Saturday, April 4, 2015

How to Grow Good Teachers

How to Grow Good Teachers:



BOB-Mix-230

How to Grow Good Teachers

Here is how those who have power could help teachers in public schools if they really wanted to. They are in no special order. I included these in the post about Nancie Atwell the other day, but I think they are worthy of standing alone. I didn’t want them overshadowed by the Nancie Atwell discussion.
Teachers and parents, feel free to add to the list. I will give you credit for your suggestions.
  • Federal, state and local school district policy makers need to start proudly investing in public schools instead of withholding funds in order to eventually convert public schools to charters.
  • Reduce the number of required high-stakes tests.
  • End Value-Added Measurement which is not accurate and does not improve teaching.
  • Support high school programs like Future Teachers of America to help young people think of teaching as a career.
  • Help public schools be community hubs to bring people together, giving teachers visibility and support.
  • Strengthen the PTA. Bring parents and teachers together.
  • Lower class sizes, especially in kindergarten through third grade.
  • All teachers should be fully-credentialed in their subject by a College of Education in an accredited university.
  • Any non-credentialed teacher should only be hired in an emergency and it should be temporary.
  • Create a new public relations program to welcome future career teachers to the university.
  • Insist on well-prepared, credentialed teachers for all classes, including the arts.
  • Create schools that have a balanced curriculum including the arts.
  • Permit teachers to have a vested interest and a voice in their school.
  • Increase support staff at the school, including guidance counselors, librarians, nurses, and school psychologists.
  • Address special education with a continuum of services, including parental involvement.
  • Look for better ways to devise unique school schedules that support a teacher’s ability to teach where learning is not disrupted.
  • Give teachers adequate time to plan each day.
  • Bring teachers together to collaborate for the benefit of their students.
  • Provide fair due process for all teachers.
  • Give teachers tenure and better job security afterHow to Grow Good Teachers: