Professional Development - Whose Responsibility is it? - Classroom 2.02024-03-29T13:03:07Zhttps://www.classroom20.com/forum/topics/professional-development-3?groupUrl=somerspointteachers&commentId=649749%3AComment%3A313438&groupId=649749%3AGroup%3A293677&feed=yes&xn_auth=noInteresting point... I think…tag:www.classroom20.com,2009-04-09:649749:Comment:3244932009-04-09T21:33:33.754ZJennifer Luffhttps://www.classroom20.com/profile/JenniferLuff
Interesting point... I think great teachers are experts. They expert learners. Moreover, they have become expert at making the process of learning transparent and accessible to a diverse student population. They are extremely adroit at offering multiple pathways to the same knowledge or skill.<br />
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How do we know are students have really mastered a skill - they can teach it. Some of the most brilliant people in their field can do "it" but can't teach "it". It takes a special person with both…
Interesting point... I think great teachers are experts. They expert learners. Moreover, they have become expert at making the process of learning transparent and accessible to a diverse student population. They are extremely adroit at offering multiple pathways to the same knowledge or skill.<br />
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How do we know are students have really mastered a skill - they can teach it. Some of the most brilliant people in their field can do "it" but can't teach "it". It takes a special person with both intelligence and EQ to be a really effective teacher. Here's an interesting questio…tag:www.classroom20.com,2009-04-09:649749:Comment:3244612009-04-09T20:28:26.500ZBill Ferriterhttps://www.classroom20.com/profile/BillFerriter
Here's an interesting question: When we say that it is impossible to become an expert teacher, do we cheapen our profession?<br />
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Like others, I believe that learning is a never-ending process and that continual change is a prerequisite for excellence and all, but I wonder if we're not playing into the hands of those who see teaching as "a profession anyone can do" when we argue that there are no "experts" in education.<br />
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Thoughts?<br />
Bill
Here's an interesting question: When we say that it is impossible to become an expert teacher, do we cheapen our profession?<br />
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Like others, I believe that learning is a never-ending process and that continual change is a prerequisite for excellence and all, but I wonder if we're not playing into the hands of those who see teaching as "a profession anyone can do" when we argue that there are no "experts" in education.<br />
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Thoughts?<br />
Bill Michelle seems I struck a ner…tag:www.classroom20.com,2009-04-09:649749:Comment:3243162009-04-09T15:37:50.456ZMario Montanerohttps://www.classroom20.com/profile/MarioMontanero
Michelle seems I struck a nerve. Thank you for clearing up the validity of using more expert. Since my grammar check always underlines the term in green I assumed my distaste for the term was warranted. I see you are a big Richard Allington fan. What impressive credentials, I understand why you are such a big admirer. Since you did not help me with my actual question I will rephrase my request.<br />
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I love Richard Allington’s idea of “more expert”, do you know what he suggest as the best way to…
Michelle seems I struck a nerve. Thank you for clearing up the validity of using more expert. Since my grammar check always underlines the term in green I assumed my distaste for the term was warranted. I see you are a big Richard Allington fan. What impressive credentials, I understand why you are such a big admirer. Since you did not help me with my actual question I will rephrase my request.<br />
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I love Richard Allington’s idea of “more expert”, do you know what he suggest as the best way to measure this concept on a yearly basis?<br />
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Now about your assertion that I like a good argument, well to quote the famous words of Jules Winnfield (1994), “allow me to retort “. My BS is accounting with my minor in Economics taught me several things<br />
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1.Do not waste words when writing,<br />
Professional development exists as a duel responsibly of teachers and administrators. Do you agree or disagree? Do we really need to say more?<br />
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2. In business, if two people agree, then, one of them is unnecessary<br />
How many affirmations must one read, provocative statements encourage thought.<br />
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3. There is no such thing as a free lunch<br />
Our distinguished author is really in the business of making money that is why he is no longer teaches in a public school.<br />
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4. Use auditors skepticism<br />
“each teacher has a professional responsibility to continue to become more expert with every year of teaching” This sounds great on the surface but with a little auditors skepticism look at the things you may not consider<br />
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What if a teacher tries a new teaching strategy that fails is the teacher less expert and thus neglectful in their processional responsibilities?<br />
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What if the new strategy actually takes several years to work, do we adopt the strategy and the learning curve knowing that more expert is not happening every year?<br />
