I am a very hopeful person and I am keeping the faith.
1 September 2010
On the Principal’s Job
I am a very hopeful person and I am keeping the faith.
15 August 2010
Teaching is a work of heart
- do not fall prey to victimization,
- read your WTU-DCPS contract to know your rights,
- be aware of the issues affecting your job,
- cooperate and have a good relationship with everyone in your school community, and most importantly,
- focus on what you are expected to do as highly effective teachers.
Please remember that we are not victims of our jobs, we picked our jobs. Pessimism is a dangerous road that leads to anger, frustration, self- righteousness and all that is harmful to the children whose lives we continue to influence daily.
6 August 2010
Justice to Filipino Migrant Teachers
31 July 2010
One Day
1 May 2010
When I was a school administrator back then…

My exposure to Special Education at the Center for Developmental Intervention Foundation at the Philippine Children’s Medical Center has left me deeply encouraged to be with special children who are in need of time and affection. I realized that if a regular child yearns for attention from people, more so with special children. Unfortunately, most of them have been fed with a diet of leftovers- leftover love, leftover patience, leftover laughter, leftover stories, leftover kindness, leftover energy, leftover everything.
This morning I missed my friends and wanted to see how they were doing. It's been awhile since I last logged in to my Facebook account. I was guilty of not responding to some friend requests, like Billy, who has been reminding me about it. As soon as I accepted his invitation, the chat box popped up and we started bridging the gap and reminiscing about the times when I was a school administrator (at 23 years old) and he was one of my hardworking staff. Teacher Billy Esmalde just recently finished his MA in Special Education at the University of the Philippines (my Alma Mater). He sent me his photo with the caption "the result of my hardwork and perseverance amid the adversities"...Me: I'm ok, congrats! ok naman...congrats!
Billy: Thank you, Teacher Sol, for all the trainings and the skills you gave us, thank you so much. The rest of us, Melody and Fretzie, are now in the UK salamat t. sol sa mga training s mo sa amin, salamat talga, c t.melody nasa UK na at fretzie
Me: you're welcome! I'm glad to hear I made a positive impact on you!
Billy: Of course, we miss Funshine, please come back home so you can give us some more training-seminars, you inspire me Teacher Sol syempre naman miss namin FUNSHINE, uwi ka pinas mag seminar ka sa amin, idol kita t.sol
Billy: I miss your management, we still talk about you with Melody and Fretzie, we miss Funshine miss ko management mo talaga pag nag uusap nga kmi nila melody at fretzie
sayang wla na funshine
Billy: yes
I left a legacy in the Philippines – Funshine Preschool in Lagro QC and Funshine Special Ed Center in Fairview QC.Billy: They're all grown ups now, Funshine has greatly impacted me, look at us now we are successful and having a better life malalaki na sila, malaki impact sa akin ng FUNSHINE, tingnan mo kung nasan ka po ngayon successful kna at kmi nasan na grabe...maganda na buhay namin
Me: I know...I learned a lot from you guys too...you all made me what I am today
You have been around, what is so different about Funshine? what made it stand out to you?
Me: I really tried...
Billy: Yup we're now miles away apart but at least you still remember us, Sherwin, T. Car, and Lanie, you will be in our hearts oo nga ang lalayo na natin pero at least in our hearts t. sol naalala mo parin kami nila melody, sherwin. t. car and lanie
Me: of course, will never forget the bond we forged w/c made us resilient amid the storm
irreplaceable...hard to replicate
Billy: i will t.sol
I was in tears after our conversation.
29 April 2010
National Board Certified Teacher to be named 2010 National Teacher of the Year
For the third time in the past five years, a National Board Certified Teacher will represent the country as National Teacher of the Year. Sarah Brown Wessling, an English teacher at Johnston High School in Johnston, Iowa, will be named the 2010 National Teacher of the Year by President Barack Obama today at a White House ceremony. Read more“The National Board Certification process was absolutely instrumental in my experience as a professional educator,” said Wessling, in a February interview with NBPTS. “National Board Certification is crucial because it requires teachers to see students as individuals. The process helps teachers focus on students and discover how they learn. Knowing how a student learns is irreplaceable.”
Wessling is well known for her ability to inspire and challenge her high school students. She begins each academic school year by handing out a copy of Plato’s Parable of the Cave, lighting a candle in the center of the room and asking her students to tell her the course expectations. The practice is done to encourage her students to construct their own learning experience.
Wessling also brings 21st century technology into her classroom. She frequently uses iPod technology to create individual podcasts to grade student papers and says her students benefit from the in-depth feedback she provides. “My students can hear in my voice when I’m recording thoughts about their papers, and they can hear me get excited about their ideas and concepts,” Wessling said. “The podcasts show them that I have thought about them not as students, but as writers.”
Wessling and 18 other NBCTs were named 2010 State Teachers of the Year, including Florida’s Megan Marie Allen, who was among the national finalists.
27 April 2010
On my involvement with our teachers union (WTU)
Almost a year ago during the times when I was very restless, I wrote a reflective entry On Becoming a Teacher Leader. I shared that I spent my college years at the University of the Philippines, the premiere state university in my country, where freedom of thought and expression was exercised which provided me with a complete armory for activism. But then I heeded the advice of my mom to focus on my academic responsibilities and never to get involved in any form of political action. My professors gave me the wisdom and the skills to learn the Socratic way, and the passion to stand up for what is right became an integral part of my words, thoughts and actions.26 April 2010
What qualities define a good teacher?
Ten Florida educators, including National Board Certified Teachers, who offered their thoughts in this article on what makes a good teacher -- a definition that has been in the spotlight since the state's merit-pay debate began. "Good teachers teach reading, writing, math and technology effectively. Good teachers integrate art, music, social studies and science gracefully. Good teachers possess creativity, flexibility and good time-management skills," one NBCT said.Unlike gadgets, students come in all shapes and sizes, all ability and skill levels. Teachers are charged with guiding every child from Point A, wherever that is on the learning spectrum, to Point B in 180 school days.
— Hana Ahmad, fifth-grade teacher at Orangewood Elementary in Fort Myers and a 2001 Golden Apple award winner.
“How can you measure a teacher that changes a child’s life? He or she may still not earn a high score on a test, but you could have changed the course of their life.”
— Tonya Reasoner, a gifted teacher at Pinewoods Elementary in Estero who has 41 years of teaching experience.
“Good teachers teach reading, writing, math and technology effectively. Good teachers integrate art, music, social studies and science gracefully. Good teachers possess creativity, flexibility and good time-management skills.”
— Helen Valdez-Garcia, an art teacher at Hector A. Cafferata Jr. Elementary in Cape Coral and a National Board Certified teacher.
“You have to be flexible because you never know what will happen on any given day. You have to be fair to all students and be consistent. A good teacher really cares about their students. It’s almost like a motherly instinct.”
— Jeanne Dozier, Lee County School Board member and 1988 national teacher of the year.
“A good teacher makes learning fun. If a kid enjoys school, and connects with a teacher, they are going to perform better.”
— Derrick Donnell, principal at Caloosa Middle and a 1999 Golden Apple award winner.
“It’s about lighting the fire of education in those students that may not believe in themselves, and it’s about showing parents and families the strengths in their children that they may not yet see. It’s late nights of reflecting about how to reach that one child that seems barely beyond reach, yet you know is within your grasp.”
— Megan Allen, a fourth-grade teacher at Cleveland Elementary in Tampa and Florida’s 2010 Teacher of the Year.
NBPTS launches education-policy information hub

