No Teacher Left Behind
Teaching Learning and Leading in the 21st Century
How would you suggest we, as a nation, provide consistent learning opportunities for teachers and ensure that they are not left behind in learning about new techniques and strategies?
We as teachers are asked to provide curriculum's to build on our students skills to be successful in the 21st Century. It is imperative that those who are teaching the minds of the future is also skilled in what they are teaching. Affordable seminars, certification programs, or even affordable schooling should be provided to those who are choosing to gain a career in education. A wonderful example of an opportunity for teachers to excel in education, is for jobs to provide a partnership with various schools that allows teachers to continue to develop their craft. The company I work for highlights this example. Ashford University is in alliance with Bright Horizons and they provide discounts that can make education affordable for the employees who work there. Bright Horizons also provides certification programs, paid for by the company for the teachers and the associate teachers to excel in the company.
Should all teachers across the country use certain practices? If so, what would those be?
I believe teachers should be trained in teaching practices that can allow them to properly implement lessons that uphold the Common Core standards. Teachers will be facing many teaching styles developed by many educational psychologist. So, teachers should practice on how to stay tuned into identifying their students' learning styles and how to adapt school lessons and curriculum to their ever changing classroom. According to Educatorstechnology.com, "Leading a successful teaching job requires a high sense of adaptability, for what used to be a successful teacher in the 20th century is now an outdated teacher in the 21st Century."
The 7 Habits of Highly Ineffective Educators Screener
Should there be a consistent standard for all teachers to meet, just as students must pass high stakes test? If so, what would be the standard?
Do we not have that now? In order to become a certified teacher you must pass exams, and take courses, and have a certain GPA, or score in order to obtain your teaching certifications. We must meet a certain standard in order to teach. Some teachers now must undergo observations and meet program requirements in order to obtain or further in their career. I do feel that following an observation, if there is anything that needs improvement, a teacher should be provided with the proper courses, workshops, or seminars in order to better in their skills and develop as the skills in the 21st century develop.
Teachers are taught to look at students for their potential, to help them develop in the areas they need to develop. We teachers are humans and on going learners too. We enter into the field of teaching to realize that we never stop learning. You can test us on our knowledge and teach us nothing, or allow us ways to take our experience, our teachings and better ourselves in the world of education.
Share your thoughts on how well teachers are being prepared to master the ISTE Standards for Teachers standards in their classrooms.
I feel that these ISTE Standards are in the initial goals of teachers, just like a student entering in a new school year with high hopes and a sense of dedication for a new start. Schools are now pressuring teachers to prep their students to achieve specific grades on state examinations. There are deadlines within text book pages, or topics that have to be addressed weekly. Teachers are now focused on reaching deadlines, and focused on gaining a high percent on test scores. The ISTE Standards are what teachers should be more focused on and maybe they will see the progress within a students learning which will lead to higher test scores.
Reference:
- International Society for Technology in Education. ISTE Standards Teachers. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/docs/pdfs/20-14_ISTE_Standards-T_PDF.pdf
- 10 Teaching Practices Every 21st Century Teacher should Do. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2012/06/10-teaching-practices-every-21st.html
- The 7 Habits of Highly Ineffective Educators Screener. (2009). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlJXYwWRGUQ