This week I corresponded with my contact in Yap. When I asked her about the level of quality
she reported that one of the issues were large disparities between individual
teachers. There are not set standards
and very little professional development.
While teachers do their best, there are still eminent skills that are
lacking to teach effectively. As a
whole, she said her students were behind grade level which she felt was largely
due to inconsistency from one teacher to the next.
Another big issue regarding quality teaching in Yap is the
lack of resources. Everything she used in her classroom over the past year she brought
from America. Construction paper, markers, crayons, posters, children's books,
scissors, supplemental teaching books and many more things were brought from
the United States. The only supplies available in Yap were pencils and erasers.
When asked about her professional goals she said “In Yap my
goals were to teach the students as best as I possibly could in a fun, yet
productive manner. Now as a returning teacher, I hope to continue the many
responsibilities that I had to carry out in Yap, and to bring integrity into
everything that I do.” She plans to
continue more schooling for specific areas that she feels she needs help
with.
Talking with Ashley
has made me realize just how fortunate we are here in the United States. We have so many resources available to
us. Teaching outside of the United
States would definitely be an eye opening experience to the needs that are out
there.
Lori,
ReplyDeleteThanks for continuing to share new information about the field of early childhood in Yap. It seems that the majority of places around the world are faced with resource limitations, especially when it comes to education. When the only supplies available are paper and pencils, it really appears that the push is for drill and practice and rote instruction. This piles on instructional limitations on top of the resource limitations. As we continue to learn more about the field, advocating for equity in education on an international level is certainly drawing my interest.
Thanks for sharing!
Lori,
ReplyDeleteI never heard of YAP until reading your blog and it seems like they have a lot of work to do on their level of quality and excellence of education they give to their children. Its seems without having some sort of standards put in place there is no direction of where to go to further the development and growth of all children. With the lack of resources there are many limits a teacher has to ensure these children are getting the best education possible. How do you think they could change this or make it better? Thank you for sharing, your a very good advocator! :) -Brittany
I believe the lack of resources IS a major concern, even in certain areas/communities in the United States. YAP really has some catching up to do in order to achieve quality education for their children. Fortunately there are people like your friend that has the ability to bring excellent and dedicated teaching to a place in dire need like YAP. Thanks for Sharing.
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