I recall as a young teacher feeling very inadequate when I would compare myself to other teachers to see if I measured up (what psychologists call Social Comparison Theory).
Students are not always forthcoming with information. It might be that they are shy and not willing to speak, or they might be confused and have no idea of the type of response that is expected. We cannot assume that we know what is going on in students’ heads.
My inbox is filled with solutions to our country’s serious problem: students falling behind. Each email claims to be able to fill the gaps in students’ knowledge, plug the holes created by missed classes, or stop students’ scores from slipping further.
From the “Pinterest perfect” classroom to the “Amazon Wish List” for supplies to the “must do” activity that went viral on social media to the books and websites teeming with hundreds of ideas, it seems that we are continually in a race to create, produce, and enact the best and latest idea that will transform our classroom.
I am convinced that a majority of the world has no real idea what it is like to be a teacher. After having sat through twelve years (or more) of school, people think they understand what teaching is and what a teacher does. But until you have been on the other side, and stood in front of that classroom, it is impossible to understand the mental and emotional energy teachers pour into the lives of their students every day.
Recently, my friend, who is a preschool teacher, shared a story with me. The mother of one of her students contacted her about a curious question.
© 1989-2023 CPM EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM All rights reserved. CPM Educational Program is a 501(c)(3) educational nonprofit corporation.
This professional learning is designed for teachers as they begin their implementation of CPM. This series contains multiple components and is grounded in multiple active experiences delivered over the first year. This learning experience will encourage teachers to adjust their instructional practices, expand their content knowledge, and challenge their beliefs about teaching and learning. Teachers and leaders will gain first-hand experience with CPM with emphasis on what they will be teaching. Throughout this series educators will experience the mathematics, consider instructional practices, and learn about the classroom environment necessary for a successful implementation of CPM curriculum resources.
Page 2 of the Professional Learning Progression (PDF) describes all of the components of this learning event and the additional support available. Teachers new to a course, but have previously attended Foundations for Implementation, can choose to engage in the course Content Modules in the Professional Learning Portal rather than attending the entire series of learning events again.
