I’ve been trying to reconcile some of the problems that I see in the way that we inflict education on children today. For instance, think about this. There are a large number of teachers in our (U.S.) classrooms today who are around my age, fifty something. In the last half of our careers we have witnessed astounding changes in the very nature of information, and these changes are only accelerating. So here’s the math.
- Thirty year teachers
- Teaching 6 to 18 year old children
- Preparing them in a time of rapid change for a future of accelerating change
- Where they’ll change jobs 10.2 times between the ages of 18 and 38 (Number of Jobs Held)
OK, I’m still figuring on this, but does this scan? Does it scan that teachers, who we encourage to make their profession a 30-year career, are preparing children in a time of rapid change to prosper in a time of rapid change? If we could just factor in ongoing, casual, professional development and make it an explicit part of the definition of being a teacher and give teachers the time to pay attention and adapt, then the numbers I’m grappling for may cancel each other out.
Or are we wrong in expecting teachership to be a career? I think not. Good teaching comes from lots of experience.
So here’s my weird idea:
Every fifth year, all teachers take a paid sabbatical. They can take on an internship related to what they teach for that year. ..Or they can propose a project to produce some significant advancement the practice (a new textbook, new type of textbook, significant research, instructional materials, etc.). The result would be that after every five years, teachers would re-enter their classroom re-connected to the world that we are preparing our children for.
“Never happen,” you might say. Well, Ya’ll, if we are not willing to at least consider, at the highest levels, ideas that are this radical, then I don’t think we are going to make it.
2¢ Worth!
Number of Jobs Held, Labor Market Activity, and Earnings Growth Among Younger Baby Boomers: Recent Results From a Longitudinal Survey Summary, US Dept. of Labor, 2004. <http://www.bls.gov/news.release/nlsoy.nr0.htm>
Photo Citation
Luh, “Ser criança é divertido, colorido, mas dá um trabaaalho!! .” Luh.’s Photostream – Flickr. 2 May 2006. 10 May 2006 <http://flickr.com/photos/meninadoretrato/139074281/>.
I visited a school district in PA that hired fresh grads in an “apprentice” role. They took over most of the teaching duties of a teacher, allowing the teacher to write grants, do professional development, etc. That might make this idea a little more palatable for school districts.
I wish I could remember the name of the district… 🙁
Now this is the best idea I’ve heard in a long while! It could work fairly easily and the outcomes would be incredibles.
Ryan, I would like to hear some stories about what is happening in that district. Clue us in if you find the name!
I think this is a great idea. Most districts allow a teacher to carry over unused vacation/sick time. After 5 or so years, a teacher could take a paid sabbatacal by using this time. This is a concept I was planning on approaching my district with as I get closer to my dissertation.
Even if it is only for a month, a dedicated professional could use the time to reflect on his or her practice and attend seminars, conferences etc. What would be ideal is to be able to simply observe a successful district in action that is in another state or even country.
In my position I get to see a number of different schools and differnt learning styles and teaching styles. Had an experience yesterday with a grad teacher who is doing an AMAZING job. He took the time out to learn about podcasting/blogging etc. Has set up a website for his class and is just giving it a go!! Yesterday his class recorded their first podcast after I worked with them for the day. I think it comes down to us encouraging the next generation of teachers. Yesterday I saw this in action when almost every other teacher in the school I met having glowing comments about this young grad and his efforts this year. Check it out and encourage Mr C and his class http://www.cridlandweb.com/6-7blog/
In the International arena 5 years is kind of the mark people set when it’s time to move on. If you stay at one school for more than 5 years you are considered an ‘old timer’. It makes it hard to focus on any one initiative, but the constant flow of new ideas is exciting. As an educator it keeps you fresh. Every 5 years you are learning a new system, have new teaching partners, etc. Some International schools even have a policy that you can’t stay more than 5 years.
Well, I am certainly fortunate enough to work in a district where I was able to take a paid sabbatical for one trimester. I spent the trimester, away from my classroom, learning about Web 2.0 tools for the 21st Century Classrooms, creating a weekly podcast to keep in touch with my students, reading, reflecting and commenting on many different blogs, creating web page resources for elementary science lessons and was able to get rejuvenated! I am glad to be back in my computer lab classroom,with my community of parents, staff and students! Thanks to my community and school district for the opportunity. My students are benefitting from my sabbatical as much as I did!
Cheryl Oakes
Be daring and write up a plan, you might be surprised to have it accepted!
Wouldn’t it be fun to intern with David Warlick?
Teachers and consultants/innovators . . . hmmm.
Where do I sign up?
Are you talking to me? My first day in the classroom was January 10th 1979, so I am in my 28th year in education! I have not been in the same school, teaching the same subject, doing the same lectures on the same day each year, like your senior English teacher, Vera B. Hoyle! I have heard you refer to her and how her methods, exact same methods each year for 42 years, worked in the industrial age.
Through my own varied and changing interests and situations when I decided it was time to look for a change, I have found ways to develop and adapt to keep myself fresh. Your idea is not weird! Your idea is inventive. Your idea is creative. Your idea could produce super products and super teachers, if we can make it happen!!
Imagine 10 years ago (even 5 years ago?), a visionary suggesting that we give every student in school a laptop that would be theirs to use throughout their schooling. I can hear the laughing echoing through the time tunnel. BUT, now, THIS IS HAPPENING! AND, it is being seriously considered in many places that would have dismissed the idea, out of hand, just a year or two ago.
I appreciate much of your thinking David. You inspire me to try new approaches in my classroom. I hope that this idea can inspire some innovative school boards to implement a system to keep teachers fresh and to help teachers become better able to prepare students for the ever-changing workplace. This idea is a keeper! Spread the word!
Please, remove this picture (my picture about children).
I´m photografer, and you can´t permission to public in your blog.
Thank you.
Luh
Please, remove the photo of the children this blog. I´m photographer and you didn´t ask for authorization to propagate my work, in addition, the family of the children had not liked to see its children printed in your site, without the had authorization. Story with its contribution. Thanks a lot.