It's pretty easy to be a teacher. To be a good teacher, it's really, really hard.
The responsibility of educating the next generation is difficult enough, period. On top of that, teachers have the realities of unacceptable behavior in the classroom, home situations that are less than encouraging of a learning focus, and state testing requirements that have proven to be meaningless roadblocks to the kind of teaching that changes lives for the better.
It's no secret that our education system in America is failing our students. And it's no secret that the problem is extraordinarily complex.
In my community, there are some amazing teachers that are doing their best to succeed (and are succeeding), despite all the odds of the system in which they're forced to operate.
I can also say from experience, that there are some very lousy teachers who are holding onto their years at school doing absolutely nothing to help lives of our kids because they're tenured. They're just sucking up a paycheck and my son's life while they're waiting for retirement. This shouldn't be allowed to happen.
I would highly recommend a trip to the movies this week to see Waiting for Superman, a documentary about the public education system in America. It was fair in its attack of both failed liberal and conservative attempts to fix education in America. It was hopeful in its coverage of some systems that are working, created by forward-thinking education reformers. And it was bold in its questioning of why the heck we're sitting around playing with a lottery system for students who can fill the very few spaces in decent charter schools.
The film challenges the long-standing belief of many that bad neighborhoods are why "drop out factories" (low-achieving schools) are prevalent and suggests that research points the other way around: over time, these failing schools have contributed largely to the decline of the neighborhoods around them.
I know it's controversial, but the National Teachers' Union was challenged severely in the film as being a body that treats all teachers as one instead of distinguishing between the high-performing teachers and those who continually fail our students.
I loved the film. I did have two criticisms: one fair and one maybe not so much. The 5 students chronicled as part of the film all had strong parent-advocates. So the notion that not all parents are strong participants in their child's education didn't enter in the picture at all. That wasn't fair. When a teacher is struggling because parents at home could care less, that obviously plays a huge factor. It has to be a partnership. And many parents don't fulfill their part of the bargain.
The other criticism--and yes, there's only so much you can do in 2 hours--is that the issue was oversimplified. Severe lack of funding, the proliferation of non-English speaking students in schools (which isn't a judgment, it's a fact), and societal changes are huge strains on the education system. To fully understand what's going on, you have to take those things into account.
It's so complicated, but if we want to remain the America we think we are, we better do something about public education, and fast. Go see Waiting for Superman.
9 comments:
Yah, I heard it was good. I agree, I think parents often don't do their part to reinforce the value of education. The chaos at home interferes with learning at school. And tenure is the WORST thing ever for teachers. Teachers who try, who do a good job, should be safe from being fired, BECAUSE they're good. Teachers who suck should be fired, and be forced to find another line of work (like bus driver).
And I'm older than YOU, but Jesus doesn't need my money. ;-)
Beautiful, as ever (as always?) Gropy. Throwing money at the problem has never worked, and fixing our educational system seems just too intractable with all the serious and depressing dimensions. Wish that putting every child into a decent school with the best teachers was a given in our society. With all the millions and brain power wasted on war, election campaigns and other crap, you'd think the best minds would get together and come up with an affordable, workable solution. I loved the movie too. What now, I wonder? rl
looks like a very interesting film
I'd love to see the film. I will suggest it to my colleagues. There are some desperately hideous "teachers" hanging on like evil barnacles. This issue interests me considerably. I do wish to suggest that long-term employment is important for building years of rapport with families and community, but "tenure" is the downside - it suggest an interminable grind.
Good post. I once worked at an exclusive private elementary school. I observed that it wasn't the school or the quality of the teachers that made this school better than the public schools, but the quality of the parents. (If I've said this before please forgive me)
No matter what your educational or socio-economic station, your involvement in your child's education is the key difference between success or failure.
I also once worked for the Boys & Girls Clubs and saw kids from the worst circumstances succeed because their parents, though illiterate themselves, pushed their children to succeed. Even though the B&GC tutors were not much more than semi-literate, those kids came out a notch or two higher on the ladder than their parents or their surroundings. That's progress.
The role of parents in a child's education is HUGE! Unfortunately, so many parents fall short.
You have sold me on wanting to see this. I'm really intrigued now!! But, I completely agree with your criticisms. You make good sense.
Thanks for the recommendation. Maybe I'll go see that film.
I believe that someone who is self-disciplined and motivated will whiz right by bad teachers. But it takes a certain kind of self- confidence that generally only comes from having parents who extol the value of work and achievement. If parents don't understand these values the kids won't have much of a chance of getting them.
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