Are we doing what is best for our students?
I believe that is a question teachers and administrators should ask themselves on a daily basis.I have had the opportunity to teach in both the public a private sector and have found that most teachers do want the best for their students. Now do not get me wrong there are always a few teachers at a school that do not care for the students, but it is my experience these individuals are often in the minority.
I think that we are not doing what is best for our students because most of us are not given the ability to do what is best for our students. Our society evolves so quickly that the educational system cannot catch up. Combine that with a system that is slow to embrace change and you have a readymade educational disaster on your hands.
If we are to bring the American Educational system back to first in the world, a grassroots approach should be implemented starting with teachers and moving all the way up the chain of command to the department of education. I suggest the following steps to all who are interested.
1. Educate your administration on the connection digital education and critical thinking skills
2. Start or join an organization that advocates against standardized testing as a way to promote students and pay teachers.
3. Enlighten your community about your role as a teacher; we have let our profession become a political issue. We should be framing education as a human rights issue (ie. Everyone has a right to a great education).
4. Bring discipline back to the classroom. Even if your administration does not hold students accountable, let students know that they will be held accountable in your classroom.
5. Help promote digital learning and other current educational strategies in your school by hosting in services and creating a professional learning group at your school.
I have found that if you give people the opportunity to rise to an occasion they often do. I challenge everyone to implement a few or all of these ideas into their current school and to add some ideas to the five ideas I have listed above.
I look forward to hearing your ideas on how we can do what is best for our students
