Teachers Could Learn from "Spider-Man"

In catching up on a few rather neglected e-mails through the week, the following article was included in today's NEA Morning Update -

http://ideas.time.com/2011/10/20/blame-game-lets-talk-honestly-about-bad-teachers/

As I finished reading the blurb from the article within the NEA Morning Update, I was curious where this article led, so I continued on to the Time website to read the article, in it's entirety.  Within the article, the author brings up a valid point - when one brings up the issue of teacher ineffectiveness they open the door to criticism, and "invite the charge of 'teacher-bashing.'"

I will be the first to say, you can't blame teachers for everything.  I am not far removed from the classroom, and to say that the only driving force behind a quality education for a child is the teacher, is very narrow and limited point of view.  There are lots of different reasons why a child fails to perform in the classroom - home/family issues, psychological issues, medical issues, etc... and the effectiveness of the teacher is only one of many reasons that can be used to explain the underlying reasons why a child does not learn at the same rate of his/her peers.

However, while good, effective, quality teaching may not be the only driving force, it is inarguably the most important.  But the question remains, why are bad teachers not called into question?

If teachers worked in the corporate world, and they were ineffective in their job function, you had better believe that they would be called out, even if by no one other than their peers.  Their pay would be adversely affected based on their yearly performance evaluation, and they would run the risk of losing their job, regardless of how many years of experience they had.  There is a huge push to view the teaching field as a profession, and while I do not argue with this movement, I do think that it brings to light an old "rule of thumb" that has been neglected by many for some time - you must think, speak, and overtly portray the way in which you wish to be perceived and treated.  Hence, the view of teachers as professionals means teachers must now behave and practice in that manner, professionally, and they should be held accountable for higher, more rigorous standards within the workplace!

"With great power, there must also come great responsibility" (Stan Lee, The first Spider-Man story).  Teachers are some of the most powerful people in the life of a child (or even an adult student).  They are the driving force behind the development of tomorrow's leaders!  With that power, there is a HUGE responsibility to be assumed by any one filling the role of "teacher" - a responsibility that should never be taken lightly, nor should the lack of acceptance be overlooked.