Submitted by Kristen (not verified) on March 24, 2008 - 14:53.
I have had similar experiences and share many of the beliefs as many of you. There were four teachers in my district who retired last year, not because they were ready to, but because they weren't considered "highly qualified" even though they had been teaching for twenty-plus years. I agree that teachers should take the PRAXIS and that they should have a decent GPA in college, but I do not believe that either of those things necessarily means that you will be an effective teacher.
I was not a great math student. I went to tutors but still struggled throughout my academic career. It is because of these life experiences that I feel I am such a great math teacher. Because I struggled in math I developed tricks for solving problems and know how to break concepts down very simply...both of which really seem to help my struggling students. I know that I am an effective teacher, but, if my ability to be an effective math teacher was solely based on my performance on a test, I probably wouldn't have the job I have today.
It is unfortunate, but we live in a test-crazy society, and I believe that the NCLB Act has a lot to do with this. I think children and teachers alike are being evaluated with standardized tests that do not accurately assess what they are supposed to.
NCLB
Submitted by Kristen (not verified) on March 24, 2008 - 14:53.
I have had similar experiences and share many of the beliefs as many of you. There were four teachers in my district who retired last year, not because they were ready to, but because they weren't considered "highly qualified" even though they had been teaching for twenty-plus years. I agree that teachers should take the PRAXIS and that they should have a decent GPA in college, but I do not believe that either of those things necessarily means that you will be an effective teacher.
I was not a great math student. I went to tutors but still struggled throughout my academic career. It is because of these life experiences that I feel I am such a great math teacher. Because I struggled in math I developed tricks for solving problems and know how to break concepts down very simply...both of which really seem to help my struggling students. I know that I am an effective teacher, but, if my ability to be an effective math teacher was solely based on my performance on a test, I probably wouldn't have the job I have today.
It is unfortunate, but we live in a test-crazy society, and I believe that the NCLB Act has a lot to do with this. I think children and teachers alike are being evaluated with standardized tests that do not accurately assess what they are supposed to.