I read this article this morning, and as a teacher, it really made me smile. I've been signed to a continuing contract a few times, and while there are obvious things that can void these contracts, it is a bit like getting tenured.
From my experience, receiving a continuing contract, or gaining tenure makes you want to work HARDER at your job because it's one of the ultimate goals of a teacher: to be respected enough that your administrators see fit to keep you around. You achieve your goal, and then you bust your butt to keep it.
Personally, I HATE when people think that teaching needs to be performance based. Performance based assessment needs to happen during teacher training programs, NOT while a teacher is actually in the classroom teaching. I wish that had happened while I was in my Master's program.
There's a great documentary on Netflix about the education "industry", I think it's called The Cartel. It talks about how basically teachers and students get screwed no matter what they do, and about how the public just doesn't really understand where the corruption and problems come from. I definitely recommend it.
"Well I don't know, maybe you're a shitty camera man."
Seriously, Matt Damon is good people. And who the hell compares teaching and acting? WTF.
I have enormous respect for teachers--it's definitely not a gig I would or could ever do, and that they still do something so hard while being treated like shit? Badass.
Exactly. Teachers are always working overtime, and they don't get paid for it. There is so much stuff that goes into teaching than just standing in front of a class and talking. There's lesson planning, grading papers, entering grades, faculty meetings, parent teacher conferences, grade level meetings, professional development, and so much more.
Me too!
Date: 2011-08-03 05:52 am (UTC)From my experience, receiving a continuing contract, or gaining tenure makes you want to work HARDER at your job because it's one of the ultimate goals of a teacher: to be respected enough that your administrators see fit to keep you around. You achieve your goal, and then you bust your butt to keep it.
Personally, I HATE when people think that teaching needs to be performance based. Performance based assessment needs to happen during teacher training programs, NOT while a teacher is actually in the classroom teaching. I wish that had happened while I was in my Master's program.
Anyway, enough rambling, Go Matt Damon!
no subject
Date: 2011-08-03 08:32 am (UTC)There's a great documentary on Netflix about the education "industry", I think it's called The Cartel. It talks about how basically teachers and students get screwed no matter what they do, and about how the public just doesn't really understand where the corruption and problems come from. I definitely recommend it.
no subject
Date: 2011-08-14 09:26 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-08-03 11:20 am (UTC)Seriously, Matt Damon is good people. And who the hell compares teaching and acting? WTF.
I have enormous respect for teachers--it's definitely not a gig I would or could ever do, and that they still do something so hard while being treated like shit? Badass.
no subject
Date: 2011-08-04 12:45 am (UTC)