There is an increased concern over budgets in school districts around the state. As a result, schools have slowly down-sized and there is fewer faculty and staff even in the face of increased student enrollment. Unfortunately, my observation is that teachers are being moved around and forced to teach subjects in which they have little or no experience and, additionally, for which they have no certification. If you were a first or second year teacher and were asked to teach a class outside of your discipline or certification how would you approach this situation? What questions would you ask and where would you begin to ask those questions?
Josh Getka
I have not seen this happening in the district I am currently in, however I have a friend who this has happened to. This teacher was certified in biology, but asked to teach chemistry AND anatomy and physiology. I asked how she approached this situation, and she stated that she is basically a permanent sub for the classes she is not certified to teach. This is an issue for both the students who are supposed to be learning a subject, and the teacher who is not a "pro" at the subject they are teaching. If I were asked to teach outside of my certification, I suppose my response would depend on many factors. Could I become certified? Would I be interested in becoming certified? I would also need to know how long this would occur for - do they have someone in mind for the position that will take over in a few weeks? Will I be teaching the whole year? I believe it is our right to know this information and that the district cannot hold it against us if we do not agree to teach outside of our certification, but without tenure we may feel pressured to do so. This would be an extremely difficult situation to be placed in, and each situation would have unique circumstances. I hope none of us end up in this situation early in our careers!
ReplyDeleteAs weird as this sounds, I do not necessarily mind this new movement of multidisciplinary education, as long as I am being properly compensated for my supplementary workload. The most difficult part however lies in the expectations for an educator to properly research, plan, and execute successful lessons for the students in more than one concentration. For example, a resource room science teacher who I worked with last year, was called upon to teach a resource room math class as well, after administration learned that she was dually certified. Although this teacher was certified in both math and science, she had not put her math accreditation to use in over 10 years. After feeling the pressure from the administration, this teacher spent the summer literally learning an entire new curriculum and lesson planning from scratch. After speaking with her recently, I learned that she feels that her original passion of teaching science has suffered while her workload has doubled.
ReplyDeleteNot having landed any teaching position yet, it is difficult for me to imagine myself in a situation where I, basically had “two” many teaching positions. However, from my perspective of no experience with this situation, my concern (as usual) is for the students – and how they would benefit, or suffer, as the case may be. I am student teaching in a district where the teachers, by contract, can only teach 5 out of the 8 periods in a day (and they get a 40 minute lunch). My question is: with each teacher, by contract, required to have 3 free periods a day, how would it be possible for them to pick up another subject area? and why would it be necessary? To be honest, each teacher could probably pick up another class in their own subject area…they would still have a 80 minutes of prep, a 40 minute lunch, and able to call it a day by 3:45!
ReplyDeleteIf I were a first or second year teacher and this was thrown upon me I think that I would react differently depending on the subject. Considering I am a Social Studies major and correct grammar and encourage my student to use the things they learn in Language Arts in Social Studies as well if Language Arts was the subject given to me I would have no problem and think it would be an excellent learning experience. If it happened to be Math or Science that was given to me I would absolutely have a problem with it. I also think that the students aren't getting a fair education having someone who is not certified in that particular subject to be teaching it. It is a serious concern in many districts and I think it is one that needs to be examined more closely.
ReplyDeleteIf I were asked or required to teach another area of music such as instrumental or vocal, I would do it. I have no interest in teaching any other discipline if asked to, I would have to find another job.
ReplyDeleteI don't think teachers should be asked to teach in a discipline in which they have no experience nor which they are certified for. I understand that it may be more economical, but it hurts the students. The students deserve to be taught by someone who fully understands both the subject and how the subject needs to be taught. If I were asked to do this, I think my response would depend on the subject and the grade level. It is a difficult time to get a job, and if I have one, I am going to do whatever I can to keep it. However, if I were to be teaching something I'm not comfortable teaching, it would be a disservice to the students and I think I would look for another job.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with what was said before me. It would all depend on the situation as well. If I was asked to fill in for some sort of science, I might have a go at it and see what I can do. If I was asked to fill in for something like English or World History I would talk to my department head right away. I feel like if I was put in one of those situations, it would not turn out too well for me or the students.
ReplyDeleteI have actually experienced this first hand. Last year, since I was only part time at a school, and had some gaps in my schedule I took over part of the 5th Grade Western Hemisphere History class- with the logic that I, as a Spanish teacher, could bring some cultural learning to the element of South America and exploration by Spain and Europe. Even though I knew some content for this area I was still a fish out of water, since I only teach some aspects of History in my Spanish classes, and I felt that I was not adequatley prepared to teach history, especially for the non-Spanish influenced countries
ReplyDeleteI think being asked to extend within your discipline is a reasonable approach. I'm looking to take an additional Praxis exam in business education to leverage my business degree as well as my English degree. That said, this is a personal decision I am willing to make to be more marketable. I cannot see asking someone to take on a whole other discipline as sound school administration. I think it puts both the teachers and students at a tremendous disadvantage. I would look for another job.
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