TESTING WEEK 1- How the Teachers really feel.
Many of us have heard that Teachers are Stressed, that the Joy of Learning has left our schools, that our Children are experiencing heavy anxiety, even mental and physical health distress over the high stakes testing that has taken over our schools, but seldom do we see and hear the reality of that in real time. This is what teachers say to one another after a round of high stakes testing.
Below is an actual conversation from social media from Week 1 of testing. The names and photos have been stripped out to protect those for whom this was a spontaneous conversation among a community of caring friends. Otherwise the conversation is presented as it was spoken by the 30 speakers. They are from a variety of schools, a variety of locales, and a variety of states.
It shows not only the deep care the Teachers have for their students, but the ongoing relationships and mutual support colleagues, parents, former students and children are giving one another to bear up under the strain of a system driven badly awry.
Please Read, Take Pause, and Consider.
Lie
RECENT STORIES
Teacher 1 Post 
feeling angry.
feeling angry.
15 hrs ·Springvale·
I HATE this time of year. I find myself unable to focus on my family because of the SOL pressure and stress. It's not so much "my scores" as a teacher that bug me (which I do worry about). More- it's for my Seniors who are tested and restested and RETESTED in hopes they will pass enough standardized tests to graduate. And my Juniors who have been consistently told by the state that they "FAIL" and "Do Not Meet" the standard. Many of both groups have never passed an SOL and feel helpless. They fear they won't graduate. I spent a large part of my last block today talking to my students about being more than a test (which they ARE). Now, coming home, I am feeling guilty for using my class time so unwisely. Our kids deserve a better system. Sorry for my rant. We as a nation desperately need to invest in our children and fix the educational system.
Like
Angry
Comment
Share
61 xxxxxx and xxxxxx and 61 others
Comments
Teacher 2 The elementary kids are taking it too and they're stressing over it and they're just like 9-10. It’s so sad to watch them and try to make them understand as long as you do your best it’s okay
Like · Reply · 1 · 15 hrs
Teacher 1 Reply Breaks my heart.
Like · Reply · 15 hrs
Friend 3 Comment You used your time very wisely; tending to your student's mental well being. Do not feel guilty for caring. Thank you for caring.
Like · Reply · 1 · 15 hrs · Edited
Teacher 1 Reply Thanks, Friend 3. ❤❤❤
Like · Reply · 15 hrs
Teacher 4 Comment I hear ya!!! I'm living the same hell!
Like · Reply · 1 · 15 hrs
Friend 3 Reply I do not know you, but my words are for you too?
Like · Reply · 15 hrs
Teacher 1 Reply Terrible. Hang in there!
Like · Reply · 15 hrs
Teacher 5 Comment It's nothing short of child abuse and I feel complicit. On my best days I tell kids that the tests don't define them. Other days I find myself badgering them to produce. Very saddening
Like · Reply · 1 · 15 hrs
Teacher 1 Reply Completely agree. Saddening and maddening.
Like · Reply · 1 · 15 hrs
Teacher 6 Comment You are an amazing teacher. You just followed your gut today. I am sure they benefitted from that convo.
Like · Reply · 1 · 15 hrs
Teacher 1 reply Thanks. ☺
Like · Reply · 1 · 15 hrs
Teacher 1 Reply I hope so.
Teacher 7 Comment It is ridiculous! Even as a Kindergarten teacher there is stress over all of the testing! Our testing is about 2 months long, DAILY! Luckily, we don't let the kids know we are testing them, so THEY don't feel the stress, but it is terrible the amount of testing and pressure we put on these kids! Very frustrating!
Like · Reply · 15 hrs
Teacher 1 This makes me so sad. What a waste of everyone's time... At ALL levels.
Like · Reply · 1 · 15 hrs
Friend 8 Your students are blessed to have a teacher with such passion. ❤
Like · Reply · 2 · 15 hrs
Teacher 1 I'm blessed with my students. They are amazing. Luckily, I will have the Juniors I have this year in Gov't again next year. Today I pledged to help them to pass these tests and walk across the stage next year. They broke my heart.
Like · Reply · 1 · 15 hrs · Edited
Teacher 9 Comment Nicely said and true
Like · Reply · 1 · 15 hrs
Teacher 9 Comment You are an amazing teacher
Like · Reply · 15 hrs
Educator 10 Comment There is a reason why I always asked for you to be my students' case manager, and what you did today is a big one. They needed to hear it more than they needed to prep.
