I know I’ve discussed the existential crisis I am having as a “junior” faculty member. Funny how I’m 33 years old and am referred to as a junior. Whatever. In any case, I view what occurred at the SOS March this past weekend and I reflect on the teaching I did in a charter school for a month, then I question myself and my priorities when thinking about “education research.” Should I have been writing more articles rather than teaching for the last month? What’s better for my career? Probably the former, right?
I pick on AERA because I’ve been there three times, each time more worthless than the last. I spend money to go all that way, to fairly expensive cities, only to spend my 8 to 10 minutes presenting to an audience of ten or so. I see and hear the same conversations over and over again. You spend the time with the same people you saw at other organizations. Why? Well, the entire thing is broken up into these interest groups. You rarely consort with those outside your small sub-group, unless you’re a big name or something. You end up seeing them again at a conference devoted to your sub-discipline, and the cycle continues.
I’d love to start a new twitter feed, or perhaps open something up in the comments here: What has #AERA done for you lately? AERA? #Whatsthepoint? I don’t know. Any ideas? Any thoughts?
All of the “heavy hitters” from AERA, NCTM, ATE, NCSS, NARST, NCTE, IRA, etc. should take 6 months off from conducting “research” and spend some time hitting the education reformers. Or, be prepared to see the end of your special kingdoms in “research.” If public education falls all of these professional organizations disappear.
Well put, I’m sure you understand my “crisis.” I hope we’re still on for sometime tomorrow.