RJa #15b : Reflection on what I learned.

In all honestly, this class was a suprise to me in many
aspects. At first, I was thrown off with the technological
aspect involved with the class. The last english course that
I took involved more writing than data entry (I do know
that it was in another decade, and a decade does make a
difference), so I had to adjust, and fast. I am happy to
say that the adjustment was successful, and doing the
weekly journal entries helped out in the process.

The big suprise in taking this class was in discovering
that this course is a blueprint for writing during my
entire college career. In all of the courses I have taken,
this is the one that will have a positive impact that will last
for the rest of my academic career and beyond. It also gives
the writing skills that are needed in every college course
taken, and needed in the work sector.

RJA # 15a: Word Cloud

Here is the link to my "Wordle" page : title="Wordle: Teachers reassigned to poorer school. Don't forget why one becomes a teacher."> src="http://www.wordle.net/thumb/wrdl/1422766/Teachers_reassigned_to_poorer_school._Don%27t_forget_why_one_becomes_a_teacher."
alt="Wordle: Teachers reassigned to poorer school. Don't forget why one becomes a teacher."
style="padding:4px;border:1px solid #ddd">

RJA #14 : Annotated Bibliography, Part 2

Here are some additional sources for the
annotated bibliographies :

Bransford, John D. Donovan, M. "How Students Learn" : History, Mathematics,
and Science in the Clasroom. Washington, D.C. The National Academic Press,
2005.

This is the second in a series (the previous being, "How People Learn") of
guides on the teaching process. The word "guide" is used because this
book is written as an instruction manual for teaching. It list a number of
concepts that will assist the prospective teacher in aiding his or her
students for maximum learning potential. A clear cut choice as a
necessity for this research paper. It list the properties of a solid instructor
as well as giving an insight into the look into what a teacher is required
to do. Thus giving a look into the teacher's side of their job.


Farber, Barry A. "Crisis in Education" ; Stress and Burnout in the American
Teacher. San Fransisco & Oxford. Jossey-Bass Publishers. 1991.

A book was needed that would deal strictly on the stressors of being a
teacher, and the troubles that their job entails. This is indeed that
book. The author, Barry A. Farber, uses his experience in teaching
and in psychology in writing this book in an easily readable flow.
Farber also uses examples from several schools with different
socio-economical backgrounds, to present a broader view. To go
a step further into the reasons behind teahcer burnout, he includes
a historical look back into the decades to illustrate what has lead up
to current events involving stress in teaching. This book even
list factors to stress that are associated with relocation and
teaching in urban schools. Both are factors in the main
research paper.


Holt, John. "The Underachieving School" New York, Toronto, London
Tel Aviv. Pitman Publishing Corporation. 1969.

The author was indeed a critic of the education system in this
country, and at some points in this book he is harsh. This is a
very straight forward and un-sugar coated look on the factors
that cause some schools to not achieve. The writing is clearly
very one sided and at some points, argumentitive. However,
Holt does make use of his time on the stage and points out
various problems with schools that the general public would
not even consider. The onyl drawback about the book is its
age. Being published in 1969, it is obviously dated. There are
references to African-Americans as "colored" as well as
other references that are not exactly "PC".


Palmer, Jim. "Accountability Through Student Tracking" ; A
Review of the Literature. Washington, D.C. The American
Association of Community and Junior Colleges. 1990.

This is a straight forward book on tracking high school
graduate admissions into the junior college system.
Even though the research project is on primarly K-12
schools, this book had a purpose fo it. It categorizes
different groups and certain percentages on who
graduates high school and goes on to attend college.
The most helpful resource in this book was how it list
admissions based on gender and race as well as what
district he or she is coming from.


Wagner, Robert B. "Accountability in Education" ; A
Philosophical Inquiry. New York. London. Routledge,
Chapman and Hall. 1989.

Wagner takes a view on why teachers are help
accountable for how their students perform, and
how a teacher's attitude can play a huge role in
the big picture. The book does state that the
teacher should not be held on total accountablility
(with the parents playing an equal if not bigger role),
but it does list the administrative reasons for
accountability. It also touches on the moral of the
instructor and how important it is to keep at a
high level without distractions. Once again, a
short book by most standards (at 143 pages),
but written in effective form. However, the book
could have benefited from more visual aids.