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Is it even possible to improve every year or like the Stock Market should we look at performance over a period of time?<br />
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What if a classroom teacher improves their classroom management though PD but takes a step backwards in technology? Are they more expert in some areas and less expert in others?<br />
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Can you improve as a teacher through PD but still see declining performance in the classroom?<br />
Test scores remain poor but discipline and school pride improve tremendously as the result of a great teacher is that teacher still considered more expert?<br />
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What if you are a celebrated author and life long learner responsible for many great techniques in reading and yet the State in witch you practiced your trade and have the most influence over continues to perform at the bottom the nation? Are you actually less expert?<br />
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For all of Richard Allington’s achievements, Tennessee is 41out of 50 in standardized test scores.<br />
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I am just trying to say, teaching is very complex so stop trying to oversimplify it and force feed it to me, I am too proud of my profession for that. I was to believe that this fo…tag:www.classroom20.com,2009-04-09:649749:Comment:3234292009-04-09T00:27:14.416ZEileen Wardhttps://www.classroom20.com/profile/EileenWard
I was to believe that this format (can be a noun or a verb) was to elucidate on a topic presented by Jen and also to respond to other comments, but not to lambast another collegue for their lack (again, could be a noun or a verb) of their knowledge of an author (noun or verb).<br />
I'm certain that there are authors abounding which others in this forum have knowledge of which I do not, and vice versa. This is a format for sharing knowledge and experiences.<br />
As we all know, regardless of our titles,…
I was to believe that this format (can be a noun or a verb) was to elucidate on a topic presented by Jen and also to respond to other comments, but not to lambast another collegue for their lack (again, could be a noun or a verb) of their knowledge of an author (noun or verb).<br />
I'm certain that there are authors abounding which others in this forum have knowledge of which I do not, and vice versa. This is a format for sharing knowledge and experiences.<br />
As we all know, regardless of our titles, professional development is a major portion of the district's expenses, as it should be. We would all agree that it only benefits a district to provide this to their faculty. In addition, as we are ALL in education to ensure student achievement, it is one's personal responsibility to develop as an instructor regardless of what is offered by any district. As I am a teacher as a second profession in life, I also agree with another contributor to this forum that most successful employees of any profession gain their success by constantly keeping abreast of nuances within their field of expertise.<br />
In the end, we only gain from life's experiences what we contribute to life's experiences. Mario, it sounds as if you en…tag:www.classroom20.com,2009-04-06:649749:Comment:3219082009-04-06T04:17:35.465ZMichelle Baltzhttps://www.classroom20.com/profile/MichelleBaltz
Mario, it sounds as if you enjoy a good argument! Expert is not only a noun, but it can be used as an adjective and an adverb as well. When used as an adjective, as Richard Allington has, it can be paired with more. It means becoming more skilled in an area for which you were already considered very knowledgeable. "This Richard Allington guy" as you so stated, is a well respected educator. He is past president of the International Reading Association and has authored several books and many…
Mario, it sounds as if you enjoy a good argument! Expert is not only a noun, but it can be used as an adjective and an adverb as well. When used as an adjective, as Richard Allington has, it can be paired with more. It means becoming more skilled in an area for which you were already considered very knowledgeable. "This Richard Allington guy" as you so stated, is a well respected educator. He is past president of the International Reading Association and has authored several books and many articles on reading and learning disabilities and effective instruction. He has recieved a few awards for his contributions to our profession. I am sorry you are unaware of him!<br />
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In response to the posted quote, I agree that PD is a shared responsibility of districts and teachers. Districts should survey staff and evaluate student and teacher performance to determine what topics and forms of PD are needed and wanted. It is impossible for a district to satisfy the desires of all staff, so outside PD is also necessary. I think the most important thing to think about in the realm of PD is not just what interests you as a teacher/person, but what you need to learn to enhance your ability to meet the needs of as many of your students as humanly possible. I agree - the responsibility…tag:www.classroom20.com,2009-03-27:649749:Comment:3160672009-03-27T22:47:14.264ZJennifer Rowehttps://www.classroom20.com/profile/JenniferRowe
I agree - the responsibility to continually develop falls on the district and the individual. As teachers, we expect our kids to continue learning and expanding their knowledge and the same is true for us. The dynamics of our district are changing all the time. The makeup of a classroom ten years ago is nothing like it is today and we are battling so many different elements. When I started in 8th grade at JR, it was almost a culture shock. Our school dynamic was nothing like what I was…
