Recently I was surfing the web, when I stumbled upon the following web page:
http://www.walmartfacts.com/Media/128233846380112526.pdf
It contained a list of names that included my name. I couldn't believe what the list was for - it was the Walmart Teacher of the Year recipients from 2007 and I was one of them! Here's the info about the award:
http://walmartstores.com/FactsNews/NewsRoom/6447.aspx
Winning the Walmart Teacher of the Year award is a fairly significant honor (there were only 6 winners from my school district of over 4000 teachers), so I'm feeling very proud. And I want to send out a belated thank you to the parents who nominated me and to the folks at Walmart #1308 who selected me their Teacher of the Year for 2007.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Teacher Dismissal Case
So the bad news is this; In the fall of 2008 my principal recommended my dismissal. The good news is that in April, 2009, the Jefferson County School Board, by unanimous vote, ordered that I be retained!
In some ways, I guess I shouldn't have been completely shocked by the news of my potential dismissal. There's no question that my style had always been different than the other teachers. Among other things, I think that kids should enjoy being in school. I believe that school, for the most part, should be engaging and fun. I worked hard to create a classroom environment reflective of these beliefs. As a result, most parents really appreciated me and were happy to have their children in my classroom.
I've been a teacher at Dutch Creek Elementary for years and I love it. The other teachers are great; the parents are incredible; and the kids are the best. So when my principal told me she was recommending my dismissal, I was devastated. When I read the dismissal notice and the other documents that were used against me, I was shocked. Many of the allegations were simply not true. (One student ate Clorox Wipes and another spat at me? What?? - I locked myself in my room and refused to leave? Are you kidding me?? I think they have me confused with George Costanza!) Thankfully, the truth came out at my hearing.
After my dismissal notice was presented to the school board, I hired a private attorney. (My union lawyer was no help at all; her only advice was to resign.) I requested a hearing before a judge. After reviewing the evidence and listening to testimony, the Hearing Officer correctly concluded that I was a good teacher and there was no reason for dismissal. (And trust me, it was an easy decision.) Then, after looking at the facts, the school board unanimously agreed and ordered my retention! By the way, only 1 witness testified against me. There were 5 witnesses on my side. I could have had 100, except that would've made for a long hearing, and lawyers are expensive!
So the ordeal is over and I'm back teaching again, with a commitment to a neat and tidy classroom, single-file lines in the hallway, and a ban on all classroom fort-building! (see below)
Displayed on this page are some pictures that might give you a sense of my style. My previous style. From now on it's Mr. Daly, Old School! (Since this is the world wide web, faces are blacked out for safety reasons - sorry if the kids look a little freaky! My face is blacked out because it makes me look a little less freaky.)
In some ways, I guess I shouldn't have been completely shocked by the news of my potential dismissal. There's no question that my style had always been different than the other teachers. Among other things, I think that kids should enjoy being in school. I believe that school, for the most part, should be engaging and fun. I worked hard to create a classroom environment reflective of these beliefs. As a result, most parents really appreciated me and were happy to have their children in my classroom.
I've been a teacher at Dutch Creek Elementary for years and I love it. The other teachers are great; the parents are incredible; and the kids are the best. So when my principal told me she was recommending my dismissal, I was devastated. When I read the dismissal notice and the other documents that were used against me, I was shocked. Many of the allegations were simply not true. (One student ate Clorox Wipes and another spat at me? What?? - I locked myself in my room and refused to leave? Are you kidding me?? I think they have me confused with George Costanza!) Thankfully, the truth came out at my hearing.
After my dismissal notice was presented to the school board, I hired a private attorney. (My union lawyer was no help at all; her only advice was to resign.) I requested a hearing before a judge. After reviewing the evidence and listening to testimony, the Hearing Officer correctly concluded that I was a good teacher and there was no reason for dismissal. (And trust me, it was an easy decision.) Then, after looking at the facts, the school board unanimously agreed and ordered my retention! By the way, only 1 witness testified against me. There were 5 witnesses on my side. I could have had 100, except that would've made for a long hearing, and lawyers are expensive!
So the ordeal is over and I'm back teaching again, with a commitment to a neat and tidy classroom, single-file lines in the hallway, and a ban on all classroom fort-building! (see below)
Displayed on this page are some pictures that might give you a sense of my style. My previous style. From now on it's Mr. Daly, Old School! (Since this is the world wide web, faces are blacked out for safety reasons - sorry if the kids look a little freaky! My face is blacked out because it makes me look a little less freaky.)
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Measuring Worms
As a way of practicing mean, median, and mode, I had students create a line plot showing the different lengths of a sample of worms. And we didn't use gummy worms; we used the real thing!
Monday, July 20, 2009
Super Paddle Ball
My brother and I built a great big paddle ball for my students to play with. It's so big it takes 2 fourth graders to work it. I used to give my students short breaks, and we'd have a little contest to see which team could paddle the fastest.
Of course, I brought the super paddleball back to my house and it won't be returning to my classroom. I can't take the risk that one of my students might get bopped on the head.
By the way, this photo was taken after school with a couple former students and one future student in the picture. (In case your wondering about the variety of sizes.)
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Making Products for Rendezvous
As a culmination of our unit on Colorado History, groups of kids "mass produced" a product to sell at the "Rendezvous". It was a little messy, but it was lots of fun!
Trappers and Traders
As part of our study of Colorado history, students simulated the life of the "mountain man" by playing "Trappers and Traders". They built forts (by draping blankets over their desks), "trapped" beaver, and made products (coffee mugs, blankets, etc.) to trade for "beaver pelts". The objective was to be the most successful "Mountain Man". The kids loved this activity!
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Normalcy
Students have always enjoyed my class, but sometimes it worked against me. My reputation preceded me (which, I think, is part of the reason my principal recommendeed my dismissal). My students didn't spend the whole day building forts, playing games, and messing up the floor. In fact, most of the day was spent doing normal reading, writing, and math activities. This is a picture of a couple kids doing a routine math activity (measuring objects around the classroom). Also, notice the floor - fairly clean!Links to some of my other blogs (which are "under construction"):
http://allyouneedtodoiseyeballthething.blogspot.com/
http://illfixitmrdaly.blogspot.com/
http://whocaresjustthrowitonthere.blogspot.com/
http://neildalycolorado003.blogspot.com/
http://neildalycolorado002.blogspot.com/
http://thisisrightupouralley.blogspot.com/
http://saveusatable.blogspot.com/
http://soitwasoldmandaly.blogspot.com/
http://imanindoorsman.blogspot.com/
http://keepyoureyeontheball2.blogspot.com/
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