Nothing here is new except for these first few sentences of introduction.

Context:

This is a little article posted on a site called Laborpains.org. It is an anti-labor blahg. (Did I just coin a phrase?) It is dedicated to trashing organized labor. The article I have reprinted was written by a fellow named Sonny Bunch whose full time job, as far as I can tell, is movie critic for something called The Washington Times. (Never heard of it.)

In his spare time, Mr. Bunch is also an expert commentator on education, teacher quality and collective bargaining.

I am reposting his article for two reasons:

1) I, Mr. Teachbad, am the only source he uses in his blahg post (3 times);
2) None of my comments in response have been approved.

The text in italics are quotes and links to this blog that appear in the blahg. At the end are my three unapproved comments.

Here is the blahg post:

Cognitive Dissonance

By Sonny Bunch

Cognitive dissonance is the holding of two diametrically opposed ideas at the same time and believing both of them equally. I think of this phrase often when confronted by the demands of teachers unions. On the one hand, the unions believe that teachers are incredibly important to the development of children — that they are dedicated educators who can change the lives of any child through their efforts.* On the other, unions resist methods to judge the efficacy of educators because, they claim, factors for success in school have little to do with what goes on in the classroom and everything to do with factors out of their members’ control: poverty, parental involvement, and other factors are more important, they claim.

In other words: Pay teachers more because they’re incredibly important, but don’t hold them accountable because they’re not really that important. This is textbook cognitive dissonance.

I again thought of that phrase while reading this satirical “apology” from a teacher who received a poor evaluation. He sarcastically complains:

Some people would have you believe that the achievement gap is the result of s—y parenting, poverty, and toxic neighborhoods. I am here to tell you that these people are pussies and they don’t believe in children. I have allowed them to corrupt me. The intergalactic achievement gap is my fault and mine alone.

The sarcasm, it’s worthy of The Onion! (Or not.) In another post, this anonymous teacher whines about getting a bad evaluation:

I had my first evaluations and debriefs in the last several days. The outside evaluator was quite friendly and more or less thought I was doing a pretty good job. She rated me an “effective” teacher.

Our evaluation system is based on a series of complex rubrics, because I don’t have enough rubrics in my life already.

Now, without knowing exactly where this anonymous teacher works it’s impossible to tell what sort of evaluations he’s being judged by. But if it’s anything like Washington, D.C. — where simple classroom checks were used to give virtually every single teacher a passing grade before the introduction of the “complex rubrics” that comprise the IMPACT system did a better job of judging teachers — the fact that he got a lower evaluation by objective measures is exactly the point. Bad teachers need to be weeded out.

Now, maybe it’s unfair to call this educator a “bad teacher.” Then again, maybe it’s not. Here he is in another post:

Being a teacher is like having retarded employees. “How the f–k would I know where your practice test is or where Devonte put your notebook? Keep track of your own s–t and stay awake. You’ll get a C minus … D–n.”

If the “complex rubrics” cost this guy his job, I wouldn’t shed a tear. Would you?

*For the record: I totally agree with this sentiment. A good teacher can work miracles.

No Responses to “Cognitive Dissonance”
Mr.Teachbad Says: Your comment is awaiting moderation.

November 9th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
I understand that the purpose of your website is is to trash unions. I see also that all of the links in this article are from my blog and they are all from the last few weeks.

As far as unions go in general, we probably don’t agree. But if teachers’ unions are especially troubling to you, we might be on the same page. I posted something about being annoyed at having to be in a union several months back. I believe my union is inefficient and corrupt. I do not pay the extra fee to be a full voting member.

Let me also point out that my blog is primarily a work of satire. In the field of satire, we often exaggerate and say things that we assume people will understand should not be taken literally. That The Onion came to mind when you read my blog is the highest praise.

I would be happy to comment further about any of the above in your article or my response. I could supply the rubrics to you. I think you would argee that they are complex.

Furthermore, I simply pointed out that the inside and outside people gave me vastly different scores. This might indicate a systematic difference in how two distinct groups of people use the same tool to evaluate teachers. I think it is reasonable for teachers to ask that the rubric be used in the same way by everybody.

I also noted that the lower evaluation was from a lesson that really just didn’t go well and that sometimes that happens. No big whoop.

Make your arguments. But please don’t take me out of context and pull the emotional blackmail of education crap on me. It doesn’t work.

Mr. Teachbad
teachbad.com

Mr.Teachbad Says: Your comment is awaiting moderation.

November 9th, 2010 at 4:15 pm
Wait…I have to also point out that the first reference to my blog comes from a section that is clearly labeled FAKE EDUACTION NEWS. And you quote this as if a real person said it.

C’mon. It’s all made up. I think you just don’t like teachers and unions and you are trying to make me look bad.

Mr. Teachbad
teachbad.com

Mr.Teachbad Says: Your comment is awaiting moderation.

November 11th, 2010 at 12:02 am
C’mon, man. Approve my comments. It looks like I’m the only person reading this anyway. Be a sport.

Mr. Teachbad

And remeber…Mr. Teachbad is now on Facebook…for some reason. Want to be friends?