Professional Development for Teachers: Setting the
Stage for Learning from Teaching
In this article by Linda Darling Hammond, learning is discussed and it talks
about the best ways for children to learn. Teachers need to connect ideas to things students already know. Students are most engaged when they learn by connecting real world problems with their own thinking. Goals are implemented around clear, highly organized learning. Students are given clear learning goals over time. Students own their own interests and strengths toward learning. To achieve these goals teachers should be able to: 1). Present ideas in clear, effective understandable ways. 2). Organize a way to strategically teach by being aware of students learning. 3). Understand different student learning styles and adapt instruction to meet the learning style of students. Teachers have very complex jobs. Effective teachers are ones who continue to learn over time to be the best they can be. Teachers who themselves are continually learning are the best educators. In school, students are affected by what happens at home. Home factors have as much importance as what happens at school. Student do better in school when they are being taught by highly qualified teachers in specific content areas. Teachers who are highly knowledgeable in their subject areas, practice their skills and continue to attain knowledge are the highest quality teachers. Teachers need a fully integrated program to be the best they can be. Beginning teachers need a 5 year well planned out program. Teachers should be well prepared and should be able to respond to student needs and learning styles. Beginning teachers should have mentor teachers who can help them learn and transition them into being teachers. All teachers should be able to seek out education and professional learning that will help all students. All teachers should be able to present material in a way to engage and reach all students. Teachers should understand and evaluate their learners to adapt their teaching styles to activate prior knowledge, student interest and motivation. Teachers should be able to collaborate with others in order to support student learning. Teacher preparation is key. University programs should include: a clear common vision of goals, well defined standards of practice and performance, a rigorous core curriculum, extensive use of real, problem based methods, supervised experience, strong relationships with local schools. Schools must support teachers with professional development and give teachers adequate collaboration and preparation time. The most important things schools can do for their teachers is give them time with other teachers to talk, plan and structure their lessons. Legislators need to take more time to really understand what schools and teachers need to better help their students.