When we hear that teachers are to blame for the demise of our schools and for the lack of education that our children receive, many of us who are teachers begin to get defensive and then angry. But what if what we’re hearing — this generalized response to our public education problems in the US — is right? What if it really is the teachers’ fault?
My teaching career began in 2000. I was beyond excited to decorate my bulletin boards, make my rules chart, and put my name on the door. I had great ideas, late nights, and happy students. Over and over, I pushed myself to be the best I could be.
But does everyone do that?
The answer, sadly, is no.
My school system provided awesome support for our ILTs (Initially Licensed Teachers), and I was lucky enough to have some really great mentors along the way. When professional development was available, I soaked up what I could and tried to ignore the snorts and snuffs of those around me who were angry to be sitting in what they deemed a pointless workshop.
I bettered myself with a Master’s Degree and National Board Certification. The UNCC Writing Project taught me self-reflection, good writing instruction, and better all-around teaching. I pushed myself all the time, and I still do. But I could be pushed harder. More could be and should be expected of me and of the teachers around me.
We are becoming stagnant in too many ways. One reason is because we resist change. If it worked before, won’t it keep working? (The answer is no to this one, too.) So, yes. Teachers are to blame.
But so are the administrators who don’t take the time to stand in our classroom and coach us.
So are the school board members who have no clue what’s really going on in our classroom and who have never taught a day in their lives.
So are the parents who send their children to school expecting teachers to fix whatever problem they are too lazy, apathetic, or incapable of fixing in their own children.
The reason that schools are failing is because all of us are failing each other. Our culture, in general, sees teachers as baby-sitters. And teachers are wrapped up in so much red tape with fear of litigation for patting their students on the back or for talking about real life issues.
When control is given back to the teachers and the teachers are given the support they need, maybe the schools will improve. Maybe the kids will begin to perform better. Just maybe.
Mission Possible:How the Secrets of the Success Academies Can Work in Any School (Moskowitz/Lavinia) tells about a charter school in Harlem, NY that, in three years, brought elementary students to the highest level. How did they do it? They focused on the adults.
Principals and teachers in these Success Academies are pushed to their highest levels of greatness which in turn pushes their students to their highest potential. Parents are supportive and give of their time and efforts to help the teachers and students reach their goals.
Want to read about how these schools have become so successful? Use the Rafflecopter below to enter for your chance to win your own copy of Mission Possible. Your copy will include a DVD of real classrooms using the Success Academy process to improve schools and education.
The giveaway is open to residents of the US and Canada and will end on August 15, 2012.
Disclaimer: I was compensated for this post. All opinions expressed are my own.
(Hallway Image: http://openclipart.org/detail/8937/school-hallway-by-gerald_g-8937)
I think your thoughts are well written and make a great point. We all want our students to achieve success so we all need to work together and hold each other accountable instead of placing blame.
Thank you, friend. Maybe someday, everyone will feel like us!
I agree. The adults (teachers, administrators, parents, school board and general community) should be striving to do their best– I would also extend that list to include politicians who make promises about education from the local to the national level, testing companies and text book writers who seem to only be out to make a buck–and even the media who seem to thrive on anything negative that happens in schools. I too am tired of teachers shouldering all of the blame!!
Agreed. It’s all of us that must make a difference. And your point about the politicians is so true. Are they making those promises just for votes? Hmmmm…..
The title to your blog is so great! Good stuff here. I think an early key to education is to empower teachers, make teaching a job that the brightest and most ambitious people want to get into. I also think the number of people being paid in education who don’t work directly with students is too high. I’m too tired at the moment to keep going. Thanks for the post!
Thanks! I am glad you stopped by, and I totally agree. If you haven’t, enter for this book. It has some really interesting things to say about who is responsible for our kids’ educations.
I absolutely 100% agree with you on this post. As a teacher, I feel myself slacking a bit during the year BUT I have realized and I always pull up my boot straps and get right back in the game. I also get very frustrated at the “powers tar be” and their lack of educational knowledge making BIG decisions! I can’t wait to read that book!!! Job well done!
We are human, and we can only do what we can do. I think it’s the fact that we REALIZE we need to improve that makes the difference. Thanks for coming by, Ammie!
I really enjoyed reading your post. You put your ideas forward very well. I am from South Africa, and the private school system is great. I have my concerns, however, about kids with special needs. I don’t mean vastly complicated needs, but learning requirements. Kids who are more left brain, auditory learners for example, who may not learn in the same way as other learners. My fear is that they are falling through the cracks because of “blanket” teaching methods. I would love to know your opinion on this!
Visiting from SITS
Thanks for stopping by! I agree that special needs students are many times “forgotten.” And I think that your example of “blanket” teaching methods is on point. No two children are alike, so we have to differentiate our instruction. Sure, we can have the basic lesson plan, but we have to be on our toes and ready to change our course for any and all of our students.
As a teacher on a beautiful Saturday I hesitated about reading this blog. I’m glad I did. I don’t agree with everything except concentration on the adults, but it only works, if the reason is to advance the relationships.
Can I work harder than I am at this moment? No, there are only 24 hours in a day and during the school year I put in ten plus hours five days a week and at least ten hours on the weekend. I applaud your enthusiasm and agree working together is the only way.
I’m always trying to find ways to work harder not smarter.
I do want to compliment our school district. When the state cut teacher’s salaries, our district stepped in and made up the difference. That is caring.
Enjoy Sharefest.
I’m really glad you did come by. That’s amazing that your school district stepped up like that. I think, too often, teachers and our education system are swept under the rug when it comes to budgets and cuts and funding.
So glad you visited, and I hope you come back!
I agree wholeheartedly! We have been fortunate to have some great teachers through the years, however we have also had our share who have not been so great! Thank you for giving 100% to your students! Teachers like you really do make a difference!
From SITS
Like any profession, I think, it’s a mixed bag. We can’t ever guarantee that we’re going to be met with the best choice for anything. What we can hope for, I believe, is that schools and school systems have expectations that are set high enough (within reason) for our children to reach and for teachers to guide them. Thanks for stopping by!