Comments on: Guilt Is The New Merit Pay

By: paul thomas

paul thomas — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 15:48:07 +0000

When my mother left the math classroom to move into administration, she faced the same choices and concerns. She was (according to her colleagues and my friends who were her students) an exemplary teacher. Later, she became (according to people throughout the school system) an exemplary administrator. She went from impacting 125 students a year to impacting schools with thousands of students. She turned two schools from completely dysfunctional institutions with teachers who were not empowered to make change into great, innovative schools.

This same sort of thing can apply to researchers. I know it’s easy to focus on the 125 kids each year, but we also need to have great teachers who can help create, support, and inspire leagues of other teachers and administrators. I have worked with teachers and administrators from around the country and have seen the value of great leaders and the cost of poor ones.

Don’t discount the value of leadership.

In short, I lament losing Dan from the classroom, but believe it will be for the greater good if he keeps fighting the good fight.

And from another perspective, I think everyone should heed Joseph Campbell’s advice: “Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors where there were only walls.”

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 04:21:37 +0000

I’m glad Dan is getting a PhD. That way when he writes his reforming book for the masses (because you’re going to, right? eventually?), he has the experience AND the education to back up what he says.

By: Stephen

Stephen — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 15:38:27 +0000

I think one of the reasons I continue to read this blog is because of the intelligence and thoughtfulness of the responses. I learn as much from Dan’s original posts as from the well-reasoned reflections on them. Dan in my mind, however, has everyone here beat on reflecting: I rarely have met practitioners who have his ability to reflect deeply on what he’s doing and the impact he is having. So, for that reason, I have little worries that Dan will end up teaching theories to new teachers that have no connection in reality, either now or X number of years after he’s been training new teachers. If something he espouses for his teachers to do doesn’t work in the future, be it even cornerstones such as SBG and WCYDWT, Dan will probably be the first to realize it and will figure out how to make his teaching relevant again.

I think a question I’d throw out to Jimmy, and to others who have changed their practices because of Dan’s insights, is “How do you know whether there are any other current practices of yours that need to change?” Because if the improvement of your practice is solely dependent on Dan pointing out specific areas to change, rather than from Dan AND your own self-reflections, than you’re in trouble. And so are your students.

By: Debbie

Debbie — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 13:46:17 +0000

Jimmy, your comments make sense to me.
The appeal of Dan’s message comes from the very fact that he practises what he preaches. It concerns me that in the future, he might be preaching something he used to do. It is no secret that you perfect the craft of teaching by teaching! It still is the teachers’ voice I respect and it is a perfect world when the researcher is the teacher.

By: Barbie

Barbie — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 00:11:36 +0000

Dan,
Its not the dark side. Its self-improvement or reflective practise. Enjoy… (and don’t let anyone take away from that). I can see that you love to learn and thats what you’re doing….

By: Garth

Garth — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 23:26:27 +0000

I got half way through the Ed PhD and decided it was not for me. Mostly it was the profs I was taking classes from that decided me. Their teaching experience in K-12 was almost zero; their concept of how kids behave in class had to have come from observing or teaching honors classes. This pattern of out-of-touch Ed profs has been consistent throughout my education career. Having experienced teachers like Dan going to the dark side I think in the long run is going to be a great advantage to teachers and kids.

By: Brian

Brian — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 21:48:39 +0000

Been reading blog from a far because I’ve been considering a transition from engineer/consultant to teaching math for a while. It’s been hard to commit when confronted with money needed to attend school, then take a huge pay cut for more work, and then struggle to find a job. Been easier teaching at community colleges and University of Phoenix part time. I’ve enjoyed reaching this and others for inspiration so that I may one day make the transition. Can’t say I would fault you leaving to pursue PhD — it may be a big loss directly to the classroom, but it sounds as if you’re committed to still making even bigger changes in ed policy in the future. My $.02 — more incentives and easier path to get mid-career math/science professionals into classroom. Best of luck!

By: Mark

Mark — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 15:35:42 +0000

I am confident that you will make significant impacts in the lives of people. This is not a quality that is only applicable to teachers and comes through in the character of the individual. I added some other thoghts below on my blog.

http://tribalthirst.wordpress.com/2010/09/30/true-impact-of-a-teacher/

By: Jen

Jen — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 04:59:55 +0000

Too all comments: the fact that there are 23 people here to weigh in tells me that at least 23 other people in the world are looking for collaboration in math. That makes me hopeful. I would like to propose a WCYDWT data base. I have a few lessons i’d like to add in exchange for all of the wonderful ideas Dan put out there.

It’s late. I’m tired. Math class needs a makeover. Patience is a virtue. I would like a nasal spray that allows people to feel empathy. I predict that every one of my students choices will alter my future.

My university professor’s words of encouragement that “a teacher can care, but still be a terrible teacher” makes me doubt my every move and is why I am awake right now.

By: Alex

Alex — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 04:34:15 +0000

It’s got to be at least a little bit humbling, Dan, for all these people to have a concern about what you’re doing. Me, for one, I couldn’t care less. Just like I didn’t give a damn whether or not LeBron James stayed in Cleveland. I’ve got enough to worry about, with my 150 students and our new school getting up and running and taking care of my wife and daughter and my mother-in-law battling cancer and…well, you understand.

So I look at it this way. If you want to get your doctorate Dan, go get it. If you want to walk the earth like Cain, go walk it. What do I care? It’s your life, enjoy it as you please.

But you do owe me something. For a few years now you’ve inspired me and challenged me and made me a better educator. You’ve helped me….out of sheer generosity and your own personal desire to improve. You didn’t know me when you started your blog and you barely know me now. But you still made me better. And for that I thank you.

And you owe me a “you’re welcome”. :)

Go get ’em dude.