.” I don’t grade every single thing (you taught me that!). Also, I have to give props to my admin because they have been very understanding during the pandemic.

[@ivanahokesova6701]

Laura, you DO do it well! It's not the props, it is the message that counts. And your message is VERY powerful!

[@laurarandazzo1158]

Thanks, Ivana. I had to have a pep talk with myself before launching this new season on KZbin. It IS the message that matters to me - way more than having my feelings hurt by trolls or being self-conscious of my annoying voice and elementary video-editing skills. The community matters more to me than all that.

[@teachergeeks8357]

Agree totally! Have fun in the classroom. This is why teachers must be given back their autonomy to choose what, when and how to teach!

[@erinsglw]

A few years ago my school did a case study about what is the goal of grading and what do we want kids to be able to do. We were required to read a book grades and come up with alternatives for traditional grading. The math department allowed students to retest on standards until they got it rather than take a failing math grade. Students had to come for tutoring before they could retake assignments. We did not give students 0 just for not turning in an assignment on time. It really changed how I approached grading and helped students be more successful.

[@KnCmSSCeRrSs]

At first I was sad to lose you as a fellow teacher. I started watching your videos in year 4 for me. (I’m in year 8 now) Being in a charter school, SO many teachers are young, and I needed a mentor who had been through the thick of it - and that was you! Now I’m realizing I can learn so much more from you now that you have more time! Since your quitting video I have said no twice to “free labor” asks! You helped me realize that if I need to avoid burnout, I have got to keep my time sacred! It’s not like they’re going to fire me lol. Keep the vids coming!!

[@neulovecat]

I gave in my notice a month ago. I've taught at the same school for a whole lifetime. I have loved being in the classroom, loved spending time with kids. But this past year I feel I've turned into a bitter ol' bat, still got the crazy ideas, still been passionate about trying to make kids love learning. But this year... Distance teaching has turned my classroom into a really bad local radio station, where it seems my listeners feel obligated to log in, but won't contribute. Everything I've tried seem to have fallen on it's face - nothing gets finished, nothing is percieved as motivating, even things kids have suggested themselves... The last couple of years the high school kids I need to get up to college level language star my course on a year 6 level instead of on a year 10 level - because their previous teachers haven't had enough time and energy to teach or grade them. Who's suffering most? The kids!!! They KNOW that they get grades they don't deserve because no one will question a pass, but the teacher who fails students land a whole shitload of extra work and no pay increase. Some learn themselves, but some actually end up in poverty... And I can't stand it anymore.

[@sanelatutaris15]

This video made my cry. Good tears. Grace to kids and you. Dream again! STOP GRADING!!! Stop teaching to the test. What’s interesting to me and kids. Not teach the full novel. Don’t read what’s slowing down the learning. HAVE FUN IN THE CLASSROOM!!! Say no. Have healthy boundaries. Do what is right for you. Take a RISK! Go on a new path. Lower your expectations of yourself. Mental heath is important. Enjoy each other. Start daydreaming how great teaching can be! Have a pause! Dream of a time when it’s gonna be better. Society needs to be caught up with improving the system that’s not working.

[@bethgeorge9160]

Watching this from the perspective of a long time homeschool parent- you’d be surprised how interesting and applicable parts are for us teachers over here. One thing that came to mind is “what about college?” Because a huge part of all this for homeschoolers is making high school curriculum choices based on how they will affect college readiness and acceptance. So, for example, getting to The Odyssey or choosing full length novels during an off year - we put a lot of pressure on ourselves to do everything to the max, thinking it will have a direct effect on the future. And it can be a real spirit killer.

[@ibelieveinjesuschrist8911]

home educating can make all this happen!! love your excitement!

[@hallekilburg597]

I am a college freshman going into education and it's a crazy time in education all around! We are all, without a doubt, in different times and education is looking very different than it did even two years ago. Thank you so much for sharing all of your wisdom, tips, and motivators!

[@sharinaross1865]

What did you graduate in?

[@jodidisario1219]

I don't know a time when "lower your expectations" would ever have sounded like good advice in any time prior to this one. But it is really the best advice that anyone can get. Well, it was when I started typing this comment and then you said "let yourself dream" and everything that came with that. Now I'm crying because it's just too right.

[@laurarandazzo1158]

I know, I know, Jodi. I felt weird saying that, but it's true. The expectations most of us are putting on ourselves are beyond ridiculous. Let's just get through this semester and re-group this summer. I worry that a lot of our energy is being spent on things that don't actually help students, too. I want to recalibrate!

[@devenajackson1664]

I am so excited that you will continue your youTube discussions! I am in my sixth year teaching, and I love listening to your content while I am grading and prepping. It's nice to have another voice to add to what's going on in my head. Thank you for all you do!

