No Teacher Left Behind
Will it Ever be Achieved?
How could 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?
- Professional workshops and training
- Continued development
- Mentorships
- Classroom Observations
- Faculty collaborating and feedback sessions
Students are always expected to perform well in school, especially on standardized tests. They are always being assessed to determine acquired knowledge. What about teachers? We are the ones who bestow knowledge upon our students. We should have expectations that we should be able to live up to as well. We should always remain one step ahead when it comes to educating children. It is our responsibility to be knowledgeable of the subject, content, and standards that we teach our students. How can they learn if we do not know how to teach them? Learning is an ongoing process for students and teachers. All teachers should be required to uphold these standards. If they have a true passion for teaching, learning more about technology and other strategies that will be beneficial to their students should be welcomed.
Should there be a consistent standard for all teachers to meet, just as students must pass high stakes tests? If so, what would be the standard?
- There should be a consistent standard for all teachers to meet.
- Teachers should be tested annually to make sure that their professional development skills are up to par.
- Teachers should be knowledgeable and proficient in the subject they teach.
If teachers do not truly understand what or how they are supposed to be teaching their students, they will not only fail them. They will fail themselves as well. It is important for new teachers to seek help and the guidance of a seasoned teacher or administrator. That is the only way student success will be achieved. Your teaching ability is reflective through your students' academic performance.
How well are teachers being prepared to master the ISTE Standards for Teachers standards in their classrooms?
Teachers are not really being prepared to master the ISTE Standards for Teachers standards in their classrooms. They lack technology skills that are needed in order to teach their students. If teachers are not required to attend workshops, they do not take it upon themselves to become technology savvy. Some teachers are afraid to venture outside of the box. They're afraid of change. They remain accustomed to using traditional methods of learning and refuse to allow students to be creative in the classroom. When their students become bored, it is reflective in their academic performance.
The Nationonal Society for Technology Education Standards for Teachers suggests that “teachers should design and develop digital age learning experiences and assessments, model digital age work and learning, promote and model digital citizenship and responsibility, and engage in professional growth and leadership” (ISTE, 2008). Teachers have not learned to implement all of these technological skills in their classrooms, but they are well on their way.
Reference:
ISTE. (2008). International Society for Technology Education Standards for Teachers.
Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/docs/pdfs/20-14_ISTE_Standards-T_PDF.pdf