To Teach or Not To Teach

Two years ago when my son was in second grade we had an interesting experience. He was having difficulty learning to read fluently and to write more than a minimal amount. When meeting with the teacher she said all the "right" things. I recognized the lingo and could tell that she had been schooled in all of the current techniques. Many of the students in the class were doing fine. Being a teacher myself I was worried that my bright, creative boy might be doomed to hate school and continue to have real difficulty. My wife on the other hand surmised quickly and accurately that his teacher was not motivating him. The teacher even suggested retention. We were stunned.

We asked that he be moved into the classroom of a much more experienced teacher. It was as if the clouds parted, the sun shone and the mind blossomed. Two years later he reads and writes fluently at grade level. Education is about much more than transmitting knowledge and requiring more of students. Knowledge and wisdom combined with high expectations are sent and received between teachers and students through their relationship with each other.

If you want to evaluate teachers, evaluate them on that. If you can.