“What the best and wisest parent wants for his own child, that must we want for all children in the community. Any other ideal for our schools is narrow and unlovely; acted upon, it destroys our democracy”
Most of the learning that I have done this week really boils down to justice and how we teach must change to work in the modern world. Each and every student should be allowed the opportunity to be educated and reach their full potential in our public school systems It seems that other countries, like Finland, are able to create the culture of equity in education that does not cause divisiveness and allows all students to be allowed the opportunity to be educated by high quality teachers so that they can reach their full potential The 5 key elements that Darling-Hammond describes gives me hope for our education system. Most of the goals are systematic. This is why I think the all education leaders, from National, State, District and down to the site administration need to be committed to these goals if change is going to be made. They should be reading her book. If we cannot change the system, we can work within the system to affect change. For example, Strong professional standards and supports for all educators, is described to be a systematic change, but here we are, learning and supporting each other to be better teachers for our students. We can help ourselves, each other in Cohort 13, and our colleagues by continuing learn and sharing what we know, supporting each other. Even if the systems do not change. Earlier in the book Hammond mentions "teacher Professional development and training should be viewed as an investment not a cost. I think schools and districts say the right things to look like we are moving to change. I think if you look at site and districts budgets and where the money is prioritized you get a true picture of the priorities. I have no curriculum for my science class. The text book I have is outdated and only covers abut 1/4 of the new integrated model our district is using and it's not even written for NGSS. For my practice, I hope I can provide each kid with an equal opportunity to learn and access the NGSS in my classroom.
5 Comments
Jose G. Cerda
10/30/2017 04:51:55 pm
I agree Jeff, I see being in this program as part of what Darling-Hammond mentions in the elements. We have a group of educators working to increase their skills and knowledge. Even when our time is so reduced already at our school site, we are still taking that step of improving ourselves for our students.
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Lisa Gottfried
10/30/2017 09:24:39 pm
"I have no curriculum for my science class. The text book I have is outdated and only covers abut 1/4 of the new integrated model our district is using and it's not even written for NGSS. " Wow. It blows me away that there are not systems in place to support the new NGSS! Change takes time, I guess and developing the supports requires all hands on deck, time, energy and money, and a vision moving forward that EVERYONE buys into. Institutions can move slowly. How do we remain lithe as educators?
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Rian
10/31/2017 12:02:44 pm
I have no idea how you, and many other science teachers teach everysingle day! I cannot believe (well, I can, I guess), that the state would roll out NGSS without viable curriculum. Talk about making your job more difficult. But, it does come down to the idea of equity. What about those schools in CA where there might be new teachers who don't know how to read or development curricula? Or who frankly might be lazy? You are correct when you say, that all students need consistent acces to good teachers and materials.
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Amanda Olson
10/31/2017 07:54:22 pm
I truly appreciate how you have given light to the fact that although the implementations Darling-Hammon prescribes in order to ensure equitable education for all is systematic, that we are not simply stuck until the system converts but that there are indeed ways to work towards equity within the system. It becomes far too depressing, overwhelming and daunting to think about having to wait for the entire system to change when the changes needed seem worlds away from what exists. When I am able to focus on what I, and us together, can do to promote such change I become inspired and hopeful. Being in this program is a declaration of dedication to making sure our students get an innovative and equal education, and therefore I am so hopeful for the change we can promote as individuals, a group, and hopefully among our schools and district.
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B. Scinto
10/31/2017 10:56:10 pm
It is interesting that we are shifting from merely providing an opportunity to ensuring we meet the needs of each and every learner despite our inability to provide adequate resources to meet those needs. Schools must house miracle workers on top of the the growing difficultly in time commitment to become a teacher. We have deincentivized the profession in far too many ways.
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