Blog 5 – “Father…I mean…TEACHER KNOWS BEST”!

In the fourth and final section of Reading Essentials by Regie Routman, there is an emphasis (as there has been throughout the book) on the teacher needing to take a stand for what they feel, as the professional educator, is best for their students.  “Only you, as a knowledgeable teacher, can decide what your reading program should encompass and how it should be organized” (Routman 186).   Too often teachers or forced or feel like they have to do the latest program.  Teachers need to be informed about or do research about the programs they may use, to make sure they feel it is what is best for their students.  “At best, any program, no matter how good it is, is a resource and tool.  It can never take the place of the knowledgeable teacher” (Routman 192). 

Another emphasis in this section was on using our time wisely.  “Spend it in the most meaningful, productive ways possible” (Routman 202).  The key is to make sure that every minute is useful, effective, and counts.  Too often teachers get too caught up in making sure so many different things are done (programs, curriculum, etc.) that the most important thing…the students…get lost in the commotion!  Make sure that whatever is being done is effective, meaningful, and creating a love of learning for the students.  I loved the quote by a teacher, ’I have been reevaluating everything I do to see if the activity has a true purpose or if it’s just busy work and a time filler’ – Donna Kline (Routman 201).  So many times teachers know what their students need the most of, and what would be the best use of their time.  Sometimes, it just has to be what takes precedence.  

When you look at all of this, and this whole book, it all keeps focusing on the fact that the teachers not only know their students, but know what is best for them!