Backroads

Had to clarify this statement: You are saying that Teacher with such-n-such Excellent Qualities applies at a high standards private school and gets the job. Teacher with such-n-such Not-So-Excellent Qualities applies at a public school and gets the job. Okay, the first teacher is better because of the qualities. Therefore, if this were repeated many times, private schools would tend to have teachers of the first kind and public schools of the latter. Is it still possible for Teacher with such-n-such Excellent Qualities to apply at a public school and STILL have those excellent qualities and skills?

Must... hit... non-existent... laugh button...

High five. I'm a huge fan of Montessori (the aforementioned private school actually is Montessori.) I've been unofficially studying it since high school, have observed a couple of Montessori schools, and find it really fits with my teaching philosophy.

Oh, yeah! I liked blogs, emails, random chats after/before school, etc. There are so many more effective ways than a mere progress report. Don't get me wrong, those have their time and place, but it's not effective to get them after little Johnny already failed to get a concept two months back.

Yes, Jakol seems to trying hard! If it really is sexual frustration that is his problem, a healthy sexual relationship within marriage will help bunches. Yes, both partners need to work together to make it work! If anyone recalls the whole sex therapy thread, I think it was discussed somewhat. It's often said that men need sex to feel love and women need to feel love in order to have sex. It's an unbreakable cycle and I would daresay there's lots of truth to it.

Exactly. I once had a conversation with a woman in my parents' ward (who presently works in education) who honesty believed with her first kid that she was not required to teach him anything prior to schooling years and that during that time she was not to come to the teacher with any worries, concerns, observations, etc. She laughs about that time. Then again, I think such things sometimes do need to be spelled out for parents. That can be the teacher's role. If it needs to be done for the sake of the student, do it. Teachers also can't wait around whining about how their students' parents do nothing without speaking to the parents. Is anyone familiar with the No Excuses University program?

No more mix-match than the rest of you. Your argument was simplified to the point that private schools require things and public schools don't. I pointed out it simply wasn't true. I'm fine with private schools competing. I think it's a good thing. Another reason I support vouchers--it gets the public schools competing.

Sadly, Florida is not a convenient place for many wannabe Montessori teachers. Out of curiosity, why can't a true Montessori pass the state requirements? Is it because of the non-grading and whatnot? Somewhat off-topic... what are your thoughts on Montessori?

I agree. I never liked teacher's unions and I am in favor of weeding out bad teachers. I like that you are only making a general statement, because the impression I was getting from you earlier was downright insulting. You also have to consider that many extremely excellent, extremely qualified teachers LIKE the public school setting for a number of reasons. I do not like the suggestion that only the best teachers apply at private schools and only the worst at public schools. The system of being able to fire them is a very good benefit of private schools; however, it doesn't mean all private school teachers are better than all public school teachers and I hope you don't look down on someone just because he/she happens to be a public school teacher.

Schools truly are meant to be a community thing.

Thank-you! Does anyone have any idea how hard it is to teach the child of a parent who could not care less about the child's education? At my old school, we had a case where a special needs girl went into a class and came out dumber than when she entered. The problem? Who knows? The teacher had his doctorates, 35 years' teaching experience, 10 years experience as a pastor working with youth. He was popular had received three teaching awards over the year. However, her parents refused to work with her. They became upset everytime the teacher gave her a challenge.

That's not a true Montessori, then. However, you have to consider this: It's very, very difficult to find places to find Montessori training for teachers in the US that are practical. So... many Montessori schools hire teachers with the intention to train them in Montessori method, often paying part or all of the fee. These schools have access to teacher training programs.

I'm afraid you're wrong aside from the fact that certain private schools require those. But not all. You would be surprised at the number of public schools that require a minimum or a master's degree. Or a degree in ESL. Or a specialization in a certain subject. I have lots of specific training from when I taught in a public school. And guess what? Public schools also pay more for these. I don't know where you're getting that idea. Lots of public school teachers get the EXACT SAME SPECIFIC TRAINING because it WILL get them paid more.

It didn't, really. But it's my fault. My original question was somewhat a tangent. I do like the idea of going with teachers who are requested time and time again. I really do. However, it can take a few years for a teacher to build a reputation. How long should a teacher be given before the school decides he/she is "popular" enough?

I will give that generally private schools provide better results; I just want to argue that is not true every single time. What I am trying to say is that private schools teachers are not necessarily better teachers than public school teachers.

As a fan of vouchers, I must argue #2. So State Schools must now be punished with less intelligent students?

Oh, I totally understand that private schools have more firing power. I think everything you said here is a fair statement.

I'll clarify. Many wannabe teachers do not enter college determined to be either a public or private school teacher. They want a teaching degree. There are alternative ways to get the teacher training, but there is nothing a private school will take that a public school won't, so perhaps you had better get your facts straight there. The college degree you mentioned is the SAME for all teachers. No teacher, unless specifically told to by a school, is going to go after some specific training.

Some parents might not want a teacher because she's black. I really think you overstretched what I said. Are you saying that because I think parents should look more into the schools they want parents will make stupid decisions? That seems to go against everything you're saying. Do you believe in school choice or do you believe in forcing kids to be in places so their parents don't make racist decisions? I don't understand how I ever suggested that parents can't be trusted with a decision. ARE YOU SURE you read my statement? All I intended to say here was that there is a lot more to education than simple public vs private. I believe that parents should take the time to research different schools and teachers and pick what goes best for their child. Are we having miscommunication here? Then why did you have such issues with me suggesting parents should look more into schools? The reason I said that was because you became very upset when I said there was more to picking a school than public vs private. If you are so well aware of the nuances, why bring up the above sttatement about parents making racist decisions? Do you or do you not believe in parents picking the school?

You are going to be hard-pressed to find a private school that would not want some sort of evidence that a teacher is knowledgeable on "teaching skills" such as psychology, discipline styles, working with children, etc. A degree in math is no guarantee one can teach it. Private schools want teachers who know how to work with kids, and this is explicitly taught in teacher Ed programs in universities. Private schools will rarely hire someone without formal training. You really think the fact that because someone is hired by a private school they are suddenly a better teacher than they were in the public system? Or are you trying to say something else? I apologize for the bimbo remark. I see how it was misconstrued.

Sounds fair and I agree. However... what about new teachers to a school? How many years should they be given to gain popularity? As for male teachers... I worked with a guy, a first grade teacher, who had single mothers requesting him for the kids all the time in hopes of getting a positive male influence in kids' lives.

Indeed it is. I have a friend who married a guy who had struggled with pornography. They thought a few trips to the bishop would solve it and didn't bother with counseling. It's getting ugly.

Okay, so maybe popularity contest is a bad argument. But in my world, parents are quite capable of holding a grudge and running a teacher out of a school. Should all things be based on the opinions of a few parents?

Statist? You have got to be kidding me. Where did I say I did not believe in school choice? I support vouchers and private schools and the like. I just happent to believe in making researched and educated choices. Apparently you would never, ever, ever research a school to which you would send your child. I happen to prefer checking out the school.

If schools set the standards, how are the teachers different? What I am reading is that you are saying is that the private school TEACHERS are superior somehow to public school teachers. I don't understand how that is possible when all teachers go through the exact same education and training. I never said only bimbos homeschool. I'm merely saying that as far as the individual teacher in concerned, someone who teaches at a private school is not necessarily better than a teacher who teaches at a public school. Example: This morning I interviewed for a private school position. If I get this job, will I automatically, in that moment of being hired, suddenly have more skill, intelligence, and talent than any public school teachers?