Meyer, Jeremy P. (2009, August 16). "Teacher placement
can add to disparities ; Forced assignments, mostly to low
income DPS schools, can lead to no one being happy". The
Denver Post, A-01. Retrieved October 20, 2009, from
http://www.denverpost.com/archives.

This is the article that started my idead for my argumentitive
paper. It discusses the current dilemma in the Denver Public
School system (and many others out of state). The forced
reassignment of teachers to poorer schools, and the
resentment in the teching community. This ill will is in
danger of spreading to students, many whom are already
facing socio-economical and family issues outside of the
classroom.

Slide Share Info.

Here is the link to my slideshare :

http://www.slideshare.net/wallybug

Extra Credit Assignment #3 : Create a Squidoo Lense

I have created a Squidoo lense for my research project.
Here is the link to my Squidoo :

http://www.squidoo.com/forcedteacherreassignments

Extra Credit Assignment #2 : Create a Twine Account

I have created a twine account for help with
my research. Here are the posted link(s) :

http://www.twine.com/user/wallybug

Extra Credit Assignment #1 : Zakta Guide

I have posted my Zakta guide on the first page
of my blog.

Here are the links :

www.zakta.com/wallyworld

www.zakta.com/guides.php

RJA #13b : Annotated Bibliography , Part 1

Here are the annotated bibliographies showing
four different text used for my research paper :

Fibkins, William L. "Students In Trouble" Schools Can Help Before Failure.
Lanham, Maryland. The Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group,
Inc. 2005

This a suprisingly short book (182 pages and four chapters), but it was
insightful on the troubles that many students face in their everyday lives
outside of school. Even though this book does not deal directly with a
teacher's forced reassignment, it does mention the factor on how
inconsistencies at home can contribute to a student's outcome in
school and how a constant shuffling of staff in a poorer school can
have a negative effect on the student as well. The author includes an
incredible number of references for a "short" book on a large subject.
A straight forward approach is taken, and it is written in a way that is
easy to understand. The personal opinion's of the author was present.


Flood, James. Anders, Patricia L. "Literacy Development of Students in
Urban Schools" Research and Policy. Newark, Delaware. Inter-
national Reading Association. 2005

While the previous text was opinion based and shorter, this selection
was longer and is based on direct policies needed for student learning in
urban and poorer schools (which is what my research paper is focused on).
This was more of an official guide to teaching in urban facilities, and i am
sure that it may be required reading in many districts. The editors are
respectively from cities that have a large amount of urban schools
(San Diego, CA and Tuscon, AZ) which adds to the books legitimacy.
It is a no-nonsense approach on the obstacles teachers face in urban
schools, and how the teacher's attitude toward their assignment is key
on their student's future success, or failures.


Weil, Danny. "School Vouchers and Privatization". A Referance handbook.
Santa Barbara, Ca. ABC-CLIO, Inc. 2002

The current issue of school vouchers I felt had be included in my
research, because it did play a role on teacher reassignments. The book
is informative like all of the others in my research, but it did offer a very
important chronological table in the progress and background of the voucher
system. The book is written in a neutral format, which presents arguments
and supportive statements on the subject. I felt that I needed to include more
than one side of the issue, to support and even challenge my arguement. The
book states that less than par instructors are moved from a privatized schools
and are sent to poorer shcools, thus making the education of the poor more of
a challenge for them.


Wooster, Martin Morse. "Angry Classrooms, Vacant Minds". What's Happened to Our
High Schools? San Fransisco, CA. Pacific Research Institute for Public Policy.
1994.

Here is a book that was short in size, but gave me a side of the argument from
the teacher's side in various issues, including forcd reassignments, which is what is what
I needed for my research. It states the obstacles faced by teachers and what they are
lacking in to help their students succeed. It does give a history for the last fifty years
on what causes teachers to be disgruntled and what has been done to pacify them.
Even though the book was written in the 1990's, most of what it interprets does stand
in this decade as well so it is not too dated.

RJA #13a : Field Research Report

I was able to interview former and current teachers
in different school districts in two different states.
Here is one of the questions I asked all of them and
their response to my question :

Question :"Do you feel that if a teacher was reassigned
to a poorer school was it based on their
individual performance or the needs of
their school district?"

