I always wanted to learn how to teach students to read. I was formally trained to do some of this at Teachers’ training college but it was not enough and did not prepare me fully for the classroom. There was very little help from other teachers because they themselves did not have much planning knowledge, they did however develop techniques over time and applied knowledge from workshops.
Over the years I have seen students from many schools struggle with reading and always wondered if the schools were at fault. I have come to realize that schools are responsible for many students not being able to read. The main reason for this is that many schools do not have a cohesive reading plan, a plan that connects from one level to the next. Many teachers do not assess reading correctly and therefore do not meet the needs of individual students. It is my hope that I will be in a position help teachers teach reading in such a way that they will be motivated to apply skills taught to them and add their own experience to the existing knowledge.
I firmly believe that once teachers are equipped with the knowledge to teach reading and they are supported by the MOE that every effort will be made to insure that all students are given a fair chance at reading. As a reading specialist I would be given the opportunity to share what I have learnt so that teachers can be fully prepared to teach reading.
Hi Zandra,
ReplyDeleteI remember in my first year teaching at a public secondary I met a 16 year old boy in form 4 who could just barely write his name and address. I actually had to teach im letter sounds and the difference between capital and common letters ( not the use of but the differences in appearance. This caused GREAT emotional stress for me!!! I couldn't believe that this student spent 7 years at a primary school and 3 years at a jr. sec and could read!!! And what was worst.. his parent were not aware of his situation.
I honestly hope that as Reading Specialists we can help teachers and administrators to effectively meet the literacy needs of ALL our students.
Zandra, I like your optimism and yes when we look at our schools and classrooms, we see so many children who are struggling to read.The child, the parent and the teachers together play a role in education but sadly I have had experiences where the schools failed at doing their jobs.
ReplyDeleteYes, many schools don't have a cohesive reading plan and the ones that do, have no continuity with these plans in the system. Too often children are 'kept back' and what do we do to make their situations better, nothing ! We leave them at the back of the class and pretend they are not there.
We will be reading specialists and our job now is to make the difference. Once we get the support and opportunities let us go out there and be the best we can be.