Black teachers: How to recruit them and make them stay
Lessons in higher education: What California can learn
Keeping California public university options open
Superintendents: Well-paid and walking away
The debt to degree connection
College in prison: How earning a degree can lead to a new life
I was finishing up this commentary when I read the CNN story “I’m hanging by a thread: Why some teachers are quitting.”
Did any California legislators read this? In the Age of Covid, are they going to come up with more effective ways to find and keep teachers, or are they just going to continue fiddling by postponing testing mandates? Is the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing offering suggestions or are they just enforcers?
Let me tell you my story: I have taught off and on for 11 years. Right now, I teach special education English at a Los Angeles Unified high school in a low-income area with many English learners. This is my sixth year there, and I enjoy it.
In June 2022, my preliminary credential will expire, and I no longer have any plans to “clear” my credential through a mandatory two-year training course called Induction, because it would be on top of a full load of teaching. Induction programs can vary, but, in theory, they are supposed to provide support and mentoring for new teachers. Instead, they end up being a lot of unhelpful busywork.
I already tried and gave up. Twice. It entailed too many hours on Zoom, shooting videos of my classes for peer evaluation, and a lot of analysis matching teaching goals to standards. My colleagues in Induction were dropping like flies because they found they desperately needed that time in the evenings and weekends to prepare lessons and spend time with their own kids.
I see the staffing shortages around me, especially in my field of special education, and I know the students’ social and emotional needs, and so I offered to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing to teach an extra year or two. I was curtly reminded that I would have to complete an Induction program.
I am not interested in doing that, so I will retire and find something else to do, thank you very much.
I do hope legislators will get real. Extend the five-year limit on preliminary credentials to 10 years or, better still, do away with it. It doesn’t work, so why keep it? Isn’t the state law requiring teacher evaluations enough? Maybe you’re thinking “Don’t let the door hit you on the way out”? Let’s flip this around then.
Imagine you wanted to drive more “qualified” teachers out of the profession. How would you do that? Well, you would try and stress them out even more, by eating into their family or personal time.
First, you would target the new teachers because they are always the most likely to quit. It’s a difficult profession, and statistics indicate that a third of them leave within three years. What would drive them out? Pile additional coursework on top of them when they are barely keeping their heads above water, especially in that first year. I am not talking about mentoring; that’s actually useful. I am talking about Induction. If new teachers don’t complete it within the 5 years, they’re out. It’s kind of insulting really, but we’re good at bullying in the education field. You must comply!
Second, current preliminary credentialing courses also require busywork. They limit the time spent in classrooms, and they drive students further into debt. Residencies are far superior to the traditional programs, and I am happy to see them being ramped up in parts of California.
On the other hand, if we truly want to destroy education, then we need to keep doing what we’re doing and make sure we insist on excessive measures of teacher performance, reading instruction and subject matter knowledge such as CalTPA, RICA and the CSET and all the other demeaning tests, and ensure there are no stipends, or not generous ones anyway.
Trust me on this; I did all the tests and I hated it. Offering stipends during credentialing and student teaching is the only effective way to entice prospective teachers into the profession in the first place and keep them there. If you want more Black men, for example, you are going to have to pay for them. Remove the labyrinth and offer them decent stipends and allow them to cross-teach other subjects besides special ed (coaching and physical education would be a strong draw), and don’t push them into disciplinary roles. Get creative!
Third, find ways to draw in older people who have worked in business and other trades, and definitely you must boost career and technical education Education needs more people with diverse life experiences and, ideally, larger-than-life personalities. I returned to teaching after a career in the entertainment industry. Older teachers are the rock on which younger teachers can build a foundation, so do everything you can to keep them. Current preliminary credential and Induction programs just drive them away.
Finally, why not use the American Rescue Plan to roll out an offer of sabbaticals? If used tactically, it may motivate more teachers to stay in the profession; it’s better than seeing them quit altogether, which seems more likely. Do teachers even know that sabbaticals exist, let alone that the ARP could pay for them?
