Sandy: ISEF proof teachers doing excellent job?
Posted on 20 May 2008 by Sandy
There is an old expression, “the proof is in the pudding.” Well, if that is true, and it seems to be, given the awards Prime Minister Harper handed out last week, then why do we hear so much negative feedback about teachers? In fact, if there is one topic where I will get dozens of comments (usually expressing anger at the education system in general), it is about teachers and our schools. Moreover, almost every time I pick up a newspaper I read how the school system is failing our students.
But, is the system and its teachers actually failing? You know what? I don’t think so. And I don’t think so, first and foremost because of Prime Minister Harpers awards, secondly because parents will usually praise their child’s own school and teacher, and lastly, just look south to the U.S. They just held the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in Atlanta from May 11th-16. I heard about it when Paul left a comment on my post about the Prime Minister’s awards. He also supplied me with the links I use in this post.
What an amazing fair that must have been with such gifted and motivated young people participating. And, let’s remember, they and others like them are the future. But, remember as well, that behind all those amazing students were dedicated teachers who mentored, guided and encouraged them to be the very best they could be.
Here is the main link to ISEF and a YouTube of the winners. I have also included comments by another blogger.
Everyone involved in education knows these types of things are going on both in Canada and the U.S. and other parts of the world. They just don’t get a chance to share their stories, their successes. As a result, all parents and the general public hear are the school rankings and what the teachers’ unions are trying to include in collective agreements.
We don’t hear what individual children and youth are doing. We don’t know what individual teachers are doing. If the proof is in the pudding, I would like to provide some space here for teachers, students and parents to talk about the good things that are happening in our schools today — because I have no doubt they ARE happening.
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H/T to Paul with my thanks. C/P at Crux-of-the-Matter.
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May 20th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
What with Harper and McGuinty ranking teachers according to excellence will it be long before we move to a merit pay system to reward those excellent educators?
Would be interesting to see if the Ontario teachers recognized by Harper were the same recognized by McGuinty.
Here’s an idea! How about we check out the websites of all of the winners and try and determine how to mirror that excellence in the rest of our nation’s schools?
May 20th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
I have to mention this; the saying is ‘the proof of the pudding is in the eating.’ The British had/have quite a variety of puddings, many of which are not so pretty but they taste fine.
May 20th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
Thanks George. I usually screw up jokes, so why not sayings. John Reynolds already told me at Crux-of-the-Matter the same thing you did. It makes sense.
In the context used here it is okay too, meaning if the teachers are doing a good job (make a good pudding), the students will reflect that good job in what they do (they will decide its good after eating the pudding).
Let’s just say, I won’t use that metaphor again.