Standard Procedure

I had a long discussion with my Instructional Coach last Tuesday. It was one of those philosophical, deep-seated talks in which the aim of one or both of us is to enlighten the other. Needless to say, it was a doozy.

Earlier in the day, we'd had a faculty meeting in which we reviewed the data on MAP scores. The coach had a chart prepared that compared Ralph Chandler's test scores to those of Greenville County and the U.S.A. The data revealed that RCMS was behind the other two, and that 8th grade registered a notable decline from 6th and 7th grades.

The coach postulated that our focus needed to be on improving those test scores. The only way to do that, theoretically, was to make certain our class lessons integrated the state standards as much as possible. This would ensure our students learned the vocabulary of the standards through rote and recitation, which would translate into increased familiarity with the MAP and PASS in spring. The best ways to do this were to make sure our daily standards were outlined on the board or someplace noticeable in the classroom, as well as making our kids learn them, using the wording for every opportunity we have.

I raised the following question(s).

"How much of that decline is a result of teaching and learning becoming increasingly standardized as students get older? Once they get to 8th grade, the SAT is practically knocking on the door, and they have others such as ITBS and EOCEP to look forward to. As a result, the older students get, the more they sit in on lessons that hammer the standards into them like pistons. But if it is so vitally important to raise students' test scores, then shouldn't it be as a result of holistic, performance-based instruction and not an isolated, standardized take on the process as tests like MAP advocate?"

The coach looked flustered. He said outright that he had no idea what I was talking about. I suppose that was better than trying to, pardon my French, B.S. a response. I asked if I could explain. He then awkwardly tried to move on to another point in his talk. My questions hung in the air like pet odor. Unanswered.

My stance on standardized tests is no secret. I think it's a crippling measure when we make it the sole determining factor of how our students learn in the classroom. It sends the message that unless we spend 165 days of the year preparing them for a 1-2 week period of tests, we are shortchanging them an education.

In fact, it's the other way around. Hammering the standards into our kids serves to drain the lifeblood out of the class. It takes all the focus away from the creative, free-flowing, and natural process of learning - which I re-emphasize every day in my English Workshop - and puts it on memory. Absorption of facts and data have a place in the classroom - I'm not saying they don't - but they shouldn't take center stage.

Frankly, I resent the fact that I must give up a sizable portion of my whiteboard to write a new set of standards each day. Word for word. It isn't enough that we have to write the numbered indicators. Now we have to include the words themselves?

So my coach and I had a one-on-one meeting in my room toward the end of the day. He first apologized for, in his view, cutting me off in the faculty meeting. Which was certainly decent of him, but I didn't mind that so much. In retrospect, I probably should have waited until my fellow colleagues had departed before raising my issue. I knew that they were in no mood to hear it, and the only thing it accomplished was to make the meeting longer than it had to be.

His clarifying comments, however, made clear to me which side his bread was buttered on, though. It's not necessarily the best education, but it's what we've got, were his own words, and to oppose it is unpractical and a waste of time.

I told him the research doesn't support that way of thinking. Even brought up names like Weaver, Daniels, and Thomas. It was clear that he hadn't read up on the subject because he couldn't refute any of my arguments, and he didn't offer up any data of his own to back up his points. I had no real trouble disagreeing with him and felt comfortable in doing so. Not only because I had the facts on my side, but because I see what works in my class. Where it counts.

So I had my first philosophical argument on the job. Things are still unresolved. He did come to visit my class two days later and had mostly good things to say about my teaching. I'll keep you posted.

One Heartbeat: All In

Wow.

What a week it has been.

Who could have imagined we’d be at halftime in season ten of the Tommy Bowden era, and now suddenly, it’s the Dabo Swinney era?

Who could have imagined our team captain and senior QB would be riding the pine in the most dishonorable fashion possible, in advance of our most important ACC game, only to commit an act equally as dishonorable days later that seems to justify his demotion?

Who could have imagined a season so full of promise would collapse like dominoes, only to seemingly resurrect itself in a span of 40 minutes?

Who could have imagined James Davis in tears, not shed in the thrill of victory, but over the loss of Bowden, his father figure?

Who could have imagined we’d lose to Maryland and Wake Forest, in the most apathetic manner possible, only to be brimming with hope facing a revamped Georgia Tech squad knocking on the door of the Top 25?

Not me, certainly.

So much has changed this week that quite frankly, it’s hard for me to absorb it all. And it is no question, we’ll be feeling the aftershocks for some time to come.

All I know is, 2008 is suddenly alive again with hope and energy.

Monday morning, Coach Dabo clocked into work as our wide receivers coach, intent on spending his day dissecting the Yellow Jackets’ blitz package. Monday evening, he was suited in dress clothes, facing a beehive of buzzing reporters, as the interim head coach of the Clemson Tigers.