Education Policy
Now is an exciting time for education reform, with unprecedented opportunities from the federal government. Learn more about how NBPTS is advancing the education reform movement.

Legislation
Track the latest legislative issues; listen to what policymakers, researchers, and other education experts have to say about NBCTs; and learn more about National Board initiatives in the states.

Innovative Practice
Read profiles of schools that have accelerated student learning and achievement. Meet the exemplary educators who take leadership to the next level. Learn more about upcoming or past events!
Could teacher job losses reach 300,000 nationwide?
Send a letter now to your senators and representatives urging them to support both the Keep Our Educators Working Act (S. 3206) and the Local Jobs for America Act (H.R. 4812).
Both bills would:
- Provide $23 billion to help school districts avert educator layoffs in the upcoming school year;
- Enable districts to continue to implement positive programs to help ensure all students receive the great education they deserve; and
- Help restore previously cut funding for postsecondary education in order to retain or create jobs for higher education faculty and professionals.
Act now! Send a letter to your senators and representatives urging them to support the Keep Our Educators Working Act and the Local Jobs for America Act.
Failure to quickly provide this assistance will shortchange our children's futures and deny them the great education they deserve.
In unity,
The AFT
22 April 2010
NBCTs among 5 selected for teaching hall of fame
This is my 6th year here in the US, my 6th year of teaching in DCPS. In my early years here, I was inspired and motivated by some of the most outstanding veteran teachers in my school at Jefferson MS to be the exceptional teacher that I can be. Teachers like my colleague, Dr. Alesia Slocoumb-Bradford whom I currently work with in a co-teaching environment, inspired me to become an accomplished teacher.Fight for America’s Future
Send a letter now to your senators and representatives urging them to support both the Keep Our Educators Working Act (S. 3206) and the Local Jobs for America Act (H.R. 4812).
Both bills would:
- Provide $23 billion to help school districts avert educator layoffs in the upcoming school year;
- Enable districts to continue to implement positive programs to help ensure all students receive the great education they deserve; and
- Help restore previously cut funding for postsecondary education in order to retain or create jobs for higher education faculty and professionals.
Act now! Send a letter to your senators and representatives urging them to support the Keep Our Educators Working Act and the Local Jobs for America Act.
Failure to quickly provide this assistance will shortchange our children's futures and deny them the great education they deserve.
In unity,
The AFT
12 April 2010
Re: National Board in the WTU-DCPS Tentative Agreement
Buena lunes! (attempting to learn Spanish *smile*)
I've been getting good responses from the NBCTs about my previous entry on the "National Board in the WTU-DCPS Tentative Agreement"; thank you, please keep it coming. It is good because it served my purpose of keeping you informed and getting your feedback about it. Most of the comments were full of concern about the future funding of the stipends for our aspiring National Board Candidates.
I was wondering the same thing: if the stipend is gone for our future NBCTs after November 1, 2010.
After the WTU General Assembly last week at Mc Kinley SHS on the WTU-DCPS Tentative Agreement, I was rushing to go to the WTU Office for another meeting. A reporter ambushed me and dropped the bomb: "Is it really true that the teachers are just going for the money?" I did not blink and never hesitated to answer, "No, it is not all about the money. The members want teacher focused high quality services so that we can better support and help our students become successful. It's all about our students." And he left.
Colleagues, this is not the end of the road. President George Parker and his contract negotiations team were able to push for three more years of financial incentives for accomplished teaching for NBCTs from 2007-2010. Now we need to assert ourselves and help WTU explain to DCPS why we need to encourage our most effective educators in DCPS to take the National Board Certification, how it has been life changing for us and for our students, present our data of student achievement...we are the experts who understand meaningfully what the teachers should know and be able to do to. We, the National Board Certified Teachers, are knowledgeable on this and can effectively demonstrate this according to the national teaching standards. That's why we need to speak up and let our voice be heard.
