MCB, I think that you are off-the-mark with this broad generalization of teachers and education. Yes, this is the situation in some places (just follow the latest in the rewriting of history in the Texas school book fiasco). However, as one who has taught in the US, and one who now teaches teachers here in Canada, I think that your comment is far too sweeping to be very meaningful.
I would be able to walk you through dozens of classrooms here in NL, from K-12, where what you say is NOT the case. So, while I respect your right to say and think as you do, I feel that these comments are far too much of a generalization.
Paix, mon ami.
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Dr.G.
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Paix
"The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read these books." Mark Twain
I agree that the public/Catholic school system is a joke. Form our brief enrollment in the Catholic system, the impression we got was the teachers are there for the paycheck and to wait their time out. There was no apparent desire to teach, just babysit. When I asked one day how may son did, the response I got was that they all did well, not even knowing who my son was. Shortly after the teacher told me that she was tired that day so she decided to put on Franklin for the students to watch.
Granted there are teachers out there who truly do care and are in teaching to, well, teach (what a concept ) However, my experience in the "public" system was less than favourable.
After that we went with our first instinct and enrolled him in a private school. Sure we have to pay and we struggle to make the payments, but in the end I know that my children are getting a quality education that will give them an advantage later in life. My oldest is in SK this year and already he is doing addition, subtraction, reading, music, French, Latin, Art, learn about science and how to be independent and to think for themselves. The classes have a maximum of 16 students, compared to 30ish in the public system. They are in an environment that embraces the outdoors (the school is in the country situated on a tree farm), they are outside on sunny days, freezing cold blizzard days, and rain. Everything except thunder and lightening. In the nicer weather they conduct classes outside, they canoe on the pond and skate in the winter. They participate in food drives, UNICEF and other fundraising events. The students are not only encouraged but expected to provide some community service and they do so happily.
This is what our education system should be.
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________ MaxPower, he has the name that you want to touch, but you musn't touch!
His name sounds good in your ear, but when you hear it, you musn't fear.
Cause his name can be said, in many different ways...
Sung to the tune of Goldfinger
________
They are not my comments, those are from the above blog. I will rewrite it as a quote.
Oh, it seemed to be your comments. Thanks for the clarification.
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Dr.G.
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13" MacBooK Pro with Retina Display
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"The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read these books." Mark Twain
"This is what our education system should be." Agreed, MP. Still, I say again that this is the way it is in some schools across the country.
I especially liked your comment that "The students are not only encouraged but expected to provide some community service and they do so happily." Good for them, since this is an experience that will be remembered for a lifetime.
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Dr.G.
14" G4 iBook
15" MacBook Pro (July, 2009)
13" MacBooK Pro with Retina Display
Paix
"The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read these books." Mark Twain
Agreed as well it is the parents responsibility to ensure the student's success, however the school and teachers need to share in that responsibility. Part of the failure is the parents. One child in my son's class is allowed to watch "The Family Guy." I just about choked when my son told me that.
__________________
20" iMac
13" Aluminum MacBook
30 GB iPod
Apple TV
iPhone 4
________ MaxPower, he has the name that you want to touch, but you musn't touch!
His name sounds good in your ear, but when you hear it, you musn't fear.
Cause his name can be said, in many different ways...
Sung to the tune of Goldfinger
________
"The K-12 system in it's entirety need to be completely abolished and re-designed from the ground up. It is a dinosaur that I have nothing but contempt and zero respect for. " I say once again, I can walk you three blocks from where I am living to a local public school. The principal is a former student of mine, as are 3 of the 20 teachers in this school. While I don't know if all teachers are doing a good job, I have been through the school watching our interns teach alongside of these teachers, so I have seen them teach over the course of a semester last year. I would have no problems with sending my son to most of these teachers if he were back in his K-6 years ............. and you know how picky I am about effective teaching.
Still, we should agree to disagree and let it go at that. Paix, mon ami.
__________________
Dr.G.
14" G4 iBook
15" MacBook Pro (July, 2009)
13" MacBooK Pro with Retina Display
Paix
"The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read these books." Mark Twain
) However, my experience in the "public" system was less than favourable.
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