Monday, January 19, 2004
Personas (2):
-----------
Students:
Maria Mendez, 15
Maria is an all-around "good kid." She respects her mom, looks out for her little brother, doesn't get into trouble at school, and has enough self-confidence to do what she wants rather than just what everyone else does. Academically, she's not at the very top of her class, but she's not at the bottom, either. In class, she also tends to be reserved and doesn't make much of an effort to ask or answer questions. Teachers feel she's not engaged, but because she's not a "problem child" and because they have too many of those to deal with already, they don't make a significant effort to draw Maria out. Maria is much more quiet in class than she is outside of class mostly because she doesn't feel that she's very smart. As she's grown older, classes have become harder and she doesn't know how to deal with that. She gets mostly Bs and As on report cards, but sometimes she's gotten C's, expecially in math. She hates math. She just doesn't see why she needs to learn it. She knows how to add and subtract, which is the useful stuff when she goes to stores and things, but why does she need to learn all this other stuff? Maria knows her mom wants her to go to college, but Maria doesn't know about that. She's probably not smart enough to go to college. And also, how will her mother pay for college? It's better to just let Miguel go to college so there's enough money for one of them at least and besides he's a boy. It's more important that he go to college.
Anna Flack, 7
Anna doesn't know much, but she knows that science class is gross. One time, these zoo people brought in these snakes and all the kids went to touch it, but Anna didn't want to because it was so gross. Anna is a great reader, though. She's read the most books in her class and she can write short-stories and poems. She just doesn't like science. Math is hard too and much more boring than reading. Her parents have bought her extra math and science b0oks and all these videos and CD-ROMS to help Anna with science, but she just doesn't like them and has given up trying to work her way through them when her parents aren't watching. They're so picky! What does it matter if she's one number off in her sums? Anna is getting frustrated with her parents insistence that she do better in math and science, especially since she's just not interested in those areas. If someone could show her that math and science were fun and exciting, maybe Anna would become more engaged in those subjects.
-----------
Students:
Maria Mendez, 15
Maria is an all-around "good kid." She respects her mom, looks out for her little brother, doesn't get into trouble at school, and has enough self-confidence to do what she wants rather than just what everyone else does. Academically, she's not at the very top of her class, but she's not at the bottom, either. In class, she also tends to be reserved and doesn't make much of an effort to ask or answer questions. Teachers feel she's not engaged, but because she's not a "problem child" and because they have too many of those to deal with already, they don't make a significant effort to draw Maria out. Maria is much more quiet in class than she is outside of class mostly because she doesn't feel that she's very smart. As she's grown older, classes have become harder and she doesn't know how to deal with that. She gets mostly Bs and As on report cards, but sometimes she's gotten C's, expecially in math. She hates math. She just doesn't see why she needs to learn it. She knows how to add and subtract, which is the useful stuff when she goes to stores and things, but why does she need to learn all this other stuff? Maria knows her mom wants her to go to college, but Maria doesn't know about that. She's probably not smart enough to go to college. And also, how will her mother pay for college? It's better to just let Miguel go to college so there's enough money for one of them at least and besides he's a boy. It's more important that he go to college.
Anna Flack, 7
Anna doesn't know much, but she knows that science class is gross. One time, these zoo people brought in these snakes and all the kids went to touch it, but Anna didn't want to because it was so gross. Anna is a great reader, though. She's read the most books in her class and she can write short-stories and poems. She just doesn't like science. Math is hard too and much more boring than reading. Her parents have bought her extra math and science b0oks and all these videos and CD-ROMS to help Anna with science, but she just doesn't like them and has given up trying to work her way through them when her parents aren't watching. They're so picky! What does it matter if she's one number off in her sums? Anna is getting frustrated with her parents insistence that she do better in math and science, especially since she's just not interested in those areas. If someone could show her that math and science were fun and exciting, maybe Anna would become more engaged in those subjects.
