Darling-Hammond Reflection Ch:4-6 After reading through Darling-Hammond, I am reminded of how fortunate I am to be a teacher in a district like Napa Valley Unified. There seem to be plenty of inspiring stories of other countries excelling in their different approaches to education. Which makes it so upsetting to examine our own country’s internal battle for educational reform. One notion that I found very agreeable, was the importance of improving our own teaching, especially for newer teachers. In order to improve our skills as educators, teachers must be encouraged to collaborate with others, within and across disciplines. There is so much for new teachers to learn! I am only in my second year of teaching, and I feel like learning something new is a habitual part of my day. I have so many questions and with today’s modern advancements, it sometimes feels like too much to navigate on your own. Fortunately, there are some programs in place to help support incoming teachers, such as BTSA, now called “Induction”. This program strategically partners new teachers with more experienced ones, known as “support providers”. These senior teachers take time to observe their new counterparts, provide helpful feedback, and collaborate on all sorts of strategies,lessons and ideas. Even with this kind of dedicated help from another teacher, it can still feel like a lot to handle. That is why teachers should be connecting school wide, and beyond. Some of the most impactful trainings I have participated in, are those that mix different schools and grade levels. Sometimes what you need is a completely fresh set of eyes, a different experience that only comes from collaborating with others. I am grateful for my support provider and especially grateful to teach in a district that understands the importance of professional development through collaboration. My ELA department meet and coordinate projects on a frequent basis. It is a truly helpful experience. The Napa Valley Unified School District has made it a goal to imbue students and teachers alike with 21st century skills which I find very comforting. Technology is becoming more and more important to everyday life, thus we as educators need to prepare our students to utilize these increasing valuable resources. This brings us back to improving our teaching. Darling-Hammond mentions the need for professional development. Other countries have realized the benefit of first improving their teachers as a means of improving their students. I enjoy teaching and I care deeply for my students. Therefor, I need to be supported in my quest for professional development.
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AuthorThe best teachers never cease to be students. Archives
December 2017
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