Future of BEST program

Join Teachers.Net

Chatboards

Recent Groups

CT Teachers

MEMBERS

3 Members

+ Join Group

Pinned Posts

ALLAll Teachers

Teachers.Net LIVE CHAT Support group - Tues eve!

Featured Jobs

Full-timeMontessori Teacher

Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada

TemporaryTeachers, rural schools

Peace River North School District

Full-timeHead Teacher: 2nd/3rd Grades – Mills College Children’s School

Mills College

Teaching Jobs on Teachers.Net

Featured Job special only $39!

https://teachers.net/jobs

Become a Teachers.Net sponsor!

Connecticut Teachers Chatboard

Future of BEST program

by David B.

May 19, 2008

/blockquote>

Does anyone know the future of the BEST program? I am
going to get my CT teaching cert this year and have heard
that the BEST program may be re-designed or eliminated. I
heard that video taping of class room instruction has been
eliminated from the program. From talking to several
teachers who have gone through the BEST program, none have
had anything positive to say about it!

Comment

(4)

report post

Greg /blockquote>

The BEST process has positives and negatives. I didn't meet
the requirement last year and had to do it over this year.
On the plus side, you end up planning some great lessons
that you are sure to use over again in the future. It also
makes you think about why you are teaching what you are
teaching. As a...See More

May 30, 2008

report post

David B. /blockquote>

Greg,

Thanks for your input. I have heard numerous similar
comments where no matter how good a teacher you are, the
reviewers feel it is their mission to "improve you", making it
very taxing, and therefore your current classes (for which you
are being paid) suffer. Most teachers who I have spoken to...See More

May 31, 2008

report post

Greg /blockquote>

David,

I am a career changer. I spent 17 years in Sales and decided to
use my impeccable Math skills and 20 years as a Youth Minister
and combine them into something that would give me a sense of
accomplishment. I have been teaching for 5 years (under a DSAP
for the better part of 3) and I have love...See More

Jun 2, 2008

report post

Milie On 6/02/08, Greg wrote: > David, > > I am a career changer. I spent 17 years in Sales and decided to > use my impeccable Math skills and 20 years as a Youth Minister > and combine them into something that would give me a sense of > accomplishment. I have been teaching for 5 years (under a DSAP > for the better part of 3) and I ...See MoreOn 6/02/08, Greg wrote: > David, > > I am a career changer. I spent 17 years in Sales and decided to > use my impeccable Math skills and 20 years as a Youth Minister > and combine them into something that would give me a sense of > accomplishment. I have been teaching for 5 years (under a DSAP > for the better part of 3) and I have loved every minute of it. > > The BEST program, from what I hear, will shift to a more hands- > on/mentor/observation type program. Hopefully, I will never have > to worry about it again - but we'll see. > > 11 days left - but who's counting? :) > > On 5/31/08, David B. wrote: >> >> Greg, >> >> Thanks for your input. I have heard numerous similar >> comments where no matter how good a teacher you are, the >> reviewers feel it is their mission to "improve you", making it >> very taxing, and therefore your current classes (for which you >> are being paid) suffer. Most teachers who I have spoken to >> agree some sort of program is good, but it does not have to be >> so rigorous and stressful. After all, look what all of us >> teachers have gone through just to get to do what we are > doing! >> >> I understand the BEST program is undergoing significant >> changes. I am wondering if anyone knows what those changes may >> be. I am hoping it will be better to address the concerns I >> have heard. >> >> David. >> >> >> >> On 5/30/08, Greg wrote: >>> The BEST process has positives and negatives. I didn't meet >>> the requirement last year and had to do it over this year. >>> On the plus side, you end up planning some great lessons >>> that you are sure to use over again in the future. It also >>> makes you think about why you are teaching what you are >>> teaching. As a Math teacher, I was able to come up with >>> some great answers for the question "when am I ever going to >>> use this in life?" However, the entire portfolio process is >>> very taxing. I found that I dedicated more energy to my >>> chosen class and was exhausted so my other classes suffered. >>> Both years, I ended up with serious stomach problems >>> (gastroenteritis last year and something less serious this >>> year.) The stress is unbelievable. You need to be super >>> organized and really on your game throughout the whole >>> program. >>> >>> I know that I am a good teacher. I don't feel that I need >>> someone who is making $75 per portfolio over the summer to >>> critique my methods and style. >>> >>> I will say that I am a better teacher because of the >>> program, I just think that it is too subjective. >>> >>> On 5/19/08, David B. wrote: >>>> Does anyone know the future of the BEST program? I am >>>> going to get my CT teaching cert this year and have heard >>>> that the BEST program may be re-designed or eliminated. I >>>> heard that video taping of class room instruction has been >>>> eliminated from the program. From talking to several >>>> teachers who have gone through the BEST program, none have >>>> had anything positive to say about it!

Dec 3, 2008

report post