Up to Discussions in Consensus and Initial Draft of Recommendation(s)
10523 Views 2 Replies Latest reply: Sep 25, 2010 4:28 PM by Stephen Glover RSS
Douglas Clark
Douglas Clark
103 posts since
Jul 8, 2009
Currently Being Moderated

Aug 23, 2009 8:18 PM

Concensus on Question 4. Is the System Fair? Why or Why Not? Does the system reward effective teachers, offer less effective teachers necessary help to succeed and ensure that chronically ineffective teachers are phased out of the system? Why or Why Not?

No, the "system" is not fair and is not equitable for teachers throughout the United States. Most are hit and miss systems that are rarely connected to any rewards or outcomes whether they be positive or negative.
  • Jon Schulman
    14 posts since
    Aug 17, 2009
    Currently Being Moderated
    Aug 27, 2009 1:03 AM (in response to Douglas Clark)
    Less effective teachers left with little tools to succeed

    I generally think that good teachers are rewarded. It's the "less effective" teachers that seem not to be aided as much. Schools should make a concerted effort, aside from the usual mentor-mentee programs, to train newer or less confident or less knowledgeable teachers so they can get up to par with their more effective peers. Again, using my school in Brooklyn as a reference, the teachers began an Advisory Program that paired up mostly younger, less experienced teachers with more experienced and "battle-tested" pedagogues. Though one of the pairings stuck out as odd -- a more than 10 year veteran of the school female science teacher with a first-year-at-the-school (though longer in the system) male technology teacher -- their styles complemented each other, and the technology teacher, especially, learned some great classroom management tips (or tricks!) from the other. The students benefited by seeing each teacher in a slightly different light, yet able to coexist. The weekly sessions consisted of games and reflections geared towards promoting healthy habits and positive attitudes. If no effort is made to invest in staff bonding or targeted professional development, the less effective teachers will feel like the outsiders that some administrators already have categorized them as. That can make for a long and potentially contentious situation during the school year.  

    • Stephen Glover
      20 posts since
      Sep 22, 2010
      Currently Being Moderated
      Sep 25, 2010 4:28 PM (in response to Jon Schulman)
      Re: Less effective teachers left with little tools to succeed

      Is the system fair?  Short answer no.

       

      Why is the system not fair?  Simple enough, there does not seem to be a strong enough structure to support those teachers who are struggling to get what they need.  I have a colleague who is fond of saying, “Good teachers are born to be teachers!  Those who come to teaching by other means cannot be good teachers.”  (OK paraphrased)  My point is that there are enough people who want to be teachers, who attempt to be teachers, and then are scared away from being a teacher by poor support or inadequate support for growth, encouragement, or even a good shoulder to cry on.

       

      Does the system reward effective teachers?  Yes, by giving them extra work, a pat on the head, and a microscope examining their every move.  In some areas effective teachers are revered and sought after.  In others they are just taken for granted as doing what they are supposed to be doing in the first place.

       

      Is there help for the less effective teachers?  It depends on what form that help comes in and if the ineffective teacher realizes they are ineffective.  If the “less effective teacher” realizes their lack and seeks assistance it may or may not appear.  If they fight for it they may or may not get it.  If the “less effective teacher” realizes their ineffectualness and chooses to hide it there are ways to bog the system down to the point that even if the radar pings them they will disappear.  If the “less effective teacher” does not realize their lack then there needs to be mechanisms in place to aid them in a non-punitive manner.

       

      The chronically ineffective teachers are the scary ones.  They have learned the system and have so many layers of protection they are like a tick buried in the back of a dog.  Even if you succeed in removing the body the head will keep burrowing.  What damage have they done?  No one can really tell.  There needs to be a way to remove them.  The key those is identifying them early on, getting them help if they will accept it, and getting them out if they will not accept it before they become too entrenched.

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