Personas:
---------------------------
Parents:
Eva Mendez, 35
Eva is a single-mother in San Francisco with two children: 15-year old Maria and 13-year old Miguel. Eva works during the day as an office assistant and at night attends school to study for a Business degree so that she can move up in her career. She regrets not studying past high school and does not want her children to make the same mistake. She has emphasized the importance of getting a good education to them but she's not sure she has made her point. Since she's busy all day, she also worries about the absence of adult role models for her children. Her children are generally well-behaved -- although Miguel sometimes falls into the wrong crowd. However, she's not sure how to encourage them to succeed in school. Maria seems to think that it is not cool to be at the top of her class and although she used to do well in elementary school, her grades have fallen. Maria also seems to think that girls aren't expected to do Math well, and since Eva's math skills herself are limited -- though she's improving them with her studies -- there's not much she can do to change Maria's mind. Miguel is naturally inclined towards the sciences -- he has a job at a mechanic's in town -- but he is starting to feel the same way as Maria in that it's not cool to do very well at school. Besides, both children know that it will be difficult for their mother to send them to college.
Molly and Bret Flack, 33 and 34
Molly and Bret are working parents in a middle/upper-middle class suburb. They have one daughter, Anna, who is 7 years old and in the 2nd grade at the public Norfolk Elementary. Molly works as a paralegal and Bret is a lawyer in another firm. Both parents went to college and have degrees in History. They want Anna to get a good education because they believe that she should be able to support herself in life. They've already begun saving for college. Molly sits down with Anna every day and goes over her homework with her to make sure its done. Bret is busier with work, so he usually leaves this up to Molly. The toys they've given Anna are mostly dolls and tea-sets and "girl" type toys because Anna's shown no inclination for sports or anything like that. They don't understand why Anna doesn't like Math and Science at school -- although neither of them really ever did. She thinks its dirty and boring. She'd rather read storybooks than do math problems. The Flacks are trying to think of a way to encourage Anna to do well in Math and Science; she does well in all of her other subjects. They have considered tutoring, but the school doesn't provide tutors. They've also considered after-school places like Sylvan Learning Center or Score, but aren't sure those are right for Anna.
---------------------------
Parents:
Eva Mendez, 35
Eva is a single-mother in San Francisco with two children: 15-year old Maria and 13-year old Miguel. Eva works during the day as an office assistant and at night attends school to study for a Business degree so that she can move up in her career. She regrets not studying past high school and does not want her children to make the same mistake. She has emphasized the importance of getting a good education to them but she's not sure she has made her point. Since she's busy all day, she also worries about the absence of adult role models for her children. Her children are generally well-behaved -- although Miguel sometimes falls into the wrong crowd. However, she's not sure how to encourage them to succeed in school. Maria seems to think that it is not cool to be at the top of her class and although she used to do well in elementary school, her grades have fallen. Maria also seems to think that girls aren't expected to do Math well, and since Eva's math skills herself are limited -- though she's improving them with her studies -- there's not much she can do to change Maria's mind. Miguel is naturally inclined towards the sciences -- he has a job at a mechanic's in town -- but he is starting to feel the same way as Maria in that it's not cool to do very well at school. Besides, both children know that it will be difficult for their mother to send them to college.
Molly and Bret Flack, 33 and 34
Molly and Bret are working parents in a middle/upper-middle class suburb. They have one daughter, Anna, who is 7 years old and in the 2nd grade at the public Norfolk Elementary. Molly works as a paralegal and Bret is a lawyer in another firm. Both parents went to college and have degrees in History. They want Anna to get a good education because they believe that she should be able to support herself in life. They've already begun saving for college. Molly sits down with Anna every day and goes over her homework with her to make sure its done. Bret is busier with work, so he usually leaves this up to Molly. The toys they've given Anna are mostly dolls and tea-sets and "girl" type toys because Anna's shown no inclination for sports or anything like that. They don't understand why Anna doesn't like Math and Science at school -- although neither of them really ever did. She thinks its dirty and boring. She'd rather read storybooks than do math problems. The Flacks are trying to think of a way to encourage Anna to do well in Math and Science; she does well in all of her other subjects. They have considered tutoring, but the school doesn't provide tutors. They've also considered after-school places like Sylvan Learning Center or Score, but aren't sure those are right for Anna.