[@kristacoyle6644]

I'm so glad you're still here!! You have really been a mentor for me the last few years. I'm in my 40s but I'm a new teacher - I teach English in a Minnesota HS and I've used your TPT store, your grading hacks, the 20Time project, your advice, and I cried with you when you shared your family health struggles in another recent video. So, as bizarre as it is that this "mentorship" is completely one-sided, I've really "turned" to you for advice and encouragement and ideas in the more difficult times of teaching... Thanks for still being here. I'm so sorry for your struggles with teaching and so glad you had the guts to do what you needed to do! Good for you!! I share your imaginings of a better way to do school and hope that it can sustain me for awhile in the profession - just trying new things and trusting that our students will help show us the way. Thanks for all you have done and all you do! And thanks for being a mentor!!

[@laurarandazzo1158]

Thanks, Krista, for this note. It's wonderful - made my day! This online stuff I do is so weird. Often, it's me alone at the kitchen table with my laptop and I feel lonely, forgetting that there are folks like you out there who really get what I'm trying to do. I will keep building things to help my colleagues and I will keep trying to host the safe, supportive digital teachers' lounge that we all need. I'm glad you're here and that you're my friend. :)

[@mathgod]

Love it. Preach on! Good luck in your new situation. Found your videos today! Can’t stop watching! 34 years in the profession. Trying to find new juju after this last year. I love my school and principal, but ready to be done. Your philosophy aligns with my beliefs.Thanks. Grace!!

[@laurarandazzo1158]

Thanks, mathgod! Yes, the right KZbin channel at the right time can feel like oxygen. Glad you found me. 😀

[@MrMattirving]

I am an ESL teacher in Viet Nam and chanced upon your channel a few weeks ago after looking for ways to practice basic writing skills with the kids. I am now successfully using variations on MUGs for ages 7-17. You offer a treasure-trove of information (today's nugget being '20 Time') and wanted to say how much I resonate with your thoughts on how broken the system is. Testing and grading is bad enough in the West (I am British) but in SE Asia, the System is obsessed by tests. Viet Nam just rushed forward end-of-year tests for public schools because of another Covid related lockdown and the kids are just burnt out. This is wrong and new measures of learning must be found. Covid should have been a paradigm moment for education as we all rushed to figure out new ways of teaching which should have garnered interest in new ways of testing as well. Alas, we are still in a status quo but you are right, we can be the change we want to see in our classrooms and, given the responsibility we have in young learners' minds, we should be bolder in risk taking when it comes to learning methodologies and worry less about management and, as your say, it is easier often to 'beg forgiveness than seek permission!'

[@laurarandazzo1158]

"new measures of learning must be found" Yes, Matt, I'm with you. I have no idea how to save the whole system, but I'm obsessed with exerting whatever power we can over what happens within the four walls of our classrooms.

[@gigikean6003]

Yes. Help us dream, Laura.

[@jennyquezada9644]

I love your plan.

[@SraPorras1]

I am over here like PREACH 🙌🏽 I am constantly working to make my world 🌍 of education into one of peace ☮️, calm, loving people first and foremost, and rethinking what education means. Love your heart and soooo grateful for your videos. You are a deeply thoughtful, funny, engaging and real person- kuddos for sharing your voice in this space.

[@laurarandazzo1158]

Aw, Piper, thanks for this bit on sunshine on a drizzly morning here in Tennessee. You just made my day! Thanks for being here with me and doing the good work to improve education. :)

[@SraPorras1]

@@laurarandazzo1158 I am so happy that I could send a few human connection rays of sunshine :) I am pulling out all the stops over the past few years... essential oils in diffusers, tons of plants, salt lamps, student art all over the walls...if we're going to hang out like we're in a family for this many hours a day, let's make this classroom look like a decent home hahaha I am DONE with the stress, anxiety, etc. that comes with what should, could and needs to be a blessing in life guidance. Now, I still feel those emotions at times like even this AM as May is upon us and there are a lot of things to tie up neatly... but in the end, breathe, send out love to all, and do my best- I cannot expect any more from myself. I am a human. The kiddos are too. Blessings!!!

[@ArtRamboPettyQueen]

You are NOT alone thinking these things. You are so strong to say “enough is enough” with this field. Good for you for leaving. A person should listen to her heart!

[@elizabethstewart552]

I am so glad I found your channel. I am an elementary teacher that was thrown into a situation abruptly. I was working in a school as a TA and then asked to take over a class for a teacher that quit. I taught many years ago, so it has been a HUGE adjustment. Teaching is so different from when I taught years ago. I'm exhausted. Parents have completely unrealistic expectations and think their children are gifted when they are not. My family has paid the price. My house is a mess and I can't remember the last time I cooked dinner. I'm on the fence if I will return next year -- they have offered me the job and contacts get signed in just a few weeks. I'm struggling and this really does feel like an impossible job. I can't ever get ahead of the workload and the planning. We have been told there is a toner shortage so we can't make many copies, yet my students don't have any consumable books because we mostly have digital resources. I also hate this constant feeling like I am in "trouble" every time admin walks in -- it's like they come in with the purpose of looking for how you are screwing up. I am not surprised AT ALL that so many people have decided to jump ship. This job literally sucks the life out of you!!

