From discussions about influential educators to Common Core, here's a sample of what they're saying on Facebook:
• SUNY ALBANY '97. Literary Theory taught by Rosemary Hennessy challenged my critical thinking skills. It also influenced my decision to become an English teacher. It provided a place for me to start questioning the world around me. I had a great SUNY experience.
— Kara McCormick Lyons
• SUNY Oswego class of '97. SUNY Binghamton class of '99. Dr. Maxwell was among the best teachers I ever had. He was honest, kind and generous with his praise and time. His lectures were about aquatic entomology and the anatomy of bird song but his lessons were often about humanity. He was the embodiment of everything about teaching that I aspire to live out today.
— James C. McNair
• My first-grader came home with an EngageNY math worksheet. It was a graphing exercise with dice entitled "Race to the Top." The first column was labeled "0" but the kids had to cross it out and write in "12" because it's not possible to roll dice and get a zero result. REALLY?!? First-grade math worksheet and can't get it right? Millions of dollars [spent] for that? What an embarrassment. I would have been less upset if the classroom teacher had made the mistake.
— Christy Mansfield
• I am not against high standards and expectations, but these [Common Core modules] are not the way to do it. When first-graders are reading about ancient Mesopotamia and third-graders are reading about war-torn Iraq and Afghanistan, something is wrong.
I am frustrated and saddened at what has happened to the profession I have dedicated my life to pursuing. I will be retiring at the end of this year largely due to these changes and the way they have been implemented. It breaks my heart to see the little ones' love of learning extinguished by these modules.
— Patti Salisbury Wolford