Leading the Profession

My internal clock continues to awaken me at this time of morning, and I began to wonder what a blogger is supposed to do?  I was immediately drawn to the Winter 2012 version of NEA Today sitting on my little portable desk, and this organization's three point plan for leading educational reform.  The agenda focuses on educators taking the lead in their organizations, and improving student learning through teacher leadership with the following: 1) raising entry level standards for teachers, 2) new career paths for teachers, and 3) union leadership.

Under the plan, novice level teachers would work with a mentor teacher in a residency type of format.  They would receive a $25,000 stipend for living expenses during their one year of this candidacy, and complete a three year commitment to teaching.  These candidates would be further required to pass a Teacher Performance Assessment for entry into the profession.

The second rung of the plan centers on developing the career options for teachers with varying responsibilities and compensations for Novice, Professional, and Master level educators.  In this manner, beginning level teachers receive time to develop their teaching skills before taking on students who are difficult to serve, and teacher compensation for their services would be based on their educational experiences.  Evaluation of the process occurs through Peer Assistance and Peer Assistance Review across a three year period of teacher quality review.

Through union leadership, the third level of the plan, challenges to the status quo occur as teachers are trained to take on leadership roles within their school systems. This role change involves teachers in the decision making process by allowing them to improve instruction, the curriculum, and school performance as educational leaders.  One of the key elements of this change is having union leaders and school administrators working together as advocates for education instead of adversaries.

Looks like educators are needing to determine where we go from here.