To TCS:
While I appreciate you taking the time to provide feedback, I
would like to address the fact that you were quite negative
and led me to believe that you did not read past the first
line I wrote…while he has taken the test numerous times, it
should be noted that he has successfully earned and M.Ed in
Special Education, successfully completed all components of
his teaching practicum hours, earned an educator of the year
award and is able to effectively work with some of the most
challenging students that one might meet…all this with a
learning disability… so to suggest that he is not qualified
to teach is disheartening and leads me to believe that you
may not be the qualified educator. Simply because you have
passed a ridiculous test (which I have taken and passed, thus
am able to say that I believe is not a functional way to
assess teaching skills) does not make you competent,
particularly with regards to working with special education
students or students who do not fit into a cookie cutter
world of learning. As both an educator of students with a
variety of learning disabilities and as a parent of two small
children I can safely say that I would not be comfortable
with you teaching my children if your attitude towards my
friends dilemma is as I interpreted it to be…my hope is that
you are not a teacher in my children’s school district. My
requirement of a fantastic teacher is to be able to teach
compassion, understanding and appreciation of others, as well
as, required material with a variety of methods that suit
each individual child, regardless of their abilities…to treat
them equally and put forth your best effort to relay the
information in the most effective manner. I believe my
friend does this…much of his success I think, is because of
his disability…he is able to understand the needs of his
students and think outside the box. These tests do not
assess how one teaches…. There is no doubt that he will pass
these tests eventually. And I do believe that if the teachers
that I had when I was in elementary, middle, and high school,
many years ago, were asked to take this test, they too may
have much difficulty passing. Congratulations to you for
passing your mtel…may you teach all children to their
specific needs, be patient, and understanding, and not judge
them for learning in different ways…. My apologies if I
misread your response.