Monday, January 12, 2004
Here are notes from the session! Rockin'
http://wh/copycam/firstfloor?album=openCurrent&image=1
Let's get personas and a first draft done by the beginning of next week. We should allow a lot of time to get feedback from profs since they're busy people.
Roma, do parents and kids persona development for the portal idea.
Em, do school teacher.
Lilly will do retiree.
Donielle will do school administrator.
Based on the persona we can make sure our plan accounts for key questions.
http://wh/copycam/firstfloor?album=openCurrent&image=1
Let's get personas and a first draft done by the beginning of next week. We should allow a lot of time to get feedback from profs since they're busy people.
Roma, do parents and kids persona development for the portal idea.
Em, do school teacher.
Lilly will do retiree.
Donielle will do school administrator.
Based on the persona we can make sure our plan accounts for key questions.
Wednesday, January 07, 2004
some thoughts:
this is stuff we've already said implicitly, but I understand/organize better when I write things down. So bear with me. (additions invited...)
I. General Research to do/ppl to talk with:
1. organizations like Teach for Amer, THe New Teacher Project
2. the retired veterans program, or others
3. school districts/teachers
4. retired persons --> try and find places where we'd have access to retired professionals who'd be interested. where can we find our "target market?"
II. From research we make a business model, and then iterate with feedback, additional research, etc
Now, I was trying to think of people I could contact to ask. I don't know if these people are appropriate or whatever, but I'll throw them out there for y'all to have your say
1. since i'm the only one who went to hs locally, it would be ideal if i could contact someone at my hs. then, there is the fact that i hated my hs. but maybe they won't remember that. i know one of the teachers i actually liked is in touch with some people through email, i can try and find out about him.
2. there's a PhD student in the technology learning program at the school of ed here named Angela Booker whom i worked with at plugged in. an awesome woman, it's been a couple of years since i was in touch with her, but she might have an interesting perspective if i can track her down.
3. my friend melanie's hs teacher that she still is in touch with works at the epa charter school, i think. i don't know if she'd be willing to give contact info? i'm sure she would... i think this is one of the schools where there may be a genuine need for more teachers, so it would be good to take advantage of the fact we're so close
this is stuff we've already said implicitly, but I understand/organize better when I write things down. So bear with me. (additions invited...)
I. General Research to do/ppl to talk with:
1. organizations like Teach for Amer, THe New Teacher Project
2. the retired veterans program, or others
3. school districts/teachers
4. retired persons --> try and find places where we'd have access to retired professionals who'd be interested. where can we find our "target market?"
II. From research we make a business model, and then iterate with feedback, additional research, etc
Now, I was trying to think of people I could contact to ask. I don't know if these people are appropriate or whatever, but I'll throw them out there for y'all to have your say
1. since i'm the only one who went to hs locally, it would be ideal if i could contact someone at my hs. then, there is the fact that i hated my hs. but maybe they won't remember that. i know one of the teachers i actually liked is in touch with some people through email, i can try and find out about him.
2. there's a PhD student in the technology learning program at the school of ed here named Angela Booker whom i worked with at plugged in. an awesome woman, it's been a couple of years since i was in touch with her, but she might have an interesting perspective if i can track her down.
3. my friend melanie's hs teacher that she still is in touch with works at the epa charter school, i think. i don't know if she'd be willing to give contact info? i'm sure she would... i think this is one of the schools where there may be a genuine need for more teachers, so it would be good to take advantage of the fact we're so close
Saturday, December 27, 2003
I talked to my high school english teacher today and introduced our idea to him. I didn't have anything concrete so it was hard to get real feedback (since there is so much we haven't decided) but his feedback definitely validated the existence of a desire for a lot of people later in life to do some teaching (but unable to because they can't afford a career switch, making retirees ideal) and the existence of a need for math/sci teachers (duh :) ).
He also reinforced the issue of classroom management being really difficult for teachers who have transitioned in from industry. He said that there is a school, possibly Cal State Dominguez Hills, that has a program for industry engineer types to transition them to teaching in an accelerated fashion. His impression was that those folks have a hard time with the transition.
