“Teaching is an Art”

We’ve heard this from our Superintendent recently in conjunction with parent concerns over Building Thinking Classroom methods and the impact it is having on students. Our administration, across the district, has declined to intervene on behalf of students who are failing, whose families have to turn to tutors or outside math classes, or who have come to realize their best hope may be to withdraw and retake classes. Because, as they state, “teaching is an art”.

Well… teaching may be an art, but not every teacher is an artist. Blunt, but true.

Even for those teachers who are artists, not all artists will be successful with all mediums. The painter who sees success with oils may not be able to create a pleasing sculpture. Or, as it relates to teaching math, a teacher who is effective in traditional instruction may be less effective at conveying information utilizing BTC methods.

Continuing this almost-metaphor, not all students are able to interpret different artistic styles. While some may have an understanding and appreciation for modern art, some will see a meaningless jumble. Some students will enjoy and learn with BTC, but others (the majority, it seems) will learn better with the traditional approach.

It would appear that some of our district’s teachers who do NOT excel at modern art have realized that it’s quite easy to throw paint at the canvas and call it art.

Our students deserve better. Our administration should know better.