No Teacher Left Behind
Finding ways to help our teachers
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?
As a nation we should ensure to provide learning opportunities by bringing it to the teachers. I feel that they should hold seminars and classes at every school that presents new information and techniques. It will allow for teachers to be able to attend and keep them updated with all the new information. Plus I feel that if they got hands on material and allowed them to navigate it and interact with it they would be able to understand it more.
Should all teachers across the country use certain practices? If so, what would those be?
I feel that this is a touchy subject because everyone learns differently and teaches differently. But having across country of the same teaching would be very beneficial to have. I feel the strongest practice that all the teachers should be doing is backward design planning. I think that if every teacher used this method by thinking about what they want the children to learn and work around that (Newman, 2013). I also feel that using hands on interaction per grade level, the students will be signing on and performing grade level assignments on there.
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?
I do feel that there should be a consistent standard for all teachers to meet. They need to be able to meet the needs of all their students as well as modify and accommodate their work in the classroom. The teachers should be sure they understand all the updated materials, technologies and requirements that come out. The teachers should also be able to explain the material and technology to the parents so they are also kept involved.
Lastly, share your thoughts on how well teachers are being prepared to master the ISTE Standards for Teachers standards in their classrooms.
I feel that teachers are being taught only some of the steps in the ISTE. Some of the teachers are new and do not understand fully what ISTE is and are only being taught the basic which may not include all the steps. However there are teachers who have all the steps mastered and run a really well classroom. I feel that there should be a medium where all the teachers who have mastered them all are able to help the other teachers in their school to learn all the skills and concepts.
References
Newman, R. (2013). Teaching and learning in the 21st century: Connecting the dots. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc