Here is what Jesse Loughman from China shared with me about equity and excellence in education:
- Absolutely. English teaching in China and other parts of the world are usually filled with inexperienced fresh out of college or just don't know what they want to do in life people. Whereas I believe you must have some passion for teaching (especially early childhood) to become a teacher in a public school in the United States. When it comes to TESL in other countries, most look at money and lifestyle first and then teaching as an after though. This is why you find very high turn-over rates in these types of jobs. Most people only do one year contracts (and many of them do not stick to the contract and leave the country). Of course you can find many, many examples of great teacher who love to teach and are very passionate about what they do, but for the most part this is what I find to be true. And of course this greatly affects the child's learning process. Not being able to keep a consistent teacher can be quite a challenge when learning a subject.
As far as
defining excellence, I believe that any teacher or program that is willing to
get to know there students on a personal level and find each students strengths
and weaknesses rather than assuming that all students learn the same is best.
Also, a teacher who can admit to mistakes in the classroom and co-create a
lesson with their students is (to me) an excellent teacher. There is an awful
habit in China of the teacher standing up front and the students have to sit
there and pretend to listen. That to me is not teaching. Teaching to me is
using the personalities of each student and co-creating a lesson based off
strengths and weaknesses.
My international contact fro Japan is Kitara Jordan who teaches American children on the military base. This is what she shared with me about equity and excellence in education:
She said she does not agree with a lot of the components of the No Child Left behind law. Her district is not under this policy. Program quality is a hot topic because of the population it serves. She said that we need to look at our districts in which we work, and then find programs that best meet the needs of our children.
I agree with the information shared by both of my international partners. They both have good ides as far as equity and excellence is concerned. But as we have found out from our readings, it depends on the state in which we teach as to the programs as well as the qualifications for teaching. We also know that some teachers are more academically inclined and the children needs are not always met. As my contact Kitara stated, the programs should be based on what is good for the population we serve. But that is not always the case.
Linda ,how true is that some teachers didn't have passsion and they just work for the money or lifestyle,and make work contracts for one year. They don't know the damage they are doing in children not having a stable teacher.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that in some countries the education is different and the teachers need to do what the district said,but if we know what the children needs we could give them the best they need.
maria
Hello Linda:
ReplyDeleteWonderful post, thank you for sharing the insight of an international professionals, it is great to learn how other educators think globally.
The core value in what both are saying is "who teaches the young child" which is an inequity in/itself. The variable non-consistent teacher requirement in our country is a major contributing factor as an issue in the ECE field. More and more policy maker are realizing the importnace of "high quality" well educated and trained teachers. The question is, when are we going to see a full implementation of this belief/value?
Great post :)
Marijan K.
I absolutely agree! You must be stress free to deal with children! You can't bring any issues to work. The job is all about the children! The turn-over rate is very high in NYC, too! I remember one class had three different teachers for one year. I also find teachers don't like their job, but like the money. Most children have their own issues, but as the professional, you must find their weaknesses and strengths. As an educator, we must learn how to pull these qualities out of students. Being a teacher is not just teaching, you must have other qualities to get the job done! Great post! Tamarah
ReplyDeleteTeaching really isn't a job its a vocation. Being a teacher is learning how to listen to the needs and wants of the children and others. It's true I have seen and meet many people who just should not be in the classroom. It's absolutely wonderful learning how others feel about this profession. I was looking forward to reading your post! Great Job!
ReplyDeleteLinda,
ReplyDeleteI agree with your post. It takes a teacher with patients and respect to deal with children that is not your own. Some teachers teach because they love to teach and some teachers teach for the money and benefits. Children need help and they need teachers that will take time and patients with them. I think the No Child Left Behind Law did not take off as president Bush wanted it to but hopefully there is something better coming for the next generation of children.
Yvette