Gifted teacher jumps through hoops

[kkddbb]

actually, the private sector ieps for high needs students can easily run in the $50-$75k range. There are a number of private schools that work with those kinds of high need-intensive resources students when you get small school districts that don't have the means to handle a specific disability, and those kinds of schools can easily cost that much per student. (said cost is paid for by the student's home district, whether they can easily afford to or not)

interesting....

Bottom line, if any side is going to find a solution its the private sector. They have specific interest while the gov just wants to collect a check.

Good insight, thanks for your input. Gave me more to talk to my sister about when it comes to the educational system.

 

[Susan Horn]

Back to the part about the classes required for certification.... Quite some years ago, I took a few graduate level elementary education classes as a first step towards certification. One semester of extreme boredom and two years working as a substitute/Chapter I Aide were all it took for me to realize this was not the right career path for me. I was furious that I had to pay money and spend all that time taking those courses, that were nothing more than busywork and child's play, and I was presented the same basic information in all three of the classes I took. Of course I made all A's, easy as a breeze. If that's what they teach in graduate level courses, I wonder what undergraduate education courses are like!

Again, I stress that this was many years ago (1987). Things may have changed, I don't know. But I suspect we still have lots of certified teachers in our schools who were taking those same graduate courses to get their next pay increase. I remember hearing some of my fellow students -- all of whom were already certified teachers working in public schools -- whining that they expected an A in every class just for perfect attendance and didn't understand why they should be expected to turn in a project, term paper, etc. Needless to say, the thought of working alongside "professionals" of that caliber and attitude did not appeal to me.

 

[Andy A]

Back to the part about the classes required for certification.... Quite some years ago, I took a few graduate level elementary education classes as a first step towards certification. One semester of extreme boredom and two years working as a substitute/Chapter I Aide were all it took for me to realize this was not the right career path for me. I was furious that I had to pay money and spend all that time taking those courses, that were nothing more than busywork and child's play, and I was presented the same basic information in all three of the classes I took. Of course I made all A's, easy as a breeze. If that's what they teach in graduate level courses, I wonder what undergraduate education courses are like!

Again, I stress that this was many years ago (1987). Things may have changed, I don't know. But I suspect we still have lots of certified teachers in our schools who were taking those same graduate courses to get their next pay increase. I remember hearing some of my fellow students -- all of whom were already certified teachers working in public schools -- whining that they expected an A in every class just for perfect attendance and didn't understand why they should be expected to turn in a project, term paper, etc. Needless to say, the thought of working alongside "professionals" of that caliber and attitude did not appeal to me.

There is another aspect to teacher acreditatiion that is given no credence whatsoever. That is experience at something other than educational studies such as small business or, dare I say it, the military.
You are required to take all these courses directed at teaching but if you have taught elsewhere other than in an established educational environment, your backround and ability to teach is ignored. You cannot receive credit for what formal instruction you may have performed.
Such is what we have under our present system and it is largely due to the non recognition of the capabilities of others, outside the realm of the educational clique, to teach.

 

[beachmouse]

There is a world of differenct between instructing 18 year olds in boot camp who are there because they want to succeed at some level and dealing with unmotivated 12-14 year olds.

I think education classes in classroom management are a good idea- managing kids effectively is a very different skill set, and while some people have a natural talent for it and some people never will, a lot of prospective teachers will do well for learning strategies for kid-wrangling.

Some of the best elementary teachers I've seen haven't necessarily been the brightest people out there or the types to succeed in the world outside the classroom, but they've got an awesome skill set when it comes to getting all their charges to get their spelling lists right, understanding fifth grade science concepts, or grokking the basics of division.

 

[Andy A]

First of all, I was not referring to 18 year olds in boot camp. In reference to the military, if you believe they know nothing of classroom management, lesson plan construction and a myriad of other attributes necessary to instruct a class, regardless of age, you are sadly mistaken.
What you are promoting is that which is promoted by the NEA and other groups protective of teachers with tenure and those educated in teaching techniques but with no practical experience when entering the field, whatsoever.
I realize this will never change because the the teacher unions will not let it. Many, who do not have the "tickets" required could attain the class room knowlege you deem necessary in a matter of one semester or less and thus satisfy your doubts as to their ability to instruct.
I do agree with you that some have that "special knack" that inspires and progresses their students. We have all had teachers who fall into that category.

 

[Geo]

Ask yourself a question-
Of all the things covered throughout your years of schooling, what percentage have you actually used?

I think a very large problem with schooling in the US has to do with our outdated/standardized curriculum. We would be serving our students better if we placed more focus on life skills- e.g. students graduating from high school should already know about the pros/cons of credit cards, the simple but powerful lessons of compounded interest, mortgages, the stock market, etc.

And there should be greater focus on communication skills, persuasion, critical thinking, etc.

I'm thinking we should have core curriculum until middle school. Then we should allow students to "major" in areas of concentration that interest them. Let's say we have a seventh grader who has no interest whatsoever in science and math. It makes no sense to force them to study things like chemistry or geometry in high school, IMHO. They will just be going through the motions- memorizing the periodic table and theorems just to pass exams. They won't remember any of it and won't use any of it.

2 cents...

 

[Andy A]

Geo, you have hit it nicely. In addition, if they become interested in areas that require knowlege of those subjects they could not stand earlier, they will quickly learn them if they have the capability to do so.

 

[Geo]

Geo, you have hit it nicely. In addition, if they become interested in areas that require knowlege of those subjects they could not stand earlier, they will quickly learn them if they have the capability to do so.

Great point. In the internet age, if I opted out of algebra but all of a sudden I need to calculate what percentage of my income goes to taxes i can do a quick search and learn how to set up this basic equation or I can use a website that will figure it for me.

 

[beachmouse]

First of all, I was not referring to 18 year olds in boot camp. In reference to the military, if you believe they know nothing of classroom management, lesson plan construction and a myriad of other attributes necessary to instruct a class, regardless of age, you are sadly mistaken.

Didn't say that, only that you've got fundamental difference in each population that aren't necessarily going to translate well from one area to the other.

 

[Geo]

I'm a firm believer that the most important professional skill is the ability to communicate. Irrespective of educational background or area of focus-

if you can speak well and sell yourself you will get the job you want and you will be successful. Why? Because there are so many poor communicators out there that you compete against.

I taught Public Speaking in Grad School at the University of Illinois. I was amazed at how many (really otherwise smart) undergrads couldn't use a conversational tone and/or maintain eye contact when addressing peers.

These days I am amazed at how many (otherwise smart) people can't formulate arguments in the Political Forum.

haha