List of What Makes a Good Teacher - created by students

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwej28kHP-0mNP9K2EocColEcGZ4SrGnVGrGpk-GyeW3wbOzyKV4O1ZIj75bQvsEtijjHSfCJ9iDdtakoJsKEohwt8X6UQpCakwesRClk522Ca3k4IezwuMva7Km3mLdgFhy1lk6QHeqz2/s1600/great-teacher-brooch-pin31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwej28kHP-0mNP9K2EocColEcGZ4SrGnVGrGpk-GyeW3wbOzyKV4O1ZIj75bQvsEtijjHSfCJ9iDdtakoJsKEohwt8X6UQpCakwesRClk522Ca3k4IezwuMva7Km3mLdgFhy1lk6QHeqz2/s200/great-teacher-brooch-pin31.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>This "what makes a good teacher" created by a group of high school students.<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><blockquote class="tr_bq">treat students with respect<br />be enthusiastic<br />know your stuff<br />be available for extra help<br />use multimedia resources and multiple resources for students<br />connect with students/ form relationships<br />interact with students- outside school activities, talk about their personal lives<br />real life connections to materials/class<br />just talk to students and get to know them in first few days<br />if using PowerPoint, use less words and have slides available for download<br />don't lecture for whole class, mix things up<br />use games for review<br />let students use a note card for test or some kind of reference<br />realistic homework - if you assign too much, students won't do it, or won't be able to<br />science classes - problems and projects and labs<br />give students multiple days to complete homework - allows for issues in schedule, sports, etc.<br />don't give all class rules at once - overwhelms students - just touch on main points<br />use web resources - class site or blog, and review materials students can access at home<br />let students do work on board and explain how to do it instead of teacher always doing it<br />projects - one big one per marking period with some class time for them<br />let students pick project groups - easier for meeting outside of school<br />be flexible - reschedule test if lots of tests on same day or other things going on</blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i>What do you think? What would you add to the list?</i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Related:</u></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/2009/08/do-you-want-to-know-what-works-in.html">Do you want to know what works in education...ask your students</a><br /><br /><a href="http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/2010/04/students-weigh-in-on-characteristics-of.html">Students Weigh In On Characteristics of Effective Teachers</a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>

List of What Makes a Good Teacher - created by students

This "what makes a good teacher" created by a group of high school students. treat students with respect be enthusiastic know your...

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7 Tips to Improve Teaching and Learning

<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br />Teaching and learning - it's what we do and what we hope the students do. Here are some tips to help improve teaching and learning:<br /><br />1. Help students combat fear of academic failure.<br />Encourage them. They can do it. Support them. Let them know that it is ok to be wrong or fail, as long as you learn from that and move on. Connect class concepts to their lives. Success here = success in life.<br /><br />2. Determine grades on academics, not behavior. Behavior should be a separate issue from academic performance. Some of the academics skills they should be assessed on: Recall, comprehend, apply, analyze, synthesize, evaluate<br /><br />3. Ask questions of "How", "Why", "What if"<br />Deep, critical thinking questions, vs. rote memorization or multiple choice tests.<br /><br />4. Don't feel compelled to cover everything in the textbook. The textbook is NOT a curriculum.<br /><a href="http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/2011/02/resources-to-replace-textbooks.html">Use other resources too.</a><br /><br />5. Use State and Local Standards to promote what your students need to know and do.<br />Science: fundemental concepts and principles of scientific inquiry and problem solving. They need a functional literacy in the subject matter, along with <a href="http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/2012/01/10-important-skills-students-need-for.html">other essential skills</a>.<br /><br />6. Build on their prior knowledge and experiences. Respect their opinions. What experiences do they have that can be applied to this topic. <a href="http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/2012/01/making-school-relevant-for-students.html">Make the topic relevant to them</a> or something they already know about.<br />Science: ask students what they think will happen BEFORE a demo or lab and then discuss it afterwards.<br /><br />7. Emphasize reading in every class. Reading for literature, for information, and to perform a task. Writing in every class is also important. <div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>More:</b></div><br /><a href="http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/2012/01/10-important-skills-students-need-for.html">10 Important Skills Students need for the Future</a><br /><br /><a href="http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/2012/01/den-scicon-great-learning-experience.html">DEN SCICon - great learning experience and resources - also discusses how failure in science is part of process. </a><br /><br /><a href="http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/2012/01/what-i-use-with-physics-classes-instead.html">What I use with Physics classes instead of textbook</a><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/2011/02/resources-to-replace-textbooks.html">Resources to Replace Textbooks</a><div><br /></div><a href="http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/2012/01/10-tech-skills-every-student-should.html">10 Tech Skills Every Student Should Have</a><br /><br /><a href="http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/2011/08/new-teacher-advice-and-tips-repost.html">New Teacher Advice and Tips (great for all teachers)</a><br /><br /><a href="http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/p/project-based-learning.html">Project Based Learning</a><br /><br /><a href="http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/2011/09/wpi-plan-great-educational-model-for.html">WPI Plan - a great educational model for all schools</a> - values functional literacy of subject, applying knowledge, essential skills and project based learning<br /><br /><a href="http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/2012/01/making-school-relevant-for-students.html">Making School Relevant for Students</a><br /><br /><a href="http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/2011/04/educational-technology-needs-to.html">Educational Technology needs to actively engage learners</a><br /><div><br /></div><a href="http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/2012/02/differentiation-tools-tips-and.html">Differentiation - tools, tips and resources</a><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>

