How should the new administration respond to the nation’s need for better prepared and more qualified teachers?
Make the schools a place where people would want to teach! I don't know who would want to go into education today, since the teachers have lost so much control in the classroom. We've lost it to NCLB, we've lost it to the state regulations, and we've lost it to the parents. As the educators, we are supposed to be the experts on what is right for the kids, and yet we are not allowed to teach the way we want to. Those people who do come in to the profession, who are talented and qualified, most likely won't stay long because it's like fighting a losing battle. The saddest thing in my eyes is that there are so many teachers who will agree that the ways we are teaching our children in this decade are completely wrong, and even harmful to the children, and yet no one will stand up and protest it. And if our teachers are not prepared, and not qualified, then we need to look even more closely at our school systems, since we are the ones educating them!!! - Michele from NJ
Comments (4)
gail poulin said
at 6:23 pm on Jan 9, 2009
Professional development should have financial support from the federal government. Teachers and their districts pay far to much for the costs of PD. Everything from tuition, to textbooks, to substitute pay should be picked up to a certain extent. In business, companies will pay staff to attend trainings and courses that will enhance their performance and make money for the company. We are in the business of educating the leaders of the future but it is up to us to bear most of the cost. Preparing better teachers is an investment in the infrastructure of society.
Lois Cox said
at 12:02 pm on Jan 10, 2009
The cost of getting a teachers degree far exceeds the potential income and using that degree. Some way to either lower the cost of higher education or to subsidize the education of teachers could be beneficial. Once in the classroom however, many teachers find the workload overwhelming on all of the extra duties are added in. Other teachers feel their hands are tied in wanting to make changes. Teaching needs to be looked at as an honored career rather than what you do if you fail at everything else. Higher expectations for the college programs should also be put into place.
Carol Arcomano said
at 9:32 am on Jan 11, 2009
Go Carol. "Make the schools a place where people would want to teach" AND a place where people want to LEARN! How can we motivate and keep the interest of our students if we aren't equipped or prepared ourselves? Our profession is so unique as we are the educators of our future decision makers. And with technology so prevalent in our lives, we need to be forever learners ourselves. Our lessons are what drive students to follow their dream, motivate them to move forward, become problem solvers, etc. In many ways, we are more apart of their lives than their own family. Many we've taught since kindergarten, or coach. I've always felt, strongly, about what you wrote, ..."We've lost it (control) to NCLB...but felt prone to keep quiet as no one (educational experts) attempted to change or modify it. What is my small voice compared to the decision makers? For years, we've been told what to do NCLB and SLA is THE way to teach. What will it take to change it?
Dixie Dellinger said
at 9:00 pm on Jan 12, 2009
Trust them. Empower them to make decisions about how to teach their students and how to assess their learning.
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