Educators

There has been a lot of media connected to education and educators. According to the politicians our educational system is full of “bad” teachers. Excuse me but where are they? There are educators as well as people in other fields that I many not personally like or that I might disagree with philosophically but that doesn’t make for a “bad” professional. In my career (as well as being a parent) which included having educational experiences in five states and 30 years, I came across very few “bad” educators. I met a few teachers that were less effective than others and those teachers were being helped to improve. I have seen a few teachers dismissed because they were not working at the expectations of the administrators as well as seeing administrator’s dismissed usually because of ethics.
Before being certified, there is the four plus years of college. This time gives the educators the theory and current research of what is behind teaching- this is the history, the background, and inquiry. Simultaneously, the college students are involved in preteaching activities by observing and participating in schools and classrooms with much supervision. Before becoming a certified educator then, there is student teaching. The student teaching is very eye opening as that pedagogy is put into place and techniques are put into practice. These are the times when people realize that teaching is not babysitting and not an easy career with a lengthy time off. Most colleagues I know either had a summer job (often tutoring or summer school), were working on an advanced degree, and/ or attending seminars and workshops to keep skills current, and add new techniques to the repertoire. At the same time all of them are beginning to plan for the next year. Throughout the college years the college student has been in a classroom enough before and during student teaching to realize if this challenging career is the one to personally pursue. A friend of mine upon completing her student teaching admitted that the classroom was not a place she wanted to be and immediately changed course after thinking education was where she wanted to be for most of her life. Reality set in as to what all is expected of an educator. I have seen this on several occasions since starting my career. Of course there is the test for certification, required in some form by each state, that also must be completed before entering the field and begin the job hunt. It weeds out even more candidates. There is so much that test does not reflect such as values, organization skills, or even character of the person. This certification testing is required and done each time a teacher moves to a new state and requires a fee.
When a teacher is hired no matter where, there is orientation. The philosophy and procedures of a district and school start the continuing education process, usually paid for by the educator. In some states there are requirements of an advanced degree in as little as 5 years. This is along with all the daily expectations of classroom educators and whatever yearly expectations are part of a contract. Like the medical profession there is continually new information to add to the educator’s repertoire. Everyone of course is aware of the amount of technology that is continually updated. During those student days off – educators are looking and studying student work to adjust and address specific issues.
Tenure has become an “inflamed” word. Tenure is not carte blanche for job security. As in any job an educator can be let go for many reasons. Please realize that continuing education expectations including yearly requirements of workshops and some form of evaluation involve every educator.
There may be educators I don’t agree with what they have to say but with very few exceptions in the roles of a parent and educator I have not met “bad” teachers.
It’s Teacher Appreciation Week. Thank an educator and let those professionals know they are making a difference and their efforts are noticed.