7 Tips to Improve Teaching and Learning

Teaching and learning - it's what we do and what we hope the students do. Here are some tips to help improve teaching and learning: 1. H...

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Educational Technology needs to actively engage learners

<div style="text-align: center;"><img height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQJo9ft3tHPHdicMQHzd_W3Kal3MhtB3NR5H_FRU4VbZ7eQUVq2u-PEQfAawB4Ttrrq017nrCPYx7XDybaLS9IwowXvesFXyD6hCGfDvKIuS213nHgeTB2X8cIc-lqsqUWZvtpKZ-_sU4/s200/educ+tech.jpg" width="200" /></div><br /><br />Educational Technology is a wonderful thing, if  used right. We need to use technology to actively engage students and do different things, not just do the same things differently.<br /><br />For example, in the "old days", teacher would project transparencies on overhead projectors. Now, they project similar content on expensive interactive white boards. What is being done differently here? Are the students interactive, or is it the teacher being interactive?<br /><br />Don't get me wrong, I use PowerPoint and a projector (but no IWB) in my classroom. I use them for short lectures and discussions. I also show some short videos and animations through the projector. But I also know that my students need to be active, not passive.<br /><br />I'm lucky that I have 7 student computers in my classroom. Students get into groups and do labs and they can use the computers to help them. They also use the computers to do research, do online labs (great for money strapped districts), access review materials and create things. They do all kinds of projects in my class, as well as labs. They create videos, presentations, websites, and more as part of their projects. They are able to explore things that they would never have been able to do before. They work in teams to solve real problems and do real research in science.<br /><br />I also use technology to communicate with them through email, the class blog, and class website. They get information, resources, and help through these technology tools.<br /><br />Too many times I see schools spend lots of money on technology but nothing new happens. Teachers are still lecturing for 45 minutes at a time to their students, who are still sitting, inactive, in their chairs. Students use $1000 laptops just to write a paper using Word. We need to use technology to get students thinking and solving problems, not just receiving information.<br /><br />There are a lot of different ways you can use technology to engage students and improve teaching and learning. Get the students active using different resources to create something. Have them share that creation with others and get feedback. Have them solve problems and do projects. Get them thinking and creating. Get them working in teams. Get them active.<br /><br />If you are looking for ideas and resources for using technology to engage students, here are some resources to get you started.<br /><br /><a href="http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/">This blog that you are reading. </a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.freetech4teachers.com/">Free Technology for Teachers</a><br /><br /><a href="http://philly-teacher.blogspot.com/">Philly Teacher blog</a><br /><br /><a href="http://coolcatteacher.blogspot.com/">Cool Cat Teacher blog</a><br /><br /><a href="http://blog.discoveryeducation.com/">Discovery Education Network Blog</a><br /><br /><a href="http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/2011/03/tech-learning-free-magazine-and-website.html">Tech & Learning Magazine (free for educators)</a><br /><br />and go on <a href="http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/2010/11/twitter-for-education-great-resource.html">Twitter</a> and start following other educators. <a href="http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/2010/11/twitter-for-education-great-resource.html">#edchat</a> is a great way to start. Create a <a href="http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/p/create-personal-learning-network.html">Personal Learning Network</a> so you can find more resources and get more ideas.<br /><br />Here are some articles to get you started with using technology more effectively, engaging students and getting started with Project Based Learning:<br /><br /><a href="http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/2010/01/should-we-force-students-to-learn.html">Should we force students to learn? or How can we change schools to engage students?</a><br /><br /><a href="http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/2009/10/getting-started-with-educational.html">Getting Started with Educational Technology</a><br /><br /><a href="http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/2009/05/how-to-get-started-with-project-based.html">How To Get Started With Project Based Learning</a><br /><br /><a href="http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/2010/01/value-of-educational-technology.html">The Value of Educational Technology</a><br /><br /><a href="http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/2011/03/guest-post-8-tips-for-teachers-to.html">8 Tips for Teachers to Enhance the Use of Technology in the Classroom</a><br /><br /><a href="http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/2009/11/how-technology-can-help-improve.html">How Technology can help Improve Education</a><br /><br /><a href="http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/2010/11/excellent-education-model-wpis-plan.html">Excellent Educational Model - WPI Plan</a><br /><br /><br /><br />Technology is a great thing, but it is only a tool. It is only as good as the craftsman wielding it. Educators need to be craftsman and wield their tools effectively. Our goal is to improve teaching and learning and to help our students develop the skills that will serve them in the future.

