Blog Assignment #3 Response to "Why Teachers Matter"

One of the articles that I have read for this Education class which was most intriguing to me was the Richard Lederer article entitled "Why Teachers Matter". There were some very interesting statistics about the current status of education in America. It is very reassuring as an education major to learn about how many people in the U.S. are affected by education. One statistic that really stuck out to me was that, "Two-thirds of students who cannot read proficiently by the end of fourth grade will end up in jail or on welfare. The fourth grade is the watershed year" (Lederer). This fact was very interesting especially considering I have always wanted to teach fourth grade or another grade close to that age group. I still think of my fourth grade teacher being the most influential and memorable teacher of my schooling so far. She is really the teacher who has inspired me to choose the career of teaching for my future. My fourth grade teacher Mrs. Mimlitz was one of the most positive people I have ever met which I believe is a very important trait for a teacher to have especially for such a fundamental grade as the fourth. I remember fourth grade as being a huge transition year. This is why when the article pointed out fourth grade as a watershed year I was not at all surprised. While I believe it is very important to not let children slip through the cracks in the grades leading up to fourth grade, fourth grade may me the last chance to play catch-up. After that point in schooling, if a student is falling behind it is much harder to bring them up to speed. They are soon moving on to middle school and then high school where it is less likely for teachers to have time to review the fundamentals. As an aspiring fourth grade teacher I truly appreciate the necessity for a focus on literacy and fundamental knowledge. I am eager to become a part of the teaching force and contribute to the schooling of a portion of the 73.2 million U.S. residents enrolled in schools. I have always thought that teachers really matter and have always had a great appreciation for those who dedicate their careers for the benefit of my learning.