WHAT DO YOU SEE AS A MAJOR CHALLENGE IN TEACHING TODAY?

There are several challenges that exist in teaching today.  One could discuss the most recent educational legislation found in the No Child Left Behind policy.  Or, one could talk about the continuing problem of adapting to each student’s individual needs inside the classroom.  However, I believe the most prominent challenge in teaching today is creating life long learners.  This can be done through an emphasis on reading and writing.  These two skills will affect how students learn during their school years and how they continue their life long education after the twelfth grade.

First, I would like to emphasize the importance of recreational reading.  Reading, as a recreational activity, has to compete with television, video games, and even the Internet.  Often times, students see reading as a chore associated with homework and textbooks.  Children need to be shown that they can receive the same entertainment, if not more, from books that they look for from television shows, movies, and video games.  Recreational reading will stimulate the imagination and create the desire to learn.  By exhibiting a passion for reading, the teachers will inspire the students to engage in the habit of life long reading.  Students that use part of their leisure time for reading challenge their minds and their imaginations.  At the same time, they build their vocabulary and increase their knowledge base.

Along with the emphasis on reading, stress also needs to be placed on writing.  Both reading and writing will work together to boost language skills.  Even a simple activity such as daily journal writing can work to increase language skills.  Having a strong background in writing myself, journal writing has greatly improved my writing skills.  Also, writing and reading will enhance verbal communication abilities.  The ability to write well is one that is priceless and can be integrated into all aspects of education and life.

Actively reading will stimulate connections to writing.  Both of these skills are necessary to a well-rounded education.  The challenge that faces education today is making students realize that learning is a life long experience.  Without a continuous emphasis on reading and writing, learning as a life long experience will not be achieved.  Therefore, our society will be at a distinct disadvantage because we will not be able to participate in the global community.

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