Education Readings
Secret Teacher NZ: Why I left teaching?
‘I sat down to write this and had to start over many times. I’m not
sure how to go about explaining
The Destruction of New Zealand's Public Education System
Dave Kennedy wrote this back on 2014. Has there been any change?
Worse? Better? About the same?
‘This government is destroying our amazing collaborative, holistic
public education system that recently led the world. They are determined to
implement systems that have failed spectacularly overseas. Professional
knowledge based on evidence and research should lead education, not political
ideology. What angers me the most is what is being denied to our most
vulnerable children when they should be the real focus of spending and any
systemic change.’
Time for a rethink about the role of education in a democratic
society.
Bruce’s latest article:
“I write this in a week primary teachers are to go on strike for
better pay. Concerns about the workload expected of teachers is just as
big a concern. Both issues need to be sorted if teaching is to become an
attractive career – a career that values teachers as the professionals they
once were. If conditions are not resolved then improving salaries will not
solve the issues of workload and associated stress. As one wise old rural
adviser once said, ‘teachers need to protect their time and energy, if this is
wasted on b/s then they will have no time left to teach.’”
An open letter to Minister Hipkins - 13 Reasons Why EVERY teacher
deserves a pay rise!
‘Too often the narrative around why we need a pay rise can become
focused on how hard the job is. The act of teaching is hard, however be
assured, a career in teaching is a privilege. That said I do believe each and
every teacher in this country deserves a generous pay rise, not because it's a
tough job, but because it is a bloody important and complex one. Here are my 13
reasons why…'
'We're not being trusted': Teachers drowning in paperwork at expense
of teaching
‘"Demands upon teachers are very substantial, potentially
debilitating, and growing - particularly in administrative work." Teachers
who filled out the survey said their work hours had increased significantly
over the past five years. Some 97 per cent reported an increase in
administration, and 89 per cent said their teaching was hindered by it.’
The 5 Elephants of Education
Pay, Resources, Expectations, Red Tape, and Lack of Respect
10 examples of how ‘DEVICE fetish’ is ruining EdTech
‘Device fetishism has been a destructive force in research,
procurement, projects and outcomes. So here’s some blowback. Note that I’ve
been implementing and writing about the use of tech in learning for 33 years,
so I’m speaking, not as a philistine, but a convert.’
Top Ten Cognitive Dissonances That Give Teachers Headaches
‘But the cognitive dissonance doesn’t end with the idea of
pre-planning. The meetings themselves are full of cognitive dissonance. I
often come away from district meetings, state DOE emails, and faculty meetings
with splitting headaches. These headaches are caused by the cognitive dissonances
I find in these places. Here are just a few examples of some of the
cognitive dissonances I live with in teaching every day.’
TTWWADI - A Culture Killer
‘However, there is another significant impediment to change that
doesn’t get as much focus as it should and that is tradition. What this
then morphs into is a mentality of ”if it’s not broken why fix it”? However,
the underlying reason for not changing can be
How welcoming are your school environments?
‘Have you ever walked through your school and asked yourself, “Who
would feel welcome and comfortable here? “I am sure we have walked into a
space where we immediately felt comfortable and, conversely, have been in
spaces that do not feel welcoming or comfortable. What is it about thosespaces
that engender those feelings?’
Dear Parents, It's Not Always the Teacher's Fault — It's Your Child
‘I love teaching. To me, there's nothing quite as satisfying as
helping my students understand the material and enjoy learning. However, that
job will continue to get harder and harder if we all don't
From Bruce’s ‘goldie oldies’ file:
The NZF curriculum nautilus
‘ The shell of the nautilus is a symbol, or metaphor, for beauty and proportional perfection . First
Learning from Michelangelo
‘Each human being arrives in this world trapped in a block of marble
and it is
1 comment:
Greatt blog post
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