Week 4: Cases

This was a neat case that illustrated the butterflies felt by new teachers any time they try something new. A teacher-in-training, or a university teacher, did a science activity with young children and realized how easy it is to lose their focus. Luckily the seasoned teacher, who, in fairness, knows the students best, swooped in and got the students under control for a meaningful discussion.

Wow, that case sounded like it was going to have a happy ending then turned into teachers pitting against each other. 

A science teacher desperate for supplies figures out alternate funding methods. She shares these methods with another teacher and the science program is starting to blossom! Then, other teachers ask to borrow the new equipment to because they also want to do fun science activities with their students. Unfortunately, they do not return them in their original condition. The teacher is so concerned with preserving her equipment, she no longer lends it out to her colleagues. Now there is tension among teachers. What can be done? 

A kindergarten teacher decides to 'go rogue' by teaching about spiders while her fellow teachers stick to the plan. The students enjoy this activity in a variety of different ways and she feels very rewarded. She is a little off track but still wants to try to keep it going by incorporating it into already planned activities. (I thought this was a funny image to incorporate spiders, teaching and teachers who are not quite on track.)