Grey's Anatomy - Teacher Edition

Where is the Harper Avery Award in Education? For those who follow #greysanatomy, you know that the show's protagonists strive for this prestigious award given by a wealthy foundation from the moment their fateful internships begin. "Surgery is the boldest and most fearless of the healing arts," is the claim by the tv presenter. Hmmmm.....

"The Harper Avery Award celebrates those who have destroyed obstacles, altered the direction, and invented the future of how we are to live and heal and thrive. The surgeons in this room are redefining medicine for generations to come." I've met many #teachers who have the fire, intellect, and dedication to do exactly this in real life - they need the opportunity and the public expectation.

This "made for tv" award for innovative use of medical methodology leading to new breakthroughs in patient care represents the #innovation our teaching profession needs. It's right under our nose. #shondarhimes. We need breakthroughs by those practicing the craft - AS they practice the craft.

ALL the #research about teacher effectiveness points back to a teacher's sense of self-efficacy. Really. Were this an academic piece, the looooooong citation list would follow. The idea that those who #study teaching methodology and those who #practice teaching methodology should be separate is a paralyzing differentiation from the medical field, and self-serving for those in academia and the for-profit industry at the expense of our students.

What would it sound like to hear a teacher say things like, "I'm working on a new methodology surrounding effective ways to assist elementary school students learn the concept of fractions." What would it sound like if our American teaching force make that sound in unison? #wallacefoundation #obamafoundation #gatesfoundation #fordfoundation #Annenburgfoundation #neafoundation Doctors who author breakthroughs routinely weave eight hour surgeries around their research pursuits - in fact they welcome the chance. Why would our teaching profession be any different?

Teachers as Breakthrough Researchers - not just the "testers" of everyone else's research - have the ability to change the culture of the profession #morelikefinland. Supporting teachers to be those who "alter the direction of the field" - as the source of the "invention of the future where we all live, heal, and thrive." Show me that and we'll experience a political context in which no one mentions another test score again. #letsgo #grantproposal Teacher mentoring moves to a new dimension, doesn't it? #teacherleadership

Oh, and for those of you who are thinking a teacher can't be nurturing and author breakthroughs in the field of teaching and learning at the same time - I'd love the opportunity to introduce you to some great people. #vted