[@laurarandazzo1158]

I feel this. I think if you go back and re-read your note, you'll know what you need to do. You're in my heart!

[@jennifermcguinness4275]

I SO needed to find these videos right now, Laura. I can think of several colleagues who need them and I will be sharing. Please keep them coming if at all possible!

[@ljackson8634]

I teach Title 1 elementary and you have been a godsend to find!!! Thank you for helping me know I’m not alone . It’s been hard and you help me realize I’m ok

[@johnnyb8629]

1) Your right, this interaction is important. We should all talk about the problems in our education systems because the impact of a good or bad education I propose drives everything, war, crime, poverty, wealth, technology, healthcare everything. 2) I sorta agree with the idea of abolishing grading, but I feel their are problems with that because how do you figure out how good or bad someone is grasping the concepts, how do you motivate a child to work hard if their isn't a stick anymore because the idea of learning being the carrot isn't enough. How does no grades prepare a person for the real world when we are all graded as adults, in every way. 3) making a human connection with students absolutely would help a teachers ability to teach. It took me a long time, years after I was in the adult world to realize all the teachers that tormented me or I thought were tormenting me were all just humans trying to make a living. I can't imagine how much of a pain in the ass I was to so many but in my defense, I needed a different kind of help. It really was a revelation that I came to , like the same revelation when you realize your parents are just humans too who make mistakes , have prejudices and poor judgment and all that. 4) Why do we still use crusty old literature as learning lessons? Stuff that wasn't even written in our language? Don't we have modern literature that's can teach drama, and all that jazz? I'm curious to how teachers deal with the censorship and politics , do you try to be as unbiased as possible or do you let your left or right leanings show ? My sister taught college anthropology and she couldn't stand the left wing politics and because she was more middle or even conservative it kept her from achieving tenure and she left the classroom.

[@laurarandazzo1158]

I hear you. So many interesting threads I could pull on, but I'll stick with grading for now. I'm a fan of a lot of feedback and then one big important assessment piece at the end of the learning. To me, it's like being a sports coach. Athletes train daily and get lots of reps and feedback from coaches all in preparation for the Big Game. I just don't want the academic Big Game to be a state test or the SAT. A performance, speech, or written piece for an authentic audience feels much more like the real world than yet another bubble-dot test. Thanks for watching and thinking with me!

[@johnnyb8629]

People don't realize how important a good national education system is. China is going to a at least 2 times our economy maybe 3 times in 10 years according to Elon Musk. China also is essentially the antithesis of America, more so than Russia. The only way we can compete is through radical innovation because we will never compete with population size. The basic math "Elons words" is simple we cant compete with the sheer numbers of China and the subsequent output. Now, here's where education comes in, we need to teach in a way that encourages innovation and speed of innovation, so how do we do that? Look at Elon Musks business ethos, he incentivizes fast radical innovation in his companies and penalizes safe conservative working strategies. He does this by not penalizing failures and encouraging experimentation with high potential for failure. What education strategies can we have to encourage this so our next generations of students excel at this practice? I propose first getting rid of the "penalization" in the education structure. It's not difficult to see this strategy is far superior to anything that has ever been in this country. SpaceX just got awarded the contract to build the lunar lander over Blue Origin and some other company. It's obvious because of the success of SpaceX and his reusable rocket program, something no one else has been able to do as of yet, in the world.

[@laurarandazzo1158]

@@johnnyb8629 "radical innovation" I like that.

[@blciffa]

No way it’s an only you thing; this is an educator thing! Love your videos and thank you for helping us all!!

[@tfustudios]

Thank you for everything you've done as an educator, and thank you for everything you continue to do to educate us!

[@cristinaedbrooke433]

Hello from Uruguay! Thank you very much, Laura, for the videos you posted these past weeks. So much of what you, and your subscribers, have said and commented resonates with me. Just like last year, the government sent us all home 3 weeks after school started, and it looks like we're going to be here for a while. You have touched on two topics which I grapple with, especially the combination of them:: distance learning and evaluation. I have always doubted tests as a true measure of knowledge, and now trust them even less with distance learning. The level of frustration I feel is sometimes overwhelming. I'm trying to come up with alternative ways of realizing if online learning is actually happening and would greatly appreciate any ideas you may have! Thanks again, Laura, for this space you've created, and I can't wait for more videos! Have a lovely weekend ☀️

[@sgbenjamin664]

The case against grading...will look it up.

[@Richard-vq7ud]

Same here. I was an elem counselor. I wanted to keep going, but admin made sure i knew my place. My health was going down so i retired. Schools are bad everywhere.

[@tomtomlinson7798]

Thank you for sending these word out into the world. They're much needed, and so is your grace. Thank you again.

[@Ripplesinthewaters]

My district got a waiver to skip the test this year. I am very pleased.

[@laurarandazzo1158]

Woo-hoo, Kristin! Reason prevails!!!

