It seems that almost everyone has an opinion on how to reform our country’s education system. From NCLB supporters to home school gurus, the one thing we seem to agree on is that something is broken and it is time to make some changes. Perhaps the change that will have the biggest impact on our children is a change in the role that our teachers play. What would happen if we held our teachers to a higher standard? Expected them to become true leaders? What roles would they play in our children’s lives?
* Data Coach: The information age, technology and even standardized tests have given our teachers never before seen access to data. Tomorrow’s teachers will actively seek this data out and utilize to better structure their teaching plans.
* Mentor: Tomorrow’s teachers won’t just teach their students, they will also mentor new teachers, ensuring that each new generation of teachers is held to the same high standards.
·Facilitator: Educational opportunities come from more than just the classroom; tomorrow’s teachers will help their students take advantage of opportunities.
* Instructional Specialist: Everyone learns a bit differently, and tomorrow’s teachers will recognize this and will utilize a variety of teaching strategies aimed at reaching the most children.
* Classroom supporter: Tomorrow’s teachers will understand how technology, volunteers and traditional teaching methods work together and will fight to get their classroom the tools it needs.
* Curriculum Specialist: Instead simply translating the state standards into daily lessons, our teachers should be curriculum specialists, expertly blending content, curriculum and assessments into a cohesive teaching structure.
Above all, tomorrow’s teachers should be a catalyst for change. Change in our teaching methodology, change in our attitudes and change in the way we view education in our world. Tomorrow’s teachers will truly herald in a change.
