Andy Gammill has a story in the Star today about individuals who get their teacher certification through alternate means like Teach for America and the Woodrow Wilson fellowship.
Do you think these programs are good ideas or should teachers have to the more the traditional route?
When IPS B.S. got its degree, most of what it learned in college was useless. IPS B.S. got a lot more of an education working in an actual classroom and learning from experienced teachers.
How about you?
Sunday, October 4, 2009
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These people flutter from job to job so let them teach.They'll quit and move on in another 4 years. This is just another attempt from Bennett to discredit educators and take away power and make the corporate world look holier than thou. I'd like to ask every educator who voted for Bennett if they are happy? This guy is clueless and will cause more damage than anyone ever has in this state. He is anti-public education and really anti-teacher as well. He doesn't have a clue what urban education is.
ReplyDeleteI agree about Bennett. He is definitely anti-public education and doesn't respect the higher learning institutions learning methods. This is a sad day in Indiana. Of course, I think charter schools don't have a place in Indiana. Since a student can now cross boundary lines to get to a stronger school, charter schools should be done. I have often said if Indiana gives money to charter schools then they should give them to the catholic schools as well since they educate many students.
ReplyDeleteIf Benneth wants to do something constructive then he should make a goal of getting courses back in the school that students like. Not everyone is going to college...not everyone has the brain power...although I wish they did. Start dealing with reality. Oh and children need summer vacation. I don't want them to grow up without the values that summer can give them. (although summer vacation SHOULD Not be a priority of anyone)
Unfortunately there is a big disconnect between higher education and the world of innercity education. I remember taking one of those video classes on classroom management and the tape showed a kid rocking back on their chair, and the tape asked "what would you do about this child tipping back in his chair?" The day this is my biggest discipline problem I'd jump up and down in joy.
ReplyDeleteI have kids who sexually harass their classmates, bully incessantly, assaults (striking another student) are so common they aren't even noticed. They also have social problems that boggle the mind. I sometimse discuss these problems my colleagues who teach in other systems hoping to find solutions. Their mouths drop open and they believe I am lying, making things up, or telling a once in a lifetime story, when in fact it is an everyday problem.
I am the produce of the Transition to Teaching Program from Ball State University and worked as a substitute teacher in IPS. I learned more from working with different teachers, schools, and gained more insight on teaching than from a textbook. A few years back I applied for a position at a township school, but the committee hired a new graduate instead of hiring a teacher with a few years of experience. The new teacher walked out the first day of school and then applied for his sick and personal days. Did you notice that the science teacher at Howe that Dr. White held up highly left his school system and moved on to a township school. Most of the other teachers will walk away from IPS as soon as they complete their license and will be accepted by another school system. IPS has a dysfunctional administration and will not support their teachers.
ReplyDeleteI actually don't have an issue with some of the newer "options" in regards to both teaching and with schools themselves. I feel like the biggest problem with education is that parents and students don't respect the teachers and schools. I think having more of a say-so helps that from all directions. Same thing with the alternate teacher routes. It does seem to me that as a percentage, they don't last as long (based on my limited experience, of course) but on the flip side, a few of the best teachers I've ever seen came in from alternate programs.
ReplyDeleteI suppose I tend to value traditional schools and traditional teachers a little more, but I wouldn't want to stop alternate programs or stop charter schools or magnet programs.
And I can go either way with Bennett, depending on the issue. But I have to say I like him better than Sue Ellen Reed.
Be careful. Tony Bennett's wife is employed by Teach for America...you will incur his wrath.....also while some of these "instant" teachers are doing well, most will move on in 2 or 3 years due to low pay, high stress and idiots like Eugene White who tells anyone who will listen that teachers are lazy, uncaring and poorly trained.
ReplyDeleteNEW BLOG ABOUT TEACHER PREPARATION IN INDIANA
ReplyDeleteSchools of Education are dismantled, schools are privatized, and school leaders can buy their positions…is this our future under Tony & Mitch?
People are asking about all the fuss about Bennett and his DOE proposals for training teachers and administrators. This blog is still in process but bookmark, make comments, sign up to follow (folks are trying to create a movement here) and so then....pass the link on to the larger community networks you know.
A new blog has formed over this issue of teacher preparation: http://indianapubliceducation.blogspot.com/
The big thing now is going public.....pass on the link, post comments on the blog raising questions or in support and, ultimately, posting formal Public Comment on the DOE website. This is master stroke politics coming out of Mitch Daniels office—it’s tied to university funding, the Obama stimulus, and manipulation of the press.
We have 30 days.....
