I understand that charters can be good -- as well as fraudulent or worse. In like kind, we certainly have all known educators and others that would similarly fit that description. School reform is something we should all be interested in and willing to pursue; however, there should be consideration and caution. It seems that many of these "national reformers" havent' figured out that no matter the approach to reform -- it's hard and complicated work -- otherwise lots of people would have done it a long time ago.
The film has already created lots of controversy and many columns either in support, against, or somewhere in between. It is also interesting to note that Michelle Rhee, Chancellor of D.C., one of the heroines is likely to be leaving D.C. based on the will of the electorate and with assessment results that have leveled.
While I understand the "complaint" of many relative to public schools, etc. -- what is ALWAYS amazing to me is that they don't seem to understand the dedicated, passionate effective professionals that describe MOST of the teachers that I know. Since most of them were actually educated in public schools themselves, have they forgotten that many of them are successful due to one of those impassioned, dedicated teachers working with them? In fact, you can NOT have great schools (charter or otherwise) without GREAT teachers and many of us already see a number of great teachers (but not all) in our schools.
Will you go see this? Have you seen it?
I don't think I want to give them my time or my money.
ReplyDeleteUntil Mr. Guggenheim has taught for several years at several different levels I won't believe anything he has to say. He needs to walk in the shoes before being critical. I'm not even a teacher, but I won't see this film.
ReplyDeleteI will see the film before I register an opinion. And I agree that the majority of teachers do a good job. But that is of little consequence if your child has the poor teacher. Unfortunately, some child will have the poor teacher. Every child deserves a good teacher -- every day, every year. Getting a good teacher every year should not be left up to chance.
ReplyDeleteParents,
ReplyDeleteWe are the only ones who can do something about getting poor quality teachers out. If your child has one of those lousy teachers, band together and bombard the District Office with phone calls complaining and demanding that your child be removed. While the vast majority of my chldrens' teachers have been top notch, my Poly High School daughter is paying the price for having a horrible calculus teacher last year. This teacher chose to do his side business during class instead of teaching the class. A few of us complained. I am amazed at how many people know exactly whom I am speaking about when I tell the story. Those of us who are vocal will get our kids out. What happens to the majority of kids whose parents aren't aware of the situation? Good teachers are losing their jobs while a few inept sit back and collect pay checks. We need to speak up, we need to be active, we need to demand the best for our children. We need to praise, support and respect the teachers who are devoted and effective. But, our children also have the right to learn from a quality teacher.