My Driving question "How can I create a positive math mindset learning environment for my students? " has developed some sub questions that relate directly to this blog prompt this week. I am very interested in how countries like Finland and South Korea are teaching their students math since they are experiencing such high test score and student passing rates. "The Flat World and Education", by Linda Darling-Hammond has really provided some very interesting comparisons to these countries as well as other states in our country. She has compared them to the education system in California and it has really made me think; I entered teaching around the time mentioned in many of the studies and my own daughters have experienced class size reductions and then returning to larger class sizes. When you hear it all laid out I can't help but wonder if what was best for our students was ever really considered. I very clearly remember "No Child Left Behind" and the lack of care and support that brought to our education system. Ideas may have good intentions but the execution of many educational policies really lack the support our children need.
My reading of Linda Darling -Hammond has talked about the successes of states like North Carolina and Connecticut and the what I have noticed is that they invest in quality teacher training and professional development, the pay teachers a higher wage, and they improve supplies and schools where the teaching happens. That is a serious mindset shift which right there says to the children we care about your educations. Next the work to provide what the students need to be successful from quality preschool to health care and after school programs. The same seems to be true in Finland and and South Korea they are investing in their teachers which is having a profound impact on students success. It is making me more and more aware of how much of our own time and effort we as teachers put out to grow professionally. Also it can be frustrating to even be compensated for it. I have not been great at paying attention to all the PD I have done and making sure I applied it to the pay scale, I was also raising my own daughters which is the most rewarding part of my life hands down. Now it is a priority as a ponder a possible retirement date in 8 or so years. I have been working very hard to rack up the credits and I was just recently told I can only move one range a year even though I will have enough credits to move all the way over. I am sure there are some reasons for this that I do not care to understand since I am working hard and growing my skills which I can directly see is helping my students. There is a need for an education revolution and I AM EXCITED TO BE A PART OF THIS ! I feel like I want to take a field trip to visit some of these places doing this work and continue to work to create change here I am very grateful for this experience I am having with my Touro Masters program and learning from all of you
2 Comments
Catalina J Goldstein
9/30/2018 05:22:55 pm
One of my student's mom approached me this past week to ask about how we teach in the classroom. She mentioned that she thought our American school system is broken. I would love to go on a field trip to see how math is being taught in other places, too!
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Rafael Garcia Avila
10/2/2018 10:25:53 pm
Indeed, we need an educational revolution in California. we are not leaving students behind, our government is leaving the educational system behind. Although, I have trust in our colleagues and partners in education that believe that such is possible and attainable. One such partner is Napa Learns, who has sponsored many of us to be a part of this program and the change we need to make!
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Julie LovieJulie Lovie Is a Math and Science teacher at Valley Oak High School with 25 years experience in teaching at a continuation high school. Julie Also teaches at Napa valley Adult School in the High School Diploma Program. She is passionate about the environment, loves gardening, and learning. Archives
June 2019
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