He told me about three teachers he thought would be really into talking to me (Mr Graeber, Mr Bevins, and Duke and STEP grad whose name I cannot recall). The first two used to be in industry and switched to teaching. He's gonna send along their info soon.
He also encouraged me to send along our biz plan when me make it.
Other things? I called up my high school counselor -- now an associate principle -- but it's the holidays so she's obviously not there. I'll let you know if I hear back.
I'm coming back to Palo Alto Jan. 2nd. We definitely need to meet up in person and put some stakes in the ground so we have a specific program document to start getting feedback on.
He also reinforced the issue of classroom management being really difficult for teachers who have transitioned in from industry. He said that there is a school, possibly Cal State Dominguez Hills, that has a program for industry engineer types to transition them to teaching in an accelerated fashion. His impression was that those folks have a hard time with the transition.
He told me about three teachers he thought would be really into talking to me (Mr Graeber, Mr Bevins, and Duke and STEP grad whose name I cannot recall). The first two used to be in industry and switched to teaching. He's gonna send along their info soon.
He also encouraged me to send along our biz plan when me make it.
Other things? I called up my high school counselor -- now an associate principle -- but it's the holidays so she's obviously not there. I'll let you know if I hear back.
I'm coming back to Palo Alto Jan. 2nd. We definitely need to meet up in person and put some stakes in the ground so we have a specific program document to start getting feedback on.
Tuesday, December 23, 2003
a rant by andy rooney along these lines at http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2001/06/15/60minutes/rooney/main296839.shtml
"Second, end the teacher shortage. I'm talking shortage of both numbers and quality. Every one of us has had two or three great teachers. We've had dozens of teachers who were pretty good, and we've had two or three who were so bad they should have been fired. I'll bet good teachers would agree that there are a lot of bad teachers, too.
Now, here's my idea for getting more good teachers. There are 35 million people in the United States over 65 years old, and 90 percent of them used to work and don't any more. They're retired. They're finding different ways to waste the hours of the day until it's time to go to bed.
How did the idea of retirement ever get so popular? People ask if I'm going to retire. I am not going to retire, and I've never understood why anyone with all his marbles would. I may not have all of them; I still have most of my marbles.
One argument is that old people ought to retire to make room for young people. Dumb. It suggests there's a limited amount of work to be done in the world. There's an unlimited amount of work to be done. We'll never finish it.
It's ridiculous for a smart, successful, educated person to be playing games all day when we need good teachers. They have social insecurity.
There are something like 2.5 million teachers in this country. We should fire 10 percent of them, give the other 90 percent a big raise and hire a million retired people to add to their numbers.
A person 65 years old might teach for 15 or 20 years. They'd have something to offer young students that the students can't get from anyone else, because there are things you can only know by having lived a long time. "
"Second, end the teacher shortage. I'm talking shortage of both numbers and quality. Every one of us has had two or three great teachers. We've had dozens of teachers who were pretty good, and we've had two or three who were so bad they should have been fired. I'll bet good teachers would agree that there are a lot of bad teachers, too.
Now, here's my idea for getting more good teachers. There are 35 million people in the United States over 65 years old, and 90 percent of them used to work and don't any more. They're retired. They're finding different ways to waste the hours of the day until it's time to go to bed.
How did the idea of retirement ever get so popular? People ask if I'm going to retire. I am not going to retire, and I've never understood why anyone with all his marbles would. I may not have all of them; I still have most of my marbles.
One argument is that old people ought to retire to make room for young people. Dumb. It suggests there's a limited amount of work to be done in the world. There's an unlimited amount of work to be done. We'll never finish it.
It's ridiculous for a smart, successful, educated person to be playing games all day when we need good teachers. They have social insecurity.
There are something like 2.5 million teachers in this country. We should fire 10 percent of them, give the other 90 percent a big raise and hire a million retired people to add to their numbers.
