Controversial Issue: NCLB

I know that No Child Left Behind is a topic most people know about and it may be cliche to write about it now, but i do feel strongly about it. I didn't really know much about it until someone I knew told me they might loose their job and when I asked why I found out the school's budget was tight because they did not meet certain standards. I was confused why a school with below average students would be cutting teachers and I found out it was because of NCLB. I understand the basis of rewarding schools who meet standards and putting pressure on those that don't. But as it seems to me a school with lower scores should have more or better teachers, both of which cost more money. I also think that because it is so vital for a school to meet standards the teachers must teach to the test. This takes away opportunities for new and creative learning sessions and will lead a check list of topics. I'm sure this list would include very important things, most of which are probably already being taught in the classroom in which they are required, but leaves teachers feeling hindered in their freedom of lesson plans and more crunched on time. I think the idea of NCLB is great and I think it is important that the government set standards for students to meet. and NCLB is a step in that direction, but I believe it unfortunately leaves more students behind.

BSU Talent Show

I recently went to the BSU Talent Show in the Center for Faith and Life on Luther College Campus. All of the proceeds went to Save Darfur which is a organization relieving the victims and refugees of genocide in Sudan. I thought it was a great event with a great cause. There were many talented musicians and dancers who performed at it. Between each act a Darfur fact would be read about the happenings in Africa. Although these were somewhat depressing compared to the rest of the atmosphere I found it interesting and it created awareness which is what the event was really about. In the middle they showed a video about the genocide which showed some refugees and how difficult life was for them. Overall I thought it was a great event with a great purpose.

Why do we teach? What is the difference between school "work" and student "learning"? What makes for good teaching?

One of the simplest reason for why we teach is becasue someone has to educate our future generations. But I think that is the main reason for very few people. We teach because we care about the well being and the future of the students and we enjoy learning and exploring our subject area with other people. I know why I specifically want to teach. My teachers in high school were such a big influence on me that I want to positively impact students as well. Also I really love music and I want to make music for the rest of my life, and share my passion with others.

The point of education is "learning". If students aren't learning then the teacher is not doing their job. In order to learn students have to "work". Class work, coming to class, and even thinking about the topic can all be considered work towards learning. These should not be busy work that is no fun for anyone and is done just to get a grade, but something that the students can relate to and take something away from, that they will remember. Too much work can be overbearing and take interest and enjoyment out of learning.

Good teaching is accomplished when the students learn the information and retain it. This is most effectively accomplished by intriguing the students so they are truly interested and are more guaranteed to remember the information. If students don't like a topic or teacher, but remember everything from the class learning has still taken place but no one truly wants that. It is not enjoyable and much more difficult for everyone. If a student doesn't care they will not be involved and it is much more difficult for learning to happen. By being friendly and open, and making the subject important to the student it is much easier for them to be involved and easier for everyone to learn.

What is it that we are attempting to accomplish through teaching? / What makes for a good teacher?

I decided to become a teacher when I was in high school. I was fortunate enough to have some really incredible and influential teachers. I saw how they were impacting my life and the lives of my peers. I think that when I am a teacher, what I want to accoplish is exactly what my teachers did for me. To impact students lives by being able to share my passion for music with them. I hope that when students leave my band program they will have a heightened knowledge and appreciation for music of all kinds.

A good teacher is someone who can connect to the students. It is very hard to learn from someone who you do not respect or like. A teacher must be able to inspire interest in the topic they are teaching by being able to relate it to the life of the student. He or she must be very knowledgeable about their topic and able to answer or have the resources to answer questions of students. A good teahcer is someone who the students look up to for friendship, knowledge, and inspiration.