In today’s educational system, teachers find themselves in need, especially if they want to integrate, collaborate and educate the WHOLE child!
Here is a list of some needs I hear about daily in schools and online.
- Less stress from high stakes testing
- Quality professional development in everything from new methodologies to brain research
- Freedom to teach creatively
- Autonomy over our teaching
- Leadership roles in our schools
- Leadership roles in our profession
- TIME
- Money
- Support from administration
- Support from our students’ families
We teachers know the value of arts education and integration, but are hindered as mandated curriculum, budget cuts, data driven teaching, meeting AYP and high stakes testing puts a damper on our creativity as educators.
Every profession has their own set of needs. Teachers are no different except that their needs directly affect the children they teach. If teachers’ needs are not addressed and soon, then education will be in danger of being sub-par.
(This topic alone could be its own series…maybe it will.)
I know you have a comment to add. Please do!
Related posts:
Elizabeth Peterson has devoted her life to education and to reaching out to other teachers who want to remain inspired. Mrs. Peterson teaches fourth grade in Amesbury, Massachusetts and is the host of www.theinspiredclassroom.com. She holds an M.Ed. in Education, “Arts and Learning” and is currently enrolled in a C.A.G.S. program through Plymouth State University with a focus in “Arts Leadership and Learning.” Elizabeth is author of Inspired by Listening, a teacher resource book that includes a method of music integration she has developed and implemented into her own teaching. She teaches workshops and courses on the integration of the arts into the curriculum, leads an arts integration PLC (PLaiC) and is adjunct faculty for PSU. Mrs. Peterson believes there is a love of active, integrated learning in all children and from their enthusiasm, teachers can shape great opportunities to learn. 
