Guest guest Posted April 13, 2007 Report Share Posted April 13, 2007 This follows a Lancet Link which Margaret posted on the differences between doctors (only interested in what works and basing that mostly on what worked in the past, not interested in Why questions) and scientists (interested in everything no matter its lack of practical purpose and very interested in Why questions). This train of thought also illuminates my experience of teachers because I've been struck over and over again by their lack of curiousity and dependence on other people's pre-digested ideas. Very resistant to change and (unlike scientists) not interested in ideas that don't fit. I think my prejudices are showing so I'll stop there xx Sally Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 13, 2007 Report Share Posted April 13, 2007 I know what you mean but, as a teacher, I can't help but take a little bit of offence at this. I think teachers are a much maligned and overworked group of people. To me this is a bit like saying that mothers are lacking in curiosity and dependent on the ideas of others. Not all mothers or teachers are the same! I have met teachers that fit your description - too many of them by far but I have worked with many teachers who are dynamic, intelligent, caring and who flog themselves to death for the sake of the kids. If you are in a 'tough' school you will get blamed for the children's problems, no matter what you do just as some people will always subtly blame the mother for autism and other behavioural problems. I look back at when I was a teacher before I had Tom and I do believe that I wasn't good enough, wasn't curious enough about the individual special needs but then again I was also exhausted and already totally committed and blaming myself overly when things weren't going well in the classroom of my tough inner-city school. As a secondary teacher I had about 300 kids on my own register and about 70% of them had special needs. It was a tough job and we were already being asked to do far more than we were capable of. And teachers are not that well paid. I think that when things are going wrong for your children in schools, you need to look beyond the teacher soemtimes for whom to blame. For our kids, i don't believe that special schools hold the answer, nor do i believe that sitting in a mainstream classroom with an unqualified teaching assistant is ever going to get most kids very far. A good teacher and a good classroom assistant will help loads but the real answer is that our kids need so much more attention than that. Serious problems need serious answers. SARA > > > In a message dated 13/04/2007 08:45:50 GMT Standard Time, > bobsallyeva@... writes: > > This train of thought also illuminates my experience of teachers because > I've been struck over and over again by their lack of curiousity and > dependence on other people's pre-digested ideas. Very resistant to > change and (unlike scientists) not interested in ideas that don't fit. I > think my prejudices are showing so I'll stop there > > > >>>Second chuckle of the day, and very good point > > Mandi x > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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