We all keep the memory of a special teacher. One who helped us look at mathematics in a different way or who told us fabulous stories of heroes and battles. That teacher who taught us a lesson we wouldn’t forget. Every time I talk about this subject with a colleague or friend it is common to hear a comment like "what a shame, we no longer have teachers like that." … [Lee más...] about The teaching profession: Why doesn’t it attract the best?*
teachers
And you, do you want your children to be teachers?
Suppose you have a son (or nephew, godson, or young friend) who is a professional and tomorrow he is offered a job with the promise to "earn between 30% and 70% less than other professionals of the same age and with the same years of education." He is also told that "three out of six available job positions in this field do not have telephones and, on top of that, two … [Lee más...] about And you, do you want your children to be teachers?
Improving Readiness to Learn
Could it be that we are witnessing two opposing forces in attempts to improve education worldwide? In the quest for higher quality education, governments are investing more in teachers, technology, and training. Yet, as this happens, kids are less ready to learn than ever before. Girth around the world is increasing. “Globesity,” the term given to this global epidemic of … [Lee más...] about Improving Readiness to Learn
Structural solutions
written by: Jorge Mahecha. It's true: There is an epidemic of “enseñas,” or alternative teacher training programs, in Latin America, as Marcelo Cabrol correctly noted in an earlier blog. Enseña por Colombia (ExC), launched early 2011 after a year and a half of initial development, is a young organization going full steam ahead, its first group of teachers set to deploy in … [Lee más...] about Structural solutions
Learning from a former youth assassin
“I’d rather kill than be killed.” These were the words uttered to me by the 19 year old former armed group member sitting across from me at a cafe in a paramilitary controlled community in Colombia. One year after being allowed to leave the armed group, he still had nightmares and visions of those he had assassinated; experienced trouble sleeping; and his new home built from … [Lee más...] about Learning from a former youth assassin