No Teacher Left Behind
Developing High Quality Teachers
Best Teaching Practices
All teachers across the country should be using practices that have been demonstrated to promote student learning. There are broad practices that each teacher should be guided by when planning for their classroom as a structure from which to develop. These include being student centered where the environment, routines and role of the teacher all support the needs of the student. Relationships, responsibility and self-drive are important to develop. Planning and teaching should be in line with current standards. Teachers should use strategies and methods of teaching shown to be effective with teaching students. This arsenal of tools should include strategies to adjust teaching for individualized needs and respond to students' learning. Assessments should be used that are useful to guide teaching and to accurately demonstrate whether students are progressing. Students should also be encouraged to develop self-monitoring skills to promote life-long learning. The specific way each school district chooses to implement the practice guidelines should be specific and appropriate for that school and population.
How Do We Teach Best Practices?
What is deemed best practice is rooted in previous knowledge in what has worked combined with current research. How then are we planning to keep teachers informed, trained and prepared to succeed?
- Workshops on all Professional Development days should focus on this.
- Videos for teachers to watch and then discuss with administration should be provided.
- Time to meet and collaborate with other educators is also important and necessary to access as a good efficient resource.
- Summer courses should be available to teachers with CEU credit.
What About Teacher Standards?
Standards are necessary to ensure a high level of quality. Teachers should be able to
- Demonstrate knowledge of the content they are teaching
- Seek out continued education
- Reflect on teaching and change accordingly
- Use assessment effectively
- Understand learning and development
- Use a variety of appropriate teaching practices that are effective to teach diverse students and run and smooth classroom.
How Do We Assess?
Testing is not the answer to determine what teachers know. Teachers should be able to demonstrate meeting standards through a variety of options.
- Portfolios
- Videos
- Journals
- Providing evidence of communication
- Documentation of professional development
- Documentation of collaboration with other teachers.
- Teachers should set goals with their administration and work to meet those goals annually.
Technology is the New Standard
ISTE Standards for Teachers
Teachers are getting technology and not using it because they don’t know how. We need to provide opportunities so teachers can learn what is available, know how to use technology to support their teaching, and feel comfortable with the process. Expert consultants should be made available to each school throughout the year so that teachers can meet with them. Discussions with the technology consultants would begin with what the teacher wants to teach and how this teaching/skill development can be enhanced by technology. This will lead to what technology to use and how. Trainings need to be specific and meaningful with immediate use in the classroom, followed up by additional hands on support with the technology consultants. Teachers should also be encouraged to join online groups that discuss technology in the classroom or provide links to good educational online activities.