Hello Ladies and Gentlemen,
For the last few months, everyone has been telling us how difficult it is to get a local teaching position in or around Victoria. In fact, we can't even be guaranteed a practicum placement in the area. That's old news for some of us who have teachers in our own families, as we have seen the struggle first hand. Because of this, I do not have any grand illusions about getting a teaching job near Victoria, or even on Vancouver Island. I entered this program knowing that, as a teacher, I would eventually have to leave my home in order to find work.
However, out of curiosity, I started to investigate the process of applying to the Teacher-On-Call list for the local school districts. After looking at the list of required documents for a TOC application, I was surprised to see that the hiring committee requests our university transcripts. Several professors in our program have said that our grades are not as important as our growth as teachers during this program. Yet, this is obviously not the case, at least for teachers in Victoria. The Greater Victoria School District explains on their website that only teachers with "exemplary ratings on practicum reports," "very positive professional references from school administrators," and "good academic performance as shown in university transcripts" will be considered for on-call teaching positions.
Clearly, some districts do take our university transcripts into account. I really don't know how I feel about this. On one hand, it does ensure that prospective teachers take their education seriously and work hard at it. It also ensures that the district is hiring intelligent and capable individuals. But, is it really beneficial to us as future teachers to constantly be striving for the almighty A+? I don't know about all of you, but I find that when my success is based upon grades and percentages, I retreat into a very outcome-oriented and self-interested place. This is a place where I worry primarily about myself, and obsess over my tiniest shortcomings. Instead of participating in activities or attending lectures that might improve me as a person and an educator, I spend an extra two hours editing a lesson plan, thinking about ways to bump my grade from a 90 to a 95%. I guess that's one reason why I'm enjoying our seminar course. Because it's pass/fail, I'm not worried about moving my grade up a few percent; the anxiety of achievement is replaced by a sincere desire to develop a positive and effective teaching practice.
I'm sorry if I have caused any undue stress for any of you with all this talk about transcripts and grades, as that was not my intention. Instead, I am hoping to hear your opinions about how such a strong focus on grades can effect us as future teachers as well as how it may effect the learning of our future students. Any thoughts?
First of all, thanks for the heads up Jackie! It frustrates me to read this after being told repeatedly that this program isn't and shouldn't be about the grades we get. Because that simply isn't true!
ReplyDeleteAt the beginning of this program we were told that this program is more about the PROCESS than the PRODUCT. And many of the instructors echo this attitude as well. They don't want us to care about A's B's or C's, but want us to put a lot of thought into our assignments and reflect (there's that word again!) on how effective our trial-and-errors are. However, I think it becomes extremely difficult for many of us to focus on the process and not the product when we have been conditioned from an early age to focus on the product. We ourselves are products of the product driven model! (if that makes any sense?) I remember being really stressed out about letter grades in grade 11 and 12 because I really wanted to get into university. Every assignment I completed, I completed for my teachers and tried to get into their heads to figure out what they wanted from me. And I continued to do this in University because I wanted my transcripts to look good. So, how can they expect us to stop thinking that way now?
So for those of us out there like Jackie and I, who fret over 0.5 of a percent, sure we might miss out on some of the process, but hey, it might put us higher up in the food chain when it comes to getting on a TOC list or even getting a job.
And I have heard instructors complain that they wish this program was evaluated on a pass/fail basis, much like our seminar is. But let's be honest here- that simply would not work. Especially now that we know that our grades count!!!
