Teacher Preparationby Valerie Nelson | More from this Blogger 28 Jul 2006 12:01 PM One would think that in the selection process for teachers, ability to breathe should not be the most difficult criteria on the list. Please do not go berserk and think that I am beginning to bash teachers, because I am not. I am however curious as to why there are not more stringent requirements and testing, such as with doctors and lawyers for teachers? Yes there is the certification process that thanks to the NCLB law is now required for all public school teachers-but still not all teachers. I propose that there should be more required of a person, than is currently mandated, that will have within their power the potential to shape the minds of an entire generation. Teachers should have to go through an intensive education program that helps to match their skills and abilities to real life in the classroom setting. There should be an intensive residency type program, similar to what Doctors must go through, for new teachers that gives more direction than the current "Student Teacher" positions. This residency type program will help to give teachers the real life skills that they need to successfully instruct our nation's youth. I believe this type of intensive program will help to increase the desire of high school grads, and young college students to become teachers. Which leads me to a question. Why isn't it true in our society that the teaching schools are filled and have years long waitlists to get into the profession? Why aren't people in our power mad society driven to become teachers? Really-having a captive audience of 30 children for seven hours a day, and 180 or so days per year sounds like the perfect job for most type A personalities. So why isn't teaching the first job choice for so many people? Because it is a thankless profession, filled with teachers who have to deal with children whose own parents do not want to parent them. Teachers are underpaid, but I do not think that is the main reason that 50% of teachers quit the profession after only three years. I believe it has more to do with lack of preparation and continuing professional development. Teachers, in general, are wonderful people deserving of our respect and the very best resources to be successful in their jobs. Learn more about Valerie Nelson  Valerie is a Families.com blogger, freelance writer and small business owner. Valerie helps non-profit organizations with fundraising through grant development for their programs and projects. Relevanteducation tags User Comments  Valorie Delp (49340) 28 Jul 2006 05:32 PMOne reason teachers don't have an intensive program like you mentioned is because the turn over rate is too quick. Districts lose teachers more quickly than they could train them. Furthermore, the harder the area is to work in, the more thankless the job gets and the harder it is to keep good teachers. The school across the street pays about $40,000 to start fresh out of college. It is an inner-city, understaffed, SURS school. If that same teacher is willing to commute just 15 min. to a nicer neighborhood with better conditions, she can make $60,000--it's unfortunate.  Kay M. (300) 29 Jul 2006 09:25 AMAs a former elementary teacher I feel compelled to comment on your article. While some think it is a "thankless" profession I tend to disagree. When I would see the "aha" moment as I taught children basic skills I felt completely rewarded for what I was doing on a daily basis. My income never compensated me for my work though, you are right about that!! As for the comments from Valerie--Wow! I would like to know what state she is from. Our teachers here in Kansas make 26k right out of school and if they are extremely lucky they might be able to find a school that pays closer to 30k a year. For this amount, the teacher is expected to: teach a full classroom, make lessons and special plans for disruptive or special students, recess duty, join at least two after school comitee's, attend meetings, keep grades in a grade book and on computer, correspond with parents, and much more. Many people think teachers have the summer off. What they do not understand is that over the summer we have to organize for the next year, continue our education by taking and completing courses and have our lesson plans ready to turn in to the principal by two weeks before school starts. Indeed, I quit after only a few years. Not because I burned out. I quit because I became sick. I hope to be blogging about all this very soon.  Valerie Nelson (1149) 29 Jul 2006 11:20 AMThanks for your comments Valorie and Kaye. The average teacher salary in my state is $56,000. Yes there is a difference in someone with ten years of experience and new teachers out of college. I have read arguments that new teachers should be able to reach higher salary levels in a shorter amount of time in order to keep teachers in the profession longer. You are right Valorie-up to 50% of new teachers leave the profession within three years. I think the compensation for teachers has rightfully been gradually increasing over the past five to ten years, but so are the demands and of course the higher level of required qualifications. Valorie Delp (49340) 29 Jul 2006 05:11 PMWhere I am, the teachers are expected to do all that Kay mentioned. In addition to not really having summers off, you don't really work 8-3 (or whatever school hours are). Good teachers work much more than 40 hours per week. To answer your question Kay, I live in New York City. I would contend that the cost of living here is significantly higher and therefore, I can promise $40,000 doesn't stretch far. A one bedroom apartment in the "cheap" section of Manhattan may rent for $1200-$1800. Community Tags children, college, education, professional, teacher Discuss this article
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