I have taught in IPS for 21 years in mostly stressful situations (EH kids)and I really admire the Teach for America and Transition to Teaching folks I have seen. I know that my college/post college courses really didn't prepare me for this job. It has been the real "on the job training" that has helped me. I think I would have been a better teacher with more content courses and less "methods" (which really were only theory). So, if these folks do move on to something else in the years to come at least they will be able to let people know how difficult this work is. Meanwhile, I think we can learn a lot from them; some have wonderful backgrounds e.g. law, medicine and are bringing much to our classrooms. Public education is ripe for a critical "do over" and I really agree with the blogger who said we need to have courses that will help prepare our students who will not need a four year college. We must honor all professions and see service people who do not need or want to go college as worthy of good pay and respect. Our society would not function without the people we consider "uneducated" if they have chosen to not seek further education- but we CAN educate all students to be productive participants and critical thinkers in society and encourage them to be lifelong learners; which many college grads may not be even if they have some sort of degree.
ReplyDeleteI do agree that vocation careers are very important and should be an important section of our educational community. Europe has expanded on the trades for years and they are productive participants in the business community.
ReplyDeleteMy problem with some of the Bennett-bashers is that the same people who act like teachers can't possibly teach unless they have unlimited financial resources and small classrooms of self-motivated students with two supportive, educated parents are the same ones who are throwing a fit when others are given the chance to try. I'm not threatened by alternative teacher programs, and I believe that most of the teachers who ARE threatened are probably the ones that should have left education years ago. Everybody here works with a few of these teachers, and I don't feel like I'm betraying my profession by saying so. They are the ones betraying the profession. And I do think education will continue to improve as we increasingly attempt to attract teachers who can do what others have been unable to do.
ReplyDeleteQUESTION: Which fat ass made the above statement?
ReplyDelete[1] Jane
[2] Prudence
Tony Bennett's wife does not work for Teach for america. she is head of the Indiana charter Schools Association. Get your facts staight, please.
ReplyDeleteOh for the love of Pete. Nobody but you thinks only Jane and Prudence feel that way. Talk to your fellow teachers sometime.
ReplyDeleteI don't understand the title question. What's the difference between a teacher and an educator?
ReplyDeleteYou are wrong about Mra. Bennett...YOU need to get your facts straight. She may be associated with the charter schools association but that would explain why she visits IPS schools. Perhaps she has dual responsibilities but please dont call me liar when you dont have all of the info.
ReplyDeleteI did an online search, and I can find some 3rd hand information about her being a consultant for Indiana Public Charter Schools Association, but she's certainly not the head of it. She's not even on the board of directors. And I can't find anything that links Tina Bennett and Teach For America.
ReplyDeleteMrs. Bennett is indeed employed by the Indiana Public Charter Schools Association. Her title is School Improvement/ New Schools Development Consultant. I've been in two meetings with her. She's a total airhead.
ReplyDeleteI think that the education courses I took in college were almost a complete waste of time. We made books, wrote poems, and made musical instruments. We visited the zoo and the childrens museum. I wish we had visited the homeless shelter, the domestic violence shelter, and the medicaid clinic. That way I would have some contacts to call when my students' families need help. I wish we had spent some time learning how to help a 6th grader who can't read get some work done in the social studies class. Or how to help a child who obviously has ADHD, but whose parents refuse to medicate him or permit any other treatment.
ReplyDeleteIf the ed schools want to remain relevant, it's time to quit assigning coloring projects and give new teachers the tools they really need.
I would go so far as to say that everything I use every day was learned on the job. Why not change the certification process this way:
Allow anyone with a bachelor's degree to sign on as a probationary teacher. They teach during the day and attend a night school once a week. They take their challenges to night school and learn from mentors what to do. After 3 years or so of this, they will have encountered just about every challenge there is. Then they can be awarded a teacher's license.
The comment above is so true.......I remember the paper mache [sp] puppet I had to make and other silly activities. The visits to shelters and other community outreach places would have been far more valuable. I still don't think that a 5 week crash course is a solid basis for becoming a teacher. That is why over 80% of these Teach America people quit by the 4th year.
ReplyDeleteQUESTION: Which fat ass made the above statement?
ReplyDeleteYour fat ass mom made the comment. You stupid ass. If it looks like a bitch, and sounds like bitch, it must be a bitch; therefore, it is a IPS teacher.
Looks like the Ed. Center has been reading the blog again.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you are a bitch. All IPS teachers suck
ReplyDeleteWhy would anyone teach in IPS?
ReplyDeleteBecause they can't get a a job in a real school district.
ReplyDeleteGood answer
ReplyDeleteIndy Undercover = IPS B.S.
ReplyDeleteThis isn't on topic, but are any other schools have difficulty getting ink for their printers, and paper? We have had nothing since last year.
ReplyDeleteseems as though some middle school student has access to this blog...certainly no educated adult is making the vulgar and empty comments that pop up on this site...what purpose would they serve except for juvenile entertainment and "humor"..."uh..uh...look at how good I am at dissing folks"...
ReplyDeleteAs for your supply issue, your principal is in charge of your supply ordering for your building.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like someone dropped the ball in your school.
Leave the vulgarity out of this, please.