[@T2010_]

You do connect and relate with teachers so well. I'd like you to consider engaging current teachers with your work via virtual guest presentations perhaps. You can stay connected to students by still coming to some classes and sharing your expertise. Perhaps around central concepts that help build character and wellness, maybe connected to national health education standards? Teacher wellness is a concern, addressing this through the view of student wellness would benefit all involved.

[@lisabreakell4547]

Thanks so much for the therapy! I needed this video. I also have been dreaming of a better way to teach and educate. I have thought about it for a long time. I have always been the rebel in that if something wasn't working in the curriculum, I would change it to best fit my students. For instance, this year the junior English teachers decided not to read The Crucible. My students begged me. They are fascinated by witchcraft. So I told them we weren't supposed to read it and that made them like it more! We had great fun acting it out! It is always about the personal connections! I am reading Of Mice and Men and I am using your bunkhouse drawing activity. I told my virtual and in person students you must draw it on paper! No computer screens! I shudder to think of the ill effects of being on screens so long! It depresses me and drains my energy. Next year I vow to go very low tech or have retro classroom. Pencils, paper, and books! My question is how do you assign work and not grade it? Can you give an example? Thanks for being a beautiful light to help improve the broken system!

[@laurarandazzo1158]

Hey, Lisa, I love this so much! Do what your gut tells you is right. As for grading, I'm a fan of feedback over scores. I also have a whole series of videos to help you slay that stack of papers: kzbin.info/www/bejne/on2ukIppebCaiLc Hope this is helpful! :)

[@stephanieschaefer2983]

Our county in MD needs strong curricula for ELA for each grade level 6-12. I don’t want to be boxed in to a rigid curriculum in my grade, but we have almost none right now, so it is extremely difficult. Students are finding themselves repeating activities and sometimes rereading texts year after year because there is only a loose guide of what should be covered each quarter. This guide is essentially the same from grades 6-12. It is crazy! Sure wish you could help with curriculum writing! Right now, we have no paid curriculum writers, nor do we have purchased curriculum. Any success we achieve is only because of the dedicated teachers. We all work so hard and care so much about the kids. It just takes so much time to find what to teach, and then figure out how to teach it best for the students’ needs. With limited planning time. And teaching in a hybrid model. We need help-not to mention respect and a higher salary. Thank you for being our voice. This needs to be fixed!

[@laurarandazzo1158]

You've heard of TpT, no? Visit my shop and download some of the free items to get an idea of what I make: www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Laura-Randazzo You could get a team of teachers together to set a plan for what's taught at each grade level, with some freedom to allow individual teachers to fold in specific things they love/areas of interest. It's reasonable that students will balk when asked to complete the exact same assignment again. Uh...nope.

[@cherylmcbryde4189]

Laura, I'm so glad that I found your channel! I'm a newbie, in my first year of teaching, but I'm not a newbie in life, I'm 53! I guess I'm a late bloomer! So, I'm in my first year, it's Covid, and I'm at an alternative ed school, which I love! I'm in this weird place, like I don't know what normal is, you know what I mean? Anyway, my temporary contract was terminated, I have to re-apply for my job per district policy. On the advice of my cohorts, I'm applying everywhere, just because you never know. I mean, I think I'm going to be rehired, and I really like this school. I love our kids, they amaze me! They have to overcome some seriously f'd up situations just to get to school! Relationship building is my strong suit, and I really feel like I found my place there. On the other hand, other than my student teaching, I haven't taught at a traditional school. My neighbor teacher who will be retiring in 5 years wonders if I'm missing out on that experience. There's only one teacher for each subject, so I don't have the chance to collaborate with other English teachers. But, that's okay to me, because I can always call or email my mentor teacher or other teachers from where I did my student teaching. I don't have to worry about all the extra stuff at my site, no this duty or that duty. I can just focus on lesson planning and kids. I only plan on working for 10 more years, so I might just be in the right place. I would love to hear what you think. Sorry my post is so long!

[@laurarandazzo1158]

Trust your gut, Cheryl. Your phrasing makes me feel like you're in the right place. :)

[@wendyweber469]

Laura, thank you for your video series. Your comments on grading ring really true to me. I feel like the system, as it is, teaches many students to be passive learners. Perhaps taking grades out of the equation would be a step toward helping students take ownership of their learning. Of course, there are students who already do, but so many seem to do the work on a superficial level. I would love to hear more of your thoughts on this.

[@laurarandazzo1158]

I'm actually reading/researching/mulling over the grading issue right now. Will film a future video on this when I've unraveled the knot of thoughts in my brain. Stay tuned...

[@richardwill935]

Thank you so much for your incredibly helpful and inspiring videos! This one makes me feel so much better about taking this year off to preserve my self. Your words help me see that there are possibilities if I choose not to go back to what was. Thanks again, teacher.

[@albaluciaambuila495]

And those problems are not only in the education field!!!!

