| Highly Qualified Teachers/Alternative Curricula, etc |
6/10/04 5:54 AM |
| Author:
tommie brumfield
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Is there not anyone who can speak specifically to alternative curricula (ungraded classroom, project-based, research-based, etc? We were asked for an innovative charter and we gave innovation -- a Montessori school. However, we are faced with expensive staff development in order to keep our school Montessori. We must, of course have a "highly qualified" teacher with a bachelor's in elementary education. Yet, how does one have a Montessori school without a Montessori-trained teacher? It appears that only charter schools who teach "traditionally" will survive. Our test scores, especially in reading, have always been good (since 1997), but we are literally "looked down upon". For example, having a teacher who majored in Humanities yet chose to go through the rigorous Montessori teacher training is not a functional fit for the department of education. Montessori teachers are usually very passionate about educating the children and this is manifested in the very wonderful and comprehensive education that a child obtains -- above and beyond what is expected traditionally. The burden in cost, emotion, and the physical stamina needed to re-educate a Montessori teacher or a traditional teacher has become overwhelming. Is there anyone on line who has an alternative curriculum and can speak camdidly to this subject?
Posted as a reply to:
NCLB's "Highly Qualified Teachers" Requirement and Charters by Bob Montgomery 
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