There has been quite a bit of criticism over the past few years of the "churn" in principals, teachers, support staff etc.People seem to be divided over whether or not that is a good thing for our students or not.
Before I say anything else, institutional memory is essential in any organization and even more important in our schools because of the connection to the communities they serve. What does that mean? Removing teachers just because they've been here for a long time is unacceptable. There's no need to bring in new young teachers just because you are getting pushback from veterans. There shouldn't be a negative relationship between novice and veteran teachers, but circumstances on the political side of education have created one at some campuses.
A teacher in a classroom is better than a sub that sits and looks at them all day. Permanent subs that can't teach content are going to produce kids that didn't learn content. Teachers leave, leaders are moved, students shift from campus to campus, but that's how businesses work sometimes. That said, very few successful companies change their entire staff from year to year. I know no examples of a successful business that changes leadership every year.
So then why? Why the churn? Businesses do remove employees that refuse to follow the proven methods of the company. The problem is, for many teachers, the methods haven't been proven by the people who implimented them. The people making the decisions aren't people with an intimate knowledge of the schools they serve (in some cases). Churn without proof or guidance isn't fair. Is it having a positive impact? Many would say no. Does that justify leaving every teacher alone? No. Accountability isn't something that should enrage everyone. The extra paperwork drives me nuts, but I don't mind oversight. What I do have a problem with is being told what to do by someone who I feel doesn't know what they are talking about, refuses to show me what they want me to do, and is disrespectful to me on top of that. I'm not saying that's my AP or Principal, that's just a general dislike and some teachers believe that applies to the superintendent.
Before I say anything else, institutional memory is essential in any organization and even more important in our schools because of the connection to the communities they serve. What does that mean? Removing teachers just because they've been here for a long time is unacceptable. There's no need to bring in new young teachers just because you are getting pushback from veterans. There shouldn't be a negative relationship between novice and veteran teachers, but circumstances on the political side of education have created one at some campuses.
A teacher in a classroom is better than a sub that sits and looks at them all day. Permanent subs that can't teach content are going to produce kids that didn't learn content. Teachers leave, leaders are moved, students shift from campus to campus, but that's how businesses work sometimes. That said, very few successful companies change their entire staff from year to year. I know no examples of a successful business that changes leadership every year.
So then why? Why the churn? Businesses do remove employees that refuse to follow the proven methods of the company. The problem is, for many teachers, the methods haven't been proven by the people who implimented them. The people making the decisions aren't people with an intimate knowledge of the schools they serve (in some cases). Churn without proof or guidance isn't fair. Is it having a positive impact? Many would say no. Does that justify leaving every teacher alone? No. Accountability isn't something that should enrage everyone. The extra paperwork drives me nuts, but I don't mind oversight. What I do have a problem with is being told what to do by someone who I feel doesn't know what they are talking about, refuses to show me what they want me to do, and is disrespectful to me on top of that. I'm not saying that's my AP or Principal, that's just a general dislike and some teachers believe that applies to the superintendent.
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