There have been a lot of metaphors used over the years to describe schools; lush gardens where the future is tended and grown, artisans molding the clay of young minds, a factory where the next generation's proletariat can be efficiently subdued, oh, and prison. Ever wonder which is more accurate?
I'm beginning to think teachers are being overwhelmed by the expectations being placed on their profession. Teachers are expected to be well versed in multiple learning theories whose axioms are often very different and occasionally contradictory all while preparing lessons and assessments that incorporate different levels of student abilities, technology, diverse cultural and economic backgrounds, and state and national standards. Oh, and did I mention the tests? All these things seem to obfuscate the only goal a teacher should have: teaching. I realize that common sense dictates that more information, more oversight, more options, and more considerations are all good things, but ultimately it places a considerable drain on a teacher, their mental faculties, and resources.
What other profession has so many groups to answer to? Parents, students, politicians, and administrators. Whose "clients" are people that are being forced to be there? yes, this is assuming the students are the clients - I realize the argument could easily be made that the parents/taxpayers are the clients, but the students are the only people that teachers deal with on a daily basis and also ultimately decide how well a teacher is doing mostly because of their test scores. What other profession is expected to continue their education after being hired on? Teachers are expected to keep up to speed on technology, new learning theories, and new assessment strategies.
Some professions that I can think of that match up fairly well with teachers: doctors - they're expected to remain aware of new medical techniques and diseases, but don't have quite the clientele AND they tend to be fairly well reimbursed. Military personnel are under intense public scrutiny, but again don't have the clientele. Prison wardens have to know the law, deal with cranky clients, and are under a pretty serious microscope. We need a change in focus and priority if we're going to change the metaphor.
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4 comments:
Amen brotha!
I agree with 95% or more of what you have to say here.
That being said, "What other profession is expected to continue their education after being hired on?"--are you kidding me?? I can think of dozens of professions that expect you to continue your education after being hired on. Even us lowly graphic designers have to continue being trained in the latest Adobe creative suite. That might not be tantamount to the continuing education of teachers, medical professionals, lawyers, accountants, stockbrokers, architects, etc. etc, but I would argue that what is expected of teachers in that area isn't exceedingly taxing. In fact, I would also argue more careers (and I say careers to rule out the lowest levels of employment) than not require continuing education. Teachers are FAR from alone there. Furthermore, many of the higher pay professions do NOT pay for that continuing education. For example, if Corey were to stay licensed as an active attorney in Colorado, he would have to do 45hrs every three years of CE, and each of those would cost him about $100/hr out of his pocket.
I would also like to point out that teachers have a relatively high job security as compared to many, many other professions. Here in Denver, we fired 4/4500 teachers this year for poor performance...that's 4 more than were fired in 2007 & 2008 combined. Essentially, provided you don't fail miserably the first 3 years you are teaching, or go molesting children or some such thing, you can teach your kids nothing and still be safe from getting fired. Even if a school has to layoff people because they can't afford as many teachers as they have, the district will place you in a new school.
I'm not saying teachers don't have a tough job--I know I lack the necessary fortitude to undertake that kind of challenge. But I'm not a fan of pity parties either, and there are a lot of other jobs out there that I would choose teaching over. We all choose our careers and deal with the challenges that they present, knowing what we're getting ourselves into (or, if we don't, then it's our own fault for not doing due diligence). And if my children are getting a lousy education because their teachers are overburdened with the weight of the system, then it is my responsibility to make sure I stay involved in their schooling. If they aren't being challenged at school, I will challenge them at home. And if they aren't getting the help and attention they need, then I will make up the difference. Teachers are tasked with preparing the next generation, and because of that, they will have all eyes on them...there is no getting around that. When parents decide to participate actively in their children's preparation, that is when teachers will be more effective at their jobs. Until then, you know what you're getting yourself into, so you either choose it, or you don't.
Sorry for filling your comments with what could've been a whole blog post!
I never thought I'd say this about a comment, but
tl;dr
Yeah, the continuing education is a bit of a stretch, but think about the breadth of education required for other fields. Generally it's very specific - designers learn about new design tools, lawyers learn about, I dunno, ethics? teachers learn about technology, learning theories, brain-based learning, management, etc. I didn't mean for it to sound like a "pity party" for teachers - hell they get spring break, summer break, fall break - just that the profession has an awful lot thrust on it and I think it's detrimental to the students, school, and teachers.
you did too read it, jerkstore.
i don't think those things you list as examples of the breadth of topics you have to learn about are more than other professions, but since you insist on your woe-is-me for teachers, so be it. i still agree with most everything you say though, and i do think the pressure, expectations and demands are out of whack with the compensation and realities of the job. i'd love to see that change.
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