This site is a class blog space for new Career and Technical Specializations and Heathcare Science teachers enrolled in the New Teacher Institute (NTI) at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Schools
Schools are like churches....the church is not a building, doctrine or even the denomination it is the people. Schools are the same way. It is not the newest building, the high tech equipment, the curriculum being taught or the available pathways. Schools are the students and the teachers. The culture of learning be it prepping for Georgia Tech or Lanier Tech. Being in National Honor Society or the National Technical Honor Society. Some teachers and classes are there as a "drop out prevention role" and some are there for the "Honor Roll". Teaching is communication, motivation and inspiration. No matter what the subject matter is or what the student's capacity is to learn. All students need accountability and responsibility. That leads to discipline to live and learn no matter what is being taught. We need to put down the excuses and raise up our expectations in the educational field. We need to get back to good old teaching fundamentals. We can't forget that the word FUN is in fundamentals. We also can't forget the word MENTAL is in there as well and that means intellect. We all must once again have fun learning and teaching!
Hey Coach! Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I agree with many aspects of your post. During my first year, I have found that safety nets are not always safe. I have experienced more apathy regarding the educational process than I was prepared for. Students are aware of their option to re-test so many of them present to class with the question, "when is the re-test". This question often comes before the actual test. Many students have a retrospective response to education and are eager to re-do work that was never done. So I ask, is this truly a safety net that improves success or is it actually preparation for failure? When our generation reflects on our educational experiences there are no reflections on "re-dos". That's because they did not exist. Should a student be allowed to re-do an assignment that has a valid need, yes. Should students receive an all paid pass to respond to failure instead of prepare for success? ABSOLUTELY NOT! I often question if college has changed from my experiences 20 years ago as a student that was educated in a Georgia public school, graduating in the top percentage and nearly experiencing failure my freshman year in college. Overwhelmingly, that answer has been no. Thanks again for sharing!
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