Fatheree Participates in International Summit on Teaching (w/AUDIO)

Ever wonder what your work counterparts in other nations feel about your profession, whether they have the same knowledge or instruction you've had, and the future of your industry?

Effingham High School teacher Joe Fatheree had that opportunity. During the final week in March, Fatheree took part in the Fifth Annual International Summit on Teaching. The summit took place in Banff, Alberta, Canada. Attendees included US Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. Six teachers were invited along, Fatheree among them as a past Illinois Teacher of the Year and a recipient of NEA's National Award for Teaching Excellence.

Fatheree said the event was an idea-sharing event, and no one was pushing a particular agenda. He said he appreciated Duncan being in attendance, as he could interact with teachers on how best to educate.

Fatheree heard from representative of other nations that are lessening, rather than increasing, the amount of testing, a different situation than in the US. The increased time to be in the classroom for instruction is also leading to innovation. He also felt it interesting than in one Scandinavian country, there is a mandate to increase play time for students, rather than piling on more and more requirements.

As an educator, Fatheree said he was intrigued that in many nations, teachers are looked upon as "heroes", not what you often see here in the States.

As to the future, Fatheree said US teachers who attended the summit are writing a "white paper" to be used as a basis for the 2016 International Summit, to be held in Berlin. He also mentioned that a domestic summit is in the works for 2016. Another major push will be early childhood education for all, along with a sharing of ideas regarding career and technical education, so that everyone has the same opportunities.

Here's our conversation with Joe Fatheree...