Posted by Steve Dedman on September 07, 2002 at 12:18:51:
In Reply to: Why should we have to defend teachers? posted by D on September 07, 2002 at 10:07:27:
A school that views itself as primarily a center for job training (other than a vo-tech) is completely missing the point. Think about it; how much of what you learned in elementary school and high school do you use on a daily basis in your job. For me, it's a lot. But none of it was specifically targeted toward my current job.
A school's primary function must be teaching how to think critically, and giving the information and tools to make those abstract thought processes sensible. It's when teachers lose sight of that fact and resort to rote methods that bore kids to tears that schools end up being a less than enjoyable experience for all involved. The best teachers are the ones that challenge themselves as much as they challenge their students.
SD