[@algernoncalydon3430]

This year there was a big push by the state of Alaska for the statewide testing. So much so that the local district even put pressure on the homeschoolers to test. In the past they never even mentioned the testing to the homeschoolers, which is a district "school", the reason being that it's results are public and the district didn't want people to see that homeschoolers scored substantially higher. The district management has always tried to get rid of the homeschool program under the idea that it pulls kids and money from the general district. The interesting part is that a management person published, one who is retiring, in the board report, the MAP test results. These revealed that despite kids not being in school, but working remotely under their parents guidance, scored higher than normal. In one case 15 points higher, the highest ever, and that score being the score at the beginning of this school year, which is usually lower than the spring test from the previous school year. The district took credit for the kids higher scores even though the kids were out of school for six month previous to the test.

[@laurarandazzo1158]

Interesting. Could it be that one-on-one attention and lots of feedback help students' writing skills grow? Well, of course it does. :)

[@alyssakrieg7774]

As a student teacher, it is interesting to see that so many wonderful teachers are quiting. It makes us younger ones raise our eyebrows! Perhaps we are just too young, and online teaching is all we have known, but even online teaching is exciting for us!

[@laurarandazzo1158]

I love your excitement, Alyssa! Absolutely, online learning is working great for some and there are techniques gleaned from this Covid year that we can use to improve education overall. Looking forward to seeing the great impact of the next generation! :)

[@JLaw954]

My no. 1 tip. Make your first class first-class. Your first lesson should be about you and why you love your subject. After two months of being off school, kids don't want a demanding lesson, nor do they want yet another set of rules - that's what most teachers do on the first day. If you want to stand out in kid's minds then do something outstanding. I taught for 27 years in schools and on the first day, I always had the kids rocking in the aisles because I had worked so hard at perfecting that first lesson. First impressions count - trust me. If you can put together a superb first lesson, you not only get off to a great start to the year, your kids are also excited to study your subject. Listen to what Laura said about excitement - she's right. And if you're an environmentalist such as me it's great to recycle terrific lessons. BTW I constantly tweaked that first lesson to keep making it even better.

[@laurarandazzo1158]

Absolutely, John! The first lesson of the year really does set the tone. Most recently, this routine has been my new favorite way to launch: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q4aqXoeuabekpMk. :)

[@JLaw954]

@@laurarandazzo1158 What are you doing now, Laura, apart from making videos?

[@laurarandazzo1158]

@@JLaw954 Mostly, converting my curriculum to work on Google Drive. It’s tedious, but necessary.

[@johnnyb8629]

I was thinking about another thing I never really understood why our education system was like this and I'm sure others probably wonder too. Why do we teach mathematics that way we do? We sorta teach math for the sake of math with out teaching it as its applied to real things, like learning it in the abstract. My brain never worked that way, I must learn things as its applied to the real world, and that goes not only for math but for things like writing and English and history and so on. I managed to get threw basic algebra my freshman year, but my first semester of Geometry was a disaster, in my defense the class was taught by a 7 foot tall basketball coach who has coke bottle glasses and stammered in his speaking horribly. I basically slept threw the class. Now, years later, I go back to community college to learn my trade of HVAC and I was on the deans list the entire time. This trade requires the person working in it to know how these systems are engineered and thus we are required to know how mathematically they work. For the first time in my life I actually enjoyed learning the mathematics of load calculations, calculating the properties of air as it passes threw an air handler and is dehumidified, mixed with other airstreams, refrigerated or heated so as to predict the output air conditions. I learned the mathematics of duct design , predicting static pressure drops of branch circuits, velocity, friction loss. I learned trigonometry in transformers as well as how it and geometry calculations are used to develop duct fittings in regards to fabricating them. This is the way mathematics needs to be taught, hands on and I don't see how a student couldn't learn it.

[@laurarandazzo1158]

Math teachers, want to chime in?

[@seabent]

Thank you, as always, for your candor and kindness. I am so conflicted over what to do. I am in my "dream district" and am in various committees that are doing a lot of good within our school and district. I love my students and I love what I get to teach. The rest is bullish*t. The day-to-day inertia is getting me down. We talk about exactly what is needed to change, but at the end of the day (or semester, or school year...) nothing changes. But I know that what I'm doing in my classroom matters and the relationships I build is ultimately what determines my success. Based on that, I'm more successful than ever. I hope it's enough to keep me going... (ETA: it's so funny to me that your least-favorite group is sophomores. I LOVE my sophomores. They are my sweet spot. I would be fine if I never had to teach another grade level again. Just goes to show you it takes all types of teachers to make a learning community!)

[@laurarandazzo1158]

Oh yeah, folks who volunteer to teach sophomore classes, 6th period freshmen, and 2nd semester seniors are absolute saints! I can also relate to what you're saying. Most days, I'd just close my classroom door and teach. That bought me a few more years. Stay strong!

