Submitted by Ben Johnson <author> (not verified) on March 12, 2008 - 08:58.
Stephen:
I know what you mean. The collision of the domains you refer to are not always agreeable. So I also believe that once a teacher has arrived at a professional level where they are confident in the teacher they want to be, they should stand firm. Any experienced teacher worth their salt can witness that good teaching has some supporting pillars that don't change over time and are unaffected by the latest research fad. In the same breath, there are some techniques that were always bad and are still propagated and in prevalent use, no matter how hard we try to eradicate them.
In regards to your comments about the "teachers we want to be", we are always talking about moving targets, well at least we should be. The "teacher we want to be" should always be improving and learning. The very best teachers I have ever met, no matter how much experience they have, are constantly and sincerely learning from other teachers, administrators, students and parents, and thus the "teacher they wanted to be" is now enhanced into the new "teacher they want to be." You appear to be one of those folks or you wouldn't have spent the time to read or comment on this blog. Thanks for the feedback--a crucial supporting pillar.
Teachers as learners
Submitted by Ben Johnson <author> (not verified) on March 12, 2008 - 08:58.
Stephen:
I know what you mean. The collision of the domains you refer to are not always agreeable. So I also believe that once a teacher has arrived at a professional level where they are confident in the teacher they want to be, they should stand firm. Any experienced teacher worth their salt can witness that good teaching has some supporting pillars that don't change over time and are unaffected by the latest research fad. In the same breath, there are some techniques that were always bad and are still propagated and in prevalent use, no matter how hard we try to eradicate them.
In regards to your comments about the "teachers we want to be", we are always talking about moving targets, well at least we should be. The "teacher we want to be" should always be improving and learning. The very best teachers I have ever met, no matter how much experience they have, are constantly and sincerely learning from other teachers, administrators, students and parents, and thus the "teacher they wanted to be" is now enhanced into the new "teacher they want to be." You appear to be one of those folks or you wouldn't have spent the time to read or comment on this blog. Thanks for the feedback--a crucial supporting pillar.
Ben Johnson