Missouri State Teachers Association

Merit Pay: Eagle County, Colorado

     The age-old debate over merit pay for teachers continues through the 2008 presidential election.  Because it is a hot topic for the education community, comments made by the candidates spark new articles.  Take a look at this one posted on the NPR website.  The commentary by teachers (one who appreciates the concept, and one who doesn't) is especially poignant.  It demonstrates why there is such controversy over merit pay.

     What concerned me from the article was the idea that master teachers in this Colorado school district spend less time with students than novices.  What seemed more promising, though, was the idea that the entire faculty of a building could be rewarded for exemplary performance - rather than pitting teacher against teacher for the extra dough.  Thoughts?

HSM: Too Much for Tots?

     I just read this article from Teacher Magazine online.  Parents are concerned their very young children are being negatively influenced by Disney's "High School Musical."  What?!

     Since when is a toddler in control of the television or purchasing decisions?  If he or she has an older sibling who is a fan, I understand the introduction to this film and its music.  However, parenting has to come into play if adults are concerned the subject matter is too advanced for a three-year-old. . .

Student Blogging Precedent?

     A Connecticut student's blog entry was deemed to have potential repercussions at school, therefore a court upheld an administrator's disciplinary measures against her.  This brings up the age-old debate over whether or not students' off-campus behaviors can be controlled by school officials.  Does anyone want to weigh in?  Read more here.

$740,000 Severance Package for Superintendent

     Spring is always a gloomy time for me when I hear of inequitable pay increases for administrators.  I learned that in one school district in my field area, teachers got a 2 or 3 percent increase this year while administrators averaged a 10% boost.  Let's tie administrator and teacher salaries!

     But this article about a superintendent in New Jersey brightened my mood.  At least I haven't heard about anything this atrocious in Missouri!  Upon leaving her post as superintendent, Barbara Trzeskowski will be given nearly three quarters of a million dollars. . .  and this ain't corporate America, baby!  I wouldn't want to be the one to ask New Jersey taxpayers for more education funding. . .

Teachers and Social Networking - Again

     Several months ago, I saw two "investigative reports" on one or more local news stations regarding teachers and their MySpace or Facebook pages.  In a nutshell, teachers ambushed on parking lots after school were shown copies of their profiles and asked why content and pictures inappropriate for student viewing were posted for the public.  In some cases, the teacher was unaware the material was available to any and all. . .

     Educators have long been held to higher standards of behavior than parents and other community members.  I suppose this now extends to activity logged on social networking sites.  My advice still stands with members in my field area of the Missouri State Teachers Association:  don't go there!  MSTA Director of Development and Public Relations Todd Fuller is quoted in an article in the Washington Post about the matter.  (You may have to register in order to view the piece.)  I was able to access it without registering by linking through this blog.

     So what's the verdict?  Should social networking be off limits to educators?

3rd Graders Plot Against Teacher

     You just have to watch the video for this story!

Just a note during MAP testing. . .

     Think you have it rough during MAP testing?  Science teachers in a Texas middle school were threatened with their lives if scores did not meet the expectations of their principal.  After he vowed to kill them, the principal said, "You don't know how ruthless I can be."

     I never felt this kind of pressure or stress when I was in the classroom, but I imagine it is getting worse every year. . .

An extra $10,000......to retire?

In this article from USA Today, an anti-union lawyer is looking for the worst teachers in the country to give $10,000 to to retire.  To get the moolah, teachers would have to submit to being profiled on a website with stories of the issues that forced them to retire.  What do you think of this idea?

TEP Pays Teachers $125,000+ Per Year

     In September 2009, a charter school in New York City will open with a refreshing philosophy; pay master teachers, and they will come.  Correlating quality educators with high student achievement, The Equity Project has designed a program of rigorous qualifications, redefined expectations, and revolutionary compensation.  Teachers will earn $125,000 per year with potential bonuses that may amount to as much as $25,000.  Read more here.

Missouri Teachers and Social Networking

     Missouri Representative Jane Cunningham is sponsoring a bill that would, in part, ban teachers from sharing password privileged profiles with students they've taught within the past two years.  No penalties for doing so are outlined in the proposed legislation, however.

     My experience as a field service coordinator for MSTA compels me to caution members about using social media as a form of communication with students and parents.  The technology is too new to know the full range of pitfalls that may result from on-line conversations.  In fact, I am still taking calls from teachers who have had email tone misinterpreted by students and parents, and email has been around "forever," relative to this technology.

     Take a look at this article.  Opinions are welcome!