[etni] Re: HOTS
- From: Maxine Cwagrach <maxinetz@xxxxxxx>
- To: drh16@xxxxxxxxxxx, etni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Wed, 29 Feb 2012 07:05:44 +0200
Dear David,
OK, so let me get this: If someone objects to the program like you, s/he is
being honest, but if she believes in the program, enjoys teaching it to
his/her pupils and says this openly, s/he is a "ministry stooge?"
Maxine Tsvaigrach
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From: etni-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:etni-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf
Of David R. Herz
Sent: Monday, February 27, 2012 6:53 PM
To: etni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [etni] HOTS
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Why is this so hard to get? HOTS is apparently liked by many teachers.
That makes it good . . . for them. However, when successful, veteran
teachers of literature find that HOTS is taking the joy out of teaching, and
making demands on them that limit their ability to continue or to continue
to teach as effectively to the number of students they taught before, it is
bad, not only for them, but for the whole system.
The notion that teachers may be reading too much into the HOTS requirements
is of no comfort either. These are English teachers, a truly rare and
special breed. They make the extra effort out of their commitment to their
students because they would feel awful if their students felt they missed
something because they did not give their all. (I am certain this is not
true of all English teachers, but of those who tend to share here, I have no
doubt).
If Rachelle Borenstein feels that she can not teach to as many students as
she did before, that is a loss that no amount of HOTS apologetics will make
up for. If Leah Harris can not provide the enrichment that so worked for
her and her students, we all lose. I think her special units provide a
perspective to her students that HOTS can never match. If HOTS has stolen
the joy of Esther Revivo, who provides strength and stability to so many
students in a troubled area, our inspectorate should be ashamed and worried.
Is it so hard to think that teachers will be most effective when they teach
according to what they believe? If the Ministry wants teachers to do
something else, show them the value and provide the support and teachers
will do it on their own. If instead, the ministry's stooges shrug off the
concerns of these teachers who are brave enough to say something (how many
others are there who suffer silently?), they should not be surprised when
they are left with fewer and fewer truly inspired teachers to do their
bidding.
I remember a few years ago when Mitzi Geffen was promoting her production of
plays as a means to have students achieve and feel a sense of
accomplishment. I don't know if she is still doing this or not - although I
would think it a shame she were not - but I ask her to imagine what results
she would expect if the ministry forced every English teacher to direct a
play. They might go through the motions, but few would be able to replicate
the results that Ms. Geffen has.
Moreover, I expect the head of our organization to take a more balanced
view. Rather than come across as a mouthpiece for the ministry, she might
consider that it is her role to represent to it all of the aspects of this
program. I know we are not a union and that is not her job, but in this
role neither should she be seen as the Ministry's cheerleader.
David R. Herz
drh16@xxxxxxxxxxx
drherz69@xxxxxxxxx
davidrherz@xxxxxxxxx
Skype: drherz
972-52-579-1859
1-203-517-0518
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