Educating Ms. Groves
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Educating Ms. Groves Posted on Aug 30 2007 at 8:24am by [b]I was surfing the channels when I spotted this documentary. It took me 30 seconds to recognize this school as the one I had taught at for 11 years. Three years ago I was involuntarily transfered to another middle school. It was amazing to me that Ms. Groves problems were the same ones all teachers face in todays education system. In the past these problems were swept under the rug. But here they were on national television for all to see. I no longer am teaching due to illness so I dont have the concern of being shoved out the door to another school when you bring problems to the forefront. I look foreard to the rest of the series. I actually wept when Ms. Groves was grading her final exams and not a single child in that fourth period class had passed. I had the same experience so many times. Short of drastic changes in the size of the classes, the ability for teachers to use creative curriculium to meet the needs of their students and manditory parent participation I dont see our school systems getting any better. I would be interested in the opinions of any other APS teachers on this series. 
RE: Educating Ms. Groves Posted on Sep 6 2007 at 11:29pm by I also wept and agree with all you said.
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RE: Educating Ms. Groves Posted on Oct 7 2007 at 5:59pm by I have just found the series. I was instantly interested. Currently being an inner city teacher of fifth grade I understand her passion, frustration and desire to fight for her students while she attempts to show them there is hope, potential and there is a future. I look forward to seeing the entire series. Ms. Groves was very brave to allow cameras to capture her first year. I recall how challenging my first year was. I have since become much better and less hard on myself. If there is a way to contact Ms. Groves let me know. We need more shows of this standard! RE: Educating Ms. Groves Posted on Oct 30 2007 at 8:15pm by I really loved watching this series. I honestly can't wait to see more of it. I have been teaching for 28 years and soon hope to retire. Watching Miss Groves, truly brought back memories, both good and not so good. I have been teaching at the same Middle School in
South Florida for all these years and I must admit, I have some of the same problems as Miss Groves. While watching, I found myself constantly shaking my head in agreement with what she was going through, especially with the "talking" a real big problem. I really came online to see when this will be shown again. I just wish other professionals could get the same opportunity to let others see the teaching profession as it really is. I can't wait to see more of Miss Groves experiences. I wish her well and pray that she doesn't get discouraged.
Sharon
RE: Educating Ms. Groves Posted on Nov 26 2008 at 10:58pm by I happened to turn this particular sundance show on, because there was little else on during that time slot..thanksgiving eve, 2008...
I found the show a little disturbing. My feelings were slightly subdued, after watching, when i went online and researched a little about the show and teacher, Ms Groves. Honestly; it made me feel a lot better to read that teaching was not her first choice as a vocation, and even better to see how she stepped up to accept the challenge offered to her in college.
Why do i feel better now? Here was the problem for me: I saw, in that half hour, a woman who SEEMED to put herself on one side of the desk, versus the students, in an inner city environment that really isn't that bad.. i didn't see one 9mm being confiscated from a book bag, or one crack vial being kicked down the hallway.
I saw a woman beating herself at her own game; tired and crying, manifestations of someone doing one of two things: working at something totally aversive to their nature, or working at something against themselves and everyone's best interests.
The wake up call should have been Isiaih, pardon the spelling; but apparently, that boy was just an opportunity for feel sorry for self. When the utter reality did come, in the form of the girl being counselled in the hall, first day of the second semester, then that's when changes should have been forthcoming.
To be so far removed from a group, you're dedicated to help, by choice and wages,...to be that ignorant of their lifestyles and personal issues, is beyond me. The fact that this particular school had previously excelled in state wide verbal test scores, and now found itself floundering with a whole class of kids unable to read and write up to grade level..made me wonder: what is that particular educator doing with these kids, and herself, for that 6 or so hours a day?
What's to stop a child of Ms. Groves age, from thinking like an 11 yr old, seeing as how she is not to far from that age? I'm 51, lifelong bachelor and no kids, and i know more about what those kids were thinkning from a half hour tape.
they were thinking they were being drilled like army recruits. they were thinking that if they fell behind, they were left behind. they felt pushed moreso than guided. they were resentful that her approach was of one with the knowledge, therefore its known, and you should know it as well, simply from me repeating it...not at all like the demeanor of a true educator, who realizes that all is new to the young mind, and for the mind thirsting for knowledge, nothing is trite.
i didn't appreciate viewing some bunpy faced, set-jaw, mouth poked out, I-look-young-and-cute-but-i'm-a-b^^^h, confrontational young woman, standing in front of people half her age, literally, demanding much and achieving nothing, literally.
The time to cry and reach out for Isiah was that day in school, when you were pretending to help him by calling a parent or guardian; right then when you knew from his math teacher, that his mother was in no condition to care for him, and worse, him being in no condition to care for himself.
No need to go into 'what up' with you and the girl whose father was in jail all first semester..ironically, Ms. Groves only showed intelligence in the matter, when she acknowledged feeling foolish when finding out about the girls' home situation.
Two or three students with issues and bad grades..you need to get in touch with them on a personal level, face to face, with an honest appraisal and progressive outlook...the whole class, falling short of clearly attainable goals, and this is a surprise to the teacher...?
What personal agenda was Ms. Groves exercising when, with jaw set and mouth poked out, she systematically failed or glossed over each student? How long did it take the educator to realize: she was failing herself? If it took a year to figure that out, while on the job, is this truly your calling? Teaching is one of those things, whereas, if you can't do it right, leave it for the right person to do.