Teacher turnover is high, and it is worsening. Morale is terrible. Why would anyone, young or old, consider teaching these days? If nothing more is done, we will see thousands of additional California teachers headed for the exits as we did during the “pink slip era” (2008-2012), and there will be no one in line to replace them. The Commission on Teacher Credentialing will only have to issue more emergency-style permits to compensate for the inevitable loss of teachers.
That deserves an F.
•••
Martin Blythe teaches special education English at Canoga Park High School in Los Angeles and is a member of EdSource’s Teachers Advisory Group.
The opinions in this commentary are those of the author. If you would like to submit a commentary, please review our guidelines and contact us.
The overreliance on undersupported part-time faculty in the nation’s community colleges dates back to the 1970s during the era of neoliberal reform — the defunding of public education and the beginning of the corporatization of higher education in the United States. Decades of research show that the systemic overreliance on part-time faculty correlates closely with declining rates of student success. Furthermore, when faculty are… read more
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A grassroots campaign recalled two members of the Orange Unified School District in an election that cost more than half a million dollars.
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Comments (61)
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Shane Myers 2 months ago2 months ago
I am currently an intern credentialing candidate undertaking the CalTPA. I have at least 8 years of practical experience in my subject matter including a Bachelor's Degree, and am in my second year of full time teaching at a public high school. I find it insulting and demoralizing that I am labeled as an "intern" and on top of that have been required to take a surprising number of pre-requisite courses and now have to … Read More
I am currently an intern credentialing candidate undertaking the CalTPA. I have at least 8 years of practical experience in my subject matter including a Bachelor’s Degree, and am in my second year of full time teaching at a public high school. I find it insulting and demoralizing that I am labeled as an “intern” and on top of that have been required to take a surprising number of pre-requisite courses and now have to go through a grueling high stakes exam that takes time away from my students and family on top of the two years of formal evaluations and mentoring already done through my school district and university credentialing program. The question I find myself asking over and over again is this: “Does California really want more teachers?” How do we change this?
Kay Evans 3 months ago3 months ago
My license expires in 2025. California makes it so hard for out of state teachers to teach. I received my preliminary during Covid and couldn’t teach. Then I substitute taught for a year and got a job on an emergency license because CTC won’t clear my credential without passing ELL sub tests or taking classes. I don’t have time to teach go through induction and study for classes. I have a … Read More
My license expires in 2025. California makes it so hard for out of state teachers to teach. I received my preliminary during Covid and couldn’t teach. Then I substitute taught for a year and got a job on an emergency license because CTC won’t clear my credential without passing ELL sub tests or taking classes.
I don’t have time to teach go through induction and study for classes. I have a caseload of 27 kids in special education. On top of that they may or may not require me to take more classes for the Autism license . California doesn’t have a licensure area so I have to submit my transcript for an audit to a University to consider if the coursework was enough.
I’ll tell you right now if it’s not enough, I’m done. They can deal with the teaching shortage because I guarantee you no one is fighting for my job. .
Jennifer McNeil 3 months ago3 months ago
Thank you for this! It had exactly the information about expired preliminary credentials I was looking for. I went on to be a photographer but it all seems like a waste. I just have to redo the credential program if I hope to teach again, eh?
Dean 9 months ago9 months ago
I appreciated this article because I can relate. So I taught History/leadership for 5 years in a California. I completed all the courses for the intern program but was unable to continue due to being unable to pass the CSET and CalTPA. I mean, why can't each year of teaching cover those requirements? I taught for 5 years, if I was bad at my job, they would have let me ago after my first … Read More
I appreciated this article because I can relate. So I taught History/leadership for 5 years in a California. I completed all the courses for the intern program but was unable to continue due to being unable to pass the CSET and CalTPA. I mean, why can’t each year of teaching cover those requirements? I taught for 5 years, if I was bad at my job, they would have let me ago after my first year.
Does passing a standardized test really help you become a better teacher? No it doesn’t. As far as the CalTPA is concerned, recording lessons and filling out countless pages takes up so much time that I really never had. I just hope at some point, California lightens their requirements.
