Amusing Thought
by rrusczyk, May 18, 2008, 8:48 PM
I was talking to vRusczyk about the MAA PREP program at which I'll be teaching teachers about how to prepare students for the AIME, and she made an amusing observation: Nearly all of the public schools that are sending teachers to this program would deem me unqualified to teach at their school because I lack certification, yet they're sending their best teachers to me for training. (I know several of the teachers who are coming, and they are very good. Too bad more schools don't have teachers like them...)
I understand the need for certification of some sort. But I also think that the education system has gone way too far in setting rigid guidelines for hiring teachers and for educating students. There are lots of special cases -- I'd like to see schools have more flexibility to address them. (I feel this even more strongly for students than for teachers -- schools need to have more flexibility and freedom to let their best students explore non-standard options. That's a very self-serving stand, to be sure!)
I understand the need for certification of some sort. But I also think that the education system has gone way too far in setting rigid guidelines for hiring teachers and for educating students. There are lots of special cases -- I'd like to see schools have more flexibility to address them. (I feel this even more strongly for students than for teachers -- schools need to have more flexibility and freedom to let their best students explore non-standard options. That's a very self-serving stand, to be sure!)
February 2012
January 2012