I agree - the responsibility to continually develop falls on the district and the individual. As teachers, we expect our kids to continue learning and expanding their knowledge and the same is true for us. The dynamics of our district are changing all the time. The makeup of a classroom ten years ago is nothing like it is today and we are battling so many different elements. When I started in 8th grade at JR, it was almost a culture shock. Our school dynamic was nothing like what I was accustomed to or even what I remember. Luckily, I had a team that was so helpful. In a way, they were my professional development for those 4 months. Whether it is through district PD or our own, we have to 'keep up with the times.' I also believe that the PD can come in so many ways. The state does have some mandates for the 5 year thing. However, I think we develop professionally a little bit each day or maybe each week. I learn new ways of teaching a concept or a new management technique all the time. There is always something new…tag:www.classroom20.com,2009-03-24:649749:Comment:3138392009-03-24T03:13:44.289ZG Armbrusterhttps://www.classroom20.com/profile/Giannine
There is always something new to learn. There are so many wonderful new ideas about<br />
how children learn and how we, as professionals, may best facilitate their growth. My graduate classes have afforded my students some exciting opportunities which I wouldn't otherwise have had. There are also opportunities through professional development at school which have made a difference in my students' lives. <b>Both types of development opportuntities are necessary</b>. The freedom to select topics in…
There is always something new to learn. There are so many wonderful new ideas about<br />
how children learn and how we, as professionals, may best facilitate their growth. My graduate classes have afforded my students some exciting opportunities which I wouldn't otherwise have had. There are also opportunities through professional development at school which have made a difference in my students' lives. <b>Both types of development opportuntities are necessary</b>. The freedom to select topics in which I need development is critical. So I differentiate my learning by taking graduate classes or supplement my learning in other ways. To me the bigger question is not <u>who</u> is responsible but <u>how</u> professional development may be carried out. With such abundant opportunities for growth, it is vital that we continue to use our experiences in our classrooms and with our particular students in order to inform our instruction/facilitation of learning. Open forums like this are very useful in providing the critical dialogue between teachers and those who make professional development decisions through the year. Without this dialogue, our development would lack direction toward cohesive and meaningful goals. Since the start of my Master'…tag:www.classroom20.com,2009-03-23:649749:Comment:3136182009-03-23T19:53:08.339ZBBullard@somersptschools.orghttps://www.classroom20.com/profile/BBullardsomersptschoolsorg
Since the start of my Master's program, I have come away from these classes excited to try new strategies with my students. I can't say that they all have worked, but knowing that I have developed new skills for the good of my class has increased my desire to keep taking classes. The professional development does have an impact on you as well, as your students. I do agree that professional development is both personal and professional. It is the teacher/student who needs to persue new avenues…
Since the start of my Master's program, I have come away from these classes excited to try new strategies with my students. I can't say that they all have worked, but knowing that I have developed new skills for the good of my class has increased my desire to keep taking classes. The professional development does have an impact on you as well, as your students. I do agree that professional development is both personal and professional. It is the teacher/student who needs to persue new avenues for their clsssrooms, but also the adminstation needs to provide new and innovative development for the teachers to take and use. Taking Grad courses toward my…tag:www.classroom20.com,2009-03-23:649749:Comment:3135642009-03-23T18:04:22.680ZCindy Staffordhttps://www.classroom20.com/profile/CindyStafford
Taking Grad courses toward my Master's has been very rewarding, both professionally and personally. I believe I am becoming a more well-rounded person/teacher who is open to looking at new ideas in order to maximize the acheivement of my students. Professional development has made me more tolerant of the changes in society and how it affects the learning styles of students in my classroom. I also believe I am more aware of the academic needs of individual children than ever before because of…
Taking Grad courses toward my Master's has been very rewarding, both professionally and personally. I believe I am becoming a more well-rounded person/teacher who is open to looking at new ideas in order to maximize the acheivement of my students. Professional development has made me more tolerant of the changes in society and how it affects the learning styles of students in my classroom. I also believe I am more aware of the academic needs of individual children than ever before because of on-going professional development. I agree, but I also believe t…tag:www.classroom20.com,2009-03-23:649749:Comment:3135472009-03-23T17:37:09.639ZDoreen Leehttps://www.classroom20.com/profile/DoreenLee
I agree, but I also believe that it's more than just becoming more expert with every year of teaching. We owe it to our students to take the initiative to stay updated on the latest in technology, research and policies.
I agree, but I also believe that it's more than just becoming more expert with every year of teaching. We owe it to our students to take the initiative to stay updated on the latest in technology, research and policies.