THE EDITOR, Madam:
I WISH to commend the writer of your Letter of the Day published in The Gleaner of Tuesday January 30, 2001, for his generally insightful and timely comments on New Millennium Teacher Education. However, I am convinced that there is one aspect of the teacher education process that needs to be specifically mentioned; and that is the skill of dealing with diversity in the classroom. Sitting before the average teacher are students with different learning styles as well as varying levels of ability and instructional needs. Psychology speaks to this.
It has always been and will always be the educator's primary responsibility to organise and manage instruction which includes all the students in a class, and not only those who are perceived as being academically able. All students cannot and will not achieve at the same level regardless of the pattern of school organisation; but the creating of a stimulating environment to which all learners will be able to relate in order to realise potential is of vital importance.
Consequently to Mr. Dawkins' comment re "a programme of continuous upgrading of teachers" I would add their willingness to be "life-long learners", if they are interested at all in student achievement; and are not conveniently branding students as failures without really providing the opportunity for them to learn.
Technology has opened doors for teachers who have to cope with challenges of diversity. Schools should therefore invest in computer software and CD ROM that provide instruction and practice opportunities for students within the curriculum.
It is of significance however, that committed and informed educators have always used their creative abilities and sensitivity to student needs to develop strategies to deal with the challenges they face; and this continues to be the way forward.
I am, etc.,
A CONCERNED EDUCATOR
Kingston 19