Answer #1 : "Their was definite prejudice on who got
moved. Not based on their gender or race
of course, but how administration saw
their performance."

Answer #2 : "It seemed that the one's who didn't cut the
mustard with their jobs, got moved."

RJA #12c : Introduction Check

I have posted comments regarding the introduction's
on Katelyn's site as well as Elizabeth's site. Both
of the intro's were strong

RJA #12b : Presentation Plan

Here is an overview of what my presentation will
include. This may be updated, but should be
final by week's end :

1. Main idea along with argument.
2. Reasons for argument.
3. Disclaimer on what I argee with.
4. Any visual aids.
5. Brief history of subject.
6. Effects.
7. Interview results.
8. How to solve and aid issue.

RJa #12a : Progress Report

I have completed my outline for my research paper,
and I have a stable idea on how to complete the first
half by the beginning of next week. I have an argument, and
the support for that argument as well. I should have
the final draft ready by the first week of December.

I still need to complete my interviews of three
former teachers to include in my research, as
well as any visual aids needed. I also need to
revise my outline to be more argumentitive.
The new outline will be ready by the end of
this week.

RJS #11c : Thesis Statement Check.

I posted opinions on two of my fellow classmates
blogs regarding their thesis statements, and any
constructive opinions as well.

Here are the two sites :

http://kebenglish.blogspot.com/
http://michelle-eng122.blogspot.com/

RJA 11b : Visual Aids

Here are five choices of visual aids that I could, and
probably use on my research paper.

1) Powerpoint : This is very popular to use for any
kind of presentation, and it is a good
way to simplify a presentation.
2) Books Used for Research Paper : Actually showing
a copy of whatever text is used in the
assignment can legitimatize any
research results.
3) Copies of Reports : Specifically, statistics from any
organization (such as a school district
projection sheet). Of course, these must
be approved to be used by whatever
entitiy involved.
4) Media Clips : Whether it is via audio or video, using
clips from documentaries and maybe
even movies can help keep the audience
interested in whatever presentation and
help the instructor understand the subject
of the paper and the author's viewpoint.
5) Websites or blogs used in research.

RJA #11a : Introduction

When an individual decides to become a teacher (no matter
what level of school they are going to teach), they are making
an "unofficial" committment to their future students as well
as themselves. One part of that committment is helping out
where their help may be needed the most. That help may be
needed more in poorer urban schools, where students are
challenged more on a daily basis due to socio-economic and
family issues. Many teachers are "forced" to teach at these
schools due to a forced reassignment from their districts, and
many complaints have surfaced from the teachers being moved.
It must be clarified that there is nothing wrong with wanting to
have a preference in where one wants to teach. That notion is
valid and is by all means warranted. However, if one choses to
become a teacher they should be prepared to contribute their
talents wherever needed the most. This paper will go over the
many key points in this situation. First, the importance of
accepting whatever reassignment is given to them and being
contempt in helping those students and schools that need it
the most, and why some are chosen for reassignment. Next,
the negative factors that come along with being an uncontempt
teacher in a new environment and the their effects on the
teacher, staff and students. The next point will be on how to
help these instructors perform better for the students ; some
factors can be fair or over monetary compensation or other
means to help the teachers work at full capacity.

RJA #10b : Argument

Here is my argument for my research topic :

"A teacher is a role model for the individual. They
have a direct as well as a indirect impact on how
a person will function in society for the rest of
their lives. For one to want to become a teacher,
they must make the oath to want to be involved
in human development, and the key word is
"want". They are making a very important
committment. Thus, when making such a
oath to themselves they should teach where
ever they are needed the most. Sure, there is
by no means nothing wrong with wanting to
teach in whatever district they want to try to
teach in, but sometimes they are most needed
in schools that are poorer. Since there are a
large number of teachers being reassigned to
districts they may not want to be in, they may
not be teaching at their full capacity and may
be disgruntled which may have a negative
impact on the students and staff. However, if
a teacher that is reassigned is fairly and maybe
even over compensated for their forced re-
assignments, they are more likely to perform
better and maintain a positive attitude about
the move and work harder in districts where
the students are faced with problems at, and
away from school. In other words, they will
live up to their personal committment of
wanting to teach.