Like · Reply · 1 · 15 hrs
Teacher 1 Miss you at XXX Educator 10 !!! We were a great team!
Like · Reply · 1 · 14 hrs
Educator 10 I miss you guys too!!
Like · Reply · 1 · 14 hrs
Teacher 11 Comment That talk was way more valuable than yet another session of SOL prep.
Like · Reply · 1 · 15 hrs
Teacher 1 The US History test is the 25th.... We'll see!
Like · Reply · 15 hrs
Teacher 11 Reply 🍷
Like · Reply · 15 hrs
Former student 12 You are the reason i graduated. You spent extra time with me and even helped me with all my other subjects. I was very lucky to have you as my teacher or i would have been repeating 11th and 12th grade. My own counselor told me i was going to fail and not graduate, but you were the only teacher that took the time and encouraged me you were there every time i needed you and picked me up when i would be having bad days! Its teachers like you that make a difference in a kid’s life, me being one of them. I wish every teacher could be like you. Those kids will remember that talk for the rest of their lives! Now put your chin up and teach on!!!!!!!
Unlike · Reply · 9 · 15 hrs
Friend 3 Now what a testimony!
Like · Reply · 15 hrs
Teacher 1 ❤❤❤ Former Student 11 thanks for the love and for making me cry. That means a lot. Love ya!
Like · Reply · 3 · 15 hrs
Parent 13 Everything that Student 11 said is absolutely true! As her Mom I praise God for putting you in her life at a time when she was hanging on by a thread. Your involvement made all the difference, not only that she graduated, but as an adult she has become an amazing person and great Mom! I am sending prayers for you during these challenging days and weeks. You are making a difference!
Like · Reply · 14 hrs
Teacher 1 I am honored to have been a part of her history and have so enjoyed seeing the amazing person she has become as well! Thanks so much for thr support.... Please send the prayers to the kids sitting in those seats today! They need them!!! ❤❤❤
Like · Reply · 1 · 13 hrs
Parent 13 You bet!
Like · Reply · 1 · 13 hrs
Former teacher Friend 14 Kids know when you are sincere & on their side... So glad I retired when the pressure got so much more... It was there but not to the extent that it is now... I was a pilot school when those tests were being developed & didn't really count so we could use them as intended, diagnostics... The system is definitely in need of fixing! Bless u for all you do! 🙅
Like · Reply · 15 hrs
Teacher 15 My heart ached for about 6 juniors who didn't pass the reading... Not even the quick retake score... I knew that they would not be willing to work today. We sat and ate Oreos.
Like · Reply · 2 · 15 hrs
Teacher 1 I almost cried in front of them. Pretty sure it's the same kids.
Like · Reply · 1 · 15 hrs
Teacher 1 But there was an inspirational moment when the Senior in the class was called out to be told that he passed the Algebra 1 Test and was one step closer to graduation!
Like · Reply · 15 hrs
Teacher 16 COMPLETELY agree with your entire post!! It is unfair and unjust. You are clearly an outstanding HS teacher having a heart like this for your students💗 I work in an elementary school now, but was in HS, and the pressures are still there. A group of us were discussing this very subject today. I hope that now, since SOL opt outs will NOT be held against the school or teacher (as we are understanding) at our age, that more parents will jump on THAT band wagon and opt out their children. Eventually, with more and more children opting out, the testing will become an insufficient way to evaluate our education system 🙏Might be far away, but I'm hopeful that change will come. However for now, love your kids through this tortuous process. You've prepared, you've given all you can, and now you love them and be there to help them with the emotional aspect of this horrendous situation. So proud to know that loving teachers that want the VERY BEST for their kids are still roaming the halls of our public school systems!!! You and others like you are making profound differences in these kids lives!! Don't stop!!!💞
Like · Reply · 15 hrs
Teacher 1 Thanks so much Teacher 15 I need to learn more about opt outs! I am hopeful for change too!!!
Like · Reply · 14 hrs
Friend 17 Teacher 1 you are a very special teacher. I watched you grow from an TA to an amazing, creative and caring teacher. The time you took with the students was just what they needed. Hopefully they will pass the tests. It is a difficult time of year. I thank you and all teachers! ❤️
Like · Reply · 3 · 14 hrs
Teacher 1 Now more tears! Thanks for the pep talk! I just want the best for these kids. ❤❤❤
Like · Reply · 14 hrs
Friend 17 Teacher 1 They are lucky. They have one of the best!! ❤️
Like · Reply · 1 · 14 hrs
Write a reply...
