Growing our own teachers and principals in a time of shortage
Information and Facts
National data show that the United States will need to hire two million teachers over the next decade. As the first "baby boomers" get ready to retire, certain urban and rural areas have shortages of good teachers and principals. To master the basics and to reach their potential, students need teachers who are highly qualified. Teachers should be able to demonstrate that they know the subject they teach and that they have the skills to help their diverse student body reach challenging academic standards. Teachers need ongoing professional development to learn about proven and effective classroom practices and teaching strategies, and new teachers need mentors for support and guidance. No longer solely administrators, principals must be instructional leaders, setting high expectations and high standards so that every teacher can be a school leader and every child an achieving student. Would-be principals and superintendents as well as teachers need to be recruited, encouraged, prepared and supported.
Two million teachers will be needed in the next decade to serve the growing enrollment of students and to fill a record number of vacancies as the first "baby boomers" begin to retire.
Too often in America we let beginning teachers "sink or swim" without giving them critically needed support during their initial years.
New teachers say that one area they most need help in is reaching out and working with families. But family involvement is an area often overlooked in colleges of education.
| Ideas for and Examples of Events and Partnerships |
Many cities across the country, including New York City and Memphis, Tennessee, invite community and business leaders to visit area schools as a "principal for a day." Visitors learn about the school program and the hard work and dedication of the school staff. Participating schools report that greater community support results from this experience because by putting themselves in the principals' shoes, community and business leaders can become informed advocates for the schools.
National Teacher Certification. The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards has developed a national, voluntary system to assess and certify teachers who meet high and rigorous standards for what accomplished teachers should know and be able to do. Teachers undergo a rigorous assessment process that includes developing a portfolio demonstrating their teaching skills. For more information, visit www.nbpts.org.
Start a teacher cadet club at a middle or high school. When helping students think about their career options, schools and communities can make a concerted effort to encourage middle and high school students to consider the teaching profession. Colleges and universities can play an important part in this event by sending representatives to talk about what is necessary to become a teacher--what classes to take in middle and high school and what is required of college students. Many schools have student teachers or interns in the classroom during the course of a school year, and these college students can make a big impression on their students. Ask them to talk to their students about their decision to become a teacher, what teaching requires, and what they are learning through their classroom experience.
Teacher Cadet Program. Through a partnership of colleges and public schools, high schools throughout South Carolina have started teacher cadet programs. Students learn about the profession of teaching through hands-on projects and by working as student teachers. Thousands of students have gone through the program and many of them have become new teachers in South Carolina's schools.
Launch a tutoring program in which older students teach younger students. When older students work with younger students, not only do the younger students benefit academically, but the older students benefit as well. The teaching experience helps them gain confidence in their own knowledge and abilities, and when they begin to think of themselves as teachers, they gain greater respect for their own teachers and may even consider the teaching profession for themselves.
School Reform Networks. Schools around the country have come together to work towards school improvement. For more information about the National Association of Elementary School Principals Basic School Network, visit www.naesp.org, or information about the National Association of Secondary School Principals National Alliance of High Schools, visit www.principals.org.
Resources to Help
The following publications are available free of charge from the U.S. Department of Education by calling 1-877-4ED-PUBS or on the Internet at www.ed.gov.
The following publications are available by calling the National Library of Education at 1-800-424-1616.
