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If we want to improve schools and education, why is it the powers that be listen to everyone’s opinion except those that know best — the classroom teacher. Geeez, do you think the one on the front line seeing and dealing with the real problems might have something to suggest as to what would make the classroom more effective immediately? I’m not really talking about strategies for instruction as that is another ballgame. I’m talking about things right now that would improve a teacher’s classroom. Today!

Here’s a list of things off the top of my head that if you walked into a classroom today I think would help that classroom become better immediately. No million dollar study needed. Just ask them.

  1. Hold parents accountable. Parents are just as important to their student’s success as the teacher. Really.
  2. Do not expect square pegs to fit in round holes. Nothing exemplifies this more than the standardized test. If there is one area more than any other that must be brought into modern day education and out from the dark ages, it is the area of evaluation.
  3. ***This is my number one suggestion *** Keep class sizes at 15 or less — proof the government has NO IDEA what they are doing nor willing to put the money where it would help the most.
  4. Create an environment/atmosphere of SUPPORT and respect for the classroom teacher. This starts in the community.
  5. Create administrations that celebrate the good in their staff. Start spending time on what they are doing right/well and get off all the time spent on what they could be doing better.
  6. Year round schedules. (The 9 month school year is a thing of the past…literally!)
  7. Setting an expectation of behavior from students that is nothing short of respectful. And here is from where it is set — from the top. I am sorry, but students do not have the right to set the standards of behavior. This is a bunch of liberal  mess. The core set of expectations should be set and modeled by the adults. Think of this like a business model. The CEO should be able to run his/her company as they see fit. Participation by the workers is fine, but the decisions as to the expectations must ultimately come from those that are in charge. There are always problems when the subordinates think they are the cog that turns the wheel.
  8. Those that repeatedly disrupt the classroom must be removed and not allowed to return without a demonstrated commitment to do better.
  9. New does not necessarily mean improved. Sometimes the best things are proven from past experience. While change is very important, there are some foundational types of things that keep their value. These are best learned from those we often neglect, the veteran teacher. I always respected those that had survived and had 20, 30, even 40 years of experience behind them. Yes, many needed to retire, but they still had valuable lessons they could share and we would benefit.

There’s nine starting points off the cuff, any one of which would have a positive impact immediately. Three of my most rewarding years of teaching were spent in an environment that attempted most of the above in various levels. While money helps, it is the little things that would make significant differences.

The next time you hear someone spouting off about what the schools need, ask them the last time THEY spent in the classroom teaching. Then ask HOW MUCH time was spent the LAST time they were in the classroom teaching. That will pretty much sum it up.