An Appraisal of Common Demands - Part 2
Previously on Free Thinking Teacher...
Of course, all professional development should be quality PD. The issue isn’t just quality, it’s also quantity. It seems like a constant cycle of development with the concept of the month being regurgitated to the masses. Perhaps school districts, and the PD gurus they hire could focus more intently on one area and deliver meaningful content teachers would benefit.
Professionalism is a two-way street. Teachers definitely are professionals and deserve such treatment. That said, teachers also need to act like professionals. The expectations are fairly clear, yet neither side wishes to meet them. Not sure how to solve this problem with double-edged stubbornness.
In terms of standardized testing, yes less of it. I’m of the opinion that it must exist as an objective measure, however in smaller doses please. Benchmarking at multiple times for multiple agencies can easily be streamlined to twice a year max.
The final one is more prep time. This goes along with the PD demand is it quantity or quality that’s at issue? Many teachers’ prep time periods are taken up by meetings, IEPs, etc. It is an entirely fair argument to claim that instruction suffers when teachers are ill-prepared.
What my analysis all boils down to is that teachers are not treated well. Pointed comments and demands via social media does not work toward resolving this issue. In fact, I would argue the effect may be counterproductive. Instead let’s all practice being professionals and create an environment where the administration and lawmakers are willing to listen.
Check out this topic's accompanying episode of The Free Thinking Teacher Podcast.
I touched on the first part of this tweet in the prior post, in case you missed it. For this one I’m tackling the final four items listed.Most teachers DON’T need...— Fixing Education (@FixingEducation) January 15, 2020
•more advice
•forced training
•extra tasks
However, they DO need...
•SUPPORT (every kind!)
•Lower class sizes
•FAIR WAGES
•Quality PD
•To be treated like a professional
•Less standardized testing
•More prep time#EdChat 👍
Of course, all professional development should be quality PD. The issue isn’t just quality, it’s also quantity. It seems like a constant cycle of development with the concept of the month being regurgitated to the masses. Perhaps school districts, and the PD gurus they hire could focus more intently on one area and deliver meaningful content teachers would benefit.
Professionalism is a two-way street. Teachers definitely are professionals and deserve such treatment. That said, teachers also need to act like professionals. The expectations are fairly clear, yet neither side wishes to meet them. Not sure how to solve this problem with double-edged stubbornness.
In terms of standardized testing, yes less of it. I’m of the opinion that it must exist as an objective measure, however in smaller doses please. Benchmarking at multiple times for multiple agencies can easily be streamlined to twice a year max.
The final one is more prep time. This goes along with the PD demand is it quantity or quality that’s at issue? Many teachers’ prep time periods are taken up by meetings, IEPs, etc. It is an entirely fair argument to claim that instruction suffers when teachers are ill-prepared.
What my analysis all boils down to is that teachers are not treated well. Pointed comments and demands via social media does not work toward resolving this issue. In fact, I would argue the effect may be counterproductive. Instead let’s all practice being professionals and create an environment where the administration and lawmakers are willing to listen.
Check out this topic's accompanying episode of The Free Thinking Teacher Podcast.
Comments
Post a Comment