tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113479300897983388.post6155706615526554442..comments2024-01-06T06:09:29.140-05:00Comments on An Urban Teacher's Education: How Specialized Is Teaching?james boutinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09625944306253098621noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113479300897983388.post-72642477420717861322010-09-08T19:16:45.740-04:002010-09-08T19:16:45.740-04:00Eric Martel of Wilson High in DC complained to peo...Eric Martel of Wilson High in DC complained to people outside the school district when he was transferred out of the school in probable retaliation for complaining about unethical and illegal practices at Wilson. Now he is mentioned on TV and in the Washington Post. In addition to that, he is meeting with the city's Office of the Inspector General.<br /><br />Teachers need to remember that they don't give up their civil rights and the schoolhouse door.Linda/RetiredTeacherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01613269510654597179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113479300897983388.post-7384227859413479182010-08-27T14:24:55.386-04:002010-08-27T14:24:55.386-04:00First, I wonder if you're not being unfair to ...First, I wonder if you're not being unfair to your teacher-colleagues in that particular seminar. In an environment where people share a common profession but are learning new information, it's not surprising that they'd share materials (recommend a particular book or simulation you might not know about) without talking about how they use them (assuming that once the materials were in the hands of an experienced and motivated teacher that teacher would know what to do with them (something that would vary with context, style, students' backgrounds)). So they gave you the piece they thought you needed rather than a comprehensive account of their own practice. <br /><br />Secondly, I'm going to agree with your original perspective that teaching is a specialized skill. I've thought about this question a lot over the years and in a variety of different situations -- everything from reading over my mom's shoulder when she was taking ed courses in college and talking/listening to her about teaching, to seeing how little PhD students are taught about teaching before they're thrown into a classroom full of undergrads, to figuring out how I'd help my own grad students on that score, to a multi-year gig teaching secondary school teachers (public, private, suburban, urban) from every state and, ultimately, taking them up on their dare to try this stuff out in a classroom and report back. Oh yeah, and I almost left out being a parent of school-aged kids and listening to lots of parents assume that anyone with a BA from a good school could do a better job teaching than actual teachers. <br /><br />I guess what I've taken away is a series of impressions;<br /><br />1. Teaching is skill and probably best developed through thoughtful practice and from being given the space to experiment and evolve and, ideally, colleagues with whom you can debrief. <br /><br />2. It's a separate skill from content knowledge and you need both to be effective.<br /><br />3. There's not one right way to be a good teacher -- and being a good teacher in one context is no guarantee that you'll be a good teacher in another (particularly, if you aren't willing to be self-critical and rethink what you're doing in light of your experience). <br /><br />4. Lots of good teachers have well-developed instincts but may not be able to self-consciously explain what they're doing right and why. (And certainly not as well as an outside observer might be able to). That's probably because they don't always recognize that what's obvious or natural to them isn't to other people. <br /><br />5. Formulas may help you replace bad teaching with mediocre teaching, but they don't produce great teaching. And the same formulas imposed across the board will also replace great teaching with mediocre teaching.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113479300897983388.post-50174539332444685922010-08-18T14:37:16.110-04:002010-08-18T14:37:16.110-04:00Are you looking for an artist by reading book? Wil...Are you looking for an artist by reading book? Will art be yhe outcome?<br /><br />REASONS FOR STATING OBJECTIVES <br /> <br />When clearly defined objectives are lacking, there is no sound basis for the selection or designing of instructional materials, content, or methods. If you don't know where you are going, it is difficult to select a suitable means for getting there.<br />A second important reason for stating objectives sharply has to do with finding out whether the objective has, in fact, been accomplished. Test or examination s are the mileposts along the road of learning and are supposed to tell instructors AND students whether they have been successful in achieving the course objectives. But unless objectives are stated clearly and are fixed in the minds of both parties, tests are at best misleading; at worst, they are irrelevant, unfair, or uninformative. Test items designed to measure whether important instructional outcomes have been accomplished can be selected or created intelligently only when those instructional outcomes have been made explicit.