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Recruiting and retaining quality teachers

Published/Last Modified on Sunday, Feb 03, 2008 - 06:10:54 am MST

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Commentary by John Skarhus
Special to the Herald/Review

Every year, rural school districts like those throughout Cochise County scramble to find teachers and support staff to fill their classrooms.

Math, science and special education teachers are among the most difficult positions to fill. This produces a challenge for our school districts as they contend with recent revisions to Arizona’s graduation requirements.

The state Board of Education added two years of math, a year of social studies and a year of science to the current requirements. Court decisions made earlier this year declaring additional mandates for English language learners will require more English teachers.

Our community here in Southern Arizona is already struggling to find qualified teachers. More mandates on teacher’s time and low compensation will be an obstacle to recruiting and retaining the best professionals for our children’s classrooms.

One step toward helping our schools recruit and retain quality teachers is to invest in a shared future by helping these educators with the costs of college education.

To this end, state Rep. David Schipira, D-Tempe, has introduced legislation that will support new teachers that teach in school districts experiencing teacher shortages. HB2271 was passed by the House Education Committee with a bipartisan vote of 10-0 last week.

Schapira created similar legislation last year for math, science and special needs teachers. He said that he is “proud of the success of the teacher loan forgiveness program. There were 76 applicants from all over the state for the spring semester alone, the program’s first semester of existence. Expanding the program to areas with shortages will contribute to the future success of our state, and this small investment in their personal financial future will yield great returns for years to come.”

One of the greatest obstacles to recruiting and retaining great teachers is the cost of teacher preparation. The community deserves highly qualified, professional teachers to educate its children, but with tuition costs rising faster than inflation — about a 42 percent increase in the past five years — any young professionals cannot afford to teach, especially in rural districts, which have a tough time competing with higher paying urban districts.

Cochise County is a great place to live, but faces significant challenges as it tries to recruit young teachers. I am a Spanish teacher, not the math expert many of my colleagues are, but I understand that combining a $28,000 or lower starting teacher’s salary with a $20,000 average student loan equals a financial conundrum. Many of my friends have been forced to leave the profession because they couldn’t afford to teach and repay student loans. They moved on to find jobs where their skills were valued enough to compensate them adequately.

If we want to recruit quality teachers here, we are going to need some help.

I am dedicated to the success of our students and hope our community will get behind this legislation, this investment in our kids.

In this time when politics can be so divisive, I believe this is something in which we can all come together to support, and I urge everyone to ask their legislators to say yes to this legislation.

For information, ask the Arizona Education Association by visiting the “Contact Us” page at www.arizonaea.org, or visit http://www.arizonaea.org/politics.php to contact your legislator.

JOHN SKARHUS is a board director for the Arizona Education Association and a classroom teacher elected by his peers to represent teachers and education support professionals.

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Help the Legislature wrote on Feb 28, 2008 1:40 PM:

" Over 50% of the AZ state budget goes for education. The State must provide other services with what is left. The budget is based on revenues recieved and not open ended. So instead of harping on the paucity of education funding, why not contact your legislators? Tell them that public safety, highway maintenace, state parks, etc are not important. Cut them and increase education funding. Or you can request the legislature raise the sales and income taxes and impose new taxes ti increase revenues. More taxes equal more money to spend. Your choice. "

Bottom Line.. wrote on Feb 24, 2008 9:31 PM:

" The bottom line is that the system is broke, No Child Left Behind is a joke, the great State of Arizona has left huge shortfalls in funding, my teenager is one of those smart and grateful "ungrateful kids" you're generalizing about, the teachers are underpaid, the fine residents of Tombstone turned down two desperately needed budget overrides just over the past few years, and oh yes, the bottom line is my child will make it through this school system with a bright future. It just takes A LOT more involvement and effort from parents to help them succeed. "

Love the Students wrote on Feb 24, 2008 3:25 PM:

" Not all students are ungrateful. But because of those who are, the others get caught up in the punishment. There are definitely great teachers out there. Those are the ones who are firm yet inspire and treat the students fairly-Thanks You. It is hard being a teacher in this day and age, but recognize the good kids for they make your job easier. Sometimes students who misbehave just need someone to believe in them. Of course good parenting has to be present too and sadly that is not always the case. Love the students and hopefully they will reciprocate. "

