How hard can it be? by Jennifer Rosenbaum

I find that people outside of education often take for granted the tremendous thought and planning that goes into teaching.  First, teachers have to figure out what to teach carefully reviewing curriculum guides and state standards.  Then, they have to figure out how to teach.  They need to break down those broad skills and concepts into manageable, bite-size chunks of information that are meaningful and developmentally appropriate for their students, and then, figure out exactly how to present that information in a way that will help their children learn.  In addition to all of this, teachers are responsible for designing assessments that accurately measure their students' progress. Through the data gathered in those assessments, they are able to adjust their lesson plans and cater instruction to meet the needs of each individual student. 

 

Not such a simple process when you step back and think about it, right?  It takes time, effort, and most importantly, reflection, to lead students to academic success.  This summer, I am excited to work with a group of new Teach For America corps members as they begin this journey into teaching.  I will be coaching them as they develop the foundational knowledge, skills, and mindsets that will enable them to plan, execute, reflect, and problem-solve in their classrooms, and ultimately ensure the success of their students. I am eager to see how much they can learn over the course of our five weeks together, and how they are ultimately able to apply that knowledge to their classrooms this summer and in the fall.  More updates about this journey are sure to come!