No, I don't feel that recruiting teachers
from other areas such as business or
industry is the best route for our noble
profession. Our system has been trying
this "with a passion" the last few years.
This practice has had no positive impact on
test scores, negatively effects staff
morale, and belittles the profession of
education.

I personally feel the concept of lateral
entry promotes the idea that "anybody" can
be a teacher. Teaching is a calling, not
just another job. Not everyone can do it
effectively. Those employed via lateral
entry in our system seem to have more
discipline problems on a daily basis. Time
spent on handling discipline is time taken
away from teaching and learning.

A better solution to the teacher shortage
would be to make the profession more
appealing. Incentives are nice, but
assistance in the actual classroom is the
better key to keeping qualified teachers.
Fewer meetings, fewer extra assignments
such as morning duty, and less of the "more
with less money" talk would increase
morale. So would a periodic showing of
thanks rather than statements such as "You
will do it...Welcome to the world of
education." AND "Teaching is not a 9 - 5
job. Deal with it." These attitudes do not
hold a positive connotation.

This is a "soapbox" topic for certain.

Kay D.
12/31/01

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