Bottom Line To All wrote on Feb 23, 2008 8:12 PM:

" The entire pay system whether it be public or private needs to be updated in Sierra Vista. This is a growing city and will continue to be. I have to laugh at the Classifieds these days. Example - Admin. Asst. to have skills in multi-tasking for accounts payable, reports, all areas of MS Word, Quickbooks, etc. and must be able to work under extreme pressure and deadlines - $10.00 an hour! An ad for school teacher $30,000????? You couldn't pay me enough to teach the ungrateful kids that are in school today! "

jeannie wrote on Feb 23, 2008 5:31 PM:

" to the person who responding to Jeannie. I was responding to the one of the readers, tongue in cheek, who said that teachers had weekends and long summer breaks and federal holidays, as if that is all we work for. I take pride that I spent 32 years teaching. I thought I had retired. But I could not resist a long-term subbing position in an elementary school. What a profession. "

You're Too Funny wrote on Feb 23, 2008 11:22 AM:

" You're just too funny "I've had it", I can certainly see why no one in their right mind would promote you. You have to show potential to get a promotion. I'm surprised they haven't demoted you. Obviously teaching the English language is not your forte. Please give us a clue as to where you teach, a warning sign needs to be posted clearly so all can see. "

Get A Clue!!!!! wrote on Feb 21, 2008 11:04 PM:

" So,you should keep that in mind when you say things like I don't deserve what little benefits I get.Because, the reality is that by choosing teaching as a career and all the money I have to put out of my pocket to support the kids in my room because their parents don't even invest in their own children, I actually loose money.I have actually had to tell my children no to some things in order to buy a pair of shoes or a jacket for a student that was not being properly dressed.But I guess so what, RIGHT? "

Get A Clue!!!!! wrote on Feb 21, 2008 10:59 PM:

" You're right,having a certification doesn't mean that you are good at your job,but it does mean that you have been trained how to teach the information in more than one format in order to be able to help every child and not just a gifted few.And, for the most part, the really bad teachers usually weed themselves out.And I don't teach for the money as I suspect is the same with most teachers.I teach hoping each day to catch just a glimmer of that moment when a child that doesn't get all of a sudden does! "

Another fine comment form Ive had it wrote on Feb 20, 2008 10:15 PM:

" What more can I say, read and weep, if that is a teacher. "

Independent wrote on Feb 20, 2008 6:07 PM:

" Well written and obviously personally felt, John. How else could a community attract and support teachers? Housing comes to mind. "

Sierra VIsta Resident wrote on Feb 20, 2008 9:11 AM:

" All this reminds me of my son's science teacher. I'd just returned from Desert Storm I, and he came home telling me about how bad the military was, how the Patriot System was a failure and such. So I asked, "has he ever been in the military", Oh no was the reply he doesn't believe in it.
Liberal trash like that Sierra Vista science teacher taint all teachers. "

Ive had it wrote on Feb 20, 2008 8:49 AM:

" to LOL:
didnt anyon ever tell you not to judge a book by a cover. teaching engliss is about motivating the brattie kids, not known english. babysitting is what it should be called. i can spell just fine when i put my mind to it. what do they expect to get for they pay they give us. "

LOL wrote on Feb 19, 2008 8:32 PM:

" I loved the post from Ive had it.
They said they were a english teacher.
A? What kind of English are they teaching? They can't spell, can't write, darn good thing that persons salary is frozen. Makes me wonder how in the H, this person has a teaching certificate. "

RLS wrote on Feb 19, 2008 7:30 PM:

" Certifications are all well and good, but having one does not mean the teacher can present the material is such a manner the children understand. Give me a teacher to teach my kids that love what they are doing and care about the making a difference in the child’s life instead of a teacher that has a certification and no enthusiasm. "

Ive had it wrote on Feb 19, 2008 12:32 PM:

" ive ben a english teacher for a long time and stil dont get payed a lot. i wanted to get a promotion but it still hasnt happend. i have ben frozen at my current step. if they want to keep me the have to pay better otherwise im gone. the crap they make you do stinks and why dont the politicians try it if they like to do it with our pay. other teachers feel like me too. "

You chose yoiur careert wrote on Feb 19, 2008 6:55 AM:

" I moved here from Michigan where teaching paid very well and we (teachers) were treated with respect by admin. I no longer teach here as it was like going back in time 30 years or more! The pay...a slap in the face, administration treats you like dirt and there is no end to what they demand from you! If you want quality teahers treat people like the professionals they are. Teachers MUST put in extra hours in an attempt to complete all that is required of them. God Bless them for the thankless job they continue to endure!!!! "

Get A Clue!!!!! wrote on Feb 18, 2008 10:03 PM:

" To Madalyn;all I can say is just make sure you check for certification.Many times the teachers at private schools are not certified.

