When I got home today, I was met by my husband who let me know of another job requirement that got piled onto him today. My hubby is a special ed teacher; has been for 15 years. About 5 years ago, he was told that since he teacher specific subjects at the high school level, he had to be "Highly Qualified" in every subject that he teaches. That would be: math, science, history, government, economics, and occasionally english. His credential, which covered him to teach all these subjects when he received it, no longer covers these subjects at the secondary level. It's about 40-50 hours of work to become HQ in each subject area. So far, he's completed the requirements for math, science, and history. He still needs to finish the other 3.
Then a couple years ago, the requirement came down that all teachers had to be CLAD-certified (meaning they have to be certified to teach English Language Learners). This was a new requirement and any teacher who doesn't meet it by the deadline this year stands to lose their tenure. Of course, it was a semester-long class, with a certification exam at the end. All of which cost a whole lot of money.
Now, he has to be certified to teach autistic kids, even though he teaches students with emotional disturbance. This new requirement comes with 180 hours of classes. And although the district is offering the classes at a reduced rate, it's 4 modules at $500 each. Plus the certification exam.
Does he get any compensation for all these additional certifications that he has received? He's certainly upped his skill-set. He heads the premier program in our county. Does any of this count for squat? Nope. Because his credential is a mild/moderate instead of a severe, it's expected that he has to be certified for autistic spectrum disorders, too.
This is in addition to his usual district requirements for staff development and the mentoring program that he participates in (he's the mentor teacher).
Teachers have one of the most thankless jobs. And they get crapped on more than almost any other profession. To all those out there who think that the problem with education in this country lies with uneducated teachers, I scoff at you. Every year they up the requirements, and every year millions of teachers meet those requirements at their own expense and with no expectation of additional compensation.
In my mind, it's time that people took a good hard look at where the responsibility for education lies. First and foremost with the parents. My children do well in school. Why? Not because they're getting a better education than anyone else. Because their parents take the time every night to go over homework, talk about what's going on in their classes, and have raised them with the expectation that they will do well in school. That's the expectation, not the hope. And we stand behind it. IMO, the education crisis is a by-product of the economic crisis. So many parents work outside the home that there's no time left for the kids to receive that attention they so need. From their parents. And the guidance that should begin at home. I view the school as a supplemental teacher. Yes, the schools have an obligation to teach my children their ABCs etc. But it's MY obligation to ensure that my kids are learning it and to follow up and help where necessary. Even when it means that I'm dog tired because I worked an 11 or 12 hour day and then came home to an hour or two more of homework help. For each child. Because that's my responsibility. And it has been since my first child began preschool. OK, since he was born.
Don't blame the teachers. Blame the economic conditions that force all parents outside the home. That make us neglect our kids' needs, both emotional and academic. That make the job of keeping a roof over our heads more important than the job of parenting. Blame the culture in our country that releases everyone from any obligation. It's always someone else's fault when bad things happen to us. Right? We'll blame our bad childhoods, or our boss, or the mailman.
Teachers work their asses off. It's time somebody appreciated the amount of effort that they put in each and every day instead of blaming them for all the woes of the next generation, and their inability to concentrate on anything other than their social networks or their latest text message, or the latest video game. And believe me, I have a teenager. I know this is his primary concern, too.
As we approach the holidays, let your child's teacher know that you appreciate the work they put in. Even if they're mean, or pile on the work, or your kid doesn't like them. They are working hard, increasing their skills and knowledge every day, month, year as the government piles more and more onto them. Is it any wonder that we are losing excellent teachers? I know I wouldn't want to put in all those hours of learning on top of my regular learning hours, that then isn't compensated. I'd quit my job, too.
Support your teachers, and don't place the weight of the world's problems on their shoulders. Put some of it onto your own.
(originally posted at my personal blog 12/14/2009, unlinked intentionally)
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