UtahBill

I read this in today's Parade magazine, an interview with former Labor Secretary William Brock, that supposedly teachers are "recruited" from the bottom 30% of entering college students....
Who are these recruiters? Where are their offices? What college counselors are seeking out new college students and telling them to become teachers because they are too dumb to do anything else?
The article also says that after we recruit them, and train them, we "assign" them to the toughest jobs in the most challenging schools with very low pay.
Where does this BS come from?
Does anyone here know of a single teacher who was "recruited, trained, and assigned" ?
Last I heard, people in this country are still free to choose for themselves what they will study in college, and what kind of work they will do after graduation.
I think that all the article proves is that even people of Brocks "caliber" are too lazy to research a supposed fact before repeating it.

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Lightdemon

I can't necessarily say that the bottom 30% of college students end up teaching. Nor can I say that they are "recruited, trained, and assigned" at least not all of them.

There are certain programs that kind of do that.

Actually, I'm currently working on my teaching credentials in CA, and there is a program at my school called Teach for America. Which is a type of program that helps students like me get "hands-on experience" by assigning us to jobs that no one wants, such as inner-city districts. There are financial aide incentives, such as paying no interest on student loans for a maximum of 4 years (or something to that effect).

I've been warned by both professors and by students currently participating in those programs. However, that is not to say that these programs aren't any good. In fact, I believe these types of programs are useful for the rare altruistic type teachers. You know, the types that go into teaching because they believe they can make a difference, and that they are going to impact the world in a significant way.

It certainly takes a different kind of person, to be willing to teach at the schools where no one else wants to go. However, it should understood that sometimes students, who are seeking thier credentials, cannot read between the lines, and so they become disillusioned by the whole process. Most likely they would feel betrayed and tricked. I know I would feel that way.

However, not many of my peers actually participate in these programs. Most people in my class are those who are already teaching under emergency-credentials, and they need to get a permanent one. Or they are substituting at a school already, or they are private tutors.

But yea, I've heard of those programs that "recruit, train, and assign" prospective teachers. It's not unheard of, but I don't believe it's that significant where it affects a majority of credential students.

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UtahBill

I would bet that it is a very small percentage of teachers who have been involved in such programs.

jallman

Hehee...being that you are in CA, I find it especially entertaining that you believe that. Once you've spent some time dealing with the other teachers in this state, get back to me with your new perspective. You're a smart guy so I imagine it won't take you long to develop a sense of what you're dealing with.

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Lightdemon

I can't really say for all colleges. I'm not sure if all colleges have those types of programs. I can only say from personal experience, which of course only counts for 1 college that offers this type of program. But I would take that bet as well.

Lightdemon

?

explanation pls?

jallman

Okay so I worked for the CTA for a while when I first moved here. I dealt with their benefits registration system and I would get to see some of their requests for tech support. Here are a couple of gems which I held out for my own continued amusement. I wont put the name of the teacher, but I will put his or her grade taught and the subject. I hope you find them as amusing as I did.

Lightdemon

CTA huh? Can't mess with the big dogs, you know

My favorite was the 9th grade English teacher.
coont

I actually snorted while laughing when I read that.


But hey! We got people like Jerry who can't spell for the life of him, and he's a real smart guy. What's up with that anyway?


The CTA is a good and bad thing in my opinion. Obviously the good thing is the job security that comes with becoming a tenured educator. Which I look forward to when I start teaching. The bad thing is that it's hard to get rid of the bad teachers. What generally happens is that "bad performing" teachers get's moved into other districts, and if thier job is at stake, the CTA steps in and all hell breaks loose.

I know of 3 teachers that I personally do not like. I wish they would have chosen a different career as that would have been better for the students and themselves.

jallman

I was appalled that a teacher thought it was acceptable to use the word **** in an email to her professional organization.

Layla_Z

Once you have signed a contract with a district you are stuck there for the school year, unless you want to pay a penalty. The district can assign you to any place they want. You may have signed on thinking you'd be teaching 3rd grade but there is a little clause in the contract that states they can move you.

Being a teacher I take great offense at the bottom 30% comment. I wasn't in that group and I have great respect for the intelligence of the teachers I work with. I do agree that teachers have a difficult job and that they have very little control over many aspects of that job. In many cases teachers, especially new ones, are put into no win situations. That's why the average new teacher only teaches for 5 years.

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