I guess the moral of the story is, do your best in order to benefit from the process and as a result your letter grades should hopefully reflect this effort. If not, shove an onion in your eye and then knock on your instructor's office door and pretend to be distraught over that B that he or she gave you............ ;)
Jackie you bring up a very good point! I understand it’s a competitive market and that’s why they are taking marks and grades into account. But I feel the school district would be loosing some great teachers if they only looked at the grades. Some people don’t do well in exams and tests. Some individuals may have learning disabilities and perform average on their assignments. But they may have tremendous amount of life experience and other excellent skills which are also important in being a teacher. I agree the program and hiring committee are being hypocritical. They say grades are not important but they are if you want to be working in attractive locations. Grades are not only important in getting hired but there also important when applying to graduate school. I feel it’s a competitive market all around. Personally, I’m not concentrating on my grades because I use to do that when I was in my undergrad. It just adds stress. I think life experience, personality and passion are key factors to consider. For example, if the school district hires a student who has 99% on their transcripts, he or she may not be creative in creating their lesson plans. They may not want to invest extra time in tailoring individual student focused assignments. They may treat their work as a 9 to 3pm job. But now you have an individual who has average marks (let’s say B average). This individual is treating his or her job beyond 9 to 3pm and is investing extra time into their lesson plans. They are not only spend extra time in creating hands on activity based lesson plans but also are involved with the school’s extracurricular activities. So do marks and grades determine whether an individual is going to be a great teacher? If the person has been issued a BC teacher’s certificate then the BCTIF must have seen their credentials and saw that they are fit to be a teacher. It’s kind of like the doctor situation. When students enter the medical program, they are overworked by tests, assignments, electives etc. Literally burned to the ground and when they have a patient come into their office, who is stressed and anxious. They tell the patient to relax and not over work themselves, which is being hypocritical since they are not following their own advice. But then there is this issue, which doctor would you want operating on you, a doctor who has 90% average or 80% average on their transcripts. I would want the 90% because I want my operation to be successful. I guess in teaching the parents and school district want the best teachers teaching in their schools. But agree with you guys, what we are being told is completely different to what’s actually happening. One word…hypocritical.
ReplyDeleteWow, if I had known this I would've put more effort into my 352 assignments. Sigh, I guess B+/A-'s won't suffice anymore...
ReplyDeleteI guess this also means that B+ Blaire needs to kick it up a notch too :p!
But on a semi-serious note.... I've been saying this to everyone who's told me that I won't find a job and be stuck on the TOC list... "A good teacher will always find a good job, don't you worry". Even after reading this, I'm still not worried! It's definitely a good thing to know for next semester and I do agree with what Ravinder and Ashton had to say, but life is just easier when one does not worry about all the fine little details (lol, come talk to me in 2013 and see where I'm at... :s)
I think the key point in this issue is that it's for the 'on call' positions. Yes, it is going to be difficult to get on the TOC list (we know this); however, grades or not I think we will all manage to get on lists (we are going to have to move obviously and it may take a while)) but it will happen.
ReplyDeleteBut is our main goal to be TOCs? I haven't heard any comments in class like "when I'm a TOC...." I hear "when I have my own class..." and in the long run we ARE going to get long term jobs based on our experience and what we learn in this program. Getting full time jobs is going to be based on the repore we have with local teachers and school districts, how much overtime we put in and WHO WE KNOW (just like any other job).
Yes it may take some of us longer to get on the TOC lists than others due to our grades etc. But if you are a good educator and you know how to work a classroom you may get off that TOC list before the 'A' students who know more about wording a paper than engaging students.
Just saying.
I think that although transcripts are a requirement of some districts application process, a very small percentage of the screening process would go into applicant’s marks. Although I can’t speak specifically from the admin side of school districts, I can definitely say that character reference and personal experiences speak tenfold in the successes of getting hired no matter what profession you are seeking employment. How many of you have heard of people ‘lucking out’ or getting a highly desirable job in a supposedly impossible job market? Ever investigate how they did it? Most likely it was through a strong character reference, or they had some sort of very relevant background experience that may have connected someway with the employer.
ReplyDeleteConnections are everything, coupled with a passion you show in your career path. If you want to work where you live, not live where you work, you have to be hungry. Your demonstrated determination, dedication and commitment to the system will eventually pay off. Just be fortunate you are looking for a job in Canada and not in Asia….