Blog Post #14

Teaching Our Students Can Be A Profession

Issues: 

• Seniority 
  
• Professionalizing Teaching

Solutions: 

• More school options for families 
• TECHNOLOGY
• Adding more knowledge based curriculum
• Beginning school earlier than age 5

Mr. Klein was asked what he would change with the schools of today and he responded with four key points:

First, families must have the opportunity to decide from a variety of schools where their students will go. Parents will more often than not go for a school of quality over convenience. Parents will research schools and find the schools with the best ratings and reputations. 

Second, a change in the curriculum regarding the use of technology is a must. With the changes made daily in the advancements of technology it is imperative that students have access to any and all of it for the betterment of their education. 

Third, schools need to adopt a knowledge based curriculum that is more content driven. This will inhibit a style of learning that the students will gain more from than merely prepping for a "burp-back" standardized test. 

Lastly, starting students in school earlier than the age of five has proven to be highly beneficial and is practiced in many parts of the world currently. Certain day cares are incorporating lessons into their day to day routine to benefit the young minds. This is an option for parents who live in an area where it is offered. 

The two main issues Mr. Klein addresses are that of seniority and professionalizing teaching, this is my summary of the two:

1. The first is of seniority, it is a major problem within school systems and I agree 100%. The effectiveness of an educator and their impact on their students cannot always be measured in years of service. The "Police" system from Shanker, where teachers are given aptitude tests on a regular basis, I do not believe would solve the issue. Educators already go through a series of aptitude exams before joining the education system. I believe the depth of the lesson, the content taught, and the effectiveness of their delivery is a better way of judging a teacher's quality and the overall potential outcome of their students. 
2. Professionalizing teaching simply means holding educators to the same standard one would a doctor, lawyer, or any other profession one deems highly esteemed in their level of professionalism. Having an elitist mentality is not a bad thing. I think that only the top tier of educators from a graduating class should be selected to become educators. Not every person who attains a degree is adequate to teach in their field or any. Another factor should be the overall personality of the teacher. An educator should be humble, outgoing, and willing to take criticisms. This will better their interactions with their students and inhibit an environment where students, parents, and fellow educators are comfortable and willing to interact more willingly. 

In conclusion, I believe that educators are not given the respect or held at the same standard as other professions that are deemed to being more elite. Some of Mr. Klein's ideas I would definitely support but not all would be effective. Teachers are not revered as a true profession and are not taken as seriously as they should be. Both of my parents (both teachers) always remind me that, "You never become a teacher for the pay. You become a teacher because you have the drive to improve the lives' of the youth and leaders of tomorrow. You want to make an impact on the next generation." I do not believe in keeping teachers who are only judged by their years of service. I believe that only the best qualified educators should remain employed or be hired on to better their learning institution.