Lesson

I will be doing a Social Studies lesson on community helpers for my final project.  :).....I visited the public library today and they didn't have the books I needed for my community helpers lesson so I've decided to go with farm animals instead.  :)

You can view my video at: http://youtu.be/w1C5GztmESU

Enjoy! :)     

100%

Should teachers be paid based on student performance?

Should teachers be paid based on student performance?

                There’s a verse that says, “Money is the root of all evil”, which fits perfectly for this blog,  if districts begin to compensate teachers for producing better test scores and grades, I think students will begin to look like dollar signs instead of individuals.  Some teachers would lose their initial desire and passion that led them to their career in the first place to earn a couple extra thousand dollars.  In an economy where financial stress is being felt by all people of different socio-economic status’ I think some educators would be yearning for that compensation that they would stop at nothing to make it possible.  Teachers who would want to earn that extra money without actually being an effective teacher would probably find other ways in receiving cash.  Some would probably approach the school secretary and request that higher level thinking and more advanced students be placed in his/her class.  Others might even alter test scores like a school district in Atlanta, Georgia did a few years ago. 

Teacher Unions & Tenure

Teacher Unions & Tenure

I strongly believe that there needs to be reform on the requirements to become tenure.  Working at an elementary school I have seen educators whose hearts are not in their career, and are anxiously waiting for their 3 year review to become tenure.  Once they pass the probationary period and become tenure, they feel they can slack off on their lesson planning because they are “untouchable” due to their new status. 

Before awarding a teacher with tenure I think administrators need to carefully examine the progress students have made in that classroom.  The teacher should also provide evidence proving how they reached their goal.  Teachers typically get evaluated twice a year so increasing this number would also be beneficial.  The last suggestion I would make is having a principal “drop in” unannounced to see if there is good lesson planning and proper class management.