Kara C 10 months ago10 months ago
I'm so glad I found this article. No one is talking about the induction requirement and how defeating it is. My preliminary expires in 2025. I have no intention of clearing it. I work for LAUSD as a substitute teacher (which is a position that offers health benefits, union membership, and high pay). I'm not going to take on a full-time teaching job just so I can do more coursework on top of it -- … Read More
I’m so glad I found this article. No one is talking about the induction requirement and how defeating it is. My preliminary expires in 2025. I have no intention of clearing it. I work for LAUSD as a substitute teacher (which is a position that offers health benefits, union membership, and high pay). I’m not going to take on a full-time teaching job just so I can do more coursework on top of it — I have plenty of time now to clear my credential with the job I currently have, but that’s not allowed.
How insane. I was a professional before I came to teaching. I have a master’s degree. I’m done with education, apart from the PD hours they offer us. I refuse to do more. Why is the CTC so terrible at understanding reality? At least now I know it’s not just me. Thanks for writing this. I hope people continue posting comments here – maybe someone in our legislative branch will understand they need to do something about the commission.
Mikael 10 months ago10 months ago
I feel so defeated. I earned my single subject teaching credential with English-language learner authorization in fall of 2019. CSET and edTPA were in the rearview mirror now. I starting applying everywhere in a 50 mile radius. I had dozens of interviews but no full-time offers, so I subbed during that time. Winter break 2019 –same story – interviewing to get slotted into a position mid-semester with no luck. 2020 rolls around, Covid hits, and … Read More
I feel so defeated. I earned my single subject teaching credential with English-language learner authorization in fall of 2019. CSET and edTPA were in the rearview mirror now. I starting applying everywhere in a 50 mile radius. I had dozens of interviews but no full-time offers, so I subbed during that time. Winter break 2019 –same story – interviewing to get slotted into a position mid-semester with no luck.
2020 rolls around, Covid hits, and changes everything. Once again I stepped up for my district as a sub and got my feet wet in long-distance learning. When schools finally opened up early 2021, I got hired on as a… long-term substitute. I did this for twelve months in two separate positions. After the school year was over in 2022, I interviewed for the very position I was long-term subbing for. Didn’t get it.
I finally took the hint and applied in different districts and finally got offered a full-time position in 2022 taking over a class mid-year again. 7 weeks later in March 2023 I get told I was being non-renewed without cause.
Over the past 4 years I had earned advanced marks on all my formal observations, earned the respect of every department I was associated with, students wrote epics and drew portraits of me, and parents genuinely thanked me for caring about their children’s future. Now my credential will expire in 2024. I am so done. I do not think I will appeal for an extension and go through heartbreak yet again.
William 12 months ago12 months ago
Thanks for writing this. I’ve been in special Ed 25 years. California public education is dying from administrative ignorance. Agree with everything in this article. It’s criminal how much money is taken away from the schools to fund the bureaucracy. Good teachers are a threat to the “system”
Sarah Millhoff 1 year ago1 year ago
Wow! Reading all these comments are both encouraging and discouraging. I didn’t realize so many people were stuck like I am. Reply if you want to do something about it!
Z 1 year ago1 year ago
The CTC must be held accountable for aiding the teacher shortage and violating civil rights of teachers and students alike.
Diana 1 year ago1 year ago
This article resonated with me so much. Maybe CA will get rid of the TPAs and induction one day but I doubt it's going to be in my lifetime. I got my preliminary credential in May 2020 and it will expire in 2025. I have no plans of clearing it because it feels impossible to do. I currently work fulltime as a staff in higher education with comfortable pay and my work load isn't as … Read More
This article resonated with me so much. Maybe CA will get rid of the TPAs and induction one day but I doubt it’s going to be in my lifetime.
I got my preliminary credential in May 2020 and it will expire in 2025. I have no plans of clearing it because it feels impossible to do. I currently work fulltime as a staff in higher education with comfortable pay and my work load isn’t as daunting or stressful as teaching. All this time, I foolishly thought I could simply renew my preliminary but no – not true at all. This is only true for clear credentials.
To find out that in addition to finishing the initial teaching credential program, I would need to find a teaching position and apply to a 1-2 year the induction program makes me want to laugh and cry. This sounds like the same hell that I went through while trying to complete student teaching and the CalTPAs.
