The Teacher Performance Assessment is geared towards improving education. When we start at the top of the chain and set standards for our teachers and test their effectiveness, our students will definitely reek the profits of having effective teachers in the classroom. How about our teachers, though? Is this program only geared towards improving our students? Does the TPA personally improve and help these future teachers? It most definitely does! After reading pages of testimony, I have gained a common understanding that college students involved in the TPA have gained a lot from taking part in the process. Teacher that did the TPA say that the assignments incorporated within the TPA teach them how to use evidence to judge student performance. Having this knowledge allows future teachers to be confident in their methods of teaching. They know how to use evidence to support their personal theories of how to meet the needs of the classroom. Past individuals that have been involved in the program also say that the TPA teaches them how to plan and set goals for their futures in education. When teachers set goals for the future, they improve and work towards these goals every year to gain their personal desired outcome. Seeing personal progress in our careers keeps us motivated and wanting to do even better in this field. Overall, students and teachers benefit from this process. Although the TPA is going to challenge what we are capable of, it will in turn make a teacher's future brighter!
Although its not fun for future teachers when the standards for teaching get harder, it is actually really important. It shows who really wants to be a teacher, and who doesn't care. Students deserve to have teachers that have a passion for teaching.
ReplyDeleteRebecca Neville
Brit,
ReplyDeleteI would have to agree with both what you said and with what Rebecca wrote. Some of the requirements are simple landmarks for what a future teacher should be acquiring. Other requirements are things that some feel that future teachers simply are not missing out on. In any case, whether or not future teachers agree with the requirements, it shows who is willing to fulfill them. Can't teach if you don't want to be taught.