In the real world, not the fake world of schools, it is understood that to become an expert, one must narrow his/her focus.
Yet in schools, we spend years, effort, and resources to build a better “Jack/Jill of All Trades.” Not a bad in teacher all subjects; but also, not provided with the structure and resources to become a truly great teacher in any subject. Nowhere is this more evident than with the near universal implementation of the traditional “self-contained” elementary school teacher model.
The administrators who adopt this model believe that anyone can be an expert teacher in reading, writing, science, social studies, mathematics AND fine arts instruction. After all, it’s only elementary school… How hard can it be?
It’s hard.
Which is why LYS advocates for a “Partner Pairing” model in elementary schools. In a partner paired model, teachers are teamed. One teacher teaches literacy and social studies. The other teacher teaches numeracy and science. The pair of teachers share a caseload of approximately 40 to 60 students.
This staffing format allows both the district and individual teachers to focus time, energy, and resources on building true instructional expertise.
This partner pairing model is better for teachers, better for students, and better for schools.
Or schools can keep doing what they have always done. After all, the results are not bad…
Think. Work. Achieve.
Your turn…
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