Furry Logic

Furry Logic.  This is what LAUSD uses when deciding how to spend the scarce and hard earned (well, for most of us)  money of taxpayers.  Apparently, this logic is so useful, they decided to buy all 1000 BTSA participants at this week's colloquium in Burbank a copy of this "Guide to Life's LIttle Challenges."  Yes, that is $9.95 a book times about 1000 teachers.  If you didn't see it yet, check out the link to this book.  I am sure you will be pleased to know that $9,950 was invested in this gift for our new teachers.  Now I have the answers that will make me a better teacher.  Next time a student walks into class high with blood shot eyes, eating junk food, and falling asleep, I will open the book and find the answer:  "No day is so bad that can't be fixed with a nap."  Ah.  You see how wise my students are!   I will just curl up like the mouse in the picture on the opposing page of this quote and sleep under my desk.  I am sure the students and the principal will approve as it is part of the Furry Logic I learned in BTSA.  

Our main activity for the four-hour dinner colloquium was to read this challenging and insightful book, to pick one quote that 'resonated' with us, and to 'reflect' on why we chose that quote.  I chose, " I have one nerve left and you're getting on it."   I chose that quote because BTSA was once again wasting my valuable time and energy with their condescendingly pathetic excuse for teacher support and professional development.   I got out some student work and began grading at the risk of being reprimanded for not showing the proper enthusiasm for this reflective activity.   Really.  

Assuming the other colloquium participants will receive the same or equally edifying gift, you could multiply that by two or three.  Not to mention the dinner they paid for each of us.  This is just one of many events throughout the year.  Thus, you are now all informed of the existence of BTSA:  assuring that highly qualified teachers run as quickly as possible from the mismanagement of LAUSD (or at least make us think about it several times each semester -- thank goodness many of us truly love teaching).  

Please, please, if you think this Furry Logic is a waste of our tax dollars and education budget, write or call your Board of Education representative, mayor, city council members, state representatives  -- anyone in a public office; tell them that you think this is wasteful spending and that the public deserves an accounting of the money going into this program.   At all the BTSA seminars, trainings, and conferences I have attended, I have yet to meet anyone who thinks this program has helped her/him to become a better teacher.  If I had the energy and desire to lose my job, I would attempt an expose of this on my own.  I don't have either.  But maybe someone else out there does.