A more respectable salary would be ideal, especially for those with second jobs to make ends meet. How would I change todays educational system here in the Virgin Islans? - First, we have hundreds of potential teachers graduating from our high school every year. They can be used as teachers aides given scholarships to work on their degrees. Extra effort should be made to target males, especially for grade school where positive male images are badly needed. I never thought I would have been a teacher. - Second, smaller neighborhood schools should be reestablished. Classroom sizes should be adjusted to meet the needs of the students. Larger enrollment for the advanced and self motivated students, who are able to work more independently, allowing smaller classes for the challenged. Bring back homogenous grouping. - Third, for junior high school, reestablish the 9th grade back into middle school. For one, 9th graders leave junior high school more mature and they also serve as role models for the 7th and 8th graders. Separate the boys and the girls. At this age there are too many distractions (this wouldnt require it to be in separate schools or for every class). There are times, at that age, when boys and girls need separate reality checks. - Fourth, the junior high school curriculum would provide everyone with vocational trade options, more community outreach and field trips for enrichment. The major subject areas (language arts, math, science and history) are addressed through applicable assignments. ( instead of repeating what should have been learned in grammar school) - Fifth, by high school everyone has some marketable skill and a direction. Students planning for college would focus on their targeted major. The vocational students would apprentice in their desired area, and at graduation along with the diploma, a business license. (With a trade, vocational students have been able to pay not only their own way through school, if they choose, but they are also able to send their children to college. Academic students with a trade are more able to supplement their education, instead of struggling to pay back those big student loans.) - Sixth, the arts should be lifted to the level of importance it deserves. The recommendations, from the conference held on Culture and Heritage Tourism’s can only be supported by the increase of much, more products and services provided by the local artisans. Art needs to be integrated in to all subject areas and treat it as a viable vocation, that it is in this high tech era. The new world market is looking for creative thinkers. - Seventh, I would place staff where they would be more effective and get rid of or give more support for those teachers in crisis. Teaching today is not easy and it would be unfair to blame teachers for all of the ills. The teachers union should take a more active roll in addressing those members who are guilty of cheating our children of their education. Administrators must remember that they are just facilitators, making sure that the teachers are provided with what is needed for a safe and productive learning environment. Our Youth are our most valuable resource. We should be export artisan and scholars into the world. One question I have, why isn’t there an advance art curriculum at the University level, especially with the advances being made in computer technology? The Arts are one of the leading benefactors
Posted on: Sat, 22 Mar 2014 22:26:05 +0000