This blog contains comments from EDUCATORS who find themselves on the front lines of a war that has been waged against public education across this nation since the landmark decision in 1954 of Brown vs. The Board of Education of Topeka. Herein are the thoughts of Educators who serve young people across America today. While the daily challenges to increase student achievement have been discussed in circles across this nation, few of those voices include those who are the true soldiers in this battle to educate young people.
The lessons taught to students, present and past and their reactions to various assignments, can serve as a mini-lesson for those adults who are responsible for raising children. We are particularly concerned with those students who are being raised in one of the many poor and segregated urban centers across this nation. This blog serves as an authentic assessment of where our young people are in relation to what is expected of them and it will enable the reader to visit the urban classroom to gain insight into....THE CHRONICLES OF AN URBAN EDUCATOR....
Teachers spend more than 40 hours a week preparing, implementing and evaluating lesson plans. We are consistently researching the best practices and thinking about what kind of lesson will not only motivate students, but will also be relevant to student lives in order to increase student learning.
This entry is in response to an issue that educators face on a daily basis. In a high school classroom, students were expected to pair up and complete an assignment. Each student was expected to turn in his or her assignment individually. Multiple students were sitting with their partners without paper or a writing utensil. "Johnny*, do you intend to do some work today?" I should mention that this is the month of April and students are still coming to class unprepared to take part in the learning experience.
How are educators to combat this blatant apathy to learning? How are educators to respond, after spending hours lesson planning, putting together a stimulating presentation/assignment in order to intentionally spark student interest? When will the discussion about education include the responsibility the student has to their own education?
excellent question, it seems that students rights, and self esteem have been placed over their responsibility to learn. im starting to believe that the more rights someone gets with out earning them erodes desire, and begins to develop a sense of entitlement. which is counter productive in a class room and in a free market.
ReplyDeleteJanice, here is something to chew on. As you know, I teach at a University. I see far too many students, especially students of color, coming out of high school so far behind that they need remedial writing and math classes. The skills deficits start at a very early age. They enter kindergarten behind and never catch up, even falling further behind as they matriculate.
ReplyDeleteJanice, as you know, many black and Latino children enter kindergarten already behind their white and middle-class counterparts in the suburbs. Some, as they matriculate, fall even further behind. My point, these problems start at a very early age. By the time I see them at the University level, many need to take remedial math and writing classes because they are years behind.
ReplyDeleteI agree that students MUST be responsible. I have been sing that tune for years coupled with "you can lead a horse to water but can't make him drink". As teachers we can use music, technology, jump through hoops and tap dance, but if the children do not want the education that is given to them freely, then what? Are we at fault for that too? People who rant and rave about the need for teachers to reach those who don't want our attempts, WON'T accept them period! There is no excuse for not having your materials, once a syllabus has been given, thoroughly explained, signed by a student and that student's parents. The only reason for this behavior is they don't care. They don't see it as their responsibility, and obviously neither does the parent.
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