Blog Post 14

Teaching Our Children Can Be a Profession

Problem: Teaching needs to be professionalized.
Solution: Better academic training for prospective teachers needs to be implemented.

I agree that teaching needs to be professionalized. However, better academic training, alone, is not enough to do so. Learning how to do something and actually doing it are two completely different experiences. I think teachers need more in-classroom experience before they have a class to themselves. Early exposure to in-classroom teaching would be more beneficial to students and to prospective teachers. This gives teachers a better idea of what to expect and how to handle certain situations.

Problem: We need better recruiting techniques for new teachers.
Solution: We need to recruit new teachers from the top third of graduating classes.

I fully agree with this solution. I feel like anyone can become a teacher. The classes and state-mandated tests aren't very rigorous. They do not prove anyone's desire to become a teacher. Too many people come into this profession not truly wanting to be here. I've met people in my education classes that don't seem to be cut out for teaching, but they pass their classes regardless. I think a great way to add to this solution would be to have an in-class evaluation of one's teaching methods/practices by a state board member. This could be done before degrees are rewarded to help weed-out people that don't seem quite like teacher material.

Problem: Awards are based on seniority rather than merit.
Solution: Teachers are treated as interchangeable. There needs to be a system that tests teachers on their knowledge of teaching, which can lead to pay raises and various other perks.

I've always thought that there should be a way to reward teachers for high performance. The way I see it is that if you aren't recognized/rewarded for doing a job, you will lose your motivation to do so. It's the same way for the children we work with. Everyone wants to know that they are doing a good job. It will get to the point where people will think, "What's the point in doing all this extra work if s/he does way less than I do but still gets paid just as much as I do?" It's frustrating not to be recognized for a job well done.