On Wed, 02 Mar 2005 08:30:25 -0600, toto
wrote:

It seems to me that these fields are also quite specialized. I don't
think a generalist teacher can teach math the way a specialized one
will either. I do think, however, that the teachers should be teamed
so that they can integrate the learning to an extent. That includes
the music and art teachers, btw.

I could not agree more. However, one should look at the level of
specialisation required for each grade/level to do a job to meet
reasonable expectations. I've seen non-specialists teaching math and
science at the high school level. The problem there is that people
don't miss what they don't see, and if little Johnny is getting 94%,
that's good enough for aspiring parents. The job get done, but the
insight might have been [I'd rather say would have been] a lot deeper
when presented by someone who really can see a bit deeper into the
study themselves, having a wider experience and knowledge-base. I've
not seen too many non-specialists trying to teach music though.
Again, that will depend on grade/level. Much can be done with kazoo
and triangle, but when it comes to teaching each instrument in a
junior orchestra, I'd step way back, even though I have training in
classical piano, and would hope that others would have the wisdom to
do the same. Really competent music teachers are not fully
appreciated for the most part. In as much as there are some who
specialise in other areas and who are competent with one or more
instruments, it needs the one with specialist training to put it all
together ...and to be able to teach it. As you suggest, that is true
in any subject area. If I want to learn how to make cedar strip
canoes, I want to learn from someone who does it all day every day,
and who loves doing it.