RJA #10a : Thesis Statement

Here is the thesis statement for my research paper
on forced teacher reassignments :

"Teachers should be contempt with forced reassignments
to poorer schools or wherever their talents are needed
the most, if they are provided with adequate or even
generous compensation for their forced moves; thus
giving the teachers involved the incentive to perform
their best in their new school environments."

My research question for this was :
"Why are teachers unhappy with forced reassignments to
poorer schools?"


My claims, reasons and blueprints is :
"If a person decides to become a teacher, he or she should
accept the responsibility of teaching (if necessary) where
they can make a positive difference, no matter what
school is in their district and no matter if it is a "poor"
or a "rich" school. To make a teacher involved in a forced
reassignment perform at his or her best, they must be
fairly if not over compensated. Some people do perform
better at their work if they are compensated for it.

RJA #9 : Evaluation of Sources

This entry will list the resources used for my research paper. They
include books (fact based as well as opinion oriented), periodicals
and articles as well as web site links. Also included are my reviews.

Here are my resources :
Articles :
www.article.latimes.com/1991-09/me-2427_1_additional-teacher
www.mackinac.org/articleaspx?ID=10659
www.findarticles.com/p/articles.mi_qn4208/is/ai_n10188383

Websites :
http://www.teachersforjustice.org/
http://www.blog.readings-z.com/


Books :
"School choice ; Why you need it, how to get it".
Author : David Harmer, 1962-
Publisher : Cato Institute
Date : 1994

Reviews :

The writers of all of the articles do have extensive educational
backgrounds, with the minimum degree possessed is a Master's.
They also have worked in whatever districts they are research-
ing and writing about, which helps in backing up their findings.
The articles were all straight forward and easy to follow. I in-
cluded some recent and not so recent articles to mirror the subject
I am researching. The websites I researched also shared the
same validity with solid educational and employment backgrounds.
The main websites researched were informative as well, but the
main critique I have on the websites is an obvious one. They are
all one-sided. That is indeed no revelation, and it is why the sites
were created ; to get a point across to its readers and to reveal
points of view. The book I am using has some strong factors. It's
author has extensive education, and it was published by an
educational institute. That is important because it is a fact based
research book, and the reputation of the school can be tied in
with what is printed in the book.

RJA #8c : Multimedia.

I was very suprised in using www.blinkx.com for
any media on forced teaching reassignments to
poorer schools. I was able to find a video link to
a documentary about teaching in a high school
in Compton, Ca from 2008.

Research Tool Used : www.blinkx.com
Keyword(s) Used : Forced teaching reassignments,
teaching in poor schools.
Search Strategies Used : None, media came right
up w/o any operators.
Date of Search : 10-19-2009.
Number of Hits : 23
Relevance of Hits : 3

RJA #8b : Social Media.

I have chosen two media sites to find out more
information on my research topic. Those sites are :

http://www.technorati.com/
http://www.collecti.com/

Keywords Used : teacher reassignment, forced reassignment
Search Stragtegies : Boolean operators.
Date of Search : 10-19-2009
Number of Hits : 4 (http://www.technorati.com/)
7 (http://www.collecti.com/)
Relevance of Hits : 1 for each site.

RJA #8a : Websites.

I have researched http://www.infomine.ucr.edu/ in order to
research my topic of forced teacher reassignments. Here
are the results :

Keywords : teacher reassignment, forced reassignment.
Search strategies used : Boolean operators.
Date of Search : 10-19-2009
Number of Hits : 35

RJA #7c : Field Research Plan.

On my subject of teacher reassignment to poorer schools,
I plan to interview current as well as past teachers. I know
many former teachers on a personal basis and I feel that they
will let me use their names for this topic. I will attempt to
interview current instructors as well, but I feel they will
want me to keep their names (as well as their respected
districts) confidential as well. I will ask them the following
questions;

What is their stance on forced reassignments?

Have they themselves been reassigned in such a manner?

Why did they leave the teaching profession & was it based
on a new career move or internal politics?

RJA #7b : Internet Research Tool Test.

I have chosen to use http://www.msn.com/ for this test.