[@lubnan2936]

I agree with you 100%! I've given my students so much grace this year. I'm also giving myself grace recently as I'm feeling the burn. I look forward to your videos so keep posting. I'm currently a social studies teacher and I'm in the process of getting my English certification grades 6-12. I've received very mixed messages from current English teachers telling me not to do it lol, but in my heart I think I will be good at it. I do need to brush up on reading all the classics. Any advice?

[@laurarandazzo1158]

Maybe the classics aren't as important as we think they are? I'd wait until I knew what core works were required at my new job's grade level. Until then, dig into modern works that YOU find interesting and then bring that passion/knowledge base to your new students.

[@ingevideospot]

Interesting to hear that there is a mandatory list of books that everyone has to read and that these books are read (in class?) or even simultaneously. In The Netherlands this does not exist. Students pick books from a larger list and have to include one or two books from various time periods. They have to do presentations on the books to the class, so all students get to learn a lot about at least 50-100 books. At least this is what they did in my school. I have no doubt every school here has a different approach.

[@dianemarshall7482]

Thank you for these wonderful videos. You are so inspiring, and you've inspired ME to explore new teaching possibilities. Would love to hear more about your Twilight Zone idea.

[@laurarandazzo1158]

Thanks for watching, Diane! Here you go: laurarandazzo.com/2021/01/31/5-best-twilight-zone-episodes-for-the-classroom/

[@ingevideospot]

Same here in The Netherlands. Blogs like yours are so inspiring and helpful and necessary. I quit teaching in higher education a few years ago, but I am now again in teaching (university). The sad thing is that most teachers are too busy to keep up with research on education, psychology and pedagogy that tells them they should not test and grade so much. The research has shown for years that learning, motivation, personal relationships and well-being are connected, and that the current educational system threatens these fundamental requirements for development and strains the teacher's ability to do their job. There are however bigger financial reasons why schools are organized like this. Too many school leaders put their teachers other under pressure for churning our 'results' as if school is a factory, or put pressure on students to finish fast and with the highest grades as if grades are the final outcome of a learning process . If people now think: huh, what else could be the outcome of a learning process? think again. For those who need a scientific backup for all this: please check Dweck (about developing a growth mindset in students), the motivational theory of Deci and Ryan (autonomy, connection and competence as fundamental human needs in both students and teachers) and Gert Biesta (the biggest threat to education is constant testing and measuring). Please keep up the good work, you are a big inspiration. Ted talk, maybe? My favorite one on teaching is Sir Ken Robinson (Do schools kill creativity?) back in 2006. Let's hope we can get the message through this time! Good luck and thank you!!

[@arnoldchristine2020]

In social studies grade 7 we are writing CHOOSE TO CHALLENGE/ RESISTANCE POETRY linking 3 resistance movements thematically: resistance of enslavement, resistance by First Nations against losing land ie Trails of Tears, and Colonial Resistance to British rule. We watch a brief video on a topic, then 10-20 lines free write from video, next we read an article on the topic and create black out poetry.... We did this for all3 topics then students created black out poetry from their original free writes...i will stop here but i taught a few more forms using only a few literary devices...imagery, repetition, simile and personification, and alliteration rather than essays in social studies....there is more but i will stop there...I have been reimagining schools for 10 years now....sign me up...Let’s talk...This is the time for change if there ever was one! Keep it going girl!

[@laurarandazzo1158]

That sounds like such a cool unit!

[@johnnyb8629]

I'm reading a book written by Jared Diamond ( he really should be more well known than he is imo ) titled Upheaval. He does a very astute analysis of different countries and how they dealt with crisis in their past and how they recovered and how they are now in modern times. When he talked about Japan and how Japan's education system is the big reason why Japan has the most evenly distributed wealth , it struck me because Japan's education system is polar opposite to ours. I see strong correlation to our poor education system and the wealth inequality in our country and it makes perfect sense. Perhaps we should look at the way japan's as a country devotes resources to educating their populase and try and incorporate that into our own. They are the most well educated in Math and Science per capita and it shows.

[@laurarandazzo1158]

"how Japan's education system is the big reason why Japan has the most evenly distributed wealth" Does the book get into specifics about how that system is built and creates this results? I probably won't pick it up (my reading stack is already sky-high), but I'm curious.

[@johnnyb8629]

