On Master Teachers

Post date: Apr 26, 2013 1:49:52 AM

A few weeks ago I was proofreading an essay written by my son. He had come to me asking for help, saying that "this sentence doesn't sound right". He was correct - there were some serious grammatical errors. We spent some time talking about the grammar problems and the parts of a sentence, and he was eventually able to fix the problems.

I started to think about my grade school English teacher, Ms. Melton. I wondered why we no longer teach English grammar the way she did. I did some research on the topic, and found that there is much argument both for and against formal grammar instruction, and much discussion of the reasons why it is no longer part of the curriculum in most schools.

I will not argue whether this is good or bad – that is a topic for qualified teachers to debate and decide.

I also thought about Mrs. Turner, my 4th grade teacher, whom I am told once had the following conversation with my 3rd grade teacher:

• 3rd Grade Teacher: How can you teach Josh? He never sits down!

• Mrs. Turner: He doesn’t learn with his bottom. He learns with his brain!

As I think about these and other teachers who truly stand out in my memory, I note that what they all had in common with Ms. Melton and Mrs. Turner was a combination of the rigorous and the kind, the exact and the flexible. They didn't teach subjects, or prepare students for tests – they taught in a way which suited each student’s abilities and needs. They didn’t hew slavishly to prescriptive standards, but rather focused on the big picture taking a wholistic view. They expected excellence – and provided each student with the tools needed to achieve it – even if that meant inventing new tools.

These teachers didn't take big risks with new systems. Rather, they took little incremental risks on new ideas and alternate techniques that were individualized to their students.

Looking at the education of my children in the Croton-Harmon Schools, I note that they have been fortunate to have encountered their own Ms. Meltons and Mrs. Turners. If elected to the board, I will work tirelessly to increase the number of such excellent teachers on the faculty of our schools.