McCain and Teaching

[deceptiverose]

As a teacher, I feel that it is important to be informed. So while I made a choice long ago on which candidate I am going to vote for, I still feel it is good to watch the debates. I fell asleep last night before I was able to watch it. So Erik recorded it and I am watching it now. And, let me tell you, I am appalled:

"We need to encourage programs

Comments

[somethingpoetic]

Yeah. I didn't really think that even merited comment in my journal. I just stuck to how I'm apparently part of the pro-abortion movement here in America ;)

But, you know, it's okay. My four years of busting my butt for this cert and my subsequent butt-busting for my Master's aren't really that big a deal. We should let anybody in the classroom because there's a teacher shortage. That's the way to solve the de facto segregation, gross inequities, and embarrassing failures of this educational system.

[deceptiverose]

Oh I know, the pro-abortion thing pisses me off too. THERE IS NO SUCH THING!

Anyway...

Yeah, it's great that I worked so hard to get this great teaching job when it apparently means nothing to McCain.

[pleasantlyevil]

The pro-abortion thing is only one confusing thing. The one I keep coming back to: How can one be "pro-life" yet strongly support the death penalty?

[petronivs]

So your issue is with the veterans getting fast-tracked into teaching certification instead of having to go through the normal state certification procedure?

How do these programs fall short on preparing veterans to be teachers?

[deceptiverose]

I have issues with any program that doesn't adequately prepare teachers. I don't like Teach for America and I don't like this program either.

Do you think the programs are successful in preparing veterans to be teachers?

Regardless, any program that doesn't require a teacher to take a content test is ridiculous.

[petronivs]

To be completely honest, I have no idea what either of those programs are about (aside from getting veterans into the education system), which is why I asked.

[deceptiverose]

Both of them are fast tracked programs that cannot possibly adequately prepare teachers. After a four year program with student teaching, I wasn't fully prepared. But after student teaching, I was MUCH more prepared than I was before. I can't imagine going into teaching without enough of that prior information.

Also, the testing, while it isn't perfect, at least ensures that the applicant knows the information required to teach the class and to teach in general. Taking that out of the equation really gambles on whether a teacher is going to be good or not.

[lfs]

I heard that, too, and was just astounded, especially after he made the point all those times in previous debates about how Americans have the best and brightest. Not that I agree with that because I think our educational system is lacking in so many ways, but then to fast track people past certifications seems to be ridiculous!

[deceptiverose]

Definitely!

[lfs]

He thinks Americans _are_ the best and brightest. Apparently, I am one of the have nots.

[deceptiverose]

He should come teach at my school for a day. Better yet, he should teach at the school Erik's ex works at.

That's not to say that there aren't some great kids out there. But not all of them are up there!