I've been avoiding writing this because its so controversial. But avoiding problems is not the way to fix them. So I'm just going to try and process while I type. So I'm going to start with the national news first.
Chicago city schools: I've never even been to Chicago but after working in a New York City Public School building I think I have a good idea of what it's like for Chicago teachers. I understand that there are bad teachers, but I don't think they all started out that way. I think everyone who goes into teaching has a desire to help. They care about the future and want to do their part to shape the future. But somewhere in feeling unappreciated by some parents, some administrators, and some students paired with the stress of testing and being judged on student performance, you loose sight of your passion that brought you to the classroom in the first place. I think about some of those teachers that work in Chicago schools might seem irrational. I bet that there are a lot of those teachers could really use a break. If I had kept teaching, I don't think I would be in the best mental health to be the best teacher I could be. Teaching tougher populations of students is even more challenging and exhausting. Those Chicago teachers have a really hard job, and I bet there are a lot that ran out of steam a long time ago.
So teacher unions... I think we have lost what we should be fighting for. The places I see teacher unions struggle with compromise are teacher evaluations, pay for performance, and teacher tenure. My local suburban school district gives teachers tenure after two years, yes, two years... I can't even believe it's so short. In two years of teaching it is almost impossible to identify good teaching and once you have a tenured teacher they will be there forever. Certain teachers aren't cut out for teaching in certain populations. Sometimes it's just not a good fit. I truly believe teachers must find a school that they fit. They are a huge contributing factor to the community both of the school and of the neighborhood. If teachers receive tenure after only two years they get stuck, many times in places they don't want to be. There is nothing worse than miserable teachers. As a teacher, I don't want to work with bad teachers. I don't want to get kids in the 6th grade who struggle to read, or add. I want my profession to draw great, talented people and keep them. I want teachers to be observed more often and supported by others though observations to better their instruction. It shouldn't matter when or how many times a person comes into your classroom. There should be an element of team with administration and teachers. I believe the statement: Great teachers open their doors of their classrooms to anyone and everyone that wants to see.
On the flip side...
Let me give an example of what happens to teachers without teacher unions. Imagine making $28,000 a year, having student load debt, and no supplemental funds provided to further your education. You have no pension so you do your best to save for retirement. But after time, as your earn seniority, your salary increases, right? Sorry but no. Surprise! the economy goes down the tubes and a salary freeze will be placed on teacher wages indefinitely. Five years later, your base salary is still the same. You've worked to receive their national boards, and your masters degree out of your own pocket in order to see increases in your salary. Imagine getting a job as an administrator in the building only to still be on your teacher salary. There are millions of great teachers out there wanting learn more pushing themselves and working to make their classroom a better place. We have to help them. We have to support them.
Why is it so hard to find middle ground? Why does it always have to be such extremes?
Why can't we work for balance?
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