Changes for Teachers, Changes for Students
The debate for schools is growing across the state, finally making its way to the capital this week. The question: Should tenured teachers maintain secure jobs during school layoffs, even if the teacher’s effectiveness within the classroom may be a little “off”? This is a major topic spanning schools, not only now, but in the last few years. Newly licensed teachers are entering into a field that is so heavily grandfathered to experienced teachers that they oftentimes cannot even land a job right out of college.
Republican politicians are working to pass a law within the state that would lift this protection to tenured teachers and allow for new teachers to gain jobs in this highly competitive economy. In terms of student benefits, this movement would be critical. Components such as technology would be much more highly utilized (rather than repeated assignments and presentations that utilize overhead projectors or outdated sources). In addition, newly introduced and mainstreamed teaching strategies would become more commonly used in the classroom, hopefully aiding in student success and learning.
In my opinion, passing this legislation is essential for preservice teachers coming out of college. If we want a job (which I assume all of us do), this law will open the doorways we need to get into districts. Instead of holding a job temporarily or for a typical sketchy one year term, we would be given the chance to teach for a significant time period without being stifled by a “more experienced” teacher. While I understand that tenured teachers appreciate tenure for their own job security, it is a cycle. If a teacher is not open to change, revision, and improvement, then should they be given the privilege to continue to teach new generations growing up in a completely different world? Gone are the days of chalkboards, overheads, and following teacher manuals. Time to get creative.