No wonder new teachers are leaving this profession. I hate that I’ve become part of that statistic but this is too much and I don’t have the energy or passion to continue anymore. I would rather stay at my current job and continue working in education as a staff member.
A. H. 1 year ago1 year ago
I am currently student teaching and working on my CALTPAs when I came across this article. I am from the Bay Area in California and went to Iowa for college (2016-2020). I received my Iowa Credential originally with the plan of having it transferred to California. When the time came COVID hit and I had no idea that my Iowa credential would not transfer over; something changed in the 4 years I was in college. … Read More
I am currently student teaching and working on my CALTPAs when I came across this article. I am from the Bay Area in California and went to Iowa for college (2016-2020). I received my Iowa Credential originally with the plan of having it transferred to California. When the time came COVID hit and I had no idea that my Iowa credential would not transfer over; something changed in the 4 years I was in college.
Fast forward to 2021, I was lucky to get a PE specialist position (part time and barely above minimum wage) at a local elementary school and started an 18-month CA Single Subject Credential program, thinking this was the right move. Throughout this program, I had almost dropped to do something else because of the busy work and time consuming meetings.
Not once was Induction ever talked about. I researched it myself and found the district I want to work in has this, and now I am reconsidering because of how bad of a time I had with the 18-month program. I had already gone through these steps in Iowa. Why would I have to redo everything just to get a “check mark” for California, to then continue to jump through hoops. I completely agree, as a young person who has worked so hard to work toward my passion, just to have it crumble because of the extra steps.
David 1 year ago1 year ago
Excellent article. Do away with the abusive and costly nonsensical induction programs. If teachers are not properly qualified to teach through standard teaching programs at accredited colleges and constant evaluations – then the system is broken. Stop punishing new teachers with more hoops/work and charging them to do it. Terrible and abusive practice. Great article.
Scott 1 year ago1 year ago
After 15+ years in the financial field I decided to change careers and become a teacher. I took all of my tests (CBEST, CSETs) enrolled in an 18-month program to earn my credential and Masters, crushed my TPAs, and had a successful student-teaching run. Then I started applying. Dozens of applications each school year for a total of three interviews in two and a half years. I have been an overly educated paraeducator for the … Read More
After 15+ years in the financial field I decided to change careers and become a teacher. I took all of my tests (CBEST, CSETs) enrolled in an 18-month program to earn my credential and Masters, crushed my TPAs, and had a successful student-teaching run. Then I started applying. Dozens of applications each school year for a total of three interviews in two and a half years. I have been an overly educated paraeducator for the past handful of years.
If I get a job somewhere, induction is either not offered or I have to pay for it. My credential expires in February 2023. Guess what I’m going to do about it? Nothing. $25k down the drain and reading about how California is bitching about losing teachers and not enough young people wanting to become teachers … and they actually couldn’t care any less.
TPAs and induction? My wife got her credential a decade before I did. She had induction, but no TPAs. When I went through my student-teaching, all of the teachers were like “what’s a TPA?”
Sorry. Bitter rant, I know. It’s just frustrating and sad.
Greg McPowell 2 years ago2 years ago
I started teaching last year; in one month I had over 40 hours of meetings. 40 hours! an entire week. It was over two hours a day, every day. And this was my first year, and they had no curriculum or scope and sequence and I just had to wing it when I had time. I hope you have luck, but I can't find a field that's paying $60k with my degree in this … Read More
I started teaching last year; in one month I had over 40 hours of meetings. 40 hours! an entire week. It was over two hours a day, every day. And this was my first year, and they had no curriculum or scope and sequence and I just had to wing it when I had time.
I hope you have luck, but I can’t find a field that’s paying $60k with my degree in this state, they can abuse me because I think deep down they know they can. It weirds me out that so many in education are both so cruel and firmly planted in the virtue signaling camp. At first I had a hard time with what they said vs their actions, but then I realized it was self-delusion as a defense mechanism.
