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Do You Teach or Do You Educate?

Posted by Unknown Sabtu, 10 September 2011 0 komentar

"Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire" - William Butler Yeats

I am across this video recently and wish I had it for my opening day with teachers. It is definitely a discussion starter in regards to what should be occurring in the classroom, our respective roles in the profession, and how we should be working with our students to unleash their potential.

Is there more that can be added to this discussion?

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The Noblest Profession

Posted by Unknown Selasa, 05 Juli 2011 0 komentar

Cross-posted at the Huffington Post: What is Wrong With This Picture?

All across the country, education is under attack on numerous fronts. No matter where you look, educators are to blame for the economic woes in many states. This is extremely puzzling to me, as it is well known that this downturn in our economy was a result of misguided, unregulated, or greedy practices of the private sector. Educators then became the scapegoats as a message of “shared sacrifice” swept the country.

How this makes sense to anyone is beyond me. Consider that the average starting teacher salary is $40,000 and may approach $85,000 after 25 years of service, nearing retirement. So now, as states cry foul about their unprecedented budget gaps, educators are made to look like kings and queens because of their pensions and health benefits. Isn’t it funny how everyone made fun of educators for choosing a profession that paid so little when the private sector was raking in the cash from the late 90’s through 2006? Like virtually every educator in our country, I didn’t go into this profession to become wealthy. I wanted to make a positive difference in the lives of students and hopefully inspire them, like so many of my teachers did me, to be life-long learners and pursuers of dreams.

Recently NJ was the latest state to pass landmark employee legislation curtailing the collective bargaining rights of state employees, including educators. It was an extremely sad day for me personally, as I saw my grandmother and parents, retired educators who dedicated themselves to helping all students learn, have their pensions targeted by politicians who have never stepped foot in a classroom. Is this how we now treat people that made one of the most important decisions of their lives to make less money in the field of education as opposed to more lucrative positions in other lines of work? How do we not value the work that these retirees did for our schools and children to help catapult our country to such an elite status?

What concerns me even more is how the work of educators is being devalued to the point that no one will want to pursue one of the most rewarding careers available. More than ever the field needs passionate individuals who have the drive, patience, and character to work with students that have diverse learning needs. As the seemingly relentless attacks continue, the incentive to become a part of the noblest profession decreases to a point that might be irreparable.

One might ask why I refer to education as the noblest profession. My answer stems from the fact that education is what makes all other professions possible. Take a minute and think about other career paths – doctors, lawyers, engineers, mechanics, scientists, politicians, entrepreneurs – and ask yourself if any level of education has had a impact on that person’s ability to perform and succeed in those jobs. I think your answer would be a resounding yes. It is time for the negative rhetoric, demonizing, and punishment of the education profession to stop. If anything, we need to work harder to establish education as one of the most esteemed career paths as other countries have done. We have to treat those people who are, or were, in the classrooms with respect and dignity. In my opinion, blaming teachers for economic turmoil caused by others will continue to have an adverse effect on the quality of those entering the profession as well as a domino effect on every other profession. I see something wrong with this picture, do you?

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Simply Ridiculous

Posted by Unknown Minggu, 20 Februari 2011 0 komentar

I don't know about all of you, but I am really getting tired about the relentless attacks on teachers as states grapple with their budgets. Are they kidding me? Really, educators and other state workers are to blame for out of control costs and spending? As long as I can remember anyone that went into the field of education was ridiculed for the main reason that the profession makes no money. Now all of a sudden we are all filthy rich, greedy, and the sole reason for the economic turmoil in this country. The irony here is that it was the lack of oversight by these same government officials spearheading this agenda that got us into this financial mess. Where is the accountability on their part?

Education is what makes all other professions possible. As I have mentioned in other posts I firmly believe that teaching is the most noble profession. Other countries recognize this and treat their teachers with respect and compensation competitive with many other professions that we see as important. This summary of Thomas Friedman's views by Victoria Jean Terre sums it up nicely, "Friedman compares our country’s way of recruiting teachers to those countries who draw on the cream of the college student population, cultivating their academic talents and their commitment to working with children. And, I might add, compensating them well for their work and also providing social recognition of the important job they’re doing for their communities and their country." If this isn't enough try out this recent CNN article written by Diane Ravitch entitled Why America's Teachers Are Enraged.

It is time to remind all of these state legislators and governors of how important teachers are and the countless hours that are spent to help children, including theirs', succeed. The questions is, would they listen? Consider adding reasons why teachers should be valued, the important work they do, and examples from other countries that value the profession in the comments section.

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Good vs Great Teachers: My Ravitch Response

Posted by Unknown Jumat, 09 Juli 2010 0 komentar

Earlier today I read an article published in the Washington Post by Diane Ravitch entitled "Ravitch on Teachers and Her Critics". For the most part I agree with her views on No Child Left Behind, Race to the Top, and in many other areas. However, I was very taken aback by this statement that she made referencing 21st Century Skills, "And, to the extent that it is about pushing more technology into the schools, it is pointless, as technology will never take the place of good teachers."

As an educational leader I feel compelled to address this statement as I am tasked with hiring, observing, mentoring, evaluating, and supporting teachers on a daily basis. I want all of my teachers to be good and I unequivocally agree that there is nothing more important and influential to the success of a student than a good teacher. This leads me to list some defining characteristics of a good teacher:

1. Sound classroom management skills.
2. Ability to actively engage all learners.
3. Firm understanding of best practices and effective
     pedagogical techniques.
4. Addresses the needs of all learners by differentiating
     instruction.
5. Designs lessons that foster critical thinking skills and
     cognitive growth through authentic-based practices.
6. Are supportive, caring, and passionate about what they do.

I could go on and on, but I think you get the point. As Ravitch downplays the significance of educational technology and its evolving role in today's landscape I see it as an essential resource utilized by good teachers on a daily basis. These good teachers combine the engaging and collaborative forces inherent in technology with sound pedagogical techniques in order to effectively integrate. The result is phenomenal lessons. Through risk-taking and a determination to provide an enriched learning experience that is meaningful, these good teachers are reaching students in ways never imagined. Students of these good teachers have now developed a love for learning and an excitement about coming to school. They see technology as an essential tool, not a means to an end.

No, technology will never replace good teachers. Good teachers will be replaced by great teachers that embrace this opportunity and understand that change is the only way to prepare our students for success in the 21st Century. Great teachers find ways to use technology when needed to challenge, support, and enhance the learning needs of all students. It might not be on a daily basis, but the great teacher acknowledges its potential impact on and power for learning. Technology and the need for change are not going away, and the great teacher understands this. Thank you to all the great teachers, administrators, parents, and educational stakeholders that are actively accepting this challenge. Do not settle for being good. Continue to strive towards greatness as the student will greatly benefit.

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