Posted inNews

Teacher rally at state capitol draws 25,000

Respect is what they demanded. Respect in the form of better pay, fewer standardized tests and increased funding. “Things need to change,” said Janie Petersen, a councilor from Claremore Public Schools outside Tulsa. “Our [state leaders] don’t respect teachers, they don’t even respect the kids. It’s hurtful.” Initial estimates put the crowd at over 25,000 […]

Posted inNews

Money to spend

Oops. Our bad. She’s not an educator. She’s a former dentist who made a mint pulling teeth and filling cavities. If she had decided to be a schoolteacher, she might not have that million bucks. Instead, she’d probably be working a second job to make ends meet. According to a story in The Oklahoman, Barresi […]

Posted inNews

LETTERS

The 2004 vote on this issue confirmed Oklahomans’ view that a marriage should be between a man and a woman, but as much as we struggle with the idea of a gay couple being married, we must come to the realization that gay marriage will be legal in all states, maybe quicker than we think. […]

Posted inNews

Weight converters

But thanks to free 12-week programs, Cassandra Bennett, 49, has lost 70 pounds and is no longer feeling the lethargy and depression she suffered after this traumatic experience. “The teachers were encouraging and said, ‘You can do it,’ and it was always an atmosphere that was positive and uplifting,” Bennett said. The Oklahoma City-County Health […]

Posted inNews

LETTERS

I have always been “pro-teacher” and have been firmly on the side of funding education above special interests. However, this week, I did not understand the rage you must feel at the lack of control you have over educating your own students. I am sorry that we gauge a child’s value and your worth based […]

Posted inNews

‘No tolerance’ doesn’t teach

In 1999, the committee was shocked to learn that the OKCPS only had 485 alternative school slots for students with behavioral or attendance problems, health conditions, pregnancy or parenting challenges or who were institutionalized. According to the state’s Needs Assessment, the OKCPS needed another 1,205 slots. We also knew that punitive policies, such as “zero […]

Posted inNews

Nowhere to hide

State Rep. Joe Dorman (D-Rush Springs) said the statewide figure demonstrates a greater problem because more than half a million students and teachers are without adequate protection from tornadoes. “It’s shocking how many school districts are without shelters,” he said at a meeting last week, highlighting a report released the week of Sept. 23. “I […]

Posted inNews

Terrific teachers

—Makes students his or her top priority;—Has the ability to stimulate students; —Consistently looks for and brings to the classroom current and stimulating material; —Works with students outside the classroom on projects that give students a practical application for the subject; —Keeps up with his or her field of expertise; —Has the ability to see […]

Posted inNews

LETTERS

Oklahoma Gazette provides an open forum for the discussion of all points of view in its Letters to the Editor section. The Gazette reserves the right to edit letters for length and clarity. Letters can be mailed, faxed, emailed to pbacharach@okgazette.com or sent online at okgazette.com, but include a city of residence and contact number […]

Posted inNews

Back to class

In less than five minutes on May 20, that world was turned upside down when a tornado demolished her school as well as neighboring Plaza Towers Elementary. Between the two schools, Singleton and some 80 teachers lost most of the classroom supplies they had bought, made or borrowed during their careers. Such items either were […]

Gift this article