Unit 2: Today’s Teachers

Focus Questions 1.Who are today’s teachers? 2.What do teachers do in the classroom? 3.What knowledge do today’s teachers need? 4.To what extent is teaching a full profession? 5.To what professional organizations do teachers belong? 6.How do teachers participate in their learning communities? 7.How do teachers participate in teacher collaboration?

Who Are Today’s Teachers?  Teaching is the largest profession in the US.  3.5 million teachers in US, not including Special Ed teachers.  2008:  180,000 Kindergarten  1.5 million Elementary  700,000 Middle School  1.1 million High School

Who Are Today’s Teachers?  Today’s teachers are:  Better educated (60% have masters degrees)  More experienced (Avg 15 years)  White (87%)  Female (70%)  Elementary School (50%)

Who Are Today’s Teachers?  Types of Teachers (Most Common): 1. Early Childhood Education (Pre-K) – Pre-Kindergarten to Kindergarten. – Also teach birth to age Elementary – Grades 1 to 6 3. Middle School – Grades 6 to 8 4. High School – Grades 9 to 12

Who Are Today’s Teachers?  Early Childhood Education  Includes Pre-K and Kindergarten  Learning through play and interactive activities  Vocabulary Development (Story telling, rhyming games, plays, etc.)  Social Skills (Cooperative groups)  Introduce math concepts (count blocks, calendar, etc.)

Who Are Today’s Teachers?  Elementary School (Grades 1 – 6)  Usually teach one class in all subjects.  Sometimes departmentalized (teach one subject to two or more classes).  Begin to write lesson plans using learning standards.  Begin to assign homework, grade papers, and give tests.

Who Are Today’s Teachers?  Middle School (Grades 6 – 8)  Usually specialize in one subject. (English, math, science, SS, etc.)  Stage where children are going through developmental changes!  Physical and social maturity varies.  Adolescence and puberty dominate this stage in life.

Nontraditional School Settings Private School Teachers: Usually make less money, but have smaller class sizes and students are more motivated. Parents pay tuition for school. Religious schools fall under this category. About 23,000 religious schools! Catholics: 5,900 elementary schools and 1,200 high schools. Over 2 million students.

Nontraditional School Settings  Charter School Teachers:  Independent public schools given to people or corporations for profit.  Freedom from rules and regulations of public schools.  61% of charter students are minorities.  54% are low income students.  Obama dedicated money to increase charter schools.

Nontraditional School Settings  Alternative School Teachers:  Small, individualized school separate from regular schools for at-risk students.  Students usually are in danger of failing or dropping out.  May have many factors leading to educational failure. (truancy, behavior problems, low grades, etc.)

Nontraditional School Settings  Magnet School Teachers:  Curriculum focuses on specific areas like art, math, technology, etc.  Draws students from all across city.  May have greater level of freedom with curriculum.  Used to promote desegregation.

Teachers in Specialized Areas  Art  Music  Vocational Education: (Train students for world of work.)  Physical Education  World Languages  Special Education: (Work with students with disabilities.)  English Language Learners

Teachers in Specialized Areas  Special Education  Work with students with learning disabilities, autism, brain injuries, etc.  Must develop an IEP (Individualized Education Program).  The IEP sets goals, accommodations, and other modifications to gain access to the curriculum.  Inclusion: co-teach classes in general education room.

Teachers in Specialized Areas  English Language Learners (ELL)  Work with students whose first language is not English.  21% of students speak another language at home.  5% have trouble with English.  75% of ELLs speak Spanish.  Only 30% of teachers who teach ELLs have training or a degree in English as a Second Language (ESL).