Teachers should turn over every three years.

[castleview]

That's what someone said to my husband yesterday. I'm not sure what his rationale was except saving money. DH told him that "you really want experienced teachers in there too" then proceeded to tell him that he was a teacher. The guy sort of backtracked and said that teachers should have another job before teaching. DH told "I used to be an engineer." The guy quieted down.

I wish he asked him to insert other professions into his first claim like "Doctors should turn over every three years" or "Auto mechanics should turn over every three years." Why do some people think the way they do?

 

[luvmy3]

That's what someone said to my husband yesterday. I'm not sure what his rationale was except saving money. DH told him that "you really want experienced teachers in there too" then proceeded to tell him that he was a teacher. The guy sort of backtracked and said that teachers should have another job before teaching. DH told "I used to be an engineer." The guy quieted down.

I wish he asked him to insert other professions into his first claim like "Doctors should turn over every three years" or "Auto mechanics should turn over every three years." Why do some people think the way they do?

I can't imagine why anyone would think that was a good idea

Does this person have any kids in school?

 

[Hoodie]

That's crazy! I don't support tenure, but why would anyone think that experience isn't a benefit?

Although I do like the idea of requiring a different job before teaching. The best teachers I've had had "previous lives" outside of teaching.

 

[castleview]

I can't imagine why anyone would think that was a good idea

Does this person have any kids in school?

Yes - they are lined up with my kids. He's actually a really nice guy who helps out at tons of school events. I don't know why he thinks that way. They do have different opinions than us - i.e. he won't let his kids do the science fair because "he and his wife" don't have time and why should they go up against kids whose parents are "doing" the project for the kids - I don't deny that happens but that's not stopping my kids from participating.

 

[luvmy3]

Yes - they are lined up with my kids. He's actually a really nice guy who helps out at tons of school events. I don't know why he thinks that way. They do have different opinions than us - i.e. he won't let his kids do the science fair because "he and his wife" don't have time and why should they go up against kids whose parents are "doing" the project for the kids - I don't deny that happens but that's not stopping my kids from participating.

I'm surprised, I was thinking it was someone who didn't have kids in the school and was bitter about having to pay taxes every year
I just don't get the rationale, I could see where maybe someone would want teachers to brush up on things every so often with the way the school distrcits keep changing their programs, but to actually just have new teachers come in every few years, thats just crazy.

 

[cteddiesgirl]

My reply to "teachers should turn over every three years" would be: Why? Are they burning?

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

I'm surprised, I was thinking it was someone who didn't have kids in the school and was bitter about having to pay taxes every year
I just don't get the rationale, I could see where maybe someone would want teachers to brush up on things every so often with the way the school distrcits keep changing their programs, but to actually just have new teachers come in every few years, thats just crazy.

I don't know about the state the OP is in, but in our state there is a requirement for continuing education to maintain your certification, and most districts have separate requirements as well. We had professional development as a school once a week, and then every grade level or department had montly professional development.

 

[punkin]

That's weird. I would think you'd want a mix with new teachers for excitement and new ideas and old teachers for knowledge and experience.

 

[luvmy3]

I don't know about the state the OP is in, but in our state there is a requirement for continuing education to maintain your certification, and most districts have separate requirements as well. We had professional development as a school once a week, and then every grade level or department had montly professional development.

You know I'm not quite sure about here.
Our district is always introducing a new program every couple years and the teachers aren't very happy about it because they have to change what they feel worked in the class. I was thinking more of a helpful course on the new materials rather then them having to learn on the fly so to speak with their students every few years. I know our district doesn't do this, but sometimes they will try it out in 1 class before introducing it to the rest of the grade the following year.

 

[Planogirl]

And what does that guy expect teachers to do after three years? Teaching is a profession not a three year sentence.

Weird...

 

[Wishing on a star]

Wow....
Any blanket statement like this guy made is just

 

[nuttylawprofessor]

Up until recently, his sentiment was the popular view of skills professors in law school. If you wanted to teach a skills class like writing or trial ad, you couldn't be on the tenure track, and you were capped at 3, 1-year contracts. Thankfully things are changing. It takes 2-3 years to get your feet solidly under you in the classroom!

 

[MinnieFlute]

I teach junior high band. I just finished my third year and (don't tell anyone) but there are parts of the job that still completely baffle and confuse me. I can't imagine this is as good as I'm going to get! I can't imagine being done already.

