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CAT Tracks for August 10, 2012
STUCK IN THE MIDDLE WITH YOU |
While driving to Paducah yesterday for a "doctor's appointment", I heard an old song (which is what happens when you relegate yourself to "60s on 6" or "70s on 7" courtesy of SiriusXM satellite radio.)
The song was "Stuck in the Middle With You" by Stealers Wheel. Wikipedia states that the group was aiming at a parody of Bob Dylan's distinctive lyrical style and paranoia.
Well, since I am an "old" Bob Dylan fan, I feel qualified in saying that they pulled it off since I mistook the song for Dylan when it first started. (Of course, since my "doctor's appointment" was at Miracle Ear, maybe that was a contributing factor!)
Anyway...
The catch phrase:
Oughta be the theme song for teachers in this current era of "education reform"...
...as liberal Democrats and conservative Republicans vie for the gold medal in teacher-bashing.
Case in point...
Came across two prime examples this morning in my quest for CAT Tracks news items:
Since I cling to the concept of seniority (despite age-old Republican efforts to eliminate it), I will grant the "conservative right" the honor of going first:
From the Huffington Post...
This is so wrong...
...pitting students against teachers in the classroom.
Plus...
I hope they have a mechanism for rapidly settling objections to homework assignments and test questions. When the teacher/school is taken to court by the student's parents (and trust me on this...they will, since that's the whole point of this exercise), don't expect a decision during the current grading period...during the current school year!
Not to be denied a voice...
...along comes Luke Reynolds, a classic example of the "bleeding heart liberal".
Sparing the rod is not enough for Luke's conscience, he wants to get rid of all punishment, for fear that frustrated little Johnny will grown up to be a monster...
From Education Week...
Commentary: The Problem With Punishing Emotions
And here you are...
...a teacher facing a new school year.
Stuck in the middle!
The good news...
Despite the wishes of the rest of the State of Illinois, Cairo has not yet been ceded to Missouri (or Kentucky.)
The bad news...
The clowns of the Obama and Quinn Administrations more than make up for it.
Sigh...
CAT Tracks Editor's Note:
As for "me" being stuck in the middle with YOU...
I can't help myself!
Thirty-nine years in the teaching trenches, twenty years as CAT president...
...my heart is still there.
I sympathize, I empathize...I share your pain!
Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right
Here I am, stuck in the middle with you
