By: Martha

Martha — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 03:28:15 +0000

I completely agree with the statement, “as a system, we need to do better.” It is unrealistic to think that this can happen when teachers are not given the appropriate respect and materials from their superiors to make it happen. The CEO, principals, assistant principals, IST, and whoever else fits into a leadership role overwhelm teachers day after day by making demands, shouting orders, and dictating how we run our classrooms. The fact is that even if their ideas are good and have the potential to be successful, they never will until the teachers get what we need from them to ensure success. We need support not harrassment. We need training not dictatorship. We need protection not investigation. We need our authority enforced not undermined. We need encouragement not disrespect. We need leaders we can trust. No school runs without teachers. Principals are the number one reason why so many Baltimore City teachers are quitting. We talk about giving the children what they need and we should because that is why we are here. But how can teachers give something we don’t have? If teachers are always anxious and nervous because administration is treating us like criminals who need to be reprimanded instead of educators who can make a positive difference, how can we be expected to succeed or produce valuable citizens?

Comments on: As a system, we need to do better

By: Martha