Monday, September 26, 2011

Rocking the House at Education Nation: JA-MIE FID-LER, JA-MIE FID-LER, JA-MIE FID-LER

Last Updated: Monday, Sept. 26, 8AM
[See my live tweets below the fold]

A new star rose in the firmament tonight last night at Education Nation as PS 261K teacher Jamie Fidler, one of the stars of the film "American Teacher" which premiered tonight, went head to head with major ed deformer Jonathan Alter on the post screening panel. She was joined on the panel, moderated by Al Roker, by the three other teachers from the movie and Parents Across America parent leader Helen Gym from Philly.

The only logic for having Alter on this panel was that NBC had to make its sponsors happy by having a voice for ed deform to counter what real teachers who are not ed deformers but real reformers might say. Tonight, the sponsors didn't get their monies' worth. Jenna Bush (yes, THAT BUSH) had to rescue him from the audience by finding a TFAer who defended the org vehemently, followed by an ed deform Supt from Idaho who bragged about getting rid of tenure and putting in merit pay. But what would you expect from Bush's daughter?

The word was that NBC was totally embarrassed by the criticism last year over their one-sided case for ed deform - they are partners with Gates at MSNBC - and tried to get better balance.

Jamie Fidler has been co-chapter leader at her school and is now working with the Real Reformers in the progressive activist groups in NYC, especially with Teachers Unite. Thus she was perfect to be on the panel. She also lights up the screen whenever she is on. Look for her to emerge this year as a new voice in the ed wars on the Real Reformer side.

At the end of the event I told Alter what I thought about him. Hope I ruined his karma. I also ran into E4E's Sydney Morris (who I waved to when she went in) on the way out. Sydney always says hello. But then I noticed a sour looking Evan, who glared at me, walking the obligatory 2 steps behind his leader. Guess he didn't care for my comment calling Sydney the brains of the outfit. At least she recognizes that I know what I'm talking about. [BTW South Bronx School takes a big shot at E4E today.] I heard from a teacher in Kansas City today that E4E had packed the teacher forum during the day - where is GEM she asked? GEMers do have better things to do than waste time at these events on a Sunday.

I was there with a press pass along with Brian Jones who teaches at Jamie's school and we passed out some copies of The Inconvenient Truth Behind Waiting for Superman to some press people and to Dave Eggers who made "American Teacher." Brian and I sat in the special blogging section in the back and ate popcorn and other goodies they gave us.

I actually like the movie better the 2nd time. When I saw it in May I reacted to the overwhelming money theme which I think distorted some of the message. But this time the other positive issues like the work teachers really do came through. That is why I like the Chicago Teacher Union people who go to malls and other public spaces and do Maulins - where teachers gather on Sundays or in the evenings to work on lesson plans and mark papers in public to show people what they really do.

I have a pass for tomorrow afternoon where I may get to tape a press conference of parents who Dennis Walcott is trying to ban from a panel he is on. Negotiations are going on to balance that panel or there will be more embarrassment for NBC.


I copied and pasted my tweets - you have to read them in reverse order. It was the first event I tweeted at - not my fave way of reporting. See below the fold:




Norm Scott
PAA Helen Gym challenges merit pay and charter schl. Still no democratic ed in philly.
»
Norm Scott
Alter pushes merit pay. Jenna finds Seth Andrew w yellow hat. Pushes charter schools. Another plant. Jenna has her targets.
»
Norm Scott
Jamie tries to fight him off. What a star.
»
Norm Scott
Now Jenna finds ed deform supt fr Idaho. Brags about getting rid of tenure.
»
Norm Scott
Jenna bush puts out fire by finding TFAer in aud w 5 yrs in classroom. TFA training wonderful. A plant.
»
Norm Scott
Alter and TFA taking beating PAA parent Helen also talks about need for stability in schools w tchrs staying.
»
Norm Scott
Jamie challenges Alter on unsustainability of TFA and value of teachers remaining. Rhena also chal TFA on low level train.
»
leonie haimson
by NormScott1
@
Finland turned around ed system when reduced class size; also eliminated standardized testing
»
Norm Scott
Jamie- teachers not decision makers. She is member of Real Reform NYC crew vs faux E4E. Surp Gates didn't by them a seat
»
Norm Scott
Alter again. Has been one of worst deform promoters. Brought up Rhambo longer day assault in chicago which we know will be test prep.
»
Norm Scott
95% unionized. Jamie challenges him on longer day and eval by high stakes tests. So does Par Acr Am Helen fr Philly.
»
Norm Scott
Ed deform freak Jon Alter talks Finland but leaves off 95$
»
Norm Scott
Weingarten tweeted 90% tchrs pay for supplies. Oops. Uft agreed to end tchr choice money for this year
»
Norm Scott
Film comparing succ nations to US. Finland YES. Talk about conditions but in terms of money for supplies not cl size#educationnation
»
Norm Scott
Weinarten tweeted surveys show merit pay not motivator. So why did she agree to it in nyc? She should add apology#educationnation
»
Norm Scott
Jamie had baby back in 6 wks. Realizes as parent what a resp tchrs have to take care of others' children. Grt pt.
»
NYC Parents Union
by NormScott1
@
We will not allow E4E to use our kids as vehicles to push their agenda.
»
Norm Scott
Jamie back on. Screen lights up. What a star. Tries to call re maternity lv during lunch. Takes 18 minutes out of lunch hr
»
Norm Scott
Poor tchr in Denver - had to be her own filmmaker. No slickness here. Raw and depressing.
»
Norm Scott
Hanushek repeats lies about effect tchr study. Eric looks like he should be working in a morgue#educationnation
»
Norm Scott
NJ tchr-good tchrs reach kids who don't get it. Doesn't say thats depend on number of kids in class -taboo in eddeform#educationnation
»
Norm Scott
Movie starting. Gates/Duncan make early appear. Ahhh, Darling-Hammond. See my review of Am Tch on ed notes posted this AM.
»
Norm Scott
Roker tosses "ed imp cause we have to compete in global econ" line. Like due to glob econ no jobs even for college grads
»
Norm Scott
. Film producer was teacher. Tchrs disrespec in other circles. Not my exp. Others seemed fasc I taught in tough inner city
»
Norm Scott
Jenna Bush, proud daughter of nclb. 5yrs as teacher? Well, daddy looking better than Obama. Al Roker on. Love him. Really grt sense of humor
»
Norm Scott
Randi on stage. How much will she give up to ed deformers in next few minutes? Likes Am Tch- of course. Movie mostly about money.
»
Norm Scott

1 comment:

Schoolgal said...

This year I boycotted the program. From the sponsors to the "fixed" panel--totally disgusted!!