A person 65 years old might teach for 15 or 20 years. They'd have something to offer young students that the students can't get from anyone else, because there are things you can only know by having lived a long time. "
Some links to stuff regarding retired military teaching program:
http://www.swt.edu/cpm/hobbyscorner/ret_mil.html (old - 1991, but good overview as well as compensation ideas --> e.g. giving better retirement options)
http://www.proudtoserveagain.com/pages/808014/index.htm outlines the Troops to Teachers Program
what i think it's saying is that they pay the veterans regular salary plus possibly
- Stipends of up to $5K are available to reimburse costs associated with becoming certified to teach. Recipients of these stipends must agree to teach for three years in a school located in a "high-need" district.
-Bonuses of $10K are available to those who agree to teach for three years in a school that serves a high percentage of students from low-income families.
Does anyone have contacts in school districts?
http://www.swt.edu/cpm/hobbyscorner/ret_mil.html (old - 1991, but good overview as well as compensation ideas --> e.g. giving better retirement options)
http://www.proudtoserveagain.com/pages/808014/index.htm outlines the Troops to Teachers Program
what i think it's saying is that they pay the veterans regular salary plus possibly
- Stipends of up to $5K are available to reimburse costs associated with becoming certified to teach. Recipients of these stipends must agree to teach for three years in a school located in a "high-need" district.
-Bonuses of $10K are available to those who agree to teach for three years in a school that serves a high percentage of students from low-income families.
Does anyone have contacts in school districts?
Phew. All the e-mails posted. Now for new content. :) This is so Scott-ish.
Donielle, that article is great. Some points that it makes that could be
relevant in our situation:
-Science, mathematics, special education, and other teachers with rare
skills could be employed by independent organizations, which would be
manpower vendors, providing teachers on a contract basis. P. 12
-there's also a discussion of how benefit limitations encourage senior
teachers to retire in their mid-50s and more flexible benefit plans for
them p.12-13
-this is maybe minutely related, if we were to just discuss how to
improve science and math courses, but there is also the mention of
complete courses that are sold, like online and stuff. That's pretty
neat. P 13
- Roma
relevant in our situation:
-Science, mathematics, special education, and other teachers with rare
skills could be employed by independent organizations, which would be
manpower vendors, providing teachers on a contract basis. P. 12
-there's also a discussion of how benefit limitations encourage senior
teachers to retire in their mid-50s and more flexible benefit plans for
them p.12-13
-this is maybe minutely related, if we were to just discuss how to
improve science and math courses, but there is also the mention of
complete courses that are sold, like online and stuff. That's pretty
neat. P 13
- Roma
The numbers are definitely important in order to paint a clear picture
of what is possible. If you are targeting people in their mid 50's, I
think you'll have a lot more flexibility in terms of mobility, knowledge
set and tolerance for bratty kids :-)
- Pedram
of what is possible. If you are targeting people in their mid 50's, I
think you'll have a lot more flexibility in terms of mobility, knowledge
set and tolerance for bratty kids :-)
- Pedram
Definitely important things to think about. But there are also people like
my dad - mechanical engineer, successful career, ready to retire and play
golf but craves activity - and my uncle, chemical engineer, facing early
retirement because company is shrinking - who are totally physically
capable. They're only in their mid-50s. If we could even get those types of
folks in the classroom *first*, and then extend the reach to accomodating
those with less-ideal constitutions, we could probably have a big impact .I
need to actually research the numbers.
The energy level is definitely something. I'd actually thought high school
would require less chasing around than the younger grades, but we totally
need to research that. I really have no idea. :)
Key: there is LOTS of research to do to understand the needs of schools and
the mindsets and needs of retirees.
Thanks for the brain dump! I've cc:ed a list of socially entrepreneurial
mayfield fellows. We've been discussing this on our list. You can join the
list if you want. MFPers, this is my friend Pedram, MS CS 03, currently at
Microsoft research in HCI, possibly at Stanford again next year.
~lilly
my dad - mechanical engineer, successful career, ready to retire and play
golf but craves activity - and my uncle, chemical engineer, facing early
retirement because company is shrinking - who are totally physically
capable. They're only in their mid-50s. If we could even get those types of
folks in the classroom *first*, and then extend the reach to accomodating
those with less-ideal constitutions, we could probably have a big impact .I
need to actually research the numbers.
