The National Academy of Sciences and Humanities is convening a learning process to explore how an elite group of master teachers can lead the way in setting new professional standards for their profession
The practical knowledge of teaching is best manifested by teachers in classrooms and schools. However, in Israel teachers’ knowhow is not well documented and therefore is rarely shared or transferred between teachers. As a result, teacher practice is often very lonely, individual and isolated. Teacher learning leans heavily towards the theoretical and is removed from the daily opportunities and challenges of teaching.A number of recent successful education policies around the world have focused on a teaching-based reform. These education systems, for example in Finland, Singapore and Ontario, concentrated on changing the teaching profession from a blue-collar to a white collar profession an occupation which is clinical and knowledge-based. Excellent teachers in schools were central to this process, becoming champions of practice, and helping create the next generation of teachers.
In these countries, an elite group of master teachers who are recognized and appropriately compensated as such are leading the way in setting new professional standards for their profession. In their schools, they teach in the classroom, convene student-centered teaching communities, and provide tutoring for new and struggling teachers. At district, city, network and national levels, they are active participants in the development and execution of training programs, new policies and curriculum.
The forthcoming proposal is grounded in the belief that the Israeli education system would benefit tremendously from relying on its cadre of highly skilled master teachers. In collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Yad Hanadiv (“the Rothschild Foundation”), it is proposed to convene a time-limited learning process in order to produce a green paper on how to architecture and administer the role and functions of master teachers in Israel.
The aforementioned partners approached the National Academy of Sciences and Humanities to act as convener for the learning process. The academy and its education branch are highly regarded by practitioners, policy-makers and researchers as accomplished in bringing together knowledge and learning about important issues facing Israeli education. Last year it has successfully organized a learning group of a similar nature for the Trump Foundation.
The learning process is planned to conclude within one year and its report will be published by September 2014. It will be led by an expert steering committee comprised of both Israeli and world renowned scholars, such as Professor Lee Shulman. The steering committee will rely on the output of working groups, including a group of 10-15 excellent teachers. Their involvement will include intensive workshops, professional seminars and roundtables, as well conferences which will be open to the public.
Ministry of Education officials will be essential to the process, and will take active roles in the learning process. The learning process will involve the mapping and analysis of current trends in Israel, as well as in other countries; listening to the professional voices of classroom teachers; reviewing relevant research literature, and writing the final report and recommendations.