My Analysis On “Bill and Melinda Gates on Teacher Evaluation”
26 March 2012
As a previous high school teacher and administrator in the California (High) School System, I applaud what Bill and Melinda Gates are doing in an effort to improve our educators and the education system.
Before I retired a few years ago, I was appalled to see new teachers being hired without much more than a BachelorâÂÂs degree. The idea was that these young teachers were to be âÂÂmentoredâ by their fellow teachers while at the same time completing graduate work towards their teaching and education credentials.
In theory and in an ideal setting this may work but in a large school system, all teachers are struggling to stay on top of their studentâÂÂs needs with little support and very few dollars for educational materials and technology. These teachers who have been assigned as the âÂÂmentorsâ barely have enough hours in the day to get their own work finished and have little time to dedicate to guidance of a colleague.
I still have nightmares about the school district for which I worked 30 years, wondering what will become of the students and staff. The lack of support is not from administrators but from community, parents and a state whoâÂÂs priorities are clearly not with the education of their young people.
Thanks you, Bill and Melinda Gates for your willingness to fight.