Page 67 - EdViewptsSpring2021

Teacher empowerment is critical classrooms. Teachers believe as the push to infuse technology in
to the retention of our teachers evident from the previously mentioned classrooms has been around long
and ultimately the success of a study that they are working much before this pandemic, the suddenness
generation of students. According to harder than ever before. The gift of time of remote schooling thrust teachers
recommendations from the Learning free of administrative mandates can into uncharted territory. Suddenly apps
Policy Institute, teachers desire stability lead to powerful professional dialogue and digital subscriptions are assisting
in their assignments, supported positive and consistency among the faculty. in filling the void that teachers feel with
and professional collaboration with If you give effective teachers incorporating technology effectively in
colleagues and equitable distribution respect, they will go above and this new normal. It’s critical that school
of challenging classes not related to beyond expectations. It is positive administrators meet teachers where
experience. What teachers are asking relationships within the school they are and support them whenever
for is really quite simple to provide: community that keep teachers financially possible with the tools
unstructured time, respect and support. motivated to perform. In a Ted Talk that are comfortable. Professional
In Laura Joffe Numeroff’s book If You given by Christine Porath included in development is also key but just as we
Give a Mouse a Cookie, a mouse a 2019 Forbes article, her research encourage our teachers to differentiate
makes a series of requests that lead to about incivility determined that instruction for students, we must
various accomplishments. Somehow having respect for people increases differentiate for our teachers. One size
a request for a glass of milk leads to job potential and inspires learning fits all approaches to Professional
requests for a broom to sweep the for all in an organization. Our Learning especially when it involves
house, a little boy to share his ability to teachers have come under fire from technology is just overwhelming and
read a story as well as an opportunity desperate parents to return schools to does little to enhance professional
to inspire the creation of an art piece. normalcy lately. Demands for teacher practice.
Ultimately these are productive gains accountability is not new but somehow If you give a teacher the cookies they
from simple requests. it seems more pronounced during this are asking for, the result is far greater
If you give effective teachers unprecedented time. It’s imperative for than the consequence. Some may
unstructured time they will likely seek school administrators to restore the read the book If You Give a Mouse a
to collaborate with others and explore respect that has been damaged. Cookie as an example of how society
various strategies and platforms. Many If you give effective teachers support creates dependency. In the world of
teachers hold themselves accountable both emotionally and with curricular public education, empowering our
to providing the best lessons for resources, they will likely expand most important asset, the teachers,
their students and genuinely are their professional practice in the can only lead to a resilient future
curious about how other teachers classroom to deliver high quality generation of respectful problem
are managing these unprecedented instruction for all students. Although solvers in an unprecedented future.

Resources
Marzano, Robert. The Art and Science of Teaching: A Comprehensive Framework for Effective Instruction, ASCD, 2007.
Horace Mann Educators Corporation (NYSE:HMN). (2020). The Hidden Impact of Covid-19 on Educators: Rising Health
Concerns, Lower Risk Tolerance and Benefit Gaps. http://www.horacemann.com/~/media/documents/supplemental/
The%20Hidden%20Impact%20of%20COVID-19%20on%20Educators.pdf
Kini, Tara and Anne Podolsky. “Does Teaching Experience Increase Teacher Effectiveness?A Review of the Research”
Learning Policy Institute. June 03, 2016. https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/product/does-teaching-experience-increase-
teacher-effectiveness-review-research?gclid=CjwKCAiArbv_BRA8EiwAY
Caprino, Kathy. “3 Ways Your Leadership Will Improve When You Demonstrate More Respect” .Forbes. November 09,
2019. https://www.forbes.com/sites/kathycaprino/2019/11/09/3-ways-your-leadership-will-improve-when-you-demonstrate-
more-respect/?sh=184f2d111798
Porath, Christine.October 2018. “Why Being Respectful to your Coworkers is Good Business”[video] TED Conferences.
https://www.ted.com/talks/christine_porath_why_being_respectful_to_your_coworkers_is_good_for_business

About the Author

Deborah Droke has enjoyed 26 years as a public educator. She spent 17 years as a Middle School
Mathematics teacher both in the Pennsauken and Monroe Township (Williamstown) School Districts.
She left the classroom to become a K-12 all subject Instructional Support Coach for two years which led
to spending five years as the K-12 Mathematics Supervisor for the Monroe Township School District.
Currently, Deborah is the Director of Instruction for Mathematics and Science in the Northern Burlington
County Regional School District. She is married to a teacher she met her first year of teaching and both
are very proud of their three grown sons. Twitter handle: @DeborahDrokeNB

Educational Viewpoints -65- Spring 2021