What Will Make Education Better?

What Will Make Education Better?

Education will get better when every educator, whether an administrator, teacher, or support staffulty accepts his or her role as a leader. Data, data, data, data, data has its place. Evaluation has its place. Bureaucracy has its place. Politics has its place. Until we put education in the forefront and have educators systematically design and hold themselves accountable, our education systems will not be examples for the rest of the world. 

If I were the governor of New Jersey or the national Secretary of Education, changes would occur in teacher training that would bring passion to the classroom. “Be passionate about it or don’t do it!” Passion beats data every time. When students are engaged in learning that is fun and meaningful, they will be inspired. When students know their teachers care, they are inspired.

I’ve been in middle school classrooms and as an adult; I have been inspired by lessons that are engaging. From the Civil War to civil rights, I have taken a deep interest in certain topics because of the teachers’ passion. This has translated into bringing international speakers and certain types of professional development to our school.

More teacher evaluations will not inspire the next generation. Connecting test scores to evaluations will not inspire the next generation. Making a common curriculum will not inspire the next generation. Attracting educators that are passionate and committed will inspire the next generation of professionals and transcend the creation of countless prospects that encourage people to change the world in a positive way. Our students are our future. Let’s make it a great one!

Pre-service educators should spend more time in the classroom, and they need more professional development that creates strategies that inspire our students. Educators are stimulated when they see authentic lesson modeling that creates energy and learning opportunities. Teachers become enthusiastic when they work in an environment that promotes collegiality and a positive culture.

Unfortunately, we will always be measured by our test scores. As we move forward, this high-stake testing erodes the creation of teaching and learning opportunities thus driving professional development and teacher programs. Instead, we should be driven by another paradigm that creates positive school culture and leadership opportunities for everyone. Inspire, inspire, inspire.

“Reducing children to a test score is the worst form of identity theft we could commit in schools.”  Stephen Covey