@@laurarandazzo1158 I reviewed the section on Japan's Human capital that describes the advantages to there education system and those are, Japan's investment by government in there education system. Schools in socioeconomic areas that are poorer have smaller class sizes to teachers than richer areas, enabling those students to catch up or maintain the same or better education. I propose that fact alone would be a major factor in bettering our education system. In contrast the American education system tends to strap teachers in poor hoods with greater class sizes. Additionally, Japan's class system is based on educational status over money or other things unlike Americans who class people based on income. In my house that I grew up in educatiin was valued. My parents, more so my mother, was an education snob. She wasn't particularly well educated her self with only a year or so of college, but the attitude was pervasive. My oldest sister was tested.gifted and my mother treated her like a world class race horse, getting all the consideration. This drove my other sister nuts and in the end they are PHD and master holders. My oldest is PHD anthropologist and specializing in Meso American archeology, speaksnseveral languages including some ancient ones not spoken anymore,, my other sister holds a masters in microbiology and works as a senior group leader at Gen tech, she has contributed to the manufacturing of important cancer drugs including one that cures bladder cancer. Another thing that is different about Japan's sociology is there egalitarian beliefs, that is opposite of American beliefs although that goes against " The American dream" , the reality is America has a cast system based on money. Why else would weathy people fight so hard to keep institutions that are akin to eugenics. Some very interesting facts about Japan, 4th highest in math and science literacy beating all of Europe and the US. They account for 8% of global economic output, is the 3rd largest economy, spends double the US in R&D driving the most innovation all that with only a 10th the geographic area. In comparison this is crazy amount of productivity and that is with out there women contributing significantly due to there misogynistic sociological practices. Speaking of misogynistic sociology, investing equally in femal education is equally important because that makes us all stronger. Investing in child care so as women can have the same roles in the work forces would pay for itself in economic development. On a side note, like my family i grew up in, my youngest daughter tested gifted. I encouraged her to achieve through English and writing and she was able to go to an academy and now is in college in Chicago studying post production , Editing at Columbia. She wants to make horror movies, lol another thing I encouraged early on. The one thing I did to spur on her explosive reading abilities was to give her a Kindle when she was in maybe 5th grade and I made it fancy, engraved it, got a cover in her fav color and got her unlimited books and helped her learn to read.

[@johnnyb8629]

@@laurarandazzo1158 another thing, an association I noticed in reading this book. 2 of the most educated and successful societies are also the same ones where their countries were wiped out via war and occupied, Japan and Germany, both of which bounced back and then some. We can lear a lot from these two.

[@johnnyb8629]

I just watched an old interview of Elon Musk and he was asked what would he do if education system was up to him and his answer made a lot of sense. Make teaching kids like a video game. He pointed out that if you give a kid a video game, he will play it all day and night and learn to get threw it. That concept makes a lot of sense and I have real world evidence it can teach really well. I got my Daughter hooked on video games early on, I must admit it was a short term strategy to handler her as she was very ADHD. She ended up hooked on this game called,... fuck, I can't remember, but it was a giant world and she could explore it and interact like a medieval settler. She learned a massive collection of fish, flowers, plants, trees, ect. Not only did she learn their names but their life cycles, biology, horticulture, it was amazing. So, with this being said, I think it's quite compelling anecdotal evidence for further experiment , or feasibility. Actually, this makes perfect sense and why it would work so well, in order to make education a video game compelling enough for kids to play it, you would need to make the material to learn not abstract like solve this equation and you can unlock a door, but use this equation to build this virtual rocket and make it fly or something like that, basically apply the material to be learned to something virtually, in the game storyline. learning math seems to make the most sense here, like I said in another post about how I enjoyed learning math if it was applied to something in real life like HVAC engineering. OH, I can think of all kinds of cool games to teach math, how about a tunnel boring game, where you have to start to drill a tunnel from two directions under a city, and use Trigonometry to make the tunnels end up connecting and all the while your spending money and if they don't line up you go bankrupt but if you are successful you make a bunch of money and then charge for using the tunnel to finance your next tunnel, call it the Boring Game.

[@laurarandazzo1158]

Oh yeah, you're on to something here, Johnny. This movement is called "gamification" in my education world and there are a lot of ways we're folding in technology like this. Greg Toppo, a friend of mine who writes for USAToday, wrote a book on this a few years ago that profiles some of these projects. If folks are interested, they should check out his book, The Game Believes in You.

[@johnnyb8629]

@@laurarandazzo1158 yes, for sure. One of my daughters is going to college to learn animation and her passion is video games, like I said I hooked her on them early on. What we need is to get one of those big video game companies involved in producing games for educational purposes. I hope this happens because I hope my daughter isn't going into debt to the tune of 65k for no job prospects.

[@johnnyb8629]

what about the issues of teacher pay? I think we need to invest more if we want to fix our education problem and that means paying more for teachers, but what about tenure, and pay per performance like every other job? what are the arguments for or against abolishing tenure and paying for performance?

[@laurarandazzo1158]

So many arguments to this, Johnny, and I'd love to hear what others think, too. One of the main "pay for performance" benchmarks is usually the state testing scores that a teacher's students earn toward the end of the school year. Complicated, of course, because my goal is no longer to create a flock of excellent sheep who know how to answer a multiple-choice scantron test. But maybe that's just me...

[@johnnyb8629]

@@laurarandazzo1158 right, so unlike other jobs quantifying performance is an issue. It's doesn't seem as though using a metric is the right way to go. Personally I think those multiple choice tests don't actually measure correctly. I always feel when I take those that I am answering questions with out really knowing the material but I could score well and not even feel like they measured my understanding. So, what could be a good metric? when you finish a school year, what makes you feel like you did a good job? if all your class passes and moves on?

