the future of education
*gets on soap box*
One of my goals to achieve as I get older is to work towards becoming an education policymaker. I realized while working in the education field and seeing what is happening, there is an URGENT NEED for change! With the passage of the new Texas law where any person holding a bachelors degree in any content area may teach, I have come to realize that the education system will never improve. I was sitting there thinking about how many complain about the quality of teachers degrading but at the same time, there must be an admission that THIS is NOT because there is NOT a pool of good teachers but that the system is letting in inexperienced and UNTRAINED teacher into the education system. When these individuals infiltrate school districts, for the most part, the quality of education WILL go down. Teaching is NOT the art of dictating information and crowd control but so many OTHER things too! In my weeks of student teaching, I have come to realize that despite my training and course work so far, the situations I have encountered in student teaching STILL have been difficult to face. EVERY DAY IS A CHALLENGE! This is a profession that looks a lot harder than many think! Not only do teachers face changing student populations but they also face harsh rules and regulations that are placed upon them by their schools, districts and states. Teachers' impacts are not unilateral but multilateral. I have come to realized after participating in many activities the realm of impact teachers have. In all honesty, if you are a member of the concern society on how the direction of teaching is going, there are some questions that as an individual, everyone MUST answer for his and herself:
1. Do I agree with the laws being implemented?
2. Would I want my child to be put through this system?
3. (most specifically) If I had a choice, would I want a teacher who was trained, not only in content but in education, teaching or any person who could pass a test for certification to teach?

Please do not think my views are harsh because I personally have worked for three semesters on coursework and training for my future career. I am being realistic. It IS the reality of the situation. If individuals want change, it has to start somewhere. The first brick MOST be laid before the whole house can be built.