Tenure

I have been retired for five years this summer. I started watching my year old granddaughter the next school year.  We learned to play together. I taught her how to read and work on puzzles. We used a leaf press and did art projects. I think we both had a wonderful time together.

Julia is now in Kindergarten and reads on the 4^th. Grade level. The school has to provide her with special reading material . From time to time she is asked to read chapter books to her class. 

I bought her a microscope for Christmas so we could study Science together. Last week we received our EBay talking globe so we could study the world’s countries together. For her sixth birthday her grandmother and I bought her a Kindle to read from.

I am not bragging but trying to make the point that parents and grandparents educate their children before and after they enroll in school. The teacher helps to guide their learning but the family must put the work in with their children. We must prepare our children for success before they even enter school.

I am writing this today in response to the debate over teacher tenure. I had tenure when I taught. I started with three one year contracts. Over the life of these contracts I was observed twice a year by my Principals and once a month but the County Office. Next I progressed to two three year contracts. During this period I was observed by my supervisors three times a year.

After completing work towards a master’s program I put in for and received my tenure. I was still observed by my supervisors on regular basis. My contract explained to me that tenure only bought me due process and nothing more. I could no longer be fired without a reason that I could challenge.

I still had to perform my duties and follow all the work rules of my contract.  Having tenure just lifted the burden of being let go every year off of my shoulders.

Teachers are often given too much credit for the success of students and too much blame for their failure. The family plays a much bigger role.  My own children would never have come home with bad grades or a note of discipline from school. They knew we would not stand for average work. We picked their classes all through school. We made sure they did their projects. We made sure they studied music. We provided them with activities instead of T.V. I remember when I had the cable co. block MTV from my cable connection.

If you are looking for the reason for failure of our schools you have to put teachers on that list but nowhere near the top. 

School could and should weed out the bad teachers during their first five or six years before tenure is offered. Supervisors and Principals often fail to do their job.

I also know that a teacher’s success rate is tied to the school and area they teach in.  Are there bad teachers?  Yes, are there bad dentists, Yes, are there bad Presidents, Yes, are there bad parents?