May 2005

Better Diversity and Quality Teachers

Reg Weaver
President, NEA

May 3rd is National Teacher Day -- a day to honor America's classroom teachers.

When it comes to expectations, we have high ones for America's public school teachers.  We want them to help students to learn to read and write and understand math and science.  We want them to help students learn to think, analyze and create.  We want them to model and teach values such as hard work, respect and responsibility.

We want teachers to care.  We want them to see our child as an individual, and we want them to tailor instruction to how our children best learn.

America's public school teachers rise to the occasion in all of those areas.  But when it comes to investing our hopes and dreams into what teachers do, we should also be willing to invest in enhancing the teaching profession.  Compensation is part of it.  Salary, health care and retirement ought to be set at levels that truly attract and keep quality people in jobs that are physically, intellectually and emotionally challenging. 

We should also invest in the kinds of efforts that make a difference, such as better preparation programs, good mentoring programs and quality professional development.  And we should treat teachers as professionals, not just test prep coaches, as is increasingly the case with the so-called No Child Left Behind Act.

At the same time that we address teacher quality and the role of teachers in the classroom, we should also work to enhance the diversity of the teaching profession.  A more diverse teaching force advances significant educational goals -- preparing students for the workplace they will encounter, making sure students of both genders and all racial and ethnic backgrounds are taught by people they can identify with, and making sure every school has a ready resource for understanding cultural distinctions and how they affect learning styles.

If you can read this, thank a teacher.  And if you want to help improve America's schools, give teachers the thanks and support they deserve.