Friday, November 4, 2016

Taiwan Student’s poems become Facebook hit

Student’s poems become Facebook hit

By Lee Jung-ping and William Hetherington / Staff reporter, with staff writer

An undated photograph shows poems and simple illustrations on the pages of a book used for daily communication between a student and his teacher at Taoyuan Sinwu Junior High School.

Photo copied by Lee Jung-ping, Taipei Times

A junior-high school student’s correspondence with his teacher through poems has helped the two garner millions of online fans after the writings were published on social media.

Taoyuan Sinwu Junior High School eighth-grade teacher Lu Chang-hsiao (陸昌孝) said that since April, he has been sharing poems with a student in his daily communication book after the student began writing poems to communicate his thoughts to the teacher.

Lu on Sunday said it was rare to see a student express his thoughts through poetry.

After the beginning of the school year in August, the student wrote poems every day for a month, Lu said, adding that he responded to them every time.

The poems were posted on the school’s Facebook page, drawing more than 2.95 million visitors, many praising the student for his prowess at poetry.

“Is this the talented child poet Tang Po-hu (唐伯虎) of the Ming Dynasty?” one netizen asked, while others praised the teacher for his patience and compassion.

In response, Lu wrote a message jokingly saying: “He writes poems every day and I do not have the wits to keep up.”

When asked about his reaction to the poems garnering about 3 million views on Facebook, Lu said: “I was shocked. This will be the death of me. All this attention, I wonder how many more viewers will there be?”

Lu said he asked Taoyuan Sinwu Junior High School principal Chen Ta-kuei (陳大魁) to reduce his course load so that he can have more time to respond to students through their communication book reports.

Lu, who is a geography teacher, said it was the first time that he had encountered a student who writes poems in his daily communication book.

He added that writing daily poems had him doing mental gymnastics and that all he can do is tell the students that “you have to stop writing” poems.

The school said the student is the top of his class, but prefers to keep a low profile and only wanted to share his thoughts with the teacher, adding he is happy that he and the teacher can have such good rapport.

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Menu of Teachers' Union Activities

Teachers' Union chapters need to be more actively democratic and responsive to its members needs. It is important to achieve this by creating sub-committees that would address areas of interest to members and get many members involved. Each sub- committee would be comprised of teacher and para-professional volunteers and facilitated by an elected committee member. Sub-committee membership is the vehicle for any interested teacher or para-professional who would like to become more active in social or political issues affecting the teachers' union chapter,improve the flow of information to  members, and make improvements to  work

environment.

MENU OF UNION ACTIVITIES Listed below is each objective and a proposal for sub-committees that would be created to realize that objective. Maybe you have an idea for another sub-committee? Remember, the form and direction of each sub-committee takes shape through you.

OBJECTIVE -ACTIVITY “To cooperate to the fullest extent with the labor movement

and to work for a progressive labor philosophy to awaken in

all members a labor consciousness and sense of solidarity

with labor.”

1. Union Solidarity Committee: Discuss labor issues with

possible petition drives. Update and advise colleagues on

contract issues. Contact and keep up with labor issues in

other schools in the area and worldwide..

****************************************************************

“To protect the schools against unsound economy and against efforts at domination by political, economic, religious, or military group.”

2. Sweat-free School Committee: Help your school join the

movement against sweatshops by identifying violators and

using union-made items at school.

3. Tolerance Committee: Discuss and recommend ways for

helping students get along better and helping teachers

understand cultural diversity. Work with clubs and the

student organization to promote cross-cultural sensitivity.

**************************************************************

“To promote education as a social agency for developing

the capacities of the young, for enlightened adults, and for

working toward a society motivated by the ideal of service and democratic participation.”

4. Teachers’ Resource Committee: Organize and expand

the teachers’ library resources such as videos, text,

classroom activity manuals, and member services brochures.

This includes the maintenance of office equipment, such as

the copy machine, computer, printer, and television. ****************************************************************

“To make members aware of their political responsibilities.”

5. Bulletin Committee: Update, decorate, and maintain the

union message boards. Monitor and maintain our list-serve.

Consider creating a chapter newsletter.

****************************************************************

“To advance the economic and professional interests of

members.”

6. Financial Advisory Committee: Act as an adviser to both

new and old colleagues with their financial questions on 401K, tax deferred annuity, DA, pension, and payroll.

7. In-Service Training Committee: Act as an advisor assisting

colleagues on licensing requirements, degree fulfillment, as

well as available classes for professional development, and

credits toward salary steps. Have information on sabbaticals. *****************************************************************

“To establish the active participation of education employees

in the formulation of educational policies.”

8. Education Committee: Discuss trends in education,

standardized testing, and effective teaching methodologies.

Create and develop a bank of useful teaching methodologies,

materials and plans. Assist colleagues *****************************************************************

“To work for democratic administration and supervision.”

9. Union-Administration Consultation Committee: Form an

agenda from sub-committee suggestions and prepare for

consultation meetings with the principal as required of elected Committee members. Report to the rank and file.

10. School General Assembly Committee: Attend, present our

petitions, and report on G.A. Required of Committee Delegates. ******************************************************************

“To protect members whenever necessary.”

11. Safety Committee: Advise colleagues on strategies for

classroom management and violence prevention. Instruct on

the procedures established for dealing with disruptive students.

12. New Teacher Support Group: Help new teachers maneuver in your school and give advise on clerical matters. how to survive an observation, and how to file grievance reports. Review mentoring candidates and help with selection.

13. Health Committee: Advise on insurance plans and make

available listings of doctors, dentists, and labs. Make available

 information of stress management. Work toward making your

school a safer school. Meet with cafeteria personnel to discuss and develop healthier lunch menus.

*****************************************************************

I believe each sub-committee can work toward creating a new

union environment in our schools, one of action, inclusion, and service. Each person can contribute to their area of expertise. In these days of union entrenchment, we must be more active to protect the gains you have made and make sure we’re fairly represented.

Education Emancipation Organization

Friday, November 4, 2016

Taiwan Student’s poems become Facebook hit

Student’s poems become Facebook hit

An undated photograph shows poems and simple illustrations on the pages of a book used for daily communication between a student and his teacher at Taoyuan Sinwu Junior High School.

Photo copied by Lee Jung-ping, Taipei Times

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Bread & Roses Curriculum

A Socially Conscious Approach to Literacy