Our Educational Predicament

What single factor affects student performance in our educational system? Some say demographics. Others say funding (or lack thereof). Others say behavior/discipline. And still others engage in debate between public schools and charter schools, between public funding and private vouchers. While these debates are important, there is one factor that is almost always overlooked in the education debate... good teaching.

Good teaching can trump any other factor in making a difference in students. It can be more powerful than any low resources, bad school structure, lack of technology, student background. Its pricelessness can overcome lack of funds, the inspiration it fosters in children turn a so-called "bad kid" into an inspired learner. Believe me, I've seen it happen. I can give you so many examples. In only one-plus years, I have not become an outstanding (or even a consistently good) teacher, though I have been trying my hardest to improve. But this I know... if we can find away to attract and retain good teachers throughout our country, our educational system would be transformed. Public, private, charter schools... whatever. That issue is important, but finding and retaining good teachers takes top priority in my mind.

As for me, I'm staying in teaching for a few years. I'm not sure of my permanent life path. I am likely to attend graduate school and become a planner or developer. Or I could stay in education, whether in teaching or leadership. But this experience in teaching has opened my eyes to the challenges (and possible solutions) of education in this great nation.

Discipline

After Internet blackout prevented me from posting up until now, I welcome you to the first Friday post of Fridays at Nate's. Sit down, relax, and let the thoughts fly...

Discipline. As a teacher, I hear that word a lot... especially last year, when I had a number of problems with behavior management and the like. Discipline is definitely one of my relative weaknesses as a teacher. Discipline is also all over the Bible and in many other areas of today's world. But over the past couple of months, I've thought about and appreciated it that much more.

My parents never bought me a Nintendo, a Sega Genesis, Game Boy... none of that stuff. To this day, they never buy me computer games, etc. They wouldn't let me and my siblings watch TV on the weekdays, save for a special 30-minute SportsCenter every now and again. They made us eat family meals with homemade food every night and rarely took us out to eat. As a kid, I remember looking forward to the days when Mom had to work late (we got to sneak in some TV or computer games) or when Mom and Dad went out at night (we got to eat pizza, McDonald's, etc). I remember going to other people's houses and feeling overwhelmed with the FUN to be had... Full House/Fresh Prince on TV after school, Super Mario, as many Doritos as I wanted. Do I wish I could have had more freedom to do these things more as a kid? Sure. But wow... when I see how many people have labeled my generation as one without enough discipline [I've heard general accusations through the years of people slacking off at work, coming late, etc... even though the peers I work with have shown amazing work ethics, I can see where these criticisms might be valid in other places], I can't stop appreciating the loving discipline [even if I thought it was too much at times] that my parents gave me. I don't even mind not having a TV in my apartment... I'm just not that attached to it. Thank you, Mom and Dad.

These thoughts bring me to the event that sparked my choice to write about discipline this week... the UMiami-FIU brawl that happened last Saturday. Reckless taunting of the opposing team, benches clearing, a player kicking a defenseless opponent, a helmet being used as a melee weapon, players being reluctant to take responsibility ["They started it..."], etc etc etc. Not to mention, one of the guys in the booth was encouraging the teams to literally kick the crap out of each other.

The smoke clears... and indisputable video evidence was all over the place showing who did what. (I don't even have a TV, and I could tell a lot of the things that happened.) In response, FIU kicks 2 players off the team and suspends 16 players indefinitely. Ok, I'm fine with that. Miami, on the other hand, suspends only 1 player for more than one game (the one who swung his helmet [I think]... to his credit, he apologized in what seemed like a sincere apology). The other 12 Miami players got what? Only ONE GAME!... versus an 0-6 Duke team... meanwhile, the whole dozen (including the one who kicked a player on the ground!) will conveniently be back for the 2 big games (GA Tech, VA Tech) that come next on the schedule. The lack of discipline with these "punishments" makes me sick. UMiami started a new "zero tolerance policy" but, as a teacher, I know that you can put as many fancy-schmancy names on a classroom discipline system and see it crumble to pieces if it's not followed through. And while I do understand UMiami's complaint that the media has fanned the flames of this incident, it wasn't the ESPN anchors that were throwing punches and feet... it was the FIU and Miami players. If you don't actually discipline people and give them justice [for good or for bad], they're not going to give a hoot about a fancy-sounding system (haha, I've done this more than once). By the way, I do hope that the University follows through on the "zero tolerance policy"... I suppose only time will tell.

I'm still trying to sort out the similarities and differences between discipline and punishment (if anyone has thoughts on this topic, please chime in), but I've formed some strong thoughts on this issue. I'm not necessarily saying that my reflections are perfect and are 100% accurate, but it's what's on my mind at this time...

Welcome!

Welcome to my new blog, "Fridays At Nate's." It's a place of thought, of discussion, of dialogue of the issues on my mind... updated on Fridays. I am excited to see what this forum will bring. The first post will come this Friday.

-Nate