Thom Markham (2015) discusses the current status of education by describing teachers as “under-empowered participants in a stagnant system designed to broadcast standardized information.” Markham goes on to add that “it’s easy to see why an undertone of resignation, cynicism, or even learned helplessness permeates too many conversations in hallways, staff rooms, and parking lots” and I couldn’t agree more. Teachers have such an important job to prepare our country’s youth for the future and yet many feel like we are helpless to actually make a difference from all the pressures to achieve certain goals. Even if administrators ask teachers to move towards project-based/inquiry learning, teachers are still required to teach an entire year’s worth of content to prepare students for standardized testing. With only 6 hours in a school day, there just isn’t enough time. Often times at my site, conversations between teachers consist of how tired, stressed, overwhelmed, disappointed, and helpless they feel. I have seen this school culture since I started teaching five years ago.
Schools should be full of life and energy. Students should come to school excited to learn about things they’re interested in. Teachers should come to school excited to support their students in their personal growth towards these goals. Markham (2015) offers some remedies to the current school culture to help move toward a positive goal. He suggests appreciating the present moment in teaching, contributing to a global vision, redefining the term smart, and living the collaborative reality. With the integration of technology and the internet, the possibilities are endless with what teachers can accomplish with their students. Working on these four goals is worthwhile for any teacher because it will lead to better learning and a better school culture.
Amongst teachers, we need to come together to help each other move towards a more positive goal. Yes, standardized testing is something we need to prepare our students for, but with the adoption of the Common Core, we have a little more freedom now in how we teach our students. The Common Core focuses more on real-world problems than the previous standards, which is a positive move. It is still content-based and students must learn the content throughout the year, but we have the freedom to teach students the content through real-world applications. Teachers should feel comfortable sharing their ideas and methods with each other to reduce the competitive nature of our profession. We are a team, with a unique skill set, that needs to work together to make a difference. Teachers do not want a school culture that makes us feel like “under-empowered participants.” We want to be active participants in a school culture that can transform the world. Markham (2015) states, “Tapping the deepest energies of teachers, or any employees, requires a connection with big, meaningful themes that promise a significant, positive effect on the world.” We, as teachers, need to come together to move towards this type of learning/school community. Conversations between teachers would be more uplifting, open, and supportive. It will prepare us for the unknowns in the future of education, but our vision will be colored with positivity and eagerness.
Resources
Markham, T. (2015, February 11). Redefining Teachers with a 21st Century Education ‘Story’.
Retrieved June 20, 2015, from
http://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2015/02/11/redefining-teachers-with-a-21st-century-education-story/
Schools should be full of life and energy. Students should come to school excited to learn about things they’re interested in. Teachers should come to school excited to support their students in their personal growth towards these goals. Markham (2015) offers some remedies to the current school culture to help move toward a positive goal. He suggests appreciating the present moment in teaching, contributing to a global vision, redefining the term smart, and living the collaborative reality. With the integration of technology and the internet, the possibilities are endless with what teachers can accomplish with their students. Working on these four goals is worthwhile for any teacher because it will lead to better learning and a better school culture.
Amongst teachers, we need to come together to help each other move towards a more positive goal. Yes, standardized testing is something we need to prepare our students for, but with the adoption of the Common Core, we have a little more freedom now in how we teach our students. The Common Core focuses more on real-world problems than the previous standards, which is a positive move. It is still content-based and students must learn the content throughout the year, but we have the freedom to teach students the content through real-world applications. Teachers should feel comfortable sharing their ideas and methods with each other to reduce the competitive nature of our profession. We are a team, with a unique skill set, that needs to work together to make a difference. Teachers do not want a school culture that makes us feel like “under-empowered participants.” We want to be active participants in a school culture that can transform the world. Markham (2015) states, “Tapping the deepest energies of teachers, or any employees, requires a connection with big, meaningful themes that promise a significant, positive effect on the world.” We, as teachers, need to come together to move towards this type of learning/school community. Conversations between teachers would be more uplifting, open, and supportive. It will prepare us for the unknowns in the future of education, but our vision will be colored with positivity and eagerness.
Resources
Markham, T. (2015, February 11). Redefining Teachers with a 21st Century Education ‘Story’.
Retrieved June 20, 2015, from
http://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2015/02/11/redefining-teachers-with-a-21st-century-education-story/