E.D. Hirsch

Dear Mr. Hirsch,

I absolutely agree that there is certain content knowledge that all students need to learn. I also agree that it should be uniformly paced within our nation, so that all students across our nation can have the same educational opportunities. I also agree that having this core curriculum will provide students, who frequently move, with many more opportunities to be successful. Imagine how much easier a transition for a student would be to go from one district to the next? These are wonderful thoughts Mr. Hirsch! However, there are some aspects of what you discuss that I do not agree with.

What I think your discussions lack most is the discussion of pedagogy. Pedagogy is most frequently described as the art of teaching. Your descriptions make me think of a classroom as an on-going drill. A classroom should look more like a laboratory, where students are questioning, responding and searching for answers. Inquiry based learning helps students learn the why of what they are learning, rather than simply the what. Students in a math class will understand why the denominator in a fraction is what it is, rather than just repeat 2/4=1/2 because of rote memorization.

While I understand that over the years your views have changed slightly, I continue to believe (as you do) that there should be a core curriculum in place. It doesn't have to be yours, just one that is similar in comparison.

Thank you for being so passionate about your prescription for school reform. I look forward to reading your most recent work

Sincerely,
Mary Giacomarro

This I believe...

I believe in people giving back to people through a variety of means.

My father immigrated to America when he was sixteen. He had nothing but the clothes on his back, and some spare change. He was born in Macedonia. He left there because he wanted "to save his family." After the war, people in his village had to start over. Red Cross had to bring them meals, farms had to be regrown, houses had to be rebuilt...not to mention, spirits had to be lifted. So, my father thought that he had to come to "land of opportunity" in order to make money to send to his family. So, at 16, he and two of his friends left. The night was dark and rainy. He had to cross borders illegally (it was a Communist government then) in the dead of the night, in the pouring rain, with the fear of being shot by guards. Luckily the guards remained in watch towers when it rained, so it was difficult to be seen. He then migrated across some of Europe and made it to Italy, where he began his journey to the "land of the free." My dad immediately began working when he arrived to the USA. He continuously sent money to his father in Macedonia. He played soccer, very well I might add, and was offered a scholarship at Montclair State. What a dream come true?! My father always wanted to be a physical education teacher. However, he knew that as a student, he couldn't continue to work full time and send money to his family. So, he refused the scholarship. He instead went on to Passaic County Vocational School (at night) and became a certified Machinist. He also became a citizen of the United States. He was a proud American...He did it!

During this time, my father was introduced to my mother, via pictures and letters. They wrote letters back and forth. My father went back to Macedonia in order to marry her. He brought her here, along with four of her siblings and brought his brother here. They all have become very successful US citizens.

Here I stand today...deciding that I would be a teacher, just like my dad always wanted to be. How fortunate for me to have these opportunities to give back to my students everyday all that I have learned from my daddy.

I believe that all students need someone to ignite the fire inside them, someone to make them want to be successful...someone who is there to hold your hand through it all...yet know the exact time to let go...I hope to, at the very least, be that someone to at least one of my students every year for the rest of my career.

Standards...We all have them...

Although some view using the New Jersey Mathematics Core Curriculum Content Standards (NJMCCCS) as a daunting task, they really are an invaluable tool. These standards reveal a common goal for all Mathematics teachers in New Jersey. If utilized properly, the NJMCCCS can help guide a teacher (novice or master) in deciding how and what to teach. As part of the Mathematics NJMCCCS, there are numerous ways that teachers can help students cover all of the clusters and strands. I believe that the standards are most helpful to new teachers because they have the least experience on what the students need to accomplish. The NJMCCCS help guide and give examples that can clarify what is expected of the teacher and the students. However, I say this because I know and understand them. If I did not know my content area, I may not understand how to utilize the standards in my classroom. What I like best about the standards is that I know I can always look back and check what my students should have learned from previous years. It guides me. If the NJMCCCS are utilized in daily lesson planning, there is a better chance that your students will do better on standardized tests as well.

My Introduction

My name is Mary Giacomarro. I work in Wayne, NJ as an 8th Grade Mathematics teacher. This is my third year in this district and I love it. My background is pretty diverse. My undergraduate degree is in Mathematics from Seton Hall University. After SHU, I went to New York Law School for one year. I did well there. However, during my summer hiatus, I decided that my calling was in education. After some agonizing discussions with my family, I left NYL and got my first job as a Math and Science teacher in a Catholic Middle School. Soon after, I earned my Teaching Certificate via Alternate Route and began teaching Mathematics at the high school level in my hometown. After about two years, I took a break in teaching in order to have my children. Then, decided to go back to work and have been in Wayne ever since. My career goals involve completing my Masters in 2009, and becoming a Mathematics Supervisor. Eventually, I would like to be a Principal or Vice Principal. I am taking this course not only to fill a requirement, but to also gain knowledge from the various professionals that I am taking this class with.

I am a Blessed single mother of two delightful children, my son who is five, and my daughter who is 2. They are the loves of my life. My son is in Kindergarten and my daughter just began Pre-K 3 (early). On her first day, I (as most parent's are) was feeling so anxious about sending her to school for a full day. My beautiful daughter turned to me and said, "Mommy, I independent, I a good girl." My heart melted and I left knowing that she was more than ready to be there. My son is involved in Sil Jun Do (a mixed Martial Art), hip-hop dancing in an all boys group of dancers, and swimming. He reminds me daily that he wants to be a scientist for NASA, and that we are going to move to Texas when he gets a job. He also reminds me that he does not want to be an astronaut, his interest is in the possibilities of life on Mars. We are contants on the NASA website (I have learned a whole lot too!) All of that from a five year old!