Educational Technology needs to actively engage learners

Educational Technology is a wonderful thing, if  used right. We need to use technology to actively engage students and do different things, ...

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Why Teachers Like Us Support Unions

<div style="background-color: transparent;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img src="http://stephenlazar.com/edusolidarity/EDUSolidarity_files/shapeimage_1.jpg" /></span></div><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(part of </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="http://edusolidarity.us/"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #003366; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">#EduSolidarity</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">  </span><a href="http://edusolidarity.us/"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://edusolidarity.us/</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> postings by teachers today, March 22nd)</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Teachers and teacher unions have been getting lambasted in the press for a while now. It is completely unfair. Teachers work for students. That is their job. Unions work for teachers. That is their job. Therefore, unions work for students. Both groups exist to make sure that students are educated and that the educational system is the best it can be. </span></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lately, politicians and rich people have been trying to push their own agendas for education. These people, who have never taught and, for the most part, never been to a public school, are trying to change education. Teachers know that much of what these “education reformers” are doing are bad practices and will not work. They are pushing for more standardized testing and programs that have been tried before and known to not work. They are attacking unions as being obstacles to education and protecting bad teachers. Those statements are not true. </span></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Unions are not perfect, nothing is, and there are problems with some, just like there are problems with any group. But, their purpose is to support public school teachers and public school education. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Here are some things that teacher unions do:</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1. Protect teachers from unfair treatment (which is quite prevalent) by administrators. Protect teachers from personal attacks by administrators and make sure that their jobs are not based on politics or who they know, but on their qualifications.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2. Provide for a living wage (no teacher is getting rich) and fair benefits. We do not get free benefits - we pay for them (and quite a bit).</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3. Provide for due process for the firing of a teacher - they do not protect bad teachers. If a school or district has proof of bad performance, a teacher can and will be let go. Due process is important to protect teachers from being fired for unjust reasons. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">4. Protect students - provide for small class sizes, fight for funding for programs and supplies. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">5. Provide programs and support to education - many unions provide local and national programs to help students and also work to find grants and funding for schools. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">6. Lobby government to properly fund education and prevent sweeping cuts to education budgets.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">7. Give teachers a voice in what happens in school. Remember, teachers, not politicians, understand what is best for our children. The unions make sure that the people who are in the classroom and truly understand what needs to be done to help our children, have a voice in education policy decisions. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">8. Provide a sounding board for teachers and a community that they can collaborate with other educators to come up with ways to better themselves and education.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">All of this leads to a better educational system which is better for students, teachers, and the community. When teachers and the educational system are supported, like they are by unions, everyone wins. </span></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Side note: I worked as an engineer for 10 years before becoming an educator and never saw the need for unions. I was never in an union as an engineer, but our manufacturing employees were. The companies I worked for treated employees fairly, so why did we need unions? </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I also work part time as a paramedic for a large ambulance company. Our division was not union. Other divisions were. It was funny how we got the same, or a little better, benefits than the union shops. The company didn't want us unionizing so they kept us happy. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then I became a teacher and realized that without teacher unions, teachers would be poorly paid (even worse than we are now), treated poorly and our schools would be in shambles because the group that always fights for public school teachers and systems is the union. The teachers' unions are a good thing and fight for teachers and students. They are needed. Especially now with politicians and rich people thinking they know what's best for students and constantly attacking the people who do know what's best for students - the teachers. </span></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Related articles:</span><br /><a href="http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/2011/02/some-common-education-myths-debunked.html"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Some Common Educational Myths Busted</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br /><a href="http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2011/01/18/the-best-resources-for-learning-why-teachers-unions-are-important/"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Best Resouces for Learning Why Teachers’ Unions are Important</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><a href="http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/2010/11/incompetent-teachers-or-dysfunctional.html"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Incompetent Teachers or Dysfunctional Systems? Fix the system to support the teachers</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/2010/03/whos-responsible-for-failing.html">Who’s Responsible for Failing Students and Failing Schools? Everyone!</a></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><br /></div>