Methinks the dude your DH was speaking to was talking from his rear end.

 

[castleview]

Up until recently, his sentiment was the popular view of skills professors in law school. If you wanted to teach a skills class like writing or trial ad, you couldn't be on the tenure track, and you were capped at 3, 1-year contracts. Thankfully things are changing. It takes 2-3 years to get your feet solidly under you in the classroom!

That's what DH told him. It takes a while to become a good teacher...assuming they all make it through the first year. Up here, teachers are constantly getting CEUs and professional development and are require to eventually have Master's Degrees. But I guess many people don't see it as a profession but as a "sentence" as Planogirl brilliant said.

 

[daisyyy]

I don't think teachers should become too comfortable with their job, and teach it the same way they taught it to our parents.. (some of our teachers were teachers when I was a kid)... but that being said... I think they need to be re-freshed... and maybe tested and recertified every so often.. maybe every 10 years... there are other professions that should apply to as well... doctors... lawyers.. etc.

 

[castleview]

...and teach it the same way they taught it to our parents.. (some of our teachers were teachers when I was a kid).

I hear most of your post. The above makes sense too, but I think we're always trying to reinvent the wheel teaching certain concepts when that's not necessary. For example, teaching whole language in place of phonics was a disaster for many kids' ability to spell. Fortunately, it was the older teachers who knew better and ignored/modified that demand.

 

[taylor3297]

In every state where I have taught or have known people who teach, all teachers are required to get recertification every 5 years and during those 5 years take classes/staff development in order to qualify for recertification. The only exception has been for national board certified teachers who have to recertify every 10 years.

 

[eliza61]

That's what someone said to my husband yesterday. I'm not sure what his rationale was except saving money. DH told him that "you really want experienced teachers in there too" then proceeded to tell him that he was a teacher. The guy sort of backtracked and said that teachers should have another job before teaching. DH told "I used to be an engineer." The guy quieted down.

I wish he asked him to insert other professions into his first claim like "Doctors should turn over every three years" or "Auto mechanics should turn over every three years." Why do some people think the way they do?

But it probably would not save alot of money. Ask HR managers the cost involved with advertising, hiring and training new employees. It's not cheap by any stretch of the imagination. That's why so many places go out of their way to retain good people.

 

[MinnieFlute]

I don't think teachers should become too comfortable with their job, and teach it the same way they taught it to our parents.. (some of our teachers were teachers when I was a kid)... but that being said... I think they need to be re-freshed... and maybe tested and recertified every so often.. maybe every 10 years... there are other professions that should apply to as well... doctors... lawyers.. etc.

I'm going to agree and disagree. I remember having some teachers that were obviously miserable and complacent and needed to retire. As a teacher, I've SEEN it, too.

But I can tell you that the stinking certification test is not proof of being a good or bad teacher. My college required a qualifying test before taking the actual exam, and I have a friend who took it several times before passing it. And guess what? He is a FANTASTIC teacher. Taking that stupid (yes, I said it) certification test every few years would prove nothing except you can take a test.

Now, we are also evaluated in the classroom every couple of years, and really, THAT is what is going to keep us accountable. We re-sign contracts every year. If a teacher isn't doing his/her job, they're put on a growth plan and possibly not offered a contract the following year. I really think that THIS is where you're going to keep teachers accountable - by looking in the classroom and doing it often.

We also have to get a certain number of continuing education hours to maintain our certification. I also don't believe in tenure for teachers. I've seen what that does to some college teachers, and I think it is a miserable idea. While I'm at it, I also have mixed feelings about performance bonuses (I know no one asked) for standardized tests, because core teachers have to teach too much to that stinking test anyway. That could also be jealousy talking since I am an elective teacher and thus would never be eligible for one (Maybe they should give me a bonus when I do well at band contests, how about that? lol).

I know things aren't perfect here, but I think Texas does things fairly well.

 

[Disfan3]

Daisyyy

Teachers are required to re-certify every __ years. (Insert number here based on your state.) Not to mention all the CEU's that are required to keep your license. Most teachers in my district have their Masters and a few have their Doctorate degrees...

so honestly...I think teaching is a profession where PD is mandatory...


I think PEOPLE should have to go to PARENTING classes and get a license to have children...