Resources searched : English 122
Keywords used : ENG 122
Search strategies used : eng 122, eng 1020, english122rrcc
via boolean operators.
Date of search : 10-21-2009
Number of hits : 20
Relevance of hits : 3

RJA #7a : Internet Research Tools.

When I orginally started my research, I knew that I would
have to use multiple search engines to find out the facts that
I needed. Honestly, I was used to using one ; but I knew I
had to expand on my engines sooner or later. I have had great
success with the typical web searches and have been able to
find out what I needed. But, I have also used several search
sites via newpaper web searches as well. I plan to use the site
www.infomine.ucr.edu more to research educational issues. Here
are some of the sites I will be using :

http://www.msn.com/
http://www.yahoo.com/
http://www.newyorktimes.com/
http://www.denverpost.com/
http://www.latimes.com/

All search sites I have used have been great for needed inform-
ation. The main difference between the more public used
domains such as msn.com and the news sites is that the news
sites are sometimes one sided with the delivery of the news as
well as research information.

RJA #6c : Protopage.

Here is the link to my protopage :

www.protopage.com/wallyworld

RJA #6b : Search Strings.

I wanted to rewrite (based on suggestions from my classmates) some of my search strings, but I have not received any comments from anyone yet. I will revise any strings needed by suggestion when any comments are left on my site.

RJA #6a : Periodical Articles.

Here is a periodical that focuses on the possible reassignment of teachers to Denver's poorest schools based on individual performance.

Author : Jeremy P. Meyer
Main Title :"Musical Chairs for Bad Teachers"
Title of Periodical :"Reassignment of teachers to Denver's poorest schools"'.
Date : August 18, 2009
Page : B-11

RJA #5c : String Search Check.

The following people are also doing their research topic involving education as well, so most of their string searches were the same as mine and they were all easy & worked well.


Elizabeth's search strings were simple and very useful. Since my topic is also on education, I have used some of the same ones as well.

http://ella123-elizabeth.blogspot.com

Michells's searches were pretty straight forward and all easy to use as well. Great search words.

http://michelle-eng122.blogspot.com

RJA #5b : Books.

Here is one of the books that will be used as a reference for my research paper :
Author : David Harmer, 1962-
Title : "School Choice ; Why you need it, how to get it".
Place of Publishcation : Washington.
Name of Publisher : Cato Institute.
Date of Publication : 1994.

RJA #5a : Reference Articles.

Here are two articles that will be used for my research paper on teacher reassignments.

Author : Jeremy P. Meyer
Title : Forced assignments, mostly to low-income DPS schools.
Reference Work : Teacher placement can add to disparities.
Place of Publication : Denver, CO.
Name of Publisher : The Denver Post.
Date of Publication : August 16, 2009.
Page Number(s) or word amount : 1,145 words.
Website : http://www.denverpost.com/

RJA #4c : Research Question Check.

I have posted responses to two of my classmates blog sites on their choices of research topics. The first site was by Tiffany on potential gender classification on services based on the transgender population. The second was by Michelle on how important is early childhood education? Both topics and both questions were "dead on" on what their intents are. They were clear cut, yet with still unlimited potential on what can be researched. Good job on both.

RJA #4b : Search Strings.

Using Boolean operators, here are a few ways to research my topic and find out what references are available :

1) AND/ + : teachers AND reassignment
2) OR : teachers OR educators
3) ADJ : forced reassignment ADJ teachers
4) NOT : teachers NOT professors

RJA #4a : Keywords.

This entry will list several keywords associated with the title of my research project. The general title (not finalized) is the forced reassignment of teachers to needy schools.

1) Teachers : instructor, educator, mentor, coach,
2) Forced & Reassigned : pushed, moved, coerced.
3) Schools : institution, house, facility, university, college, grounds.

RJA #3c :Developing Research Question

Main Research Question :

Should teachers that are being forced from their current assignments in stable and sound schools to teach in inner city and needy schools protest them or be content to teach where help is needed the most?

I actually have several questions for research on the teachers move arguement. I will narrow it down to why are the teachers being "forced" from their schools to teach at lower income schools unhappy with these moves. To reinforce their opinions, I will incorporate several questions for my research and some of them are as followed :

1)How are these teachers being compensated?
2)Who amongst the teachers gets relocated & is it based on a heirarchy system?
3)Why does it seem that a large number of teachers being moved may not be in favor with their current districts?
4)What are any benefits to students and faculty with these moves?

