Section 2 Philosophy of Teaching

Section 3 Your Message/Education Issues As Minnesota Teacher of the Year, you would serve as ambassador for the teaching profession. What would be your message to your profession and the general public? What are the major public Education Issues today?

While teaching Harper’s Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, I encountered the following passage from Atticus

Finch’s very famous speech made to the court in Tom Robinson’s defense:

“One more thing, gentlemen, before I quit. Thomas Jefferson once said that all men are created equal, a phrase that the Yankees and the distaff side of the Executive branch in Washington are fond or hurling at us. There is a tendency in this year of grace, 1935, for certain people to use this phrase out of context, to satisfy all conditions. The most ridiculous example I can think of is that the people who run public education promote the stupid and idle along with the industrious---because all men are created equal, educators will gravely tell you, the children left behind suffer terrible feelings of inferiority” (Lee 205).

I found this passage particularly relevant to me in a time when policy makers and educators are trying so hard to find the resources and funds to create a situation where, in fact, it is impossible to make every person equal.

Of course we want all students to perform well and demonstrate proficiency in all areas of their education.

With the resources we have, we work hard to provide the best education we can to all students. We want to teach and encourage students to do the best they can do. Unfortunately, the great institution that is American education cannot, by itself, close the vast socio-economic chasm, which creates the achievement gap in test scores and graduation rates among students. Although schools have problems, schools are not the problem.

Current media and political debates would show that the system of American education is not providing students with the tools they need to be successful outside of school. Society has tried integration through busing and open enrollment in public schools, along with providing necessary funding for books, buses and counseling in private schools to make resources equitable for all students. School vouchers and alternative pay for performance are current issues that people believe will change schools for the better through more competitive practices. Others, like me, argue that competition will not give choice, but will only perpetuate existing conditions, and likely, widen the achievement gap: The rich can afford more and better education.

During this economic recession all schools will face reduced funding. This loss of money from taxpayers, as well as state and federal funding, will most likely cause programs to be cut and staff members to lose jobs. Certainly this will increase class sizes, which is already a problem in many schools. Individualized attention, which has been proved integral in creating positive learning outcomes, cannot be created in an environment where there are over thirty students in a room. If performance standards and test scores are to be met, class sizes cannot grow any larger. This is especially important when we are mainstreaming an ever- growing population of students with 504s and IEPs. One teacher cannot be expected to consistently and effectively meet the needs of so many students. In addition, with an increasing population of students, limited staff cannot be expected to keep schools safe for students and teachers.

Resources are dwindling in schools. Many schools are using outdated books and old equipment, simply because they cannot afford new materials. Technology is changing and growing more necessary and important in educating our students. Schools must have access to the latest technology in order to keep our students prepared for the dynamic and growing workforce. Online classes can only be used to augment already sound teaching practices, not to take their place. Teachers must be provided with and trained in use and implementation of new technology and teaching practices. Teachers must have and know how to use new equipment so they can model efficacy and provide scaffolding to students.

Teachers are professionals. Teachers are constantly developing and changing to meet the needs of students. They must learn not only their subject area, but continue their education and training in behavior, technology, reading in the content areas and diversity, to mention a few. Teachers are held accountable for their work. Pay scales are public. Test scores are public. School sports and activities are broadcast publicly.

Schools and their employees are constantly under scrutiny, and teachers are told they are not doing enough.

Teachers today are doing more than they ever have. They are using their own money to buy supplies for their classrooms. They are paying for continuing education and professional development workshops.

They are working past their contract hours to grade papers and plan lessons. Teachers perform duties outside of their content area: keeping in contact with parents, updating grades online, guarding doors, monitoring study halls, watching lunch rooms, proctoring tests, advising activities and coaching sports. Teacher contracts are no longer awarding teachers unparalleled benefits packages. Health care plans have become costly.

Retirement packages have reduced matching. Teachers are not in it for the money. Some like to use the cliché “Those who can’t do, teach.” Clearly these people have no idea what teachers actually do.

Work Cited

Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird. New York: Warner Books, 1960.