For two weeks ending Sunday, a series of stories written by the Journal Sentinel's Alan J. Borsuk explored the complex topic of improving schools by improving teaching. Teachers are quick to bash teacher-bashing. Their complaint has lost much force, however, because of a tendency to label as bashing reasoned critiques of schools. Still, the frequency of the complaint gives the impression that what teachers most want is moral support. The support they most need, however, is more concrete.
Many teachers carry too heavy a load.
To lighten it, they deserve such measures as smaller classes. Beginning teachers tend to get the most demanding assignments, and with little support. Novices should be eased into tough jobs with plenty of expert guidance along the way. The honing of teaching skills gets short shrift in school systems. To make room for such activities, teachers would have to spend a bit less time in their classrooms.