Where USA leads ...
Are we short of teachers? Are not the 'right' people applying for the jobs? Is the TDA recruitment programme in total disarray? It must be tough if the Government have decided to bring the armed forces in.
'Former soldiers should be retrained as teachers and used to bring military style discipline to tough inner city schools, a think tank has said.
The government is being urged to adopt a US-style programme ( I do hope you notice the url of this site !)which brings ex-servicemen and women back to school.' I can't think of an educational trend or aspiration that has come from the USA that I ever thought was a good idea and I don't think this will change that. I do hope someone will be able to put me right on this. You can read the full transcript of how it all works here.
I am just thinking about role models at the moment. The report suggests that: 'the fact that ex-soldiers had a macho image could help engender respect - particularly among boys.' I appreciate the word 'could' in there. The report goes on to add: 'Whether we like it or not, children from more deprived neighbourhoods often respond to raw physical power.'
If the stress was on the experience that the ex-service personel had to offer then that would be great but it all seems to be based on the miltary concept of discipline. I am just unsure how this fits with my concept of the personalisation of education and young people being responsible for their own learning.
I could be just getting this out of proportion. How many other professionals who, on the whole retire young, would make admirable teachers? I seem to need to review my concept of 'role model'.
posted by Doug @ 09:40
2 Comments
2 Comments:
Well, you can't be hired as a teacher without the proper certification in America. So I think you've got it wrong. We look up to our military as hero figures. They are thought of as strong, brave, and potential role models here in the US. Why not put them at the head of the class? ...Especially if they've got the proper schooling! We have gang violence in our inner cities and this is tough to combat. Many schools even force the kids to go through scanners in order to keep guns and knives out of the classroom. It's unfortunate, but conventional teachers don't last. I think it's a great idea!
Heather Chirtea
American
This is the transcript of the Skype conversation I had with Heather.
[15:15:58] Doug Dickinson says: Hi!!
[15:16:07] Doug Dickinson says: I need your opinion about this please
[15:16:12] Heather Chirtea says: OK
[15:16:24] Doug Dickinson says: http://www.proudtoserveagain.com/
[15:16:37] Doug Dickinson says: Please see my blog to see what I have said
[15:31:08] Heather Chirtea says: Unfortunately your concept of "the personalisation of education" flies out the window when you hit the urban school social issues where kids are bringing guns and gangs into the classroom. I responded to your blog!
[15:35:47] Doug Dickinson says: That’s fine ... just felt that it was not right ... but I do appreciate your point of view
[15:36:06] Doug Dickinson says: It is awful, I think, that schools have to be policed in this way
[15:36:20] Doug Dickinson says: nothing to do with what I feel education should be about
[15:36:26] Doug Dickinson says: thanks for your comment on the blog
[15:36:30] Heather Chirtea says: it's reality, though.
[15:36:36] Doug Dickinson says: hope others pick up on it
[15:36:58] Heather Chirtea says: They are targeting the low-income schools, which also have the highest incidence of social disarray.
[15:37:12] Heather Chirtea says: It's actually a good plan.
[15:37:27] Doug Dickinson says: so big soldiers are the role models for disaffected kides??
[15:37:39] Heather Chirtea says: better than what they have at home, that's for sure
[15:37:45] Doug Dickinson says: what am I missing here
[15:38:00] Heather Chirtea says: think about your worst neighborhoods
[15:38:22] Heather Chirtea says: teachers don't last, the normal and weak teachers are driven out by bad kids
[15:38:41] Heather Chirtea says: they can't hire teachers to teach in those districts because noone will go there
[15:39:10] Heather Chirtea says: if there's no teachers, then who do they hire? ...whoever is willing to go...
[15:39:23] Doug Dickinson says: so the army runs the schools ....
[15:40:05] Heather Chirtea says: the government is already taking them over, because of NCLB "Failing labels". Why not send in certified military personnel?
[15:40:35] Heather Chirtea says: They aren't proposing to have the military run the schools. I think that's what you're missing
[15:41:07] Heather Chirtea says: They are proposing to encourage millitary-types to become teachers, within the existing administration.
[15:41:16] Heather Chirtea says: With certs.
[15:41:17] Doug Dickinson says: but are there not other professions who have early leavers who could do this
[15:41:35] Heather Chirtea says: Like who? Who would move to Harlem?
[15:41:48] Doug Dickinson says: I take your point
[15:42:19] Heather Chirtea says: ...and who would be strong enough to withstand the social issues?
[15:42:53] Heather Chirtea says: It's a tough problem, but I'd contend, possibly a good contributing solution.
[15:43:26] Heather Chirtea says: There's nothing stopping military types from "getting" 21st century learning. I see them all the time in the training labs.
[15:44:20] Doug Dickinson says: okay ... I really do take your point
[15:44:39] Heather Chirtea says: Another good element of it, is that lots of military personnel come from these low income neighborhoods. So they are basically going home! We like to go home!
[15:45:42] Doug Dickinson says: . and it seems to be working
[15:46:11] Heather Chirtea says: Fun debating with you!
[15:46:22] Doug Dickinson says: thanks for your input
[15:46:45] Heather Chirtea says: Sure, take care, any time.
[15:46:47] Doug Dickinson says: if you could get others to comment on how I have it wr9ong on my blog it would get people here to think
[15:46:56] Doug Dickinson says: Thanks again
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