<br />A third advantage of clearly defined objectives is that they provide students with a means to organize their own efforts toward accomplishment of those objectives. Experience has shown that with clear objectives in view, students at all levels are better able to decide what activities on their part will help them get to where it is important for them to go.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113479300897983388.post-8914489205338505742010-08-08T16:10:01.236-04:002010-08-08T16:10:01.236-04:00One thing that was mentioned in the introduction b...One thing that was mentioned in the introduction but not discussed here in the context of class is the status of teachers. Teachers are the most numerous professionals numbering about 6.2 million according to the census. They are also generally underpaid compared to their fellow professionals. Many things point to teachers being working class rather than professional class in terms of their employment status and this does make a big difference in how they are treated in the work place and by the public. I think it makes them more vulnerable to political machinations and to propaganda. As a teacher I do agree that the job it self is definitely complex and challenging requiring on the spot decisions many times a day that often have far reaching effects on learning. And although there are many other jobs that require this kind of skill none of them are as underpaid and politicized as teaching. It makes for an interesting combination of challenges that effectively filters out many personality types. The teachers I work with are very much dedicated to the children and see community, team work, and relationships as top priorities in their work place. "Reform" has almost completely ignored these requirements for educating children (along with content and creativity and thinking skills) and so there is a huge disconnect between the reform movement and the priorities of learning communities where children can get a real education that goes beyond test taking.Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03181139004026524628noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113479300897983388.post-41317169930845603372010-07-27T17:46:37.668-04:002010-07-27T17:46:37.668-04:00On Jose Vilson's blog, I read a reference to a...On Jose Vilson's blog, I read a reference to a study that said teachers make about 1,300 decisions a day. Think about it: you just introduced a lesson or activity, and you scan your class visually, taking in about 10-15 pieces of information, and adding another few pieces based on what you hear. In a matter of seconds, you need to decide which information is most relevant right now, which information will be relevant in a few minutes, and which information is irrelevant. Then, based on the most immediately relevant information, you have to decide what the priority is at this moment, and which of your multiple options to take in addressing that priority. You cannot follow any instructions on how to do this, because it is almost entirely a matter of applying principles to an ever-changing context.David B. Cohenhttp://accomplishedcaliforniateachers.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113479300897983388.post-31774106601914334562010-07-25T10:18:26.394-04:002010-07-25T10:18:26.394-04:00Hey, RE - I know you expressed some interest in re...Hey, RE - I know you expressed some interest in reading the TfSA that Fellows of the New Teacher Project get. I have an extra copy, would you like it?<br /><br />FF :)Fear the Fellowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06185173219705685245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113479300897983388.post-72941855252507284402010-07-22T15:07:19.867-04:002010-07-22T15:07:19.867-04:00So specialized that you get fired today cos of low...So specialized that you get fired today cos of low IMPACT scores, but replaced tomorrow by an unqualified teacher from TFA/Teaching Fellows who had 5 weeks of summer school training (if you're lucky). See Bill Turque re. firings, doesn't mention replacements but as this is TFA's biggest year, where else do you think they are coming from.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113479300897983388.post-92072671976510364342010-07-12T21:53:09.221-04:002010-07-12T21:53:09.221-04:00How Specialized is Teaching, try this on for size....How Specialized is Teaching, try this on for size. So says the New York times, "Getting into the nation’s top law schools and grad programs could be easier than being accepted for a starting teaching job with Teach for America." Next teaching year is going to be so much fun.....<br /><br />http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/12/education/12winerip.html?_r=2&partner=rss&emc=rssAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113479300897983388.post-77589689453321588982010-07-12T12:03:42.965-04:002010-07-12T12:03:42.965-04:00I've got nothing against memorization. It'...I've got nothing against memorization. It's good for learning some things. However, it doesn't work by itself for language learning. Of course there is memorization, but language is an activity. If you don't engage in it, you really are not fluent or capable. We engage people all the time with language. How often do we take tests? Even writing is an activity that takes up relatively little time for most people.