Yes, you read that correctly. Make sure your child's teacher is actually there to teach. As an avid advocate of education, I've seen the ugly side of teachers demonstrating little to no interest in the actual development of student knowledge. I naively thought that the days of teachers professing "I'll get paid whether you learn or not" were over. However, I was in for a rude awakening. Completing Graduate level coursework, during fieldwork, and observations, I was exposed to what can only be called experience.
I must admit that there are some teachers I've observed and worked with who actively engage students in learning as a personal journey of self discovery. They implement different methods of technology into the curriculum to enhance student engagement and facilitate the learning process. To those teachers, I give the utmost respect because teaching truly is a labor of love for those educators who believe they can make a difference and instill the same values in their students.
However, the polar opposite does exist and unfortunately the numbers are drastically higher. Time after time I've wondered how some teachers remain employed. PLEASE don't get me wrong. In these wonderful economic times, I'd hate to see any qualified, motivated, and committed teacher lose their job. But realistically there are some that should not be in a classroom of 20+ students "teaching" them. I've seen everything from name calling to yelling to temper tantrums to power trips and I am NOT referring to the students. It's appalling. No lesson plans, no interactive learning assignments, no group activities, unclear learning objectives, and simple workbook activities are what some teachers are attempting to pass off as "teaching." It's alarming that U.S. students score lower internationally on critical thinking and technology related batteries than other major countries. Our students desperately need to be taught in a way that will allow them to compete in an international business market.
I can continue on and on (as I believe I already have) but I implore parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and anyone who is invested in a child's future to become actively involved and demand more from their child's education. Participate in Open House. Prepare a list of questions for the teacher to determine how your child will be encouraged, challenged, and enlightened throughout the year. Communicate frequently with teachers via email. Plan at least one day per quarter to visit and observe your child's class and talk to your child about what's happening in the classroom.
Lastly, when given the opportunity in person, ask your child's teacher what they are doing related to CEC'S (Continuing Education Credits) and to explain to you Bloom's Taxonomy. If you don't receive an answer or notice hesitation, you should be alarmed and request that the teacher attend the FIRST teaching bootcamp of the year - a trip with you to the principal's office to discuss your child's educational outcomes in this particular teacher's class. Bloom's Taxonomy is a Teaching 101 lesson that an educator should never forget. *hint - the answer should contain the words Knowledge, Comprehension, Application, Analysis, Synthesis, and Evaluation.
For now, that's all folks. I can't help but bring back that wonderful, old Whitney song:
"I believe the children are our future..." you know the rest ;) (hopefully)!
-m.marie
"What sculpture is to a block of marble, education is to a human soul."
- Joseph Addison
- Joseph Addison
"Liberty without Learning is always in peril and Learning without Liberty is always in vain.
- John F. Kennedy
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