The idea that great teachers can be made is appealing for many reasons: It provides hope that our schools can improve and sends the reassuringly democratic message that all of us are fundamentally equal. But self-improvement requires learning, and the undemocratic truth is that some people are better at learning than others. This is not to say that school districts should fire underperforming teachers instead of offering the sort of slow and careful training that will help them improve. Green’s title is Building a Better Teacher, and making teachers better than they currently are is a reasonable and laudable goal—one that Green’s carefully researched book will surely promote. But its important to honour the fact that teaching—like any other profession—has its geniuses. Better training could certainly make many mediocre teachers competent, but it’s less likely to make competent teachers extraordinary.
Posted on: Sun, 24 Aug 2014 05:49:20 +0000
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