In the midst of standardized testing season, students often find themselves feeling anxious and unenthusiastic about the process. While many teachers do their best to alleviate the stress—by allowing chewing gum or independent reading—one teacher in Pennsylvania took a unique approach that landed him in hot water.
Kyle Anderson, an eighth-grade social studies teacher at Maple Grove Middle School in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, decided to whip up some whole grain pancakes for his students during the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA). Unfortunately, his culinary endeavor was deemed a “distraction” by the vice principal, who entered the classroom and interrupted the testing atmosphere.
Perla Johnson, a student in Anderson’s class, shared her thoughts with local news outlet Fox43, stating, “The only distraction was when the principal walked in. That’s when everyone turned around. Mr. Anderson was just trying to keep us focused.”
Anderson expressed his confusion regarding the disciplinary action he faced. “I honestly don’t understand what I did wrong,” he told Lancaster Online. “There was no infraction. The students were working hard.” Following the incident, he was suspended without pay, and while the school board discussed his employment status at their meeting, they did not vote on termination, clarifying that it was not on the agenda.
Support for Anderson poured in from both parents and students. Maria Torres, a parent of one of his students, voiced her discontent, saying, “He’s being punished over pancakes when all he’s trying to do is be a great teacher. He’s like a father figure to these kids.” Another student, Alizea Garcia, added, “This is just ridiculous. It’s all about pancakes!”
School board member Kelly Burkholder emphasized that teachers proctoring the PSSA receive specific training on testing protocols. “Cooking in the classroom during testing would distract a teacher from their duties,” she explained. However, a spokesperson from the Pennsylvania Department of Education noted that there is no explicit rule against food preparation during assessments, but such activities could interfere with the monitoring required during testing.
Fortunately, Lancaster Online has reported that Anderson will return to teaching following his brief suspension, much to the relief of his students and their families. “He’s an amazing teacher,” said one student, Emily Adams. “When he was gone, it was tough for us.”
As Crystle Martinez, a parent of two in the district, aptly put it, “It takes a village to raise children, and Mr. Anderson is part of that village.” For families navigating the complexities of parenthood, resources like this guide on home insemination can be indispensable. Additionally, for those looking to deepen their understanding of fertility, Cleveland Clinic’s podcast offers excellent insights.
In summary, the situation surrounding the teacher’s pancake-making incident highlights the challenges educators face while trying to create a supportive and engaging learning environment amid rigid testing protocols.
Keyphrase: Teacher Pancakes Distraction Standardized Testing
Tags: Teacher Disciplinary Action, Standardized Testing, Student Support, Classroom Distractions, Education News