ReplyDeleteWe have some kids getting on here that have nothing better to do. I hope that those posts are from kids. Lord help us if they are from adults teaching kids.
We have to bring any copy paper from home. The school has none. The principal says to use your reimbursement funds for it as the school has no money to buy any. The same for Kleenex. Buy it for your students. The school has none and will have none.
ReplyDeleteWell. the principal said noone was getting ink or paper. What am I to believe?
ReplyDeleteTina Bennet is working for Teach For America. She is teaching one of our masters classes. I don't know if she is being paid or not.
ReplyDeleteConflict of interest
ReplyDeleteWhat's a conflict of interest? Two married people to both be involved in public education? That's absurd. If she's not being paid, she's probably doing so even people like you can't claim she's being paid with money he's pushing her way. But even if she was being paid, it makes perfect sense that a married couple would have similar positions and interests, so that any policy endorsed by would would automatically benefit the other. I'm not particularly pro-Bennett or his wife, but let's not create a sensational scandal where there obviously is not one.
ReplyDeleteHey...get this! On Monday, our school had NO toilet paper! Can anyone beat that? :)
ReplyDeleteMan, that stinks. (Ha! Ha!)
ReplyDeleteWe have a teacher in our building who is out sick with the H1N1, but she has been in TWICE this week to get things to her sub. Everyone she's passed by, and everything she's touched have been exposed. And, her students went on a field trip today! I hope they spread the joy!
ReplyDeleteHere is a question for the above poster and others: WHy haven't we heard on the news about the number of H1N1 flu cases in IPS? Peronally, I know of three at my own school.
ReplyDeleteThe board of health said it was up to the school administrator to report such cases. So...I guess the principal of the above school might have some questions to answer.
ReplyDeleteAN ODE TO MY PRINCIPAL
ReplyDeleteYou've broken my spirit; you've broken my will.
All of my hopes for this year, you've managed to kill.
The student got off with nary a day,
Proving that in my classroom, I have no say.
You made me look like a total fool,
Having no authority to enforce even one rule.
Your behavior, sometimes raving like a lunatic,
Makes me, and many others, very sick.
Your school is thoroughly out of control,
The wild, disrespectful behavior is on a roll.
Your nasty little puppet pissed me off today,
With a condescending little e-mail she copied my way.
She clicks down the hall like her shit doesn't stink,
But others have a very different opinion, I think.
On the anniversary of my birth I'll be absent that day,
For down to Human Resources I will sway,
To turn in the paperwork that will guarantee,
That you, bitch, I will never again have to see.
Do not get obsessed with my identity,
The truth of who I am, you'll never get from me.
If you ask if I'm the one,
I will cross my heart, hope to die, and lie.
I'll look you in the eye, and lie.
I'll even swear on the grave of my poor dead mother,
Knowing full well the truth I will smother.
You've broken my spirit; you've broken my will,
But in the end, since it is YOU I blame
Through the printed word, 'twill be you,
I'll NAME.
"Looks like the University of Illinois!" Or any place but the school Lexipro wrote about in that poem. It's a sad day when district directors and principals are more concerned about "looks" that children, about what's on a wall than what's in a child's mind, about following orders than whether children learn. No wonder scores went down in almost every IPS school. Perhaps what the district is doing to teachers is having a NEGATIVE effect on students, ya think!?! But perhaps that is higher goal of Bush's NCLB. Educate the wealthy, not the poor.
ReplyDeleteBennett needs to realize that if college education seems so 'pointless'- he needs to push local colleges to fix the education. Force them to up their standards so that the college degrees are worth something.
ReplyDeleteBut instead, Bennett criticizes the teachers and thinks a content test is going to fix everything.
News flash, Bennett: the Praxis test I had to take to be an elementary teacher was idiotically easy, and doing well on the test had nothing to do with being a good teacher.
"The same for Kleenex. Buy it for your students."
ReplyDeleteThis is ghetto, but go to the restroom and get a roll of toilet paper, hang it by a string right over your waste basket, instruct your kids to blow their noses and put the used toilet paper right into the waste basket.
Put both as far away from you and the kids as possible.
Do you really want germy kids coming up to your desk to get tissue? And if you have real Kleenex they take way too many and leave them laying around the room. It may look ghetto but it works, and you might also put a giant sized bottle of that hand sanitizer stuff over there too.
I am a transition to teaching teacher and to tell you the truth, I am not impressed with the traditional teachers that I am seeing in IPS. How can you teach what you barely understand yourself. How many times have I had to correct a veteran IPS teacher's explanation of their own subject or help their students. Also, by the way, just because your contract says you're done at 2:45, does not mean that you HAVE to leave your students at your door needing help.Transition teachers see teaching as career , not just a job.
ReplyDeleteTina Bennett is a consultant for IPCSA and is an instructor at Marian for Teach for America.
ReplyDelete