We've
been in school almost a month in Alabama, and I am teaching and learning daily
with an incredible group of fourth graders and a wise-beyond-her-years student
teacher at Cherokee Bend Elementary.
In
addition to teaching every day, I've had the opportunity to participate in lots
of summer and after school meetings, presentations, and committee meetings
where "fixing schools and public education" is the main topic of
conversation.
In the
past few weeks, I have had the privilege of hearing Dr. Tommy Bice, Alabama's
State Superintendent of Education, speak in several cities across the state on
the future of public education in Alabama.
I've
celebrated and been inspired by our superintendent's vision for Alabama's
children, but I've also been disturbed by the rumors and misinformation that
gets spread so rapidly across our state, nation, and world.
For weeks I had
been wondering how to actually start this blog to document my journey as
Alabama Teacher of the Year, and this afternoon, it hit me square in the face.
After
reading comments attached to Dr. Bice's amazing speech last Thursday night at
Carver High School in Birmingham, I knew what I must do: Write about what's
TRUE in public education. It's time to stop the misinformation madness, so this blog will be my year long attempt (and invitation to all of you master
teachers out there) to share what's true, what's right, and what's best for the
children of our state, country, and world.
So this
year's journey will document learning, thinking, and lots of reflecting after
twenty years in the classroom on what I know is TRUE about our work with
children.
Truth #1: The Common Core is Not A Person
(Based on the psycho-freak-out about the
implementation of The Alabama College and Career Readiness Standards--AKA Common
Core)
It cannot dumb-down your child's education.
It cannot
destroy your child's self esteem.
It cannot
make your child cry.
It cannot
make your child stupid.
It cannot
ignite homework fights.
It cannot
give poor grades for not meeting the standards.
It cannot
destroy your child's love for reading, writing, mathematics, science, social
studies, the arts, or school. Period.
But a
teacher can.
Good
teachers, effective teachers, matter much more than particular curriculum
materials, pedagogical approaches, or "proven programs"
(Allington & Johnston, 2001; Darling-Hammond, 1999; Duffy,
1997; Pressley, et al, 2001; Sanders, 1998; Taylor, Pearson, Clark &
Walpole, 2000).
It's the teacher in the classroom
that can make or break your child's life and learning, and we MUST start
focusing on and investing in the people, the relationships, the personal and
professional expertise in classrooms across our state and country.
It’s teachers
who can light that forever-learning fire in our students. It’s teachers who,
when trusted, use their common sense and deep-rooted knowledge about children
and best practice to make decisions that guide instruction and benefit all
learners. It’s those teachers who know that the Common Core State Standards are
a support and a living document, one that will grow and change over time.
Every
good teacher knows that no amount of standards or new, shiny shrink-wrapped
curriculum materials can ensure student engagement and success. Only the
teacher can make that happen.
So
instead of bashing the CCSS/ACCRS, and fighting about standards that are “failing
your child”, I encourage everyone to put his/her energy into supporting our
state’s efforts to hire and retain the best and brightest professionals.
Put your
money and your mouth towards long-term, in-classroom mentor/teacher intern programs,
collaborative, in-house university and school partnerships, ongoing staff development
and reflection opportunities for both new and seasoned teachers, and government
support of salaries that reflect the impact of a master teacher year after year
on classrooms of students.
And if
you don’t believe me, visit the classroom of a master teacher. Our doors are
always open. We welcome you to see the truth.
(By the way, if you haven't heard Dr. Bice speak and you care about our state's children and the future of public education, then make it a priority to go hear him speak on his Future of Public Education Tour!)
Ann Marie
