Teaching and Critical Pedagogy
SCHOOL
AND SOCIETY
ES 395
____________________________
"Skim, Scan, and Copy" Materials: Chapter 8
Among other things, this chapter takes a look at teachers and why people teach. Salaries, unions, parents, teaching conditions -- these are just some of the things to be dealt with during your presentation. What are issues facing today's teachers? How have things changed since teaching began? Anything? have things remained the same? How does society view teaching and teachers? What role should unions play? Should there be unions? Why are they necessary? Is this a profession? Why/why not?
These are just some of the important questions to consider as you read SPring and the following material :
- Consider films that deal with teaching in one way or another, such as Mr. Holland's Opus , Dangerous Minds , Up the Down Staircase , Teachers , Conrack , or The Blackboard Jungle . Consider shows like Boston Public or the Simpsons . How are teachers portrayed? How do the portrayals compare to reality ? How do you think these portrayals affect society's view of teachers and what we do? Are they fair? Can we live up to these portrayals? Is there any truth to what is being seen?
- Learn a little more about Theodore Sizer . In Spring ( on pages 221-225) create a timeline of 'Horace's' day based on that information. Create a timeline indicating all that this teacher does from the moment he gets up to the moment that he goes to bed. What were the realities of 'Horace' and why did Sizer call his book Horace's Compromise . What 'compromises' did Horace make? What is the significance of the title, and what does it tell us about what really happens in the lives of many teachers?
- What or who is an 'American' teacher? What is it like?
- Analyze the role of women in education and the idea that teaching is a 'gendered career.' For instance, find an example of a teacher's contract for women from the early 1920s. Ask yourself and your students about the perception of teaching as a woman's job. If that is the perception, how did it start, and what are the effects not only on teaching, but also on society?
- What are some current trends regarding women, teaching, and not entering the profession ?
- How does teaching compare to other 'professions'? Why do teachers make less on the average? Does gender have anything to do with low pay? Why/why not? Is there a perception that 'anyone' can teach? Does that have anything to do with low pay or lack of respect? How do disparities of pay from around the state affect schools? Learning? Kids? Communities? Is there a shortage of teachers ? Why/why not? Explore the issue of salaries and the effects on not just teaching, but on society.
- Examine teacher education programs from around the state and around the nation. How do the programs compare? Strengths and weaknesses, in your opinion? Do all have a class like ES 3950? What is the primary focus? Is there more field work? Is there attention be paid to working with Special Education students? To minorities? To critical pedagogy ? Share the results of your work with class.
- Explore the teacher's union debate . What is the history of unions? What are the key arguments for both sides of the issue? Should/why do teachers strike ? Look at recent examples ( etc ., etc ., etc . ). What are teachers fighting for?
- Why do teachers leave ? What are some reasons ? Why are the numbers leaving the profession increasing? Has something changed , or is it that nothing has changed? Are expectations of teachers unreasonable ?