So I was looking through the internet for something a short while back, and came across this article: "Math training will open for all Ontario teachers" It discusses the poor results on standardized tests for math students across the province, etc., etc. Nothing we haven't heard before. I did find a few things interesting that were stated in the article.
The first is, the article states that many elementary teachers are liberal arts grads, many of whom probably haven't taken a Math course since their last required one in high school. I do recall in my professional teaching year, the P/J teachers had to do a Math proficiency test of some kind (I didn't have to take it myself, being I/S), and many of them were very anxious and nervous. What did they learn in the program about teaching Math to kids? If they had been prepared by the program, should they have been nervous?
The second interesting point, and I had read it in another article, was the teacher program is expanding from a 1 year to a 2 year program. This would provide additional Math training for those elementary teachers who may be hesitant about teaching a subject they may not have liked in school. This is wonderful! Anything to ease the hesitation and doubt in a person's mind about teaching something is beneficial. Also, the longer someone can spend practicing, and doing something, the more they will understand and feel comfortable about it. Of the previous 10 weeks of placement, how much of that was spent teaching Math to elementary school kids? The first week was supposed to be "observation"...so that leaves 8 weeks...8 weeks for a new person to get their bearings, and develop a routine, become familiar with the students, etc. To become an electrician , a person has to put in 9000 hours of apprenticeship work. That is usually after a pre-apprenticeship program. 9000 hours! Who ever thought teachers only need 8 weeks?
Lastly, the article mentions high school Math teachers are specialists. Now they must be using this as a relative term, because I don't know very many people with a Math specialist. Up until the last couple of years, you didn't even need to be qualified to teach up to grade 10 Mathematics; my school board has now been enforcing qualifications when possible. I see the addition of Intermediate Math qualifications as a move in the right way.
At the end of the day, better training for teachers can't hurt students. But will EQAO scores change? We will have to wait at least 2 years to find out!
Teacher training has definately gotten better. When my grandmother became a teacher she did so by going to "normal" school right out of high school. Becasue she had been "advanced" in grades, she was a teacher at the age of 17 (she had to go up to North Bay for her training because you had to be 18 in Southern Ontario).
ReplyDeleteYes, one of my professors in my professional year was my old principal from kindergarten (I was 24 at the time). He was a teacher at 17 as well. I can't imagine students today being responsible in that capacity...correction, I can only think of a very small few who would be able to do that.
ReplyDeleteFrom the teachers I know, I think that math, science and special education are the areas that teachers without those specific areas of training/education are most anxious about when they become a P/J/I teacher. It is great that the math component will be addressed in this new, lengthier program. I personally feel that when you are more comfortable with a topic, it is much easier for you to engage students. They see your comfort and you are able to come up with examples and connections much more freely. I have an MBA and worked in international business for many years. When I am working as an Occasional Teacher and have the opportunity to teach a business class, I am confident that the students enjoy and learn in my class. When I am assigned to a science class on the other hand, I really can't do much more than deliver what the teacher has left. I cannot answer student questions most of the time and find it hard to implement the best teaching strategies as I am not confident about what will work for that content. Perhaps this is a great benefit of EQAO, that it provides an opportunity to reflect not just on the students success but on how we can further help teachers to help students succeed.
ReplyDelete