No Teacher Left Behind Learning Opportunities for Teachers

What I Would Recommend I do not know if I could recommend how we as a nation could provide consistent learning opportunities for teachers and ensure that they are not left behind. I agree that there should be something to that extent that would be nationally and at least ensure that all teachers have the training of new methods. As I am not a teacher, I am not privy to the professional development that they are expected to attend either on site every few months or in the summer when I have heard that teachers attend special training in new techniques.

Real World Training Today for instance, once a month the Principal meets with all the teachers and then she meets with the Teacher Assistants; in our meeting today she disclosed that when she meets with the teacher one of the teacher has to prepare a lesson on differentiation and the technology they will be using in a classroom setting and then they must present it before all the other teachers. As a future English Language Learner teacher and the training I get here at Ashford concerning differentiation, I would love to be a part of that training.

Teachers’ Training As they have done with the Common Core State Standards, I think they could have an initiative nationally for new methods of teaching and training for new technologies that could be done perhaps one week during the summer and have each state implement the methods or strategies in their schools on a trial basis (maybe a month or two) to see if it is a viable solution for their schools.

I do not think all teachers across the country should use certain practices because just like the students, each teacher is different and even if they use the same method, they may have to tweak it to fit their and their students’ needs. Again, as they have done with the Common Core State Standards, you have essentials elements of learning that a student must reach, but they do not tell the teacher how to relate this information to the students. Right now there is a great need for the building of skills in science technology, engineering and math (STEM) nationwide, but that does not mean that every school will teach these subjects using the same techniques or strategies, but the main objective is to train the students to be motivated enough to want to pursue one of these programs on their own.

Teachers’ Standardized Tests There is enough debate about our children taking standardized tests, so I do not believe that giving a teacher a standardized test would be any less controversial, but, if you could test the students on the methods of learning and whether they have truly comprehended the information, where they could teach it themselves, than I think maybe that could be an indicator of the standards of work the teacher is doing. When students can give you the why, when and how, they have pretty much comprehended the subject content.

Using the NETS-T Standard How well teachers are being prepared is again just speculation. The NETS·T (2008) five standards are (1) Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity, (2) Design and Develop Digital Age Learning Experiences and Assessments, (3) Model Digital Age Work and Learning, (4) Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility and (5) Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership. I only have one reference that teachers are being prepared with the five standards and that is through my studies here at Ashford, so I can say that new teachers and practicing teachers that have received their degrees through the University are being prepared.

Teaching with 21 st Century Skills My skepticism comes from observing teachers at public and Charter schools that are still teacher centered with the students at their desks in a traditional mode for entire class periods with traditional teaching and perhaps some contact with an innovative teacher that is using these standards; this is why I believe this is the best time to be a teacher. Teaching with 21 st century skills and techniques may be more time consuming but the results makes for better trained students.