Over the summer I spent some time reading articles and books in my subject areas, which are history and education. One article in Time magazine caught my attention. The article by Amanda Ripley is about Rhode Island's commissioner of schools. The article stated that "Gist...announced that staffing decisions would be based on teacher qualifications, not seniority." She is also working on a new evaluation system "in which teachers get annual reviews." Adding to that, she raised the test-score requirements to the highest in the nation for entrance into teacher-training programs. She also supported the firing of every single teacher at one of the states worst schools. Is she doing the right thing? Even though I don't like the idea of firing every teacher from a school, I think it is important to remember that it is not about the teachers, but the students.
One of her ideas that I love, is the idea of making staffing decisions based on qualifications, NOT seniority. The students would benefit greatly from this. I remember losing some great teachers at our school when cuts were made just because they were the youngest, or newest teachers. We were losing the most qualified teachers and it was making our education program weaker. I do not think that teachers should be safe from getting fired just because they have been at the school for more years than others. Teachers should be safe from getting fired because they are great teachers.
I also like her idea of raising test-score requirements to get into the education program. We should only accept those who work the hardest. On the other hand, we need to make sure that they are great teachers. Just because somebody gets a good score on a test or is the brightest student in a class doesn't mean they will be a great teacher.
For the full article on Deborah Gist, use the following link:
Deborah Gist - The 2010 TIME 100 - TIME
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Friday, September 17, 2010
Respect In The Classroom
Respect is something that must be earned. It won't be given to you automatically. Most students won't respect you just because you are their superior. Therefore you must earn their respect over time. To do this, you must respect them. To show respect you must listen to your students. If you expect them to listen to you, you must listen to them.
When Elona Hartjes, from Teachers at Risk, was asked on her podcast, "How do I earn my students respect?" She replied, "I follow the golden rule. I treat them the way that I would want them to treat me. It really works. I have a few rules but they are all about showing one another respect. I don't mean the kind of respect that when I tell them to jump, they ask how high. I honor them, how they feel, what they say and do and I expect them to do the same for me and their fellow classmates."
Respect from students will only be possible if the teacher treats the students with respect. In my high school years I respected most of my teachers because they treated me like an adult. With respect, a teacher can avoid much misbehavior. Students will be more likely to listen and less likely to talk out of turn. Also, students will be more likely to do their work and turn it in on time. One of my teachers called a student when he found out he was skipping class. My teacher said that he does that every few years so that people don't skip again. He said that it works every time. This teacher didn't necessarily "earn" respect, but he "commanded" respect from his students...it probably helped that he was the football coach...
On the other hand, when the teacher doesn't gain respect, he or she may have a noisy classroom, or maybe have students who don't turn in their homework. One of my teachers was not able to control the classroom at all because none of us respected her. As soon as students realize you don't have control, it is nearly impossible to gain their respect.
Overall, respect is mutual. It must be given to the students for the teacher to be able to receive it. As soon as it is lost it is extremely difficult to get it back.
See this link to see more about Elona Hartjes:
http://www.teachersatrisk.com/2007/08/10/respect-in-the-classroom-is-a-two-way-street
When Elona Hartjes, from Teachers at Risk, was asked on her podcast, "How do I earn my students respect?" She replied, "I follow the golden rule. I treat them the way that I would want them to treat me. It really works. I have a few rules but they are all about showing one another respect. I don't mean the kind of respect that when I tell them to jump, they ask how high. I honor them, how they feel, what they say and do and I expect them to do the same for me and their fellow classmates."
Respect from students will only be possible if the teacher treats the students with respect. In my high school years I respected most of my teachers because they treated me like an adult. With respect, a teacher can avoid much misbehavior. Students will be more likely to listen and less likely to talk out of turn. Also, students will be more likely to do their work and turn it in on time. One of my teachers called a student when he found out he was skipping class. My teacher said that he does that every few years so that people don't skip again. He said that it works every time. This teacher didn't necessarily "earn" respect, but he "commanded" respect from his students...it probably helped that he was the football coach...
On the other hand, when the teacher doesn't gain respect, he or she may have a noisy classroom, or maybe have students who don't turn in their homework. One of my teachers was not able to control the classroom at all because none of us respected her. As soon as students realize you don't have control, it is nearly impossible to gain their respect.
Overall, respect is mutual. It must be given to the students for the teacher to be able to receive it. As soon as it is lost it is extremely difficult to get it back.
See this link to see more about Elona Hartjes:
http://www.teachersatrisk.com/2007/08/10/respect-in-the-classroom-is-a-two-way-street
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