Week #1 Prompt: Asking Questions

Below are 10 questions I have about education and some answers I found by looking in a textbook.  I was unable to find answers to all of my questions using only the textbook, so the answers to remaining questions will hopefully be found later during the research process.  There is a lot of information online that will answer a few of my questions.  The remaining questions are more opinion based and will have to be answered in a more round-about way through a combination of experience, and research. 

1.      Where are teachers in high demand? Urban? Suburban? United States? Other countries? Certain States?

There is a projected growth in the demand for teachers in the United States.

2.      How does the United States education system compare to other countries? What can we do to improve?

3.      What role does politics play in education?

4.      What are the requirements for becoming a teacher in different places?  Are there different requirements to be certified between cities? States? Countries? Is there a universal certification that is accepted everywhere?

There are two accredited teacher organizations on the national level.

·        National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)

·        National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) 

5.      How can new teachers be better prepared for their first day and what resources do they need to be the best teachers for years to come?

6.      What makes a teacher the best?

A good teacher:

·        is enthusiastic

·        loves learning

·        treats each child as an individual

·        is willing to take risks

·        seeks to make the world a better place

·        is kind

·        is considering

·        is patient

·        is fair

·        has a sense of humor

·        has wide interests

·        has a skill at presenting subject matter

·        is willing to accept responsibility for his/her actions

·        passes along compliments

·        is flexible

·        demonstrates good citizenship

·        keeps accurate records

·        makes an effort to know parents

·        knows what is going on in the community

·        likes children

7.      What purpose should a teacher have?

8.      Why is teaching math important?

9.      How can a teacher engage all students?

10.   What summer internships for college students will be the most beneficial in preparing them for their teaching careers?

Citation:

Fine, Janet. Opportunities in Teaching Careers. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2005. Print.