What a good
question you ask. It certainly is very difficult to sort out the
real intent behind the flowery words expressed. Miss O’Brien called
attention to class sizes being too large for effective teaching, the
need for pre-school and after school teaching, and for
administrators communicating better with parents and teacher unions
as appropriate. Romney liked some of the things O’Brien liked.
The candidates
differed on two major issues, that of troubled kids in our
classrooms and in bilingual education. I’d like this week to focus
on troubled kids and next week I’d like to concentrate on the value
of bilingual education.
I think that both
candidates would agree that the role of an effective teacher is to
develop a positive self- concept in his or her students. To do this
teachers must help their students recognize their strengths and use
them in worthwhile activities, ones which their students find
worthwhile, that make them feel good about themselves. They seek
activities they find useful, relevant to their lives.
Children who have
received support in their homes before starting school often make
good adjustment to school quickly and carry that spirit through
their thirteen years of public schooling
Children who come
from homes where dissension is the style of life, children who never
receive approval for any of the things they do expect little more
from other adults especially authorities like teachers. They seek
attention for they feel they will never be approved.
Taking such
troubled kids out of classrooms so that the well adjusted kids may
learn may accomplish that purpose but what is it doing for the
troubled kids? If we really mean that no child is left behind we
certainly need to address their needs.
Some teachers and
administrators do not give up on that group of kids. I know of one
middle school where every teacher was reporting Joey because he
talked too much. He never raised his hand before shouting out
answers. One teacher kept a notebook recording each time Joey spoke
out. She complained her other children did not get a chance to
think or express themselves. She wanted Joey out of her class.
That is what one candidate wants to happen in all our classrooms:
just take out those who are interfering with others’ learning.
So listen and
think carefully about the issues being discussed by the candidates.
When you compare their views, I’m sure you’ll be able to make your
own decisions.
GMW