The energy level is definitely something. I'd actually thought high school
would require less chasing around than the younger grades, but we totally
need to research that. I really have no idea. :)
Key: there is LOTS of research to do to understand the needs of schools and
the mindsets and needs of retirees.
Thanks for the brain dump! I've cc:ed a list of socially entrepreneurial
mayfield fellows. We've been discussing this on our list. You can join the
list if you want. MFPers, this is my friend Pedram, MS CS 03, currently at
Microsoft research in HCI, possibly at Stanford again next year.
~lilly
Where can we get numbers on like
numbers of retirees a year, their ages, etc? AARP? A lot of really
active senior citizens would like this, I think.
----
We'll definitely need to look up those stats.
Is there a way to address the number of retirees who don't speak
English? Like could they teach in their own language? Math might be a
difficulty there, though. I bet a lot of them -- especially women --
would like to teach language/culture classes within their community. But
don't know about math.
------
Well, for me, the driving goal of this is to get people who know things
filling desperately needed teaching positions in schools, with the emphasis
on serving the students. So my initial vision was to focus on getting
retirees like my dad -- engineers who know math and science but are done
with the day to days of work or face forced early retirement (ChemE uncle)
-- in front of students. And then if that works, you could worry about
reaching out to other retirees whose skill sets are not as obviously applied
(other language, knowledge of subject area for which there isn't demand).
Select your beachhead and conquer the vertical. Huzzah!
~lilly
numbers of retirees a year, their ages, etc? AARP? A lot of really
active senior citizens would like this, I think.
----
We'll definitely need to look up those stats.
Is there a way to address the number of retirees who don't speak
English? Like could they teach in their own language? Math might be a
difficulty there, though. I bet a lot of them -- especially women --
would like to teach language/culture classes within their community. But
don't know about math.
------
Well, for me, the driving goal of this is to get people who know things
filling desperately needed teaching positions in schools, with the emphasis
on serving the students. So my initial vision was to focus on getting
retirees like my dad -- engineers who know math and science but are done
with the day to days of work or face forced early retirement (ChemE uncle)
-- in front of students. And then if that works, you could worry about
reaching out to other retirees whose skill sets are not as obviously applied
(other language, knowledge of subject area for which there isn't demand).
Select your beachhead and conquer the vertical. Huzzah!
~lilly
Lilly,
That is a great idea, I think it could totally work but here are a few things to think about. A large portion of the elderly population (65-older) have some form of physical ailments coupled with varying degrees of memory loss. While math is a subject that I love and wish everyone else loved also, it may place a very high strain on the mental facilities of a large portion of the people you’re targeting. Maybe think about they kind of impact they could have at a younger level (grade school or kindergarten) where the math requirements aren’t as taxing and the students are less rebellious. Another option is to look at different subjects that they might be better suited for (i.e. History or English)
Ok, that is my half-baked brain dumpJ
Pedram
That is a great idea, I think it could totally work but here are a few things to think about. A large portion of the elderly population (65-older) have some form of physical ailments coupled with varying degrees of memory loss. While math is a subject that I love and wish everyone else loved also, it may place a very high strain on the mental facilities of a large portion of the people you’re targeting. Maybe think about they kind of impact they could have at a younger level (grade school or kindergarten) where the math requirements aren’t as taxing and the students are less rebellious. Another option is to look at different subjects that they might be better suited for (i.e. History or English)
Ok, that is my half-baked brain dumpJ
Pedram
Yay!!! This dialogue is great. Really interesting idea Lilly. Sorry i hadnt posted yet, I acutally have a presentation on education policy this afternoon. Anyways, I attached two REALLY intersting articles on how entrepreneurship can help education and an idea paper that i am submitting to for my social entrepreneurship lecture series. I definitley like the idea of retirees as teachers, I just think we need to think about some of the training issues, etc that programs like Teach For America get criticized for. I think that throwing older adults into the classroom without preparation is just as bad an idea as 23 year olds, especially given youth culture today....
Donielle
Donielle
Hi all. This is a centralized place where we can discuss our e-ship venture.
