The Trust Factor in Teaching
Bingo…
Ravitch: Why Finland’s schools are great (by doing what we don’t) – The Answer Sheet – The Washington Post: “Teachers and principals repeatedly told me that the secret of Finnish success is trust. Parents trust teachers because they are professionals. Teachers trust one another and collaborate to solve mutual problems because they are professionals. Teachers and principals trust one another because all the principals have been teachers and have deep experience. When I asked about teacher attrition, I was told that teachers seldom leave teaching; it’s a great job, and they are highly respected.”
Imagine if we could translate that trust factor to American education. I’m highly doubtful we’ll ever be able to do that across-the-board but I do see this as a possibility for smaller and more independent learning communities.
“Parents trust teachers because they are professionals.”
Professional doesn’t mean infallible or unfailingly virtuous, no matter what the field of expertise. My daughter has been in school for 8 years and I can describe several events involving my child in which teachers, their assigns, and administration have exercised poor judgment, shown poor character, and made mistakes in handling both academic and behavioral issues. As a parent I have an obligation to look on those who act as authority figures in my child’s life with a critical eye. At school, my daughter is relatively powerless and naïve; like everyone else, teachers must earn my trust on a personal level rather than expect it based on objective professional qualifications.
Oh I completely agree, Joni!
I’m thinking in generalities and more about the climate of education rather than specifics. However, trust is definitely something that has to be earned, cultivated and maintained!
Sam
It’s interesting because it’s the same in Germany. When I was teaching there, there were a number of parent concerns, but each time the student was held responsible for missing important information rather than the teacher being accused of not giving information. There is a respect for the years of training that it takes to be a teacher.
It was a much different atmosphere than working in American public schools,