NETS for CBET Teachers

Since I am currently a teacher coordinator for CBET teachers, teachers who teach English as a Second Language to parents of children in K12 schools, I tried to keep my teachers in mind while reading the teacher NETS. As I was reading I quickly began to wonder how I can help my teachers integrate these standards into the work they are already doing trying to get the parents up to speed on the language and cultural differences that are found in their child's school here in the U.S. as compared to the schools in their home countries.

CBET Teachers teach parents in a classroom or library or even cafeteria in the K12 school. The parents drop their kids off and come to the CBET class. This is perfect for the teachers to be part of the K12 school community so that they can learn what the children are learning and help the parents tutor their children. Their job is a big job because they not only have to teach the English Language and all the complicated grammar and pronunciation that teaching ESL involves- they also have to teach the US school system and of the complications that involves. After reading the tech standards I though- and now they have to be thinking how to teach technology to these imiigrant and refugee parents to they can become more integrated in their child's school and in the society ans technogolgy is becoming more central in both places.

CBET Teachers often do not have access to many different types of technology found in K12 classrooms. However, there are still ways in which they can apply the teacher technology standards.
1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity:
CBET Teachers are constantly providing opportunities to allow the parents to set learning goals and to display their creativity.

2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments
CBET teachers do not have access to computors of other digital devises that they can use with their students. They do have access to technology that they can create matierials outside of the classroom.

3. Model Digital-Age Work and Learning
Again, most likely the teachers will not have access to computers or other digital technology in their classroom, but they can teach the vocabulary and make the students aware of what is out there.

4. Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility:
Teachers can teach the English language needed to understand technology safty. They can find out what types of technology the families have at home and teach ways that the parents can monitor the children's use in healthy ways.

5. Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership
It is possible for the CBET teachers to be part of Technology circles that the Adult school provides. They are also provided with opportunities to attend state of the art conferences that do have components about incorporating technology.

It seems that in order for these standards to become a reality, schools and programs need a lot more funding to provide the technology so that the teachers can make it available to the students.