I am so frustrated by the idea in education reform that there is just one answer and if we could find it, all of the problems in education would be fixed. We are in a constant search to try to find the "perfect" way to structure a school, the "perfect" curriculum, the "perfect" teaching style, the "perfect" course sequence, the "perfect" standards, and the "perfect" teacher education program. We somehow believe that this would make sure that all students were given a quality education.
All of this misses the point. Students and teachers are people. Teaching is a personal act as well as an intellectual act. What works in one place may not work in another place. What works with one student may not work with another. What works in one period of the day may not work in the next period.
Teachers need to trust their instincts. They need to be supported. They need to be seen as experts and professionals. Their knowledge and skills need to be valued. They are the ones doing the work in the classrooms day after day. They need to be able to make decisions about what is best in their classrooms and schools. They need time and space to work together. They need to be part of a professional community where the answers come from the inside instead of the outside. They need to be trusted to be intellectually engaged in the process of education. They need to be empowered to read the situations in front of them, to know and understand their students, and to employ the best techniques for the given situation.
They do not need to be told what to do every minute of every day.
3 comments:
Amen! Thanks for the post! If only there was the "perfect" something that would be a silver bullet. If only it were that easy!
I so agree, but unfortunately, I find that we teachers don't work together like we should. We complain about all of the top down decisions and constraints, but when we are left on our own to follow our instincts and work together in professional communities, do we? Not to the extent we should.
I wish I had the answer. I just know what I see on both sides isn't working.
Great point! No two students are the same so how could we possibly think that one solution is going to work for every child, in every classroom, in every state. It's impossible. Teachers have to be given some credit that they know the students and their needs considering they are the ones with them day in and day out.
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