Latest Educational Solution Probably a Ruse

[Betty Bedant]

As I read through this and other teaching publications, I am struck by those who seem to have all the answers and inevitably feel compelled to put down experienced teachers. Anyone who has been around for decades knows that these "experts" usually view the more experienced teachers as the problem. True, veteran teachers are skeptical of simple fixes because we've seen them come and go. Every new generation has its power hungry know-it-alls who think they have all the answers.

Teaching is a complex and challenging job. Every school is different, every child is different, every teacher is different, and no two days are the same. Some jobs require workers with a very narrow focus. Teaching is not one of them. From time to time, individuals or groups come up with simple ideas on how "everyone" should teach. These simplistic solutions are also offered for parenting, marital relations, and other areas of life that are 99 parts intuitive and 1 part strategy.

The danger is when these narrow focused "true-believers" with their simple solutions, are given authority over the professionals. Then, those with a lifetime of experience are bullied by the "experts" who seem to have all the answers. The nature of teaching demands that parents and society at large put a great deal of trust in individual teachers. That is why the occasional and thankfully rare betrayal of that trust inevitably draws a universal gasp and the attention of the press.

Unfortunately, the latest round of experts, seeing that their simplistic solutions are losing credence, feel they must attack the public trust in our profession to maintain their control.

So much of the bitter judging of teachers by teachers that goes on could and should be avoided. But it seems each generation of new educators must bear the burden of those who seek the simple solutions as a way of gaining that headiest of human foibles: power.

Fellow teachers, be wary of those who seek control over how we teach with their simplistic solutions, especially those who seek to gain respect by questioning the respectworthiness of other teachers.

[Unregistered]

So what are YOUR solutions? What do you think we should do to raise student achievement and narrow the achievement gap?

I will say this, giving the schools more money will not narrow the achievement gap. Sure, the money is needed, but money alone will not solve these problems. The only true way I know to raise student achievement is to increase the effectiveness of our teaching.

Let me say one more thing: The solution is not found in pointing out problems that we have no way of rectifying. Teachers should focus on what they can control; otherwise we are just passing the buck and playing the Blame Game.

[Unregistered]

The biggest complaint that students have is how large their schools are. Think about a two year old. They need attention and they will do just about anything good or bad to get it. High School students are not two year olds, but they do need attention, especially when they need help in order to succeed. Sometimes they may only need someone to listen.

Why can we not give them that time? Most teachers are overwhelmed. There are too many students and too few teachers. A good teacher is 'burned-out' by the end of the day. He or she has more than just teaching to accomplish during the day. They are hall monitors, counselors, lunch monitors, parking attendants, club-sponsors, committee members etc.

When a student asks for a moment of a teacher's time, it breaks the teacher's heart to say no. It always does mine.

If the standards go up for student achievement, that is fantastic. But if we really want to implement the strategies for the increase in these standards, then we MUST reduce the work placed on the shoulders of teachers.

You work so hard, only to be criticized for your effort.


Smaller class sizes and smaller schools will reduce the strain on teachers. Having time to explore new ideas and address the concerns of their students would be a gift to any teacher. Give teachers back their time so that they can use it to become better teachers.

[Unregistered]

Smaller class sizes and smaller schools will reduce the strain on teachers. Having time to explore new ideas and address the concerns of their students would be a gift to any teacher. Give teachers back their time so that they can use it to become better teachers.

Unfortunately the very people who are on us about standards and test scores are the ones who spent our nations wealth on foreign invasions and who encourage illegal immigration with the express purpose of further dehumanizing all American jobs, including yours.