To the person who thinks I shouldn't complain,all I can say is that people shouldn't criticize.I love my job but don't tell me that I don't deserve the few benefits that I do get when I don't get paid for 75% of the stuff that I do.That is everything from time and effort to materials and supplies.And when I have to spend extra time with the children of others that takes time away from my children! "

Madalyn wrote on Feb 18, 2008 4:05 PM:

" Prior to graduating college with a 3.9 GPA my primary ambition was to become a teacher. However, when I started the internship program I saw how misbehaved the children were and how the teachers had virtually no control I quit and changed majors. Furthermore, I was disgusted when I was forced to teach liberal propaganda and agendas. I so glad I did not become a teacher. My children will all be enrolled in a Christian based private school. "

to jeannie and others wrote on Feb 17, 2008 9:59 AM:

" I stay at home with my kids,volunteer extensively and worked in public schools for 6 years. My husband works in a classroom 6 days a week,works 12 hour days, w/o anyone to cover bathroom breaks, brings work home, gets limited holidays off,and volunteers. He spends months away from home without a day off from work. Do we complain,NO,we chose, appreciate and love our life and do not expect more $ than we were promised.
THANKS to the teachers who love their job and don't whine about the pay. No job is perfect, a good attitude can make a big difference! "

Billy Hill wrote on Feb 16, 2008 9:29 PM:

" Same old argument, point is that more than half of the money goes to non teaching administrators, educrats. Now we have seperate schools for K,1,2 them elementary, Jr High and High School. Four buildings and staffs doing the jobs of two.
That doesn't even mention educrats at the county state and federal levels. "

Sue Kovac wrote on Feb 16, 2008 8:12 AM:

" I am in my 60s and I am thankful for every good teacher I ever had. The good ones taught not only to inform but, more importantly, to inspire their students to evaluate and to think for themselves. Every single one of them spent more hours than they were paid for.

Not every teacher is great and some are not even good, just like people in any field. However, we don't get the full spectrum when we do not pay well. 49th is a travesty, Arizona.

Thank you, Mrs. Delaney and, most recently, Diane Freund "

jeannie wrote on Feb 16, 2008 7:29 AM:

" To 'You chose your career'
Do you get a couple of days off a week as your weekend? Do you get any holidays? Do you get vacation time? Do you take your work home to finish grading, planning? Do you have to wait for someone to cover your class so you can run to the bathroom? Do you get to work an hour early to prepare for the day and leave an hour later because you are contacting parents and doing paperwork for no extra pay? Didn't think so. I love kids. "

gloria grissom wrote on Feb 16, 2008 7:22 AM:

" Dear 'You chose your career"
I taught for 32 years, then retired to being a long-term sub. Guess I still love the profession. Summers are now 8-10 weeks. Teachers take classes in the summer, plan their next school year, and never seem to turn off being a teacher. If children had parents who parented, teaching the child would be so much easier. How about teaching the child "no", reading to them, talking with them, spending real time with them, teaching them to take responsibility for their own actions.
"

RLS wrote on Feb 15, 2008 7:53 PM:

" Education starts and ends at home. Not too many years ago children were held accountable for their homework, grades, and actions. If we got an “F” in a class we got a good old fashion spanking and got grounded. It did not hurt us, in fact I think us middle aged people grew up pretty darn good, all thanks to our parents and school holding us and not the teachers accountable. Parents need to stop fooling themselves in thinking that their child is perfect, never lies, should always win first place, and get an “A”. "

relieved to LEAVE wrote on Feb 15, 2008 2:12 PM:

" I have loved being a teacher for 15 years! I have spent my own money and time on our nation's kids without any remorse. I am so thankful my husband is getting transferred to another state, and I can teach there for $6,000 more per year. Also, my child in school will be in a state where the legislatures have decided to spend approximately $9000 per student instead of $6000. AZ is 49th, and it shows. Good teachers will be happy to move to another state. "

jack wrote on Feb 15, 2008 10:31 AM:

" One solution to low cost but providing the highest quality of instruction would be the use of virtual classrooms either via the internet or satellite.