Former Teacher 18 Amen. Keep speaking self esteem to your students. It might be the only positive influence they will hear.
Unlike · Reply · 3 · 14 hrs
Teacher 19-Dear Teacher 1, I love you. You are a first-class teacher serving your students in such profound ways. They will forever be thankful for your efforts and care. Rest well tonight ~~ may the angels be with you. heart emoticon
Unlike · Reply · 2 · 14 hrs
Teacher 1 Thanks Teacher 18!
Teacher 20 Preach! I literally cried multiple times today because of this. They see themselves as loser, but I know just how amazing they are.
Unlike · Reply · 3 · 14 hrs
Teacher 1 Yes. So many of them are overcoming or have overcome so much so far in their lives. They are FAR from being losers!
Like · Reply · 1 · 14 hrs
Parent 21 Thank you. As a parent, your post makes me sad and hopeful all at the same time. I'm hopeful that because of teachers like you, these kids know they're worthy and that together we can change this system.
Unlike · Reply · 4 · 14 hrs · Edited
Teacher 1 Yes! We MUST change the system!
Like · Reply · 14 hrs
Teacher 22 VGLA them all.
Like · Reply · 14 hrs
Parent 23 What Parent 20 said is TRUE! Some people just do not care.
Like · Reply · 14 hrs
Teacher 1 That makes me so sad!
Like · Reply · 13 hrs
Teacher 24 – Comfort emoticon- I’m with you.
Like · Reply · 13 hrs
Teacher 1 ❤ I know you know.
Unlike · Reply · 1 · 13 hrs
Teacher 24 My heart is with you and our beloved XXX students. Hard to believe policymakers are still forcing this. My goal once retired is going to be to break the back of this G*dd#mn testing machine.
Like · Reply · 1 · 13 hrs
Teacher 25 You are and always will be a great teacher. The passionate ones always suffer more because they care more
Unlike · Reply · 1 · 13 hrs
Teacher 1
Like · Reply · 1 · 13 hrs
Parent 26 XXXXXX is in 5th and the pressure is unbelievable!! As a parent we have not spent too much time focusing on it but just doing the daily work and reviewing! We don't want to stress him out because we feel he gets enough if that at school! We pump him up We don't want to stress him out because we feel he gets enough if that at school! We pump him up with support, get him bed early and make a kick a$$ breakfast! We just hope and pray he's ready! I can imagine at your level and as a teacher how you all are under the pressure for scores and passing! Prayers and hugs to you!!! You are doing a great job!!!
Like · Reply · 14 hrs
Teacher 1 You are doing all the right things. He is so lucky to have supportive parents! Good luck in this testing season and thanks for the kind words and support!!!
Like · Reply · 13 hrs
Parent 27 WOW, what a gift you gave your students today ❤️. I have a 23yr old that had a near mental breakdown every May with SOL's, AP's, and other school commitments. To this day, she continues to have an emotionally hard time in the month of May! As a parent of a kindergartner and 1st grader, I am well aware of the option to 'OPT OUT' of the elementary SOL's (and I believe middle school too?). If either of my two start to stress out, we WILL OPT OUT! Not worth the emotional trauma.
Unlike · Reply · 2 · 13 hrs
Teacher 24 XXX - If you are considering call XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX she is the go to person for Opt Out.
Like · Reply · 13 hrs
Friend 28 It certainly is a sad state of affairs - sure would be nice to see the county align teaching practice with their beliefs. Until then hang in there, you make a huge difference to your students! 💗
Like · Reply · 1 · 13 hrs
Former Student 29 Aghghgh, virtual HUG! I WISH I had more teachers like you! So many things in life will fail these kids, knowing that there is someone who teaches them that they are worth something more than any number on a test or paycheck or evaluation or rank - that is invaluable!
Like · Reply · 1 · 12 hrs
Former Student 30 Hugs to all involved but leave it to my favorite teacher to stand up for the students. I know XXXX had to take one at least 6 times because she hated the subject and she had a horrible teacher one year. The stress was crazy.
Like · Reply · 6 hrs
No comments:
Post a Comment