Thanks. And tenure entails being more difficult to remove? I assume that means a teacher could be fired for any reason prior to tenure, then after tenure it must be with cause or something to that effect? I know it's something that gets debated constantly, but I'm curious exactly what the mechanisms are.

 

A nontenured teacher can be fired without cause at the end of his/her contract. A tenured teacher has earned the right to a legal hearing if the district/administration wishes to not renew his/her contract. It is more difficult to remove a tenured teacher because administration has to collect evidence that the teacher is not preforming his/her job, but if the said teacher is not doing the job, they can be fired.

There are lots of issues with our schools and educational system that can be hotly debated in this thread. Teacher unions, merit pay, standardized tests, discipline, tenure, teaching credentials.......and the list goes on. I would say that issues and financial pressure such as these are not just in the teaching profession, but many others as well. Ever talk with other public sector employees such as police, fire, military, etc??

 

My last comment goes to the last line in the linked article which says he's doing it all for $37,000 a years after 14 years of experience.....I checked the salary schedule in our local school district and a 14 year teacher salary here is a little over $52,000

A nontenured teacher can be fired without cause at the end of his/her contract. A tenured teacher has earned the right to a legal hearing if the district/administration wishes to not renew his/her contract. It is more difficult to remove a tenured teacher because administration has to collect evidence that the teacher is not preforming his/her job, but if the said teacher is not doing the job, they can be fired.

 

Thanks. Are there any specific criteria that constitute dismissal? How is it in practice?

The only reason I would ever consider teaching is to coach. And if it hasn't been made possible already, I could see a scenario in the future where it isn't required to teach to coach.

 

Thats possible now...KY allows para-professionals to coach...meaning you do NOT have to be a teacher in the school system. Each district can have their own policy as to that, and I believe many disctricts require their coaches to also teach. However, it is allowed.

Frankly, the teaching profession is not for everyone, just like sales for some, nursing for others. I have been in the education field for 37 years in some capacity, as a teacher, administrator, and consultant. I do not regret it and would do it again in a heartbeat. My passion was helping kids and building those relationships wih kids that become adults and last a lifetime. Sure I ran into kids that didn't want to be helped, parents that could never be satisfied, colleagues that were in the wrong profession, and dealt with rules and policies I didn't always agree with. However, the vast majority of the students, parents, and colleagues with whom I intereacted were great. I don't know of any profession where it is perfect. we have four children, two are teachers, two in other professions and they all made the right choice. I would never discourage any one wanting to go into the profession if they have that passion. If you are looking for a profession that pays well enough to live a nice lifestyle, if you can manage your resources, rewards you in many ways, and does make a difference in some kids' lives teaching is good for you. Teaching can be and is tough, but the rewards outweigh it.

I think that is more a product of local governments. I would assume in inner-city schools and rural, poor areas, the struggle is to pass the kids, teach to a number. There is a separate set of issues with upper middle class and above school systems. Parental involvement makes some things stressful.

Pensions are a terrible reason to get into any profession. Inevitably, they will go away. They are unsustainable. Pensions used to make up for poor pay. Teachers pay, while not great, is fine. Like any job, it increases with experience. Unlike most jobs, their pay never really tops out for doing the same job. Rare is it that a teacher is capped, unlike in the private sector.

 

Rarely in the private sector is having to continue your education a requirement. Of course that requirement, to obtain your Masters is not in every state but it is almost unheard of in the private sector.

The only reason I would ever consider teaching is to coach. And if it hasn't been made possible already, I could see a scenario in the future where it isn't required to teach to coach.

 

I do not teach....

Agree with the comments above.

 

A couple of things caught me in the article.

 

Tenure? For high school or primary teachers? Did not know that that existed. Why tenure? It is a function that no other profession really has and it is used in colleges to supposedly provide more freedom to proven professors.

 

The concern of non-teachers becoming teachers without having to get a teaching degree was interesting. If I have a masters of mathematics and a school needs math teachers at the high school level why would this not be encouraged? To teach at the high school level where the subject matter is critical more important than 'development' of students why is this such heartburn to him?

 

You can be hired as a teacher without having a teaching degree as long as you have your Bachelors. To do this you enter into the MAT program. This program means that while you teach you also pursue a Master of Arts in Teaching degree. The whole purpose of this program is to allow adults, who have a degree and want to change careers to become a teacher.

Rarely in the private sector is having to continue your education a requirement. Of course that requirement, to obtain your Masters is not in every state but it is almost unheard of in the private sector.

 

Agreed and foolish. It, like an MBA, is only as valuable as the one who holds it, no more no less.

Agree with the comments above.

 

A couple of things caught me in the article.

 

Tenure? For high school or primary teachers? Did not know that that existed. Why tenure? It is a function that no other profession really has and it is used in colleges to supposedly provide more freedom to proven professors.

 

The concern of non-teachers becoming teachers without having to get a teaching degree was interesting. If I have a masters of mathematics and a school needs math teachers at the high school level why would this not be encouraged? To teach at the high school level where the subject matter is critical more important than 'development' of students why is this such heartburn to him?

 

Having a masters degree in a subject and being able to teach it are two vastly different things.

Having a masters degree in a subject and being able to teach it are two vastly different things.

 

Very fair point. The again, every person holding a teacher's certificate is not necessarily able to teach either.

Very fair point. The again, every person holding a teacher's certificate is not necessarily able to teach either.

 

It also comes down to those who evaluate the person becoming a teacher, to determine whether they are fit for the profession. The same goes for the school administration who are charged with evaluating and observing teachers each year.

Frankly, the teaching profession is not for everyone, just like sales for some, nursing for others. I have been in the education field for 37 years in some capacity, as a teacher, administrator, and consultant. I do not regret it and would do it again in a heartbeat. My passion was helping kids and building those relationships wih kids that become adults and last a lifetime. Sure I ran into kids that didn't want to be helped, parents that could never be satisfied, colleagues that were in the wrong profession, and dealt with rules and policies I didn't always agree with. However, the vast majority of the students, parents, and colleagues with whom I intereacted were great. I don't know of any profession where it is perfect. we have four children, two are teachers, two in other professions and they all made the right choice. I would never discourage any one wanting to go into the profession if they have that passion. If you are looking for a profession that pays well enough to live a nice lifestyle, if you can manage your resources, rewards you in many ways, and does make a difference in some kids' lives teaching is good for you. Teaching can be and is tough, but the rewards outweigh it.

 

That was very enjoyable to read. I'm glad to know that there are some educators still out there that enjoy teaching. I have a sister and a brother who are both retired teachers. Not every day was a picnic, but they both loved being teachers.

It also comes down to those who evaluate the person becoming a teacher, to determine whether they are fit for the profession. The same goes for the school administration who are charged with evaluating and observing teachers each year.

 

Another very fair point.

Very fair point. The again, every person holding a teacher's certificate is not necessarily able to teach either.

 

True and I find it strange that we do not require college professors to take any education courses. They are trained in a subject but not in teaching methods.