Canestrari & Marlowe, Chapters 21,22 & 23

The following quotes come from Educational Foundations, An Anthology of Critical Reading, 2^nd Edition edited by Alan S. Canestrari and Bruce A. Marlowe.

“The message appears to be that teachers do not count when it comes to critically examining the nature and process of educational reform.” (Canestrari and Marlowe, 198)

      This is both true and false.  When you look at some boards of education, the board consists of CEOs and major company executives and, “They know best,” thus teachers do not count.  However, some boards of education do consider the opinions of the teachers.  This is awesome because the teachers can voice issues regarding the methods or curriculum implemented by the board.

“Instead of learning to raise questions about the principles underlying different classroom methods, research techniques and theories of education, students are of then preoccupied with learning the ‘how to’ with ‘what works,’ or mastering the best way to teach a given body of knowledge.” (Canestrari and Marlowe, 200)

      As a teacher it is important to question what the board of education is enforcing or supporting, yet at the same time one does not want to over step there bounds.  Teachers need to make sure that they are ‘allowed’ to teach using whatever method they see works best.

      Additionally, teachers should just teach using the ‘easiest’ method because this doesn’t challenge them (as the teacher) nor does it challenge the students.  Teachers should vary the method too because not one method works for every student.

“First of all, any kind of teaching requires toughness.” (Canestrari and Marlowe, 205)

      I can sense that teachers need to be tough.  A teacher must keep control of his/her class.  In technology education (TE) classes, this is important because there is probably going to be dangerous equipment nearby, if the teacher is not tough in laying down proper safety rules there could be a serious injury.  Teaching is not something easy, it requires work and being tough.

“In each and every way that you work in the field, bring the best of yourself as a parent, citizen, and passionate learner into you work, and put ‘getting along’ in perspective.”  (Canestrari and Marlowe, 207-208)

      Teaching is a field that requires one to get to know everyone he/she meets.  Teachers have the chance to work one on one with students and parents along with other teachers.  Teachers have to be ready to face anything that may hit them.  These issues could be from a student not brining in his/her homework to one student starting a physical fight with another.

      It is important that a teacher be able to interact with everyone they meet in the appropriate way.

“To develop a critical voice, a teacher has to take the time to analyze directives, mandates, and messages from whatever the source and then use that analysis to speak up about issues willingly and strongly to the power sources.” (Canestrari and Marlowe, 211)

      A teacher’s voice is important.  Boards of education should be looking to the teachers to see what they are doing right and what they are doing well and what they could do better.

      If teachers do not help the boards of educations, education will never change and all of the same teaching styles and philosophies will remain the same (across the country.)

“Responsible citizens and especially teachers, given the power they hold in relation to hundreds of future citizens, must continually consider the source of the messages, the medium used to deliver the messages, and the recipients, often themselves.” (Canestrari and Marlowe, 212)

      In some cases teachers don’t have the opportunity to speak up, but in many cases there is a chance.  When given that chance, teachers need to take it to see that issues regarding the education of students are done correctly, effectively, and efficiently.