It is time for the teachers at my school to fill out our annual Self-Assessment and Goal-Setting forms. This is supposed to help us reflect on our teaching and look for areas we can improve on. We then set a goal (or goals) and decide how we will improve in this area and write a plan.
I sat down to look at my self-assessment sheet this morning. It turns out I am supposed to rate myself on my ability to design and plan instruction for my students and meet all of their individual needs. It says things like, "Teacher coordinates knowledge of content, of students, and of resources, to design a series of learning experiences aligned to instructional outcomes, differentiated where appropriate to make them suitable to all students and likely to engage them in significant learning. The lesson or unit's structure is clear and allows for different pathways according to student needs." (Charlotte Danielson, 2006)
Now, that all sounds good. Here's my problem: I work in a school system that gives teachers a curriculum and a pacing guide that tells us what to teach, on what day, down to the materials we should use and words we should say. Every teacher in a grade level is supposed to be doing the same thing, on the same day, at the same time. If a "higher-up" should come to visit, they should see you on pace with the rest of the school system according to the lessons and calendar they distribute. So, how am I supposed to reflect on my ability to "design instruction," if my school system doesn't allow teachers the freedom to do that? I did not design the units of instruction that I am responsible for teaching, but now I am being held responsible for it in my evaluation. I am supposed to rate myself on my ability to do something I am not actually allowed to do, and make a plan to do it better.
That is the mixed message of the day from the school system. Teachers should be experts at designing instruction, and teachers can not be trusted to design instruction, but should be told what to say and what to teach each day. Make sense?
Now, that all sounds good. Here's my problem: I work in a school system that gives teachers a curriculum and a pacing guide that tells us what to teach, on what day, down to the materials we should use and words we should say. Every teacher in a grade level is supposed to be doing the same thing, on the same day, at the same time. If a "higher-up" should come to visit, they should see you on pace with the rest of the school system according to the lessons and calendar they distribute. So, how am I supposed to reflect on my ability to "design instruction," if my school system doesn't allow teachers the freedom to do that? I did not design the units of instruction that I am responsible for teaching, but now I am being held responsible for it in my evaluation. I am supposed to rate myself on my ability to do something I am not actually allowed to do, and make a plan to do it better.
That is the mixed message of the day from the school system. Teachers should be experts at designing instruction, and teachers can not be trusted to design instruction, but should be told what to say and what to teach each day. Make sense?
