Experience as a teacher turns out to be worthless

[jeffrey]

In this study by the Urban Institute, punks freshly graduated from college and paid about $30,000 per year were found to be more effective as schoolteachers than experienced union members who draw $80,000 of taxpayer blood for their 9 months of work each year.

Philip Greenspun’s Weblog » Experience as a teacher turns out to be worthless

[rob62521]

Interesting article...I wonder where the author got his "trend data" or is it just gut feelings.

And, working as a teacher with 22 years of experience, I would hope I'm a far better teacher than I was my first year using the experience as well as professional development I've taken to keep my skills updated.

Years ago, people thought this one guy was a fantastic teacher -- parents seemed to love him, kids loved him...except he didn't teach anything. He started things, never finished them, didn't make the kids accountable, and told every parent their kid was gifted and talented. This was, of course, before state testing. Unfortunately the not so popular teacher who inherited the kids the following year had to be the bearer of bad news when some of the kids couldn't read or do math. It was all a matter of the first guy telling people what they wanted to hear.

[aevans1206]

I will read the article, but a tad begrudgingly. I am in my sixth year of teaching and have always intended it to be a career. Of course I am a far better teacher now that I have experience. It gets tiring hearing about all of the negatives regarding teachers. Spend one day in the classroom...maybe that'd put their mouths to rest.

[Sporkman]

I'm skeptical. And measuring the "effectiveness" of a teacher is tricky.

[noppenbd]

Originally Posted by Sporkman

I'm skeptical. And measuring the "effectiveness" of a teacher is tricky.

Color me skeptical as well. I would imagine that many of the rookie teachers get stuck with the less challenging classes as well. Just a guess though. My mother-in-law has been teaching many years and she is fabulous.

[rob62521]

Originally Posted by aevans1206

I Spend one day in the classroom...maybe that'd put their mouths to rest.

Amen!