Why Teachers Like Us Support Unions

(part of   #EduSolidarity    http://edusolidarity.us/ postings by teachers today, March 22nd) Teachers and teacher unions have been gettin...

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Who's responsible for failing students/schools?

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZsofzqqS7RM0zBIFpOeJ1lDzAFcTuk70jb9XsTegGolvU68UI3Vw_3wjdjqICMxwyoT9S2mN16-SiRqcF6caP-AwZQFPCG_uQOJR4ZsVEaW7YtfT582_Z40J9UJVV3Wm7uTbrDZjCLk/s1600-h/education.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446313788039061090" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZsofzqqS7RM0zBIFpOeJ1lDzAFcTuk70jb9XsTegGolvU68UI3Vw_3wjdjqICMxwyoT9S2mN16-SiRqcF6caP-AwZQFPCG_uQOJR4ZsVEaW7YtfT582_Z40J9UJVV3Wm7uTbrDZjCLk/s400/education.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 386px;" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><u><br /></u></span></div><div>There is a lot of controversy right now over the <a href="http://www.projo.com/news/content/central_falls_trustees_vote_02-24-10_EOHI83C_v59.3c21342.html">firing of the entire faculty at Central Falls high school in Rhode Island</a>. The school and students were low performing, so the superintendent didn't like the teachers not agreeing to some proposed changes and fired them all. This has of course led to discussions of who is really responsible for student achievement and for failing students and schools.</div><div><br /></div><div>My initial reaction to the above decision was "are you kidding me?! The feds give failing companies tons of money and the CEO's take big bonuses, but failing schools have to fight for money and teachers are always blamed." I think it is a sad commentary on our country right now that we don't support our teachers more. What about the superintendent? Aren't they the leader? Aren't they responsible too? Don't they get paid an average of 3x what a teacher makes and are expected to turn around failing schools? What about the parents? What about the students themselves?</div><div><br /></div><div>In one of the articles on the Central Falls debacle (my term) students and parents supported the teachers, not the district and were even quoted as saying that it was "the students fault. They don't do their work and don't try." </div><div><br /></div><div>So, who is responsible for failing students and failing schools?</div><div><br /></div><div>EVERYONE! </div><div>The students need to come to school, behave, pay attention, and do their work. </div><div>Parents need to encourage their children, help them with homework, and be involved in their child's education and in the schools. </div><div>Teachers need to come up with engaging lessons and be available for extra help. </div><div>Support staff, such as counselors, have to be available for students and give them support and advice.</div><div>Administrators need to support teachers by enforcing rules and behavior expectations, and by providing the necessary resources.</div><div>Communities need to support the schools and make sure that they are fiscally responsible and funded properly and have the resources needed. </div><div>The Government needs to support schools with funding and make sure education legislation makes sense. They must get the input of educators before making changes. I also believe that the Secretary of Education should be an educator.</div><div><br /></div><div>Everyone is responsible for education. Remember the saying "it takes a village to raise a child"? It is true. Teachers only see a student for 180-183 days a year. In high school, that equates to approximately 200 hours with a specific student. Compare that to 8760 hours in a year. Teachers can not be expected to teach content, basic skills, citizenship, behavior, and more without support from everyone else. </div><div><br /></div><div>Firing teachers because students and schools fail is bad politics and will not change things. Many recent reports have also mentioned that when this has been done in the past, things are actually worse at the schools. Think about it - we are all taught that in order to educate a child we have to make connections with them. School reforms call for students to have a connection to a faculty or staff member for their whole time at a school. That means we need to have contact with these students for a long period of time. By firing all the teachers, the students will have no one that knows them and will feel lost.