I believe that most of us, aside from being teacher leaders, are collaborators. I am setting up a meeting with President George Parker for the National Board Certified Teachers. We are going to work with him to make things happen for our teachers and our students. He has a vision for the NBCTs in DC, we need to hear from him and I am very sure that he will listen to us. And if you are attending any of the Informational Sessions on Tues/ Thurs, please proudly wear your pin, it makes us very distinguished.
We are fighting for the same cause, we need to have one voice. One team, one fight!
Let's keep the fire burning!
Sincerely,
Maria Angala, NBCT (Exceptional Needs Specialist)
WTU Vice President of Special Education
11 April 2010
National Board in the WTU-DCPS Tentative Agreement
This morning, I emailed the NBCTs in DC Public Schools and shared to them one of the most significant things that I like in the WTU-DCPS Tentative Agreement:Dear colleagues,
Just like most of you, I was devastated when DCPS has cut the funding for the National Board certification a couple of years ago. The fiscal downturn meant the generous stipends that new National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) used to enjoy were cut even in other states/ school districts.
During the contract negotiation, WTU President George Parker, who believes that accomplished teaching should be rewarded and that student achievement is in the heart of the National Board, vigilantly fought that the supports for National Board Certified Teachers still be continued. President George Parker and his team has successfully negotiated for it to be included and be reflected in the WTU-DCPS Contract. The language about the stipends for the National Board Certified Teachers was not reflected in the Tentative Agreement Highlights, but is stated in the TA (pdf copy) as:
"36.14 National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certification
36.14.1 A teacher who is a certified classroom Teacher, who achieves National Board certification, shall receive a non-pensionable, one time bonus of $4,000.00, provided:
36.14.1.1 The Teacher's most recent evaluation is Effective or higher;
36.14.1.2 The teacher begins the National Board certification process (including initial payment) no later than the date of approval of this agreement by the Council of the District of Columbia; and
36.14.1.3 The Teacher is awared National Board certification no later than November 1, 2010.
36.14.2 The $4,000.00 bonus shall be paid within sixty (60) School Days following the completion of the National Board certification.
36.14.3 The teacher shall be required to work with DCPS for a minimum of three years after receiving the bonus unless terminated by DCPs.
36.14.4 In the event that the Teacher fails to meet the three-year commitment , s/he shall be obligated to return the compensation to DCPS on a prorated basis.
I believe that this contract, when ratified, will result in a vigorous school system that can provide teacher focused high quality services that will help us educators maximize our students' potential. We still have a long way to go, but I will not give up hope, we will work together. Colleagues, as teacher leaders, it is time for us to step up and be in the forefront of this education reform and lead the rest of our colleagues in DCPS. We need to let our voice be heard and let everyone know what matters most to our students that we, teachers, truly understand.
If you have any questions about this or about anything on the WTU-DCPS Tentative Agreement please attend the Informational Sessions on Tuesday and Thursday (schedules emailed by WTU Director of Communication, if you did not receive it please let me know), please proudly wear your pin.
See you!
.
Sincerely,
Maria Angala, NBCT (Exceptional Needs Specialist)
WTU Vice President of Special Education
7 April 2010
The WTU and DCPS have reached a tentative agreement
5 April 2010
Teachers take to Facebook, blogs to protest, organize

Special-education teacher shares frustration over Florida legislation
Texas district uses RTI to reduce special-education referrals
How can teachers develop passion in the classroom?
Most people won't argue with the statement that our current education system's primary goals are not to ignite/support educators' passions. With standardized testing, budget cuts, Race to the Top and on and on, how do educators hold onto the passion of teaching?4 April 2010
Happy Easter
My family spent a relaxing time at the Sandy Point Beach yesterday. And there's so many things to enjoy today on a glorious Easter. A nice and cool sunny weather, blooming flowers, it's a very special time of family togetherness...church of course, a big Easter lunch, and then egg hunting, romping around with kids and a walk at the park would be nice. 

