In a perfect world, I think it would be amazing to give teachers enough time to collaborate on their best work. To be able to share what they know works, to discuss why other lessons did not work, and to be able to work together to find new ways of delivering a lesson. Teachers will be willing to share their lessons, not only with their department, but with the school as well as their district. I know there are many teachers out there who are willing to share ideas, either within their own little group of teachers, or on a website so that teachers from all over the world can have access to it. But I feel that there are some teachers that hold tight to their best practice. Like it should have a copyright and get paid if other teachers want to use it. Some teachers even get downright nasty when it comes to sharing their lesson, activities. If I were king of the world, there would be free and easy access to great teacher’s plans and ideas.
I do think there is a correlation between how much a person makes and their willingness to collaborate and better themselves. Other professional, will spend time outside their normal routine to keep learning new ideas within their profession. The expectation is there for teachers, but only few take anything out of their professional development. A few teachers dread PD days. I feel that if we make the salary of a teacher more comparable to other professionals, then there might be more of a desire to keep learning their trade, bettering oneself. The expectation will be there to be the best that you can be. We may not be saving a life right then and there, like doctors, but we are directing many lives in the right direction.
I do think there is a correlation between how much a person makes and their willingness to collaborate and better themselves. Other professional, will spend time outside their normal routine to keep learning new ideas within their profession. The expectation is there for teachers, but only few take anything out of their professional development. A few teachers dread PD days. I feel that if we make the salary of a teacher more comparable to other professionals, then there might be more of a desire to keep learning their trade, bettering oneself. The expectation will be there to be the best that you can be. We may not be saving a life right then and there, like doctors, but we are directing many lives in the right direction.