Saturday, December 06, 2003
I guess I was just thinking that maybe retirees wouldn't need the money
and that money could go to something else? But, then again if our
purpose is to help in the provision of qualified teachers, that's not
really relevant. I do like the idea of hiring them as full time teachers
because a lot of retirees or people forced into early retirement
complain that no one will hire them. Where can we get numbers on like
numbers of retirees a year, their ages, etc? AARP? A lot of really
active senior citizens would like this, I think.
Is there a way to address the number of retirees who don't speak
English? Like could they teach in their own language? Math might be a
difficulty there, though. I bet a lot of them -- especially women --
would like to teach language/culture classes within their community. But
don't know about math.
I agree we should sit and brainstorm sometime.
- Roma
and that money could go to something else? But, then again if our
purpose is to help in the provision of qualified teachers, that's not
really relevant. I do like the idea of hiring them as full time teachers
because a lot of retirees or people forced into early retirement
complain that no one will hire them. Where can we get numbers on like
numbers of retirees a year, their ages, etc? AARP? A lot of really
active senior citizens would like this, I think.
Is there a way to address the number of retirees who don't speak
English? Like could they teach in their own language? Math might be a
difficulty there, though. I bet a lot of them -- especially women --
would like to teach language/culture classes within their community. But
don't know about math.
I agree we should sit and brainstorm sometime.
- Roma
Friday, December 05, 2003
one thought: i don't know if retired folks would do this because of some
monetary benefit. so then there's the question of compensation because i
don't think there would be enough motivation to do this if there wasn't
any. maybe just a small stipend? that's obviously more than social
security? or some sort of credit for medicare or something? problem with
that is it involves government, and that's never fun. ok, just thinking on
email.
Yeah, in anything that resembled a full- or part-time commitment, I would imagine they would be paid salaries commensurate with an entry teacher or whatever they have for teachers with experience already. We might just be the facilitation and support for those entering that system, but I wasn't thinking we'd replace any part of the public school hiring system. Perhaps help them improve it a bit?
I think it's possible that they might be willing to do much smaller commitments without pay though -- tutoring once a week or something.
there's also the question of making sure the elderly are "fit" to teach.
and i don't mean that in a disrespectful way at all. i'm just thinking
that whenever we had a semi-old teacher in high school, everyone would get
a kick out of calling him/her senile. so i feel like any program
incorporating retired folks into teaching would meet with a lot of
scrutiny. how is that adressed?
I'm just thinking of a physics teacher I had in high school named mr mcgeehee. He's retired now. I don't know how old he was when he was my teacher, but he sure looked at least 65. He was a grizzled sparkplug.
But your point is valuable because that was AP Physics. The rude students I met in high school were in the regular track classes. (Obviously not all of those students were rude. :) )
- lilly
monetary benefit. so then there's the question of compensation because i
don't think there would be enough motivation to do this if there wasn't
any. maybe just a small stipend? that's obviously more than social
security? or some sort of credit for medicare or something? problem with
that is it involves government, and that's never fun. ok, just thinking on
email.
Yeah, in anything that resembled a full- or part-time commitment, I would imagine they would be paid salaries commensurate with an entry teacher or whatever they have for teachers with experience already. We might just be the facilitation and support for those entering that system, but I wasn't thinking we'd replace any part of the public school hiring system. Perhaps help them improve it a bit?
I think it's possible that they might be willing to do much smaller commitments without pay though -- tutoring once a week or something.
there's also the question of making sure the elderly are "fit" to teach.
and i don't mean that in a disrespectful way at all. i'm just thinking
that whenever we had a semi-old teacher in high school, everyone would get
a kick out of calling him/her senile. so i feel like any program
incorporating retired folks into teaching would meet with a lot of
scrutiny. how is that adressed?
I'm just thinking of a physics teacher I had in high school named mr mcgeehee. He's retired now. I don't know how old he was when he was my teacher, but he sure looked at least 65. He was a grizzled sparkplug.
But your point is valuable because that was AP Physics. The rude students I met in high school were in the regular track classes. (Obviously not all of those students were rude. :) )
- lilly