Barbara 2 years ago2 years ago
And let’s not forget passing the CLAD. At 59, 3 attempts later no place at which to learn those tested questions that I could find, I was a forced retiree with a LIFE Credential. This divorced much loved educator is reduced to subbing & tutoring the rest of my days because singles can’t “make it” on a STRS pension these days. Awesome accidentally discovered article, sir.
RANDY SANDY 2 years ago2 years ago
School districts response to shortages: A. Have teachers write out a list of 100 ways they will take time to relax. B. Assign two administrators to oversee the collection of this information. C. Require teachers to attend at least 5 sessions- that are led by the administrators- to listen the admin share out their research.
D. Teachers go back to sites and develop a powerpoint with their 5 takeaways from the program.
Rose 2 years ago2 years ago
“Extend the five-year limit on preliminary credentials to 10 years or, better still, do away with it. ”
YES, a million times this! Other states do not have the ridiculous induction program requirement.
CA does not care about retaining teachers or getting more people into the field. Unnecessary gatekeeping at its finest even during a teacher shortage, courtesy of the CTC. It makes far more sense for me to move to another state to become a math teacher.
VICTORIA Elizabeth NELSON 2 years ago2 years ago
I totally agree with the author. Unfortunately, I do not think LAUSD paid attention to this article. It was not financially feasible to work as a science teacher when I had to purchase most of my supplies (things were promised but never showed up) and the students were simply not interested. Students had gotten used to playing games on their cell phones all day and school was certainly not going to stop … Read More
I totally agree with the author. Unfortunately, I do not think LAUSD paid attention to this article. It was not financially feasible to work as a science teacher when I had to purchase most of my supplies (things were promised but never showed up) and the students were simply not interested. Students had gotten used to playing games on their cell phones all day and school was certainly not going to stop that. Also, the bullying and disrespect that went on in the schools this year, by administrators, students, and their parents helped motivate me to choose this year as my last year of teaching. I sincerely hope things improve, but I am not going to bet on it.
Erin 2 years ago2 years ago
This article is all of my thoughts exactly! I am fully credentialed in 2 other states due to frequent moves, have 6 years teaching experience, a bachelor’s and master’s degree; move to CA and they make you jump through the most ridiculous and pointless hoops to deem you qualified!!! Absurdity and totally out of touch with reality.
Gabrielle 2 years ago2 years ago
I’m halfway through my Teacher Intern Credential process and my edTPA requirement is the only teacher exam unfulfilled to date. The college I attended during the COVID-19 lockdown is now closed; merged into an East Coast College. I agree, the weekly PDs are pretty much a waste of time. If only the gun industry were regulated as much as the Teaching Profession we would have the kind of Democracy we deserve. Meanwhile I’ll continue to … Read More
I’m halfway through my Teacher Intern Credential process and my edTPA requirement is the only teacher exam unfulfilled to date. The college I attended during the COVID-19 lockdown is now closed; merged into an East Coast College.
I agree, the weekly PDs are pretty much a waste of time. If only the gun industry were regulated as much as the Teaching Profession we would have the kind of Democracy we deserve. Meanwhile I’ll continue to grapple with who the true beneficiary of edTPA is; it certainly is not Teachers or Students. Pearson and Stanford benefit. Maybe it’s time to look at their relationship with CTC. Meanwhile I’ll pay another whopping amount of money for another shot and investigator journalists please look into the possibility of a civil conspiracy between these three entities.
My students are pawns in this game. Although I collected media release forms in advance, when I hired a professional to tape our class for the video portion of the monstrous edTPA exam, my pandemic fatigued students acted out as if their privacy was being invaded or as if they were afraid I would leave them should I attain a clear credential.
Sarah Millhoff 2 years ago2 years ago
How do we organize to eliminate the EdTPA? I was unable to complete it in 2020 and still haven’t had an opportunity to complete it because I’m in temp contract limbo. It doesn’t seem fair that I will be expected to complete this insane assessment on my own without the help of a university. I didn’t even receive a refund for the edTPA prep class. I have since earned a masters degree and positive evaluations. … Read More
How do we organize to eliminate the EdTPA? I was unable to complete it in 2020 and still haven’t had an opportunity to complete it because I’m in temp contract limbo. It doesn’t seem fair that I will be expected to complete this insane assessment on my own without the help of a university. I didn’t even receive a refund for the edTPA prep class. I have since earned a masters degree and positive evaluations.
