Cluster 1, Module 2 Reflection

            A qualified teacher can be defined in many different ways. According to “Teacher Research Informing Policy: An Analysis of Research on Highly Qualified Teaching and NCLB”, there are many things that they use to define a qualified teacher. A quality that they need to have is experience and content knowledge. They also need to have received a bachelor’s degree or higher. Another component a qualified teacher needs to have is teacher certification which allows them to effectively teach. These qualifications of a teacher can be assessed in a few ways. One way it can be assessed is based on academic achievement of the students being taught. Another way it can be assessed is by the amount of time they have spent teaching or their experience. I’m sure they also assess how they did in school from their college transcripts.

            Good teaching may be thought of in different ways and can also be measured. If a teacher has majored or minored in a specific subject that they are teaching then they are more likely to be a better teacher since they have the skills. Good teaching can also be defined as someone who cares for their students and works hard to help them learn based on their individual needs. They also inspire and motivate their students to be interested in the material. Good teaching can be measured based on their students’ success and what their students learn from their teachers.

            Qualifications do make a difference when it comes to teachers. I think teachers really do need to have a good background because if we had just anyone teaching then who knows if we would learn the right things. They may not have the experience they need or the skills to be able to teach students with all different learning backgrounds. It is important that students learn the right way and also learn lessons of significance. Schooling and experience gives teachers the background they need so if they don’t have it then it makes them unqualified.

            School systems work to meet the requirements of No Child Left Behind in many ways. They work by making sure that every student, no matter what their background or needs are, have a qualified teacher. School systems should try to find a way to provide alternate certificates for teaching. These certificates can allow for teachers to use their knowledge to help students reach their full potential on standardized tests. This could help those schools that could not necessarily afford to pay for good teaching. All in all, the No Child Left Behind policy is there to try to make sure that students can reach their full potential and keep up with school standards no matter what the situation may be.