In my last blog, I want to talk about professional
development. I still remember how relieved I felt about finishing graduate
school and starting to be a teacher four years ago. After many years of
schooling both in my home country and in the U.S, I was exhausted and ready to say goodbye to being a student. But
today I have made the decision to come back to further my education because
during my past four years of teaching, there has not been one day when I do not
feel the need to keep my knowledge of content and knowledge of education
current; there has not been one day when I feel totally contented with my
teaching skills.
Routman argues in her book that there is no shortcut
to studying about our profession and reflecting on our practice. We must make
time for ongoing professional development. Otherwise, we will remain at the
mercy of outsiders to make decisions for us. Knowledge gives us power and
energy. With knowledge, "we are able to be decisive, we have fresh ideas,
we can figure out what makes sense, we know how to teach our students and move
them forward." (Routman, 212) Not only that, our own enthusiasm for
learning can also increase student passion for learning and achievement. Personally,
since I decided to pursue my Ph.D. degree, I have been able to have more empathy
for my students and I have felt more energetic about my teaching.
There are many types of professional development and
Routman suggests two relatively easy and inexpensive ways to conduct
professional development. Her first suggestion is to take part in schoolwide
conversations. She says school that are more collegial and collaborative are
happier places and have higher student achievement. The most effective teachers
are the ones who read about their profession, collaborate with their
colleagues, and actively engage in ongoing professional conversations. Through
my own experience, I have also realized that sharing and exchanging ideas with
my colleagues is one of the best ways to improve my own teaching. Unfortunately,
we do not have many opportunities for this kind of professional conversation.
Routman's second suggestion is to make time for
personal and professional reading. Exemplary teachers always read a lot because
it is how they enrich their lives and continue to grow as a teacher and a
learner. How do we find the extra time for such reading? Routman then cites her
favorite quote on the subject to explain. I am copying part of the quote here
because it makes very good sense:
"If you have to ask yourself where you'll find
the time, it means the desire isn't there…Life is a perpetual plot to keep us
from reading…Time spent reading is always time stolen…stolen from what? From
life's obligations…Time spent reading, like time spent loving, increase our
lifetime…reading does not belong to the societal organization of time. Like
love, it is a way of being…"
We teachers need to do whatever we can to ensure
that our students love learning. In
order to cultivate a love of learning, we ourselves, first and foremost, need
to have that love of learning. To me, I see being able to participate in
professional development as one of the best parts of our job.
Great. Great suggestions. Great post about professional development. Here in my home, I do not agree with many colleagues who think the university’s years are enough to be successful in teaching and those who see teaching as routine work. Teaching is a changeable and developing practice. teachers, thus, should continue their own readings and findings which do not stop at university graduation. Their teaching approaches must be developed according to their experiences.
ReplyDeleteI like this post and how Routman encourages teachers to keep learning and have professional conversations. I always am inspired when I hear other teachers talk about their successes and failures. I especially like the part where you said: We must make time for ongoing professional development. Otherwise, we will remain at the mercy of outsiders to make decisions for us. I find this true in Bureau operated schools we are told what to do because they know best. Knowledge helps us to be in the circle of decision making. Sometimes I see teachers just sit back and say what do we do now. That is disheartening and shouldn't be that way.
ReplyDeleteI also said I would not go back to school but here I am again. I will encourage my peers to do the same.
I agree that professional development is very important. It makes me so frustrated when teachers aren't open to learning new and amazing techniques and ideas. There is so much to learn about our profession. In addition to PD, I also think our colleagues are another great knowledge resource. We each have strengths that we can lend to others. Great blog, Fang. I've enjoyed reading your perspective of Routman's book.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on taking the leap of faith into a Ph.D. program...it's a really amazing choice because it's so much work. I think the rewards will be bountiful though, especially in the worth it will add to your future teaching. Routman talks about professional development and teacher reflection. You'll get a ton of it in graduate school! It's such a critical piece that classroom teachers are just not getting enough of anymore. The pressure on time and budges is, unfortunately, causing many districts to eliminate all but the "sexual harrassment" and "OSHA" trainings. It's a tragedy.
ReplyDeleteOne of the things I really have enjoyed about my Ph.D. program is the learning from my colleagues. The classroom discussions at this level are really rich and directed.
I too have been searching out professional development opportunities. Starting school-wide conversations, as you and Routman point out, is a great start! I've been happy with professional development opportunities from the Center for Exceptional Children (Gifted & Special Ed).
ReplyDeleteI think your last words sum all of this up! "We teachers need to do whatever we can to ensure that our students love learning. In order to cultivate a love of learning, we ourselves, first and foremost, need to have that love of learning. To me, I see being able to participate in professional development as one of the best parts of our job." Well said!
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