Last March my Teacher’s Perspective column
”
Society Fails our Schools
”
garnered several well-thought out comments by Morgan Hill Times’
readers regarding
”
incompetent educators and administrators
”
as a part of the problem in education.
Last March my Teacher’s Perspective column “Society Fails our Schools” garnered several well-thought out comments by Morgan Hill Times’ readers regarding “incompetent educators and administrators” as a part of the problem in education. I agreed with these comments and pointed out that in collaboration our district and the Morgan Hill Federation of Teachers has written and is piloting a new evaluation process based on the California Teaching Standards.
This change in the evaluation process will guide our teachers in exemplary practices and give administrators the tools necessary to eliminate teachers who don’t meet the National Teaching Standards. Our goal was to strengthen the teaching force in Morgan Hill for the benefit of our students.
With this focus in mind, this column is directed at the children who reside in the classrooms of the Morgan Hill Unified School District. Alfred North Whitehead summed up a student’s mind when he stated, “The pupil’s mind is not a box to be ruthlessly packed with alien ideas.” Knowledge is constructed, not absorbed.
A former student and present teacher, Lisa Blenn, stated that the student-teacher relationship is very important because without it the kids make no connections to the school. The kids are lost and they have no buy-in to school or learning. Adults in a child’s life need to let the children in our society know that we accept who they are, support them in learning (and not just inside the four walls of the classroom) and challenge them to be the best they can be.
In my 37 years as a parent, teacher and now grandparent, I have observed role models who took an interest in a child’s learning and offered them hands-on, interesting learning opportunities that challenged them to be the best they could be.
Through the magic of social networking, I have been able to connect with many former students who have successful careers and happy lives. They have commented that they learned how to learn, not on what work sheets were completed. Taking an interest in each child and learning about them as a person is the surest pathway to success for that child’s future.
However, education is not one-sided, dependent on only the teacher’s interest in the child. It takes efforts on the student’s side not just on a teacher.
For education to work, a child needs to do his or her part. Teacher’s help children to think for themselves not just give them information. Students need to be motivated to accept the challenges offered.
My granddaughter offered this next piece of sage advice, “To be successful in school, you need to pay attention and stay focused.” She is only 8 years old, and she already knows that to truly learn new information, one needs to listen to directions and gain new knowledge by staying focused. It is easy to drift away when something is difficult or new or not of interest, but it is important to stay on task in order to internalize new ideas and concepts.
Children not only need to memorize new facts and concepts, but they must internalize those new ideas and information to create new learning.
This new material can then be used to analyze, synthesize and evaluate other knowledge. This process is where true learning happens. Critical and creative thinking are an outcome of this skill and a sure way to success in higher education.
Exhibiting correct behavior is the most important component of success. Poor behavior not only takes away the learning from the child, but disrupts the learning of others. Having self discipline is one of the surest ways to guarantee success in school.
Time management is the fourth wheel in the vehicle that drives success. Children and their parents should prioritize work and obligations. Time should be set aside for homework, reading, and physical activities. I have found that some of my most successful students are also incredible athletes or musicians. They spend a large amount of time attending outside lessons and practices all while keeping up with their homework.
Having a sound mind comes with a sound body. Students should not spend time behind the controls of video games, but instead, get out and be active. Having goals, schedules, and discipline are all ingredients for success.
In closing, I’d like to congratulate all of those Morgan Hill Unified Schools who have improved their API scores.
These schools, their staff, parents, and especially, the students have worked hard and focused on success. These communities know that the skills of doing well in school carry over to life.
Margaret Rodrigues is presently studying the history of the Underground Railroad at Yale University through the Gilder Lehrman Institute. She is the Elementary Program Staff Development Facilitator for the South County Teaching American History Grant.
