http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-G39FFUrtA
After viewing this video, I have some thoughts. I appreciate when he says "every child can succeed and every child deserves that chance" because I feel as though my county, Fulton, keeps harping on this for their staff because no matter what the challenges may be that a student faces it doesn't take away from the idea that they are capable of being successful. It is amazing to hear what percentage of jobs in the coming years are going to require education higher than a high school diploma. We have a quarter of students who drop out of high school still which causes them to struggle for life. It was interesting to me that he said the best way to stimulate the economy is for our students to be better educated so that they are equipped to start their own businesses or help those existing thrive. If this was how the government felt than why are there always budget cuts for education? I don't think just shelling money into schools will make a school better but I do think that if salaries for teachers were higher you would find that very intelligent, qualified people in the different fields would chose to go into teaching over fields like engineering and medicine. You hear so often about how "I would have loved to be a teacher but it just doesn't pay enough" which I find to be so sad and detrimental to our students education. It is impressive what TechBoston has been able to accomplish with their reform and dedication to their students. I couldn't agree more about the importance of parents involvement in their children's education. Science education incorporates all areas of curriculum and is vital to students becoming successful through their years in the classroom. I agreed with most of what President Obama said because I wouldn't be a teacher if I wasn't passionate about the success of children. In an ideal world teaching would be considered an honorable profession but right now it's not like that here as it is around the world. I resignate with math and science being the area where better teachers are needed. I personally love teaching math and science and am fortunate to be focusing on these two areas alone next year. Through the readings this week the changes in science and mathematics are vital for the success of our citizens and our future generations to compete in our ever-changing world.
I found the article on evolution in science teaching very interesting. We had a similar issue in Cobb County a few years ago. My feeling is that anything not strictly based on scientific principles, should not be included in the science curiculum, but then that's my opinion!
ReplyDeleteLisa,
ReplyDeleteThank you for focusing on the points that you found most interesting in President Obama's speech. I found most of the same ones interesting as well. Every student does deserve a chance and I think it's important that Fulton County as well as other counties harp on this statement.
You raised a good question, asking about budget cuts. I wondered the same thing while watching the speech. The speech was from a year ago, and I feel like we are working in the direction that Obama proposed but I feel that we have a long ways to go to reach the full concept.
Great Post!
Lisa,
ReplyDeleteYou made many valid points in your comment. I also teach in Fulton, but the schools we teach in are very different. A very small percentage of the students that I teach will not graduate and attend college. Economic disparities seem to continue to affect children's futures and as the quote you mentioned from the speech said, every child can succeed. We, as a country, need to find a way that economic differences do not have the extensive effect on students' futures as they currently seems to have. I was also blown away by the high percentage of jobs that will require higher education. It is important that higher education and these jobs be available to all students who want them despite socioeconomic differences.
Lisa,
ReplyDeleteI found what you said in the beginning of your post about all students being successful regardless their challenges very intriguing. I think I will be teaching special Ed. next year, which will be a first, as this will be only my third year teaching. I am up for anything though. :) Where I teach, as this does not go for the whole county, we do not have a high percentage rate for graduation, almost 100% on free lunch, etc.;however this is NO excuse. I see this the same way for SWD (student's with disabilities). Many feel that with this "label", they can lower the standards for this group of students. This breaks my heart to know that administrators and teachers are doing this. I believe that every child can learn. I cannot tell you how many times I have had parents come to me, thanking me for never giving up on their child. They even go on to tell me that their previous year's teacher did. :( If we do not give up, the students will push forward. Our students can learn. Our students can go on to be something great. That's just not here in Cobb or Fulton, nor Georgia, but that goes for all students across America. We as educators across all of America, must have a common goal for our students to succeed.