It doesn’t make any sense to force me to take this test. Other states have eliminated it because it only serves to gatekeep the profession. Is CA really going to let my preliminary credential expire because they made it impossible to complete? If anyone has any suggestions I’m very willing to work to eliminate the EdTPA in CA.
Alex 2 years ago2 years ago
Currently am a 3rd year teacher. I have a similar story. I worked so hard to get here, the endless evaluations/ tests, loss of time with family for unpaid fieldwork, lesson planning, etc. And I also am being penalized because I don’t have time for an Induction program on top of a full time job. My salary is lackluster and I can’t move up the unimpressive salary schedule in any meaningful way without finishing induction. … Read More
Currently am a 3rd year teacher. I have a similar story. I worked so hard to get here, the endless evaluations/ tests, loss of time with family for unpaid fieldwork, lesson planning, etc. And I also am being penalized because I don’t have time for an Induction program on top of a full time job. My salary is lackluster and I can’t move up the unimpressive salary schedule in any meaningful way without finishing induction.
I love the students, but the system is having me second guess staying in this profession.
Teach 2 years ago2 years ago
Something that I realize in education is that they are more prone to let people go rather than trying to keep them in the profession. The education sector needs to stop saying they need more teachers and start trying to keep their teachers, and the best solution to that is to get rid of extra unnecessary work. Get rid of all the CTC tests (TPA, APA, CBEST, CSET, RICA, etc.) and let the universities do … Read More
Something that I realize in education is that they are more prone to let people go rather than trying to keep them in the profession. The education sector needs to stop saying they need more teachers and start trying to keep their teachers, and the best solution to that is to get rid of extra unnecessary work. Get rid of all the CTC tests (TPA, APA, CBEST, CSET, RICA, etc.) and let the universities do the testing and observations. Sure, maybe the CTC can work with the universities about what they look for, but don’t make the CTC a third party administrator between candidates and universities.
Jeremy 2 years ago2 years ago
I'm currently planning on relocating to California from Maryland to teach, but the job search process is beyond daunting, let alone the hoops needed to jump through to stay in the profession after being hired. I would think with a Master's +30 in ESOL (especially for CA) and four years experience, I'd have no trouble. Even though I started the process in December, I'm still worried I won't be "made eligible" before the next school … Read More
I’m currently planning on relocating to California from Maryland to teach, but the job search process is beyond daunting, let alone the hoops needed to jump through to stay in the profession after being hired. I would think with a Master’s +30 in ESOL (especially for CA) and four years experience, I’d have no trouble.
Even though I started the process in December, I’m still worried I won’t be “made eligible” before the next school year. To echo a lot of the comments here, I wish I had known before embarking on this second career. We want to work.
Dennis 2 years ago2 years ago
The situation with teacher retirees (I guess you'll find out about that soon!) is very similar. I taught for 30 years in LA Unified. My pension is about half of what my working income was. I enjoy teaching very much but don't want to do it full-time. Part-time income to supplement my pension would be perfect. I'm sure there are large numbers of other retired teachers out there with decades … Read More
The situation with teacher retirees (I guess you’ll find out about that soon!) is very similar. I taught for 30 years in LA Unified. My pension is about half of what my working income was. I enjoy teaching very much but don’t want to do it full-time. Part-time income to supplement my pension would be perfect.
I’m sure there are large numbers of other retired teachers out there with decades of experience who would also like to do the same. But all the job openings are designed for full-time teachers. Why does it have to be full-time? Two or three part-time teachers can do the work of one full-time teacher. We already have our health benefits covered in our retirement package and/or Social Security, so we would be less expensive. And we were union for all those years – and we will rejoin the union when we come back to work.
It’s a win-win solution for everyone.
Replies
Connie Pham 2 years ago2 years ago
Absolutely! More part-time, more part-time, more part-time teaching positions!!! There exists a cