Blog Post #14

For this week's blog post, we were assigned to read an article by Joel Klein entitled "Teaching Our Children Can Be a Profession". This article discusses many of the major problems within our public schools, and also the radical changes it would take to solve these problems.

Problem: Many teachers have been hired simply because they have a college degree.
Solution: Recruit teachers who graduated in the top third of their class

I totally agree that this problem exist in public schools across the nation. I think the solution presented for this problem is ideal but not entirely realistic. I also believe that many people stray away from the idea of teaching because it does not pay as well as other jobs that these third-top-of-their-class recruits could have. I believe that many teachers today are also apart of that mentioned "top third" and still do not get paid well or respected for their hard work and dedication. This is a real problem but the proposed solution is not obtainable. My solution to this problem would be to increase the average salary of a teacher, and then those teachers who graduated in the top third of their class won't have to be recruited, they will come willingly.

Problem: Teachers who have had more experience than new teachers will always be chosen first, simply because of seniority.
Solution: To make teaching a profession by treating all teachers as equals, and allowing teachers to earn their levels of achievement.

This problem was evident even to me as a student in high school. I believe that the solution to this problem is a real and applicable solution. According to Klein, teachers would  develop a "formal set of peer relationships"  as well as a "national teaching exam" that gives teachers the opportunity to earn their raises and achievements through "knowledge-based"testing, similar to entry exams for doctors and lawyers. This accompanied with a "one to three year internship" as Klein mentions, would also help to recreate teaching as a profession.

Problem: Teaching has not been treated or respected as if it is a profession, even by educators themselves.
Solution: Teachers will have a self established board to "police the profession" by making standards and "providing mechanisms to remove incompetent teachers".

I agree that this is also a problem in our nation. I also agree with the solution that teachers should have a self established board  because not only would this board be able to remove incapable teachers, but would create a more professional atmosphere for teaching's reputation. I think that teachers would also feel more empowered to speak out about their opinions toward state standards, and public school policies because they would know that they have someone in their corner to vouch for them and to give respect and support.

I really enjoyed this article because I feel relieved that there are other people speaking out and sharing their opinions about the problems in our nations public school system and what solutions are going to benefit not only students, but teachers as well. Happy, motivated teachers excite, engage and encourage happy students.