September, 23 2021

Week 2

TOPIC: Is the great American Teacher Dead? 

    According to Baverlein (2008), teachers are abrogating their responsibility to be real educators, but -What does it mean? What about the students? the content? American intellectual? Environment? etc. As we read the article, we can notice that there are a plenty of elements that influence and affect the American education.

    Maybe we need to detect the base of the problem in order to understand better the origin of the issue. Different points of view of specialists in the field (including statistics) explain it.

    One of the things we need understand is that Learning is enhanced by Teaching and proper delivery is essential, but -How can we achieve it? First of all, it is important to remember our mission as future educators and it implies: Meaningful, affective and consciousness instruction. Medina (2008) declared: "Sense of meaningful engagement in a great cause can significatively contribute to success potential", so We must do a self-criticism evaluating What kind of teacher I am and How is my way of teaching? What is my approach? If We are not afraid to be a little more exciting, a little more courageous, more entertaining and more inspiring, we are going on a good way.

    Affording a positive teacher-student relationship is essential too, because it will enhance a positive student self-concept. Are we prepared to teach students that are part of a society with cultural paradigms, personal assumptions, models of reality (sometimes a little distorted) and stablished beliefs? Personally I think that we have a huge responsibility ahead, but at the same time, It is amazing to know that with our contribution we can shape and transform minds and lives.

    I believe that we can be part of a great change in this process of transforming education, It can be through more conscious and a deep education that will transcend irrational, harmful and cultural concepts in our students. Taking care of them, doing our best, with special lessons that leave a mark in their minds and hearts. Fulfilling the lack of dynamism and enthusiasm in the classroom.

    I agree with Ivers who summarized with a list, the most important elements to achieve the good teaching and be better educators:

1. Positive teacher-student relationship 

2. A good “delivery” 

3. Edifies rather than damages a student’s self-concept

4. Clarity (through the use of many examples and stories) 

5. Encourages deep and critical thinking 

6. Variety instead of monotony  

7. Grading and workload is generally perceived to be fair 

8. Enthusiasm and zest for the topic 

9. Meaningful to real world problems 

10. Potentially transforms one’s world view from one of uncritical acceptance of cultural dictates to one of deep, reflective, and compassionate thinking 

Conclusion:

It is our the responsibility to take all the resources and tools, as future professionals of education to "break the prejudice" and show that "the great American teacher is NOT dead". Engagement, motivation and love for teaching must be our flag.