Last time, I mentioned an article that was a tongue-in-cheek account of what makes a "bad" teacher. On the other hand, this article (by the same author of the former one) explains what makes great teachers. She not only discusses traits that cannot easily be tested, but she mentions that she created this list based on data-driven observations. So if one person can develop a non-test-driven matrix for judging teachers (granted, an untested one, but it's worth a shot! It can't be worse than the current matrix!), why are we still using ridiculous "Value Added Measures" to determine whether or not a teacher is successful?
The current "reform" movement in fact makes the art of teaching worse, not better. We have long been aware that teachers need more money, more recognition, etc. etc., but this article makes an excellent point about what teachers would do with more time. They would not take longer vacations, or assign longer essays, or bitch about students with colleagues; instead, according to the article, teachers would develop stronger relationships with students and parents, perfect their teaching methods and share their practices with other professionals, and provide more nuanced comments on student assignments rather than give just a letter grade. Granted, this is one person's opinion, but being surrounded by teachers and knowing that most people go into teaching expressly to make a difference in students' lives, I don't think it's far-fetched at all. (Perhaps what teachers do with their time can be another factor in the way we determine whether or not a teacher is "great.")
If any policy makers are reading this: Please change things. I've said it before and I'll say it again because it's the best thing you can do: LISTEN TO THE TEACHERS!
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