[@laurarandazzo1158]

@@johnnyb8629 Great question. Maybe a pass/fail rate of the class? Maybe a portfolio review of students' work? Not sure, but I know I'd like a lot more feedback throughout the year from my administration. Will think more on this...

[@AngelaWoolsey]

I couldn’t remember how I found you on KZbin,, but now I know. I purchased something from you on teacherspayteachers.com Best resource ever for homeschooling moms! have never wanted to be a teacher (in a school) but I love teaching. I registered as my own private school and it’s awesome! You have so much more say in how you teach and what you teach. I’m glad you made your last video, it’s when we speak up, that we find out we’re not alone. The world becomes smaller and our support group becomes larger.

[@laurarandazzo1158]

Ah, Angela, so glad you found me there and here! I'm dying to know more about your private school model. How many kids? Where do you meet? How do you get paid? I know this isn't a great forum for longer discussions, but any info. you want to share is so appreciated!

[@AngelaWoolsey]

@@laurarandazzo1158 I’m only homeschooling my youngest (high school) he has sensory processing disorder and is in the autism spectrum, barely! But it does have its challenges. We do interest learning. My goal is to teach the core subjects, and to teach him to find his own answers. In this world, there are so many people out there willing to share information on EVERY subject. So we take advantage of that, I found a tutor online to help with math. By biggest challenge is that when I go home and school is over he’ll call me (he lives with his dad) and tell me all about something he just read about a subject we discussed in school. We’ll have a discussion about it, but in my head, I’m thinking “dude, these are after school hours!” Lol Thank you for all you do!

[@laurarandazzo1158]

He is so lucky to have you, Angela! My work with teens on the spectrum leads me to believe that once your son finds the thing that he loves, he'll be able to focus so completely on it that he'll out-learn, out-think, out-work everyone else. Just you watch! :)

[@AngelaWoolsey]

@@laurarandazzo1158 Thank you! That’s sweet of you to say. If he could graduate with just history and art, then he would have been done with school a long time ago! Lol

[@pattiedortch8296]

Hi Laura! I love your content! I love how you think outside of the box to find solutions. Several years ago, I started a micro school in Virginia. It is a homeschool hybrid school where we can do pretty much anything we want to do. It's wonderful to have a blank canvas to paint the most beautiful school possible. Although my oldest students are only 8th grade, I have used some of your materials that have worked great with my students. I am excited to see what you will do in the future!

[@laurarandazzo1158]

I'm intrigued, Pattie. How are you funded? In my dream school scenario, I'm teaching at a place that's open to all kids in our attendance area who wish to attend and it's tuition-free. I love the idea of a micro-school, but I don't want progress to leave anyone behind. It's an access/equity issue for me. I'm thinking...thinking...thinking...

[@AngelaWoolsey]

My son and daughter-in-law live in Va and I’ve been talking to my son about how we can fix this school problem by creating “community schools” 5 families getting together to homeschool together and take turns teaching one day per week. Here in California I registered as a private school and the only real requirement that I have to be strict with his logging attendance. I’m signed on with HSLDA as an added support and protection. What is required in VA?

[@pattiedortch8296]

@@laurarandazzo1158 My school is under the ministry of a church. There are bills to pay, so we charge tuition of $300/month. Like you, my dream school would be free so money would not be an issue for anyone who wanted to attend. It is also a cooperative which means that the parents each take time in the classroom to help out with teaching and with administration jobs. I thought about creating some materials for TPT to raise revenue. I've never done that though and wouldn't know where to start.

[@pattiedortch8296]

@@AngelaWoolsey I love this idea. I have been involved in co-ops that meet once or twice a week with each family taking turns teaching. This works, but good leadership is a MUST!

[@AngelaWoolsey]

@@pattiedortch8296 I agree!

[@msb4838]

You cannot commodity education. And they keep trying. And the people who make these decisions are not teachers. Or haven't been in some time. And, so, there will continue to be burnout. And students feel it, too.

[@laurarandazzo1158]

Oh yes, our students DEFINITELY see that the emperor is not wearing any clothes.

[@CrissyAlwaysSunny]

We are in state issued guidebooks 😒

[@laurarandazzo1158]

I'm sorry. Been there.

[@mzzzzzzday]

Who cares about the state test. I never even cared. As a student, I stopped caring around 6th grade. Literally didn't matter to ANYONE.

[@fotismichael1877]

Grading is toxic and anti-learning. It creates a third party objective that's inconsistent with how people develop naturally. We know, for example, that learning is nonlinear, yet we assign grades in a linear fashion. We also know that range, speed, and type of learning vary from student to student, yet everyone is judged with the same letters or numbers and on a fixed timeline. Grading also does not account for student interest/motivation. Most teachers don't have the slightest clue what their students' potential is because kids rarely apply themselves fully. Public education is in crisis because the Internet has democratized learning. Our schools are in competition with a force that's way more palatable, interesting, and non judgmental.