Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Waiting for superman
As we have read articles and watched movies this quarter on education I just feel frustrated. In this last section as we have explored what we might change or add to education I have been particularly frustrated, because the problems just feel so big and unfix able. I think we have seen, in movies and our own lives, the impact of of amazing teachers, but we also have examples of some really poor teachers. The movie, Waiting For Superman, helped me to see more clearly the brokenness of our education system. It is such a shame to think that the very system that was put into place to fairly compensate teachers who were denied a livable wage, is the system that is harming the very people that it is meant to serve; students. Teachers who are good teachers should be paid well. This week I looked up the pay scale for teachers in our state and was saddened to see just how little they earn for the level of education they obtain. Yet, having teachers continue teaching or rather just coasting because they are tenured is sadder still. An education, good or bad, changes the outcome of a childs' life. I did not realize the power of the teachers union and how quickly a teacher was awarded tenure. In all four movies that we have watched, we have witnessed how administration has has been a hinderence to positive change. It is frustrating that change is possible for our kids, but we have so many adults in the way.
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I could not believe the fact that whether your a good teacher or a bad teacher the pay is still the same. No raises no nothing and even if the teachers have tenure they should still be repremanded and made to go to workshops to become better teachers. why did teachers become teachers in the first place it definately wasnt because of the pay scale.
ReplyDeleteThe way they showed all the broken parts of our educational system on a level that all could understand was such an eye opener. Your observation that this system is hurting the very people it was meant to serve is a great way to sum up that entire movie. I personally would like to become a teacher one day, and its not for the money, but it seems as though if I do a great job and achieve the goal of helping children learn successfully I and others I have seen should be recognized for that. To me, merit pay would help to weed out the teachers who just plain and simple, are not producing results. Our nations students are indeed suffering because of that and many other reasons.
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