Reply to "Teacher of the Year" quits over Common Core tests

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[quote=Anonymous][quote]Anonymous wrote:
More than two on the list you are working off of do have teaching experience, and in fact, several of them taught K-12 teachers how to teach, and several of them know more about childhood development and pedagogy than any classroom teacher does.

And, you know this, how?

Because some of the folks who were involved have PhDs and teach in those fields, and have published numerous articles in those subject areas in peer reviewed journals, whereas the typical classroom teacher does not have anywhere near as much depth in the field.[/quote]

There's this tricky huge elephant in the classroom and it has to be dealt with using care and compassion and an incredible knowledge of human development and behavior (not book learned, but learned through real life).  Teachers are masters of this.  Don't dismiss what they are seeing [b]in front of them.[/b]  People with PhDs do not often deal with this since they are busy with the research and data crunching.  They often underrate this part of teaching because, frankly, they don't understand it.  As a teacher, I can tell you that I learned pretty much nothing about dealing with these kinds of issues in my courses (from PhDs).  I was in the "sink or swim" mode when I started teaching.  I made it by sheer determination to learn (and through plenty of tears).  Many teachers don't make it.  When you go through something like this, you bond with your soul mates in teaching.  NCLB has been a divisive force among teachers.  I am saddened that we are not the compatriots that we used to be, giving each other mutual support through trying times (and teaching young children is often trying).  I started in this business 27 years ago (still in it) and I am terribly saddened to see where it is going.  I am lucky to have recently found a landing spot (yes, I have had to get out of places when the hatchet wielders were put in) with a great leader for me, but she is rare in the business.  She has many years of experience and does her best to shield us from the BS that comes down.  And. there. is. lots. of. it.  I am lucky because I have always had people ask me to join them (at the right times!).  I am certified in four areas (two of them are in very high demand).  Double majored at a big ten school and have a Master's degree.  No PhD, but could probably do that if I really wanted to crunch numbers and do research.  I know I am not "typical", but there are plenty like me.  BTW, my husband has a PhD.  People get too impressed by credentials.  IMHO.[/quote]

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