No Child Left Behind

[tessa]

Oh the joys of being a teacher...which is one of the more minor reasons I am a stay at home mom now. My becoming a mother is the major reason, but that little piece of legislation sure made it an easy decision.

I taught for 11 years. The first several years I taught, I knew I had found my calling. That's really how I felt. I looked forward to each day. As the years went past, more and more legislation came our way, taking the teaching out of my hands and putting into some beaurocrats pocket, who for the most part didn't even know what went on inside a classroom! Change after change came that made no sense to us, the teachers. Then came No Child Left Behind. In theory, it sounds wonderful. In actuality, it just doesn't work.

Ok, I spent the better part of an hour typing out what I encountered in my career as a result of NCLB. After reading back over it, well, it was just a little too harsh. Correct, but harsh. So I will say this...educate yourself about it. The Department of Education's website has information on it...a little too pretty, but the information just the same. The National Education Association (NEA) website has information on NCLB from another perspective, that of actual educators. Talk to exprienced teachers. See what they have to say about it.

I taught under it for 3 years and with the exception of some improvements to the way reading and math are taught, it was basically a bottomless pit of red tape and ineffectiveness. And I will say this as well. Politicians throwing more legislation at the current system of education in this U.S. of A will fix nothing and will only continue to perpetuate the problems that already infect its foundation.

Having said that, I will add the following...be the very best teacher you can possibly be. Put your heart into it. Despite what you may encounter, that, and that alone, will make the difference in a child's life. And that is worth all the headaches that may come your way. There is no better feeling than to watch a child's face light up when they are learning.

Well, a spanking feels pretty damn good, but that's another thread.

All my best-
tessa