A Day Without a Teacher

Let me close the brief discussion concerning the teacher shortage with this. To each parent of a son/daughter, how would you feel if your child/children attended school and the Administration had to drop a couple of courses and/or an entire curriculum in a content area that your son/daughter really wanted to take?

I'm serious, what would your reaction be? How do you suppose your child would feel about being denied an opportunity they relish?

And to those who would offer the lame excuse that "they can sign up for another program," I say that's nonsense and it's our responsibility to see to it that no child is denied opportunities for success. Put another way, as adults it's incumbent upon us that we don't allow education to be diminished in any way.

We all need to jump into the fray with regard to making sure all of our schools have the teachers our students need and deserve.

Dick

You Can Help

I often hear people say, as they throw up their hands, "but what can I do about it?" Okay, a fair question. So I have an answer for you. When it comes to finding a way or ways for us to add our voice to the cause of adding to our ranks of teachers I'd like to ask those of you so moved to write a letter to the leader of our professional teaching organizations.

The address of the AFT: The American Federation of Teachers, President Randi Weingarten, American Federation of Teachers, 555 New Jersey Ave., N.W., Washington, DC 20001. The address of the National Education Association is: President Lily Eskelsen Garcia, National Education Association, 1201 16th St., NW, Washington, DC 20036-3290

Please let me know if you are able to shoot off a letter and any response to you receive.

Thanks,
Dick

Teacher Openings

I thought I'd add some numbers to the dire situation relative to the need for teachers going forward. The U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has estimated that there will be plenty of job openings for PK-12 teachers between 2014 and 2024. A staggering 1,053,000 openings are in the offing. Yes, that's right, over 1,000,000 teachers will be needed.

This isn't merely about teacher training, getting students interested in pursuing a career working with young people and helping to shape their direction in life. Not having the necessary and highly qualified people in the classroom will surely send a jolt to the very fabric of American society; culture, entertainment, the economy and more.

The problem is here right now and Americans better wake up and get off their asses and do something about it!!

Dick

Want Ad - Calling All Teachers

Yesteday I brought attention to the fact that America's classrooms are going without teachers. It doesn't matter if it's the suburbs, rural locations or the inner cities...there is a teacher shortage in the US. Bringing young people into the fold, retaining them and making sure that all programs are fully staffed is a must for public education.

Too often it takes a crisis or problem to come into full view before we take any action. Well, the time is now because the teacher shortage in America is real.

It is high time that teachers in the classroom encourage young people to carry on the mantle of teaching. It is incumbent upon the IEA, AFT and NEA to provide funding in the form of grants to high schools so that secondary teachers can implement Introduction to Teaching courses that put high school students in the elementary and middle schools. And it ought to be a priority for the Department of Education to take up the cause of fighting to stop the shortage.

Dick

Me Panic...Well, Yes

Not to worry everyone. All is well on the front to recruit, retain and keep teachers in the field of public education. Well, panic, at least for me has set in. Hyperbole - I'll let you judge for yourselves so in the meantime I'll present some non-fake information.

I've talked about the crisis in rural schools...shrinking population, too few dollars and a dwindling supply of teachers. That loss of teachers goes for public schools in suburban areas as well as in the inner cities. A number of states are loosening their standards or licensing requirements out of necessity - there are simply too few people in the classrooms. High schools in particular are finding it harder and harder to find good candidates for teaching our children.

As the above takes place, schools are simply not filling slots and are allowing the so called 'electives' to die a slow death.

And this limited supply of teaching professionals is just as bad for schools who are searching for competent substitute teachers. Thousands of substitute teacher slots go unfilled every single day, day in and day out. I'll let you venture a guess as to what gets done in the classroom when that occurs.

Universities across America are finding fewer high school graduates desiring to enter the profession. Some universities are shuttering their education curriculum altogether.

As a former teacher, I have to say that such a trend portends some serious thinking and action to address these problems. So, yes I see a reason for panic.

Dick

Heath Insurance, Children and Education

It's a known fact that a healthy, well nourished child will have a better chance for success when they head to school each day. The importance of this truth can't be overstated nor should the fact that without the CHIP program (already not renewed for 9,000,000 kids) and the ACA we are putting too many students at further risk.

In some respects CHIP and the ACA are just as critical for s,tudents as pens, notebooks, cleats, a school uniform or crayons. Nothing could be more important for that child than be healthy and able to write, play that instrument, read or run up and down the soccer field.

For the sake of students I hope that we can agree that a healthy child benefits all.

Dick

Students Stepping Up

As conditions continue to be abysmal on the ground in many parts of Puerto Rico a group of Hinsdale Central High School are eager to do their part to try to bring some tangible support to some of the island's children. The Central students have formed a group called Campaign for Classrooms (C4C).

In the past couple of years C4C has helped to rebuild schools in Uganda, Nepal and Honduras. Schools Count will partner with C4C to help get a school back on its feet in Guayama, Puerto Rico. This just so happens to be the very location where Hurricane Irma came ashore on September 21st.

C4C will raise funds for Marcela Cora Garcia Elementary to get up and running to full speed. Over the next couple of days we will provide everyone with more information about the situation in Guayama going forward. As of this morning communications, the existence of clean water and many other life essentials continues to be sparse.

So, hats off to the members of C4C for their willingness to do something to bring aid and comfort to the students at MCG Elementary!

Dick