His 40 minute press conference re-energized me. I came away very impressed with what Dabo had to say, and suddenly, I am looking forward to Saturday in the House of Howard again. Something I have not felt since the Alabama debacle.

Let me start by saying a few words about Tommy Bowden. I know, I know, he’s the past, Dabo’s the future (for now), and we should drop him like a bad habit. But I think we owe it to the man to acknowledge the good things he’s done for our school. I think it would be grossly unfair and inaccurate to characterize him purely for what he failed to accomplish.

I thank Tommy for restoring credibility to the Clemson program. That goes beyond what we did on the gridiron. He ran the program with class, integrity, and honor. He played by the rules. He didn’t take shortcuts to success, and he represented Clemson with the air of dignity. The NCAA never had a reason to eyeball the Tigers in his ten years at the helm.

I thank Tommy for his commitment to quality education. On his watch, the team’s GPA rose steadily when it had been in the pits prior. Players were held accountable for missing classes, summer and fall. On his watch, Clemson graduates landed good jobs and steady income beyond simply playing football. And those playing in the NFL are better for their time under Tommy because he also taught them how to be successful in the game of life.

I thank Tommy for the thrilling victories during his time. I’ll never forget our 33-14 win against Virginia, his first win as our head coach, when the team finally began to gel. I’ll never forget the 86,000 strong packed into Death Valley for Bowden Bowl I. Granted, we didn’t prevail that night, but we did eventually slay our personal Goliath in Florida State.

I’ll never forget the heart-stopping 44-41 victory against Georgia Tech in which Woody Dantzler called his own number and punched in the winning touchdown. I’ll never forget the “Finish of ’03,” which included 63-17 over South Carolina and 27-14 in the Peach Bowl over a Tennessee team that thumbed its nose at us.

I’ll never forget the capstone to a four-game winning streak in 2004 in which we came back to beat Miami in the Orange Bowl. I’ll never forget the rally spearheaded by Gaines Adams to defeat Wake Forest 27-17 in Groves Stadium. Or ESPN College GameDay watching James Davis and C.J. Spiller run all over Georgia Tech to the tune of 31-7.

It’s true; we never quite got over the hump under Coach Bowden. As Terry Don Phillips said, there comes a time when competition outweighs all the other good things that you have accomplished. We didn’t beat enough of the competition. We never brought home the ACC title even though we had plenty of chances. I’m not looking past that.

But we’d be foolish to assume Dabo Swinney is inheriting a barren cupboard or a lacking program. We have talent. We have facilities. We have stability, ethics, and class. Many of which were achieved on Tommy’s watch. And he deserves credit for that if nothing else.

So thank you, Tommy, for representing Clemson University well in your tenure. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

The same goes for Rob Spence. Both of them are strong, dedicated, and well-respected men, and I have every confidence that they will land on their feet, whether it’s coaching elsewhere or something else. Their days are not over post-Clemson. They will be fine.

Once again, thank you, Tommy Bowden. For everything.

And now we move to the Dabo Swinney era of Clemson football.

It may only last seven weeks. It may last longer. But what an era it promises to be.

I listened to all 40 minutes of Dabo’s first presser Tuesday night. And I could feel a grin spread across my face as he spoke. The man was crackling with confidence and energy.

Let’s not forget – early in the morning, he was still prepared to coach our wide receivers. He had very little time to process the termination of his boss, coupled with his promotion to interim boss, and added to that, he had to fire a friend and co-worker in Spence. Add it all up and you could forgive a little weariness, a sense of feeling overwhelmed.

But I saw none of that in Dabo’s face. He was fired up, energized, and ready to take the reins.

What got me most was how upfront and genuine Dabo came across. I heard little-to-none of the typical “coach-speak” we usually get at these things. He exuded a sense of trust. A feeling of authority that belied his 38 years and lack of head coaching experience. I knew he could do the job if he had to, but he blew even me away with how polished he was. It wasn’t phony or forced either. He was up-front, but ambitious. Confident, but not cocky.

That’s a very, very tough balance to achieve and requires a certain comfort level in being yourself. And I do know what I’m talking about; being a teacher and having taken some public-speaking classes in college, it’s not an easy thing to project confidence while not sounding arrogant. You want to sound like you know what you’re doing, but at the same time not come across as aloof or towering to the effect that you alienate your audiences.

Considering all he had to go through on Monday, Dabo did a fantastic job on that front.

Now it’s way too early to hitch our wagons to Dabo’s star, and I won’t do that quite yet. We haven’t seen the man coach a game. He talks a great game, but can he back it up and steer us back on the right track? I don’t know.

I love what I’ve heard so far from practice camp. From the sound of it, the man is doing all the little things right. Unifying the fans. Shifting the team’s attitude in a positive direction. Dabo may not survive past December, but he is determined to make his mark while he’s here. I love his leadership. We need it.

