I read an article this week entitled "Is the Great American Teacher Dead?" by John J Ivers of Brigham Young University Idaho.
It seems to me there are a number of ways that the lack of good teachers can be addressed. The style of teaching new teachers needs to change to put more emphasis on deeper thinking and an attitude of challenging students more. Teachers need to learn how to make the material they teach more interesting to students to engage their minds and inspire their imaginations.
A great limiting factor in the United States is the requirement that to teach you must have a degree. There are many people that would make good teachers and would gladly become one if not for the fact they don't have a degree.
I believe a mentoring or apprenticeship program would be of great benefit to the United States. These programs could be set up in such a way that only the best teachers are included in them as mentors to new teachers. Current teachers that utilize deep thinking to challenge their students.
Apprenticeship programs should pay new teachers while they learn to teach. Such programs should include allowing the teachers in training to teach in classrooms under the supervision of a mentor. This would give the new teachers valuable work experience and the university or school would have known individuals to replace teachers that retire or leave for whatever reason.
I am one of those that would like to teach in a school, preferably an elementary school, but am excluded from being considered because I don't have a degree. I am earning a degree now but still won't be considered at public schools because my degree won't be a teaching degree. Here in New York state, there is a preference for teachers to have a masters degree. The bachelors degree I am earning is being paid by a Pell Grant. However, I am unaware of any grants that will pay for a masters degree and I am too poor to pay for it myself.
If anyone knows of a way for me to finance a masters degree for free please comment on this post and let me know.
Robert, I really love the comments you made. I agree that having a degree requirement stops many people from becoming great teachers. Also I love your idea about mentoring or apprenticeship program. I agree with you.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I can't answer your question. I live in a foreign country. My husband and I earn for living by teaching English. My husband lack any other good kinds of jobs in the USA because he doesn't have a degree and we can't afford him studying because we have three children and he is our main provider. But we like it here in Georgia and we are grateful for what we have.
Hi Robert!
ReplyDeleteI have to say that your blog is very inviting and informative about the current Educational system in NY. As I read through your thoughts here, I feel the same way too! I am from the Philippines and its really expensive to get a master's degree here. but with your currency exchange, tuition fees here would be very affordable because a dollar is equivalent to 50 pesos here. I hope you can get a sponsor for your master's degree for I too believe that you will become a good teacher. Good because you have the heart to teach and you are very concerned about how the US govt should provide financial support and training to the future teachers. thanks for sharing this beautiful outline. You inspire me to do a better blog next week.
Hi Robert!
ReplyDeleteI have to say that your blog is very inviting and informative about the current Educational system in NY. As I read through your thoughts here, I feel the same way too! I am from the Philippines and its really expensive to get a master's degree here. but with your currency exchange, tuition fees here would be very affordable because a dollar is equivalent to 50 pesos here. I hope you can get a sponsor for your master's degree for I too believe that you will become a good teacher. Good because you have the heart to teach and you are very concerned about how the US govt should provide financial support and training to the future teachers. thanks for sharing this beautiful outline. You inspire me to do a better blog next week.