<br /><br />Being able to converse, to me at least, is indispensable.NYC Educatorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12188066345722781723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113479300897983388.post-45288277974898406812010-07-11T20:28:11.839-04:002010-07-11T20:28:11.839-04:00Speaking about China, I'm sure teachers there ...Speaking about China, I'm sure teachers there don't use techniques in fashion in the United States such as cooperative learning and working in group. And higher order thinking skills? Something tells me that in China, India and Japan there is still a lot of memorization going on. Which I never considered a bad thing. I still remember a list of prepositions I had to memorize, as well as state capitals and dates.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113479300897983388.post-25220323873237853532010-07-11T20:09:00.461-04:002010-07-11T20:09:00.461-04:00lodesterre - you seem "spring loaded"...lodesterre - you seem "spring loaded" to pounce on anyone not satisfying your demands (yes, demands) for respect. <br /><br />Many of us respect teachers a lot for their importance in our society, and you have that from me and gazillion others. Thanks for what you do.<br /><br />As for complexity, the list is very, very long. You have good company, who also deserve respect for important jobs they do. <br /><br />Ya want even more respect for "complexity"??? -- you may have to, forever.<br /><br />To move things along, as Refl. Educ. would probably like, it would be interesting to get your expert thoughts on the principal-teacher relationship, which is what I was trying to comment on, anyway. What makes that different, if it is, than other manager-employee relationships?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113479300897983388.post-63333104364902623072010-07-11T17:37:27.826-04:002010-07-11T17:37:27.826-04:00You're absolutely right that telling kids to r...You're absolutely right that telling kids to read a book and draw a poster is not very artful. I'm thankful I can't think of a colleague who takes that particular approach.<br /><br />I have a lot of students from China. If you get to observe how they teach there, particularly how they teach English there, I'd love to hear about it. I sometimes get Chinese kids who are angry when I demand they speak and participate, or that they use only English in my classes. Many of them are shocked and unaccustomed to such demands, as English to them entails filling out exercises in grammar books and anything beyond that can be interpreted as unacceptable and a poor use of time.<br /><br />I believe that's the way I was taught Spanish in high school, which is why I didn't learn Spanish until many years later.NYC Educatorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12188066345722781723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113479300897983388.post-50595572371767673052010-07-11T14:40:33.274-04:002010-07-11T14:40:33.274-04:00Anon 2:24
I have had quite appreciable and satisfy...Anon 2:24<br />I have had quite appreciable and satisfying work experience in other fields. I was an administrator at a major university for many years before I decided to go into education as a teacher. I am not saying that teaching trumps all other professions for complexity, I am saying that teachers are not given, in this society, the recognition that our field is as complex as it is and that until such a time we will be treated as we are treated now - despite the rhetoric from reformers. <br /><br />Having worked as both a manager and subordinate I think I have a pretty good sense of what that relationship can be like and the nuances it entails. But your response to my comment is filled with the same condescension I feel is often directed towards the teaching profession. I have seen this condescension as a parent at my own children's school before I was ever in teaching, usually coming from well educated people who should know better.AVParodihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04875792642302052800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113479300897983388.post-64573127904912224932010-07-11T01:46:59.791-04:002010-07-11T01:46:59.791-04:00A small anecdote:
I teach first grade. My oldest,...A small anecdote: <br />I teach first grade. My oldest, dearest friend is an MD. Not only does she practice medicine, she has 2 kids in public school and is an active school supporter. She also has 2 older sisters who are educators. One of her sisters went on to become an associate superintendent, and the other left the classroom within a few years to become a full-time homemaker. Whenever my dear friend and I talk about work, she frequently refers to my job with an audible sigh, a shake of her head and the exclamation "I just don't know how you do it...!"<br />Of course, I say the same thing to her!California Teachernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113479300897983388.post-79059558498280134242010-07-10T14:56:16.859-04:002010-07-10T14:56:16.859-04:00Have a safe, enjoyable and educational trip.Have a safe, enjoyable and educational trip.edlharrisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113479300897983388.post-62046314090006750552010-07-10T14:24:01.636-04:002010-07-10T14:24:01.636-04:00From commenter replying to @Attorney DC -- have a ...From commenter replying to @Attorney DC -- have a great trip. I have spent a lot of time in China. It can swamp the senses and swallow you up intellectually, which is mainly good.<br /><br />Last I knew, Blogger could be accessed through Google.cn, which as of yesterday is usable again on the mainland. Or, you could use Baidu, but ya gotta find the toggle to English.<br /><br /><br />Your first commenter seemed to feel my comment conveyed some disrespect cum misunderstanding of teaching. The disrespect vibe is bogus. Her (gender probabilities) defensiveness is highly thoughtful and confidently articualte, and I am impressed, but my surmise is she's not had appreciable work experience in another field. <br /><br />And let's not lose track of the fact that my original comment was about the principal-teacher relationship, not the teacher-student relationship. Very different, as well all know.<br /><br />If she wants to make teaching a complex undertaking, I will agree, but there are a zillion other complex undertakings--infantry platoon leader, policeman, frontline public health specialist, salespeople of many types, politician, journalist, and many, many others.<br /><br />I don't expect most to appreciate or agree with my take on principal-teacher relationships unless they have been a manager in multiple public and private settings and have studied management constantly.<br /><br />There's a lot of good in viewing one's own occupation as really tough, and then overcoming the challenge. But, I fear, too many are overwhelmed, and it shows.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5113479300897983388.post-11395055829945326262010-07-10T11:50:15.737-04:002010-07-10T11:50:15.737-04:00A teacher I worked with had an excellent comment a...A teacher I worked with had an excellent comment about the views that quite a few people have of the teaching profession. He said that most people haven't experienced medical school, or law school, or engineering school so while they may criticize these professions they don't feel that they could simply step into the shoes of a lawyer, doctor or engineer. However everyone has gone through school and feels they "know" education from that experience. They think they understand what a "good" teacher or a "bad" teacher looks like. <br /><br />I think this view is understandable but clouded in ignorance. Teachers need to have so many different skill sets in order to effectively teach children. Do all teachers have these skills sets and the ability to use them? No. We all know this to be true. While many teachers are constantly working on their skills, adding to their education and knowledge of best practices on a yearly basis, many also simply languish, doing the bare minimum of what they need to do to renew their license, working out of their "playbook" that they have been using (effectively, I might add)for the last 15 or 20 years, and feeling that they know their job as good as anyone.<br /><br />Teaching, however, is like medicine and we need to approach our work in the same, proactive, way that doctors approach their profession. Our unions still work on a blue collar model and really we need to see our profession as more of an advanced profession as medicine or law. Many of us have spent as many years studying education, with the degrees to show it, as lawyers or doctors. We "practice" our profession every day. We assess the mental, spiritual, and academic well being of our students daily. We deal with sociological issues, psychology, hygiene, familial and community issues. We are social workers, psychologists, lawyers, and managers all rolled into one. We have to be and we have to have knowledge of all these fields in order to perform our job effectively. <br /><br />While we cannot diagnose we have to recognize the symptoms that present themselves to us every day and we know how to respond. Give me any lawyer or doctor who has never been in a classroom and let them come into my room for one month and teach and let us see how well they manage. <br /><br />Do we deserve more protections than other professions? No, but we do deserve basic rights in terms of our positions. How are doctors evaluated? Lawyers? Other high level professions? We deserve and should be evaluated on that level - not just for ourselves but for our parents and students as well. The evaluation process as it stands right now in DC has some good aspects to it - the best practices aspect of IMPACT is hard to argue with - but to tie our evaluation to test scores is idiotic. Especially a standardized test that merely assesses the ability to take a multiple choice test. These tests do not reflect the intangibles that are so important to our students. Critical thinking is hardly a real part of these tests. But that is another discussion.<br /><br />Teaching is rocket science. Anyone who has worked hard at this job and done it effectively will tell you that this is so. Anyone who thinks it is a common job on the same level as secretary or babysitter simply has no idea what teachers deal with every day.AVParodihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04875792642302052800noreply@blogger.com