It’s too early to say whether Clemson can rebound and save 2008. We’ve been humbled and knocked down several pegs. It will take time for the aftershocks of the past week to settle.

Plus, we are battling injuries. The offensive line is still a walking M.A.S.H. unit. C.J. Spiller is out for Saturday. Tyler Grisham may be as well. We have yet to see Willy Korn take meaningful snaps in a game that matters. Will he be up to the task?

It is unrealistic to expect the offense to shift course in the span of four days and go back to good-ol’ smash-mouth football. Philosophies don’t change overnight. The best we can expect is a few new wrinkles here and there. That’s usually all an interim coach has time to teach on short notice.

I don’t expect the downfield pass to open up because Korn lines up under center. Or the gaps to suddenly appear for James Davis or Jamie Harper. Or for Korn to single-handedly save us with his feet. This is still the same team that got ripped apart by Alabama, strategically outplayed by Maryland, and clobbered up front by Wake.

Execution and focus will be the keys on Saturday as the Fighting Tigers try to re-awaken their “fight” against Georgia Tech and Ellis Johnson’s option attack. I’m not even going to post my usual score prediction because I honestly have no idea what to expect. And for some reason, that doesn’t bother me one bit. But I’m excited. Totally, freakin’ excited.

So be safe, enjoy the game, and cheer your lungs out! GO TIGERS!!!

Hitting My Stride

I've grown disheartened with the way that Clemson football has shaped up this year. It is looking to be one of those "it will only get worse before it gets better" scenarios right now. So I thought I'd take a much-needed break from football and post an update on how life in general is going for me:

Work

I'm into my second year of teaching. I've transferred to Ralph Chandler Middle, a new school on Fork Shoals Road, where I teach sixth grade English. The difference between this year and the last is like comparing a burning coal to a feather duster. My feet don't feel nearly as much in the fire as they did a year ago.

Part of the reason is the conclusion of my teaching internship. That means I no longer get weekly visits from Dr. Thomas or Klase Gillespie, my district mentor.

Another, more obvious, reason is the close of my tenure as a floater. I have my own classroom at last. I think when I first unlocked the door to my room, I did a little dance. Right there on my own tile. None of my co-workers were watching, of course.

I had (and still have) so many ideas that I wanted to use for my room. Many of them have been realized already. I've put in Reading and Writing Centers. I have devoted one section of my wall to showcasing my students' work, which I'll probably need to expand. I have a Promethean Board, and I'm still learning how to use all the gadgets and trinkets associated with it. I've decorated with lots of posters from SchoolSpot and I'm actually pretty pleased with the visual appeal of the room. It looks like a site in which learning can take place.

A third reason is the students. I'm already in love with the sixth grade and would teach it again next year in a second. Nothing against my seventh and eighth grades from last year. I had some great kids in that crowd. But I'm loving my current fold.

It's hard to believe we're already through most of the first quarter. This year is moving at a much faster pace. I'm actually finding myself forgetting to count down the days (which I did at the end of every day last year. It helped keep me sane).


Wedding/Anna Kate

Anna Kate and I celebrated our third anniversary as a couple last week (not the date of our engagement...that's in two months). We're continuing to make steady progress on the wedding. We've lined up the church and reception site. It's a pretty bed-and-breakfast called Harward House; we plan to have it outside under a tent with a band and catered meal provided by Elegant Gourmet.

Anna Kate has both her dress (which I can't see, natch) and bridesmaid dresses lined up already. We've picked out a few musical selections for the ceremony and reception as well as settled on a honeymoon locale. Hawaii was considered for awhile, but cost and airfare etc. kind of put the kibosh on that idea. We're thinking of Aruba in the lower Caribbean near South America now.

We're in the midst of revising the guest list. At least we each have a list now.

Anna's birthday was last month; I convinced her to let me treat her to The Melting Pot on Haywood Road. It's a different sort of restaurant in that you have to cook your food and you have more of an expanded menu. But it's great. The cheese fondue is especially tasty. We had a wonderful time.

For our anniversary I got the idea to try something different in our gifts, and that was to do homemade gifts rather than going out and spending money. She made a memory jar with a glass pumpkin and wrote over a hundred little memories we'd made over the years. It's one of the best presents I've ever received, and I pull at least one out every day because it makes me smile, laugh, tear up and think of her. I put together a digital scrapbook on a DVD and recorded memories from at least ten locations that were special to us for different reasons (first meeting, first date, movie, football game, funny memory, etc.). Thanks to my wonderful sister, Susannah, for being camera girl and giving up most of her weekend to travel all over Greenville, Simpsonville & Clemson with me and shoot video. It was fun putting it all together and she loved it.

I guess that's about it for right now. I'll try to post more updates later. Whoever you are, I hope you're having a blessed day. :)