Teachers as Executives

In today’s classroom the executive teaching style is still the most widely used. Many of my teachers have used this approach. They stand at the front of the room and lecture. There are readings from the textbook. Tests are taken at regular intervals. Papers are assigned, graded, and returned. Memorization is important, critical thinking may, or may not be a part of the everyday classroom. The assembly line of students continues year in and year out.

This is not to say that this style doesn’t have benefits. In fact, part of why it is so popular is because it is an effective method of conveying information to students. Another benefit is that students are used to this type of teacher. By the time they reach high school, they are comfortable with the structure of an executive style teacher.

Now, if only we could pay our teachers on par with executives who manage 150 employees daily. And who deal with consumers and upper management constantly pressuring them to perform at higher and higher levels.