RJA #3b : Narrowing Research Topic

It was discovered about only five minutes into my research that I need to broaden my research topic. I tried to picture it being in a narrow format, but if I am going to create a successful arguement the longer approach must be taken. The expansion of my topic will include the fact that these teachers should be compensated for these moves and have their records and their careers benefit with these moves. Even though these people should be committed teachers and teach wherever they are needed based on ideals of wanting to teach, the personal affect it may have on their lives should be considered by their superiors. These factors seemed to me at first to automatically side with the teachers (which is contradictory to my arguement), but my position will still stand as previously posted.

RJA #3a : Exloring Research Topic

My topic for research is of course the current negative reactions of many teachers being moved from their current assignments to help teach in the urban area schools. This situation has not been received well by many teachers, and I am proposing to defend the moves as being a part of their job, which is to teach and sometimes to teach where it is needed the most. In further looking into this headline, I realized that I need more data to defend my position, as well as add more questions to the equation. My information is currently from newpaper sources and editorials, and will come from interviews as well as web research (Technorati, Squidoo, etc).

RJA #2c="Delicious" Account.

Here is my account for "Delicious". It is wallysworld 122 @ www. delicious.com.

RJA #2b-Research Topic

As discussed in RJA #2, I chose for my research topic a current and uncomfortable subject with teachers in our area. Many teachers are being "forced" to move to teach in inner city schools as well as schools in lower income areas. Many teachers are upset about being instructed to teach at these schools, and have cited their concerns with the state. I chose this topic because, from what I have researched do far, many teachers are being moved from many "cush" districts to districts where there are far more issues (socio-economic issues, class size, etc), but those factors should not matter. When a person decides to teach, they should teach where they are needed (lower income school students may be in more of need with the obstacles they face).

Since I am studying to be a teacher, this story did strike a small nerve inside me. I do know the arguments and concerns by the teachers being moved around districts and will use their point of view on this situation in my report to be fair and not too judgemental. Being a product of the Southern California school system, I plan to use my personal experiences and research with that school system in my report. Since moves of this nature happen frequently in So-Cal, I will try to use some facts from that state to reinforce my argument.


There is still a great deal I need to learn about the moves happening to the teachers. I will interview teachers (current and former) that I already know to find out further points of view as well as obtain what I do not know from paper trails (newpapers, district reports, etc). I will get opinions as well as facts on this issue.

RJA Assignment #2

A potential topic for my research paper is a topic based on a recent hot topic in the teaching world in Colorado, as published in the Denver Post about three weeks ago. The topic is regarding the practice of teachers being "forced" to teach in schools in lower income neighborhoods by their districts. Many teachers are upset by this because they feel it may hinder their skills, and that they are not being able to teach in districts of their choice. To preview my argument on the subject, my view is that when someone makes the decision to be a teacher it should not matter where they are told to teach. What matters is that they should teach. Children are in need of enrichment, and even more so in area's of lower income and poverty. When an individual decides to become a teacher, they should be ready to commit and teach wherever they are needed. Some of these teachers are cited as being unhappy with going to these needy schools, and they are being pulled from schools that are shown as "cush" and lacking the problems plaguing these lower income schools and their jobs may be "easier" To summarize, when a person commits to be a teacher they should be honored to attribute their talents where needed.

RJA #1 : Areas of Academic Interest

RJA #1 : Areas of Academic Interest.

When I was asked to reveal my basis for my writing and research on my assignments for the class, I thought it would be an easy answer. Well, it was not. I have many factors that are the foundation for me this semester. Most are what I learned in the college setting, and the MANY courses I have taken in all subjects. But alot of my basis is from instructions and self taught tactics in the outside world. Raising children was a huge factor. In frequent helping of homework, and volunteer time in their schools, I am given a constant review of what I know and learned through the years, which keeps my knowledge in check. Also, my many years in the work force kept writing skills up as well. I am not one to be influenced by current issues in my writings, but of long term issues and subjects and no popular culture.

But, in the end, I have a constant wanting to learn and it excites me to be enrolled in the college. The fact that I want to be a teacher will itself help my
research methods and critical thinking.

english 122