Week 2-Educator Preparation & Development

According to the data from the Texas STaR Chart, the area in need of most improvement for my campus is Educator Preparation and Development. The totals for my campus over the past three years went from 11 to 10 to 11. The needs of today’s students are much different from the needs of students in previous decades. All educators must recognize that it is essential to continue learning, especially in the area of technology. Texas students need to be prepared for their futures which will be fully intertwined with technology. If Texas teachers continue to provide instruction and student practice in the traditional manner, our students will not be receiving an optimal education. Educators must receive on-going professional development in technology and classroom instruction strategies which will improve student learning. Research has shown that increased use of technology in the classroom improves student motivation and interest in learning within the content areas. However, for this to happen, teachers must first begin using technology more frequently and integrating it into the content areas. Many teachers are unwilling to use technology beyond the basic everyday tasks of teaching-attendance, grades, and lesson plans. It is critical that school districts and administrators provide opportunities for teachers to acquire and practice new skills in technology, time to collaborate with staff members, and most importantly, support and encouragement. The support and professional development provided to teachers should be based on the needs of the teachers in order to provide strategies for integration into content areas and instructional strategies. Training, support, and professional development can permit teachers to provide exceptional instruction which will prepare students at Liberty-Eylau and all Texas students for life and work in the 21st Century.