tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32806324.post1003019479091915253..comments2023-11-05T04:42:17.900-07:00Comments on Nomad: Feminism and the Education SystemScience Teacher Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16579558647324072199noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32806324.post-9627006643144951232012-12-10T09:27:15.486-07:002012-12-10T09:27:15.486-07:00Thanks for the link. I've got to run now but w...Thanks for the link. I've got to run now but will check it out later (it is long). I think the thing that is interesting about the Finnish system that has been touted in the US a lot lately, is that Finland:<br /><br />* is relatively small<br />* has an incredibly low poverty rate<br />* is totally fine with a much more socialistic government than ours<br />* pays a parent to stay home with their children when they are young, or provides excellent child care<br />* has a more reasonable standard of what defines good living than the Americans do<br /><br />Our social structure won't allow us to entirely apply Finnish principles here. Their teachers still aren't paid very much, though they are well-respected. Their classes aren't much smaller than American classes. <br /><br />When you have a major political party stand up on national television and deride other politicians for being "too intellectual" and accusing teachers of being lousy and just being out for more money . . . we have a CULTURE problem.Science Teacher Mommyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16579558647324072199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32806324.post-32141227568853090622012-12-10T07:52:56.927-07:002012-12-10T07:52:56.927-07:00Have you been reading the slew of recent articles ...Have you been reading the slew of recent articles about Finland's education system? (This is a good example of one of those articles: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/people-places/Why-Are-Finlands-Schools-Successful.html)<br /><br />I'm sure there are negatives to a system like this, but it sure sounds a heck of a lot better than what we've got.Melaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03338949204492816733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32806324.post-30526642775437490732012-12-09T23:05:14.827-07:002012-12-09T23:05:14.827-07:00I agree. One problem with the funding issue is tha...I agree. One problem with the funding issue is that it has a tendency to perpetuate the problem--male teachers are more likely to be the primary income providers for their family, yet in many states (like mine), you can't provide for a family on the income paid to teachers. So, men either don't choose teaching as a profession or they quickly move into administration. You have schools like the one my children attend where every member of the staff is female, except the principal. They are all great educators but I would love to see a female principal and more male teachers. <br /><br />I work in libraries and many of the same issues come into play. Again, the money is all in administration. Cultural stereotypes also come into play--does 'librarian' make you think man or woman? People assume the job is 'easy' and 'fun', not something that requires a lot of training, flexibility, creative thinking, and so on. Just because librarians and teachers give people warm fuzzy feelings doesn't mean that they don't have real jobs that deserve real pay. FoxyJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17950095008611661757noreply@blogger.com