</div><div><br /></div><div>Yes, there are bad teachers. But we should help them become better teachers. Support them, give them extra training, show them what they are doing wrong. If they are still not doing well, then it may be time for more drastic measures, but we need to help them first. </div><div><br /></div><div>Everyone is responsible for educating our children. To place all the blame on one group is unacceptable and unreasonable. Instead, let's look for the true causes of the students failing and then fix those problems. </div><div><br /></div><div>Here are some of the reasons I see in my district and state:</div><div>Teachers who are burnt out from getting no support from the administration for dealing with severe behavior issues.</div><div>Students are working part time jobs to help support the family.</div><div>Students take care of younger siblings.</div><div>Students don't see the point in education (because mom or dad doesn't care, or big brother makes a lot of money selling drugs, or they don't see the point because no one showed them what education can get them).</div><div>Parents who don't care about school or don't support their child.</div><div>Constantly changing/new initiatives that take time away from learning (and don't do anything to improve learning).</div><div>Initiatives and ideas from administration that have no chance of working, but are emphasized and pushed on teachers. (Getting teachers involved in these ideas earlier would help greatly).</div><div>Lack of resources to effectively teach students (books, supplies, lab equipment).</div><div>Too many interruptions to the school day (announcements, assemblies, required testing and more).</div><div>Behavior issues - disruptive students who are kept in the classroom and school and continue to disrupt the learning process. And their parents don't help the situation.</div><div><br /></div><div>And much, much more.</div><div><br /></div><div>Before trying something to fix the problems, we need to know the root cause of the problem. Then, we have to research that problem and find solutions that have been proven to work. To many schools and systems keep trying things that have never worked. Research the problem, find solutions, try them. If they don't work, try something else, but do research first.</div><div><br /></div><div>Some solutions I have:</div><div>Make sure your teachers are supported and valued. Make sure they have the resources they need in their classroom.</div><div>Give teachers time to work with each other to develop curriculum and research solutions to problems.</div><div>Have teachers, administrators, and counselors talk to students that aren't doing well and find out what's going on in that child's life. Check on their home life. Work to help them with those issues.</div><div>Work with parents to help them get jobs or better jobs, get financial assistance. Get them to come to adult education if they need to finish school. </div><div>Get parents involved in the schools.</div><div>Work with community leaders and businesses to help support learning.</div><div>Support educators in developing new ways to teach. There are plenty of innovative, proven methods out there, but many districts won't change things. (And they wonder why they are failing still).</div><div>Support schools and educators. Work with them, not against them.</div><div><br /></div><div>We need to identify ALL of the issues affecting learning and then find the root cause of the problem and fix it. And I can guarantee you that while some issues are with teachers, most of the problems are not the teachers. Let's work to fix the problems.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Related Articles:</div><div><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Root_cause_analysis">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Root_cause_analysis</a></div><div><a href="http://www.slideshare.net/Ubersoldat/root-cause-corrective-action">http://www.slideshare.net/Ubersoldat/root-cause-corrective-action</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/2010/01/should-we-force-students-to-learn.html">http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/2010/01/should-we-force-students-to-learn.html</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/2010/01/value-of-educational-technology.html">http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/2010/01/value-of-educational-technology.html</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/2009/11/how-technology-can-help-improve.html">http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/2009/11/how-technology-can-help-improve.html</a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap; font-size:13px;"><br /></span></span></div>

Who's responsible for failing students/schools?

There is a lot of controversy right now over the firing of the entire faculty at Central Falls high school in Rhode Island . The school and ...

Read more »