This would reduce the ever rising costs of physical plants, maintenance, transportation and security as well as reducing local property taxes.

Standardized instruction would be available nationally for each course, recorded and reused as appropriate.

"

RLS wrote on Feb 14, 2008 9:24 PM:

" If you think teachers can only work from 8 am to 3:30 pm for 181 days a year you are sadly mistaken. If you did then you were not very dedicated. I thank God everyday for teachers. If you demand quality and want to fire unmotivated, unfit teachers, can the schools then demand quality from the students and their parents and then should they get rid of unmotivated and unfit students and their parents so the schools can benefit greatly. This would give the teacher free time to manage. "

Get A Clue!!!!! wrote on Feb 14, 2008 9:16 PM:

" And just so you know,many of us spend what little bit of planning time we get working with the lower level students to make sure that they got the material covered that day.We give up our lunch breaks too.And most of us come in early to work with students and stay late to work with students and so on.And we don't get paid exrta for working off the clock on our own time to help students whose parents are not even involved.And just so you know,computer knowledge is part of the curriculum.Not a distraction from teaching! "

Get A Clue!!!!! wrote on Feb 14, 2008 9:06 PM:

" I would really like to see some of you do the job of a teacher just for one day.They get paid salary and they are scheduled hours to work.They shouldn't have to take work home but they do.And by the way,if you have half a brain and you look at how much material they are required to cover in a day and if you figure that each child has a different learning style than you will see that it is relatively impossible to cover that much in one day and some how the manage!!! "

James Moffett Jr. wrote on Feb 14, 2008 6:03 PM:

" There is a huge difference between volunteering and being accountable for 20-25 children and their academic growth. I did choose my career. I chose my career because this is the gift God blessed me with and because I love kids. Our pay is HORRIBLE, and if we want to retain quality teachers we need to compensate them so they can afford to teach. I have taught four years, I teach summer school, tutor and coach two sports and I make a little over $30,000/year. That is not comprable to other occupations. Period. "

Leonidas wrote on Feb 14, 2008 9:49 AM:

" The government has no business whatsoever at any level in education. Privatize the entire sytem and things will improve tremendously. I don't want education majors in the classroom because they have no substantive background whatsoever in the field they end up teaching in. Isn't it interesting that all college level teaching from Freshman to PG level coursework requires ZERO teacher certification. Teacher certification is nothing more than a union enforced monopoly measure to limit the teacher population and get government levies and regulation. Seperate school and state. "

you chose your career wrote on Feb 14, 2008 9:24 AM:

" Starting salary $28,000
Days of school 181 days off 184
$ per day $154.70
Much more than flipping burgers,military, retail,very good for nights, weekends, holidays and summers off.
I spent years in clasrooms,4 states,5 different schools in this district ,working and volunteering. Time management cuts "HOURS" of work, using planning period,support staff and volunteers wisely and organizing a classroom help as well. I respect and understand what a teacher does, but respect is earned not given and quite frankly many teachers have no business in the classroom.Demand quality and fire unmotivated, unfit teachers, the schools will benefit greatly. "

tired wrote on Feb 13, 2008 4:00 PM:

" I mid a midlife career change and switched to teaching high school english... and it really opened my eyes to how poorly teachers are paid, and how much the life gets sucked out of you when you are required to stay past the hours you are paid to teach, and come in on your time off (ie, evenings and weekends). I realized that from all the hours I spent working -- grading papers, preparing lessons, etc. I made less money than I would have flipping burgers. I went back to my original career field. "

concerned wrote on Feb 13, 2008 2:23 PM:

" For: You chose your career comment
You have obviously never spent a day in the classroom as a teacher. As far as your "Can't imagine what other job pays that much for the small amount of time spent working" comment, well that goes to show your lack of knowlege on the subject. You should really concentrate on your area of expertise because you obviously lack the knowledge and experience in this one. "

Teacher wrote on Feb 13, 2008 12:40 PM:

" You don't know what you're talking about. I spend HOURS outside of my classroom, just to be prepared for that time with the students! I did choose my job, but it doesn't justify the lack of value placed on our positions. My students DO NOT grade their own papers, I only work on computers when typing drafts I have taken them through...spend a day or two in my shoes...not only will you learn what this job involves, but you may learn a thing or two about generalizations and pathetic assumptions. "

you chose your career wrote on Feb 13, 2008 6:41 AM:

" Last time I checked teachers chose their career field. They knew how much $ teachers earn going into the job. Teachers get summers, weekends and all holidays off from work. Most teachers are also done with work for the day by 3:30. Can't imagine what other job pays that much for the small amount of time spent working.
Half the time students grade their own papers and complete many lessons using computor programs so I don't buy the whole,I spend hours working after I get home complaint either. "

Teacher wrote on Feb 12, 2008 11:03 AM:

" Sorry...I don't have time to strike! And truly loving my job doesn't always feed my family...they are not one in the same. I fight for what I believe in, I have a backbone..but one fight at a time for me, and right now, I'm fighting to get my students to read, write, and think with more intelligence and maturity. This should not be our sole responsibility! You want us to value our jobs more? Then parents like you need to value us too. No excuses here... "

Parent SV wrote on Feb 11, 2008 9:20 PM:

" I'm all for quality teachers. You mean that's not what we've been doing? If teachers truly love their job why are you complaining. Take it to the board and demand what you deserve. Show the kids that sometimes you have to fight(diplomatically of course) for what you believe in. Some teachers have such a bad attitude and take it out on the kids. If you don't like your job and what it provides for you then CHANGE IT!! Quit making excuses and blaming it on someone else. STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! that is your privelege. "

Teacher wrote on Feb 8, 2008 12:00 PM:

" I am a high school English teacher and I feel the solution is simple. Gvt. officials should be put in charge of any classroom for 5 days, but they must take on the whole job (mentor, teacher, planner, grader, ELL expert, Special Ed. expert, counselor, disciplinarian...it goes on...nobody is just one thing in this business). 5 days, and I bet we'd get the money we deserve! I'm not going to hold my breath though and regardless, I'll keep doing this...because most of us truly do love our jobs, why else would we stick around? "

John wrote on Feb 8, 2008 8:57 AM:

" We need to seriously evaluate how we fund education in this state. We are 1st or 2nd in growth of school-aged kids and near the bottom in regards to per-pupil funding. Along with that needs to be an accountability piece; the public needs to see the work being done in our schools. And to address, Vox Populi (cool moniker by the way), school employees haven't seen a 2% raise for quite a while and I wouldn't expect one any time soon. Many of our teachers take home LESS each year, because of health insurance and other costs. "

teachers wrote on Feb 8, 2008 7:26 AM:

" I do agree with you about teacher's salaries BUT you should start advocating with the State. The state is cutting back tremendously on funding and even the fed govt which is affecting pay scales. After you get done budgeting for the maintaining and operating expenses of a school there is not much leftover. "

Mark wrote on Feb 6, 2008 4:51 PM:

" When you refuse to pay a competitive professional salary, you have no right to complain about the quality you get... you’re lucky to get anyone at all.

What's amazing though, is that despite having to deal with todays kids and being paid not even half of what they should be paid, we have so many good teachers.

If it were up to me no teacher would make less than 60K a year, and one who has been teaching for 30+ years and holds a graduate degree would be making twice that. "

Vox Populi wrote on Feb 5, 2008 3:11 PM:

" No one at any level of government should be getting an increase of over 2.3%. If it's good enough for our seniors it's good enough for everyone. "

Teacher wrote on Feb 4, 2008 5:30 PM:

" My salary was frozen on the same step for many years. The raises are very small. The retirement has increased along with the costs of increased health insurance. Teachers need to be properly compensated and then you will retain and attract qualified teachers. "

Good Luck wrote on Feb 4, 2008 6:54 AM:

" I got out of the field after less than 5 years... Realized the money stays at the top vs with teachers and meeting the needs of students. "

Billy Hill wrote on Feb 3, 2008 9:54 AM:

" Noble Goals, unfortunately any additional funding is soon absorbed by Educrats. They are those creatures that attend meetings, make rules, establish procedures but never actually teach a child. You have children, teachers and then six levels of bureacracy to support. "