Reflection #1

Teacher preparation programs have changed drastically over the years. The preparation for teachers in the colonial times was nothing of how it is today. In the colonial times teachers needed no preparation in order to work in a classroom. Most elementary teachers were actually teenagers. Teachers needed no formal education, they received a lot of their information by serving as apprentices for master teachers. Most teachers came straight out of elementary and some had some secondary education. Teaching was not viewed as a career. It was actually seen as a temporary job, kind of like working in Burger King or Mcdonalds now a days. Most teenage teachers held bad records for crimes and drinking. Finally, in 1823 Samuel Hall came up with the idea of creating a Normal School. This school was an advance to provide elementary school graduates with training in teaching skills. Normal schools were usually a two year training program. Teachers were now forced to sign a strict contract upon entering the field. At the advantage of gaining a disappointing 75$ dollars every month, teachers were not allowed to marry, drink, smoke, wear makeup, short dresses, dye their hair and many other things. These restrictions being something absurd today. Stepping into the 1900s, teachers were being demanded more and more. Normal schools expanded their training programs to three to four years. They soon began to give courses in other fields other than teaching. In the 1980s controversy began to stir about professionalism in teaching. There was several reports such as “Tomorrows Teachers” and “A nation prepared” demanding that teachers increase their professionalism. They asked for an end to the undergraduate major and that teachers were to have a Masters level degree. Some universities followed the advice and extended their programs. However, some did not listen. Teaching was still not viewed as a profession. Afterwards the Carnegie Forum created the “National Board for professional teaching standards”. The NBTS targeted in finding excellent teachers with skill and knowledge in their field. They created a Board Certification. Board certified teachers had higher salaries and better recognition. Teachers created portfolios and took tests in order to become certified. We have also been introduced to the Teach for America program. TFA gathers talented and motivated recruits with a desire to teach. Even though TFA seems to be a good program, there are many critics. Some view TFA as irresponsible and lacking professionalism. They say that classrooms require more career preparation. Overall, teaching preparation has gone through a lot over the years, but it has definitely improved. It has gone from having teenagers teaching an elementary class to having the great education system we have today in America.