Chapter 4 is properly titled "reinventing the education profession" and that is what Tony Wagner is out to accomplish. In this chapter Tony Wagner talks a lot about his prior experiences as a teacher, then a principal and then onto a nonprofit organization focused around education. Through his experiences, both good and bad, he came to realize that not enough time is spent (or available) to property train new teachers and to provide them with the necessary feedback (through evaluations) so they can grow and mature as an educator. Wagner says, "To improve students learning we must first work on improving teaching and the coaching of teachers." For me personally, feedback from my teaching mentors (both from the university and my co-teachers) have been very valuable to me and my growth as an educator. I can honestly say that through the constructive feedback I have received while in the teaching credential program will help make me a better science teacher and therefore improve my students' learning.
Wagner also talked about the importance of "Learning Walks" where teachers and administrators go into classrooms unannounced and discuss what they saw and if it was the most effective practices for maximum student learning. He talked about these walks as being very important for teacher collaboration and communication about what worked and what did not in the classroom, therefore improving our teaching pedagogy. Again, reflecting from my own experiences observing many teachers in both middle and high school, has provided me with a wide variety of teaching styles and practices that has helped to shape the teacher I have become. I still have a lot to learn this semester while I'm obtaining my teaching credential and I value every opportunity I have to see and talk with veteran teachers.
Wagner also talked about the importance of "Learning Walks" where teachers and administrators go into classrooms unannounced and discuss what they saw and if it was the most effective practices for maximum student learning. He talked about these walks as being very important for teacher collaboration and communication about what worked and what did not in the classroom, therefore improving our teaching pedagogy. Again, reflecting from my own experiences observing many teachers in both middle and high school, has provided me with a wide variety of teaching styles and practices that has helped to shape the teacher I have become. I still have a lot to learn this semester while I'm obtaining my teaching credential and I value every opportunity I have to see and talk with veteran teachers.