A model for teacher development

Randi Weingarten, former president of the United Federation of Teachers, now head of the American Federation of Teachers, recently delivered a speech titled, “Towards a True Development and Evaluation System.” She was being proactive by presenting her own plan in response to recent calls for revamping teacher assessment and tenure.

On my WCBS 880 feature, Eye on Education, I proposed my own model, breaking the process into eight steps. In this week’s column, I will elaborate on those points.

1. Training: Last year we focused on the debate about teacher preparation –– theory- versus practice-based. There is room for both models. More research needs to be done to ensure that teachers enter the profession with the skills needed for success in their first assignment

2. Recruiting: Education is competing with other professions to attract the best and brightest. The starting salary certainly isn’t the draw, but there are intangibles that can be made attractive for those considering teaching. Given the economic downturn, teaching jobs are now in short supply. But not long ago, we faced a serious teacher shortage — which could happen again. A concerted effort to draw top-notch candidates into education needs to be made.

3. Hiring: I could devote several columns to the steps that should be taken in filling teaching positions to ensure that the best candidates are selected without favoritism. Resume reviews, writing samples, screening interviews, in-depth interviews, demonstration lessons, field visits and reference checks are among the steps. Determining who should be included at each checkpoint merits discussion: administrators, teachers, central office staff, support staff, parents and students. If these steps are followed, the best candidates will be selected.

4. In-service training: During a hospital visit, I noticed several flyers posted in the elevator. These were in-service training opportunities for doctors, nurses, technicians and aides. A professional’s training never stops. I talked about pre-service training in step No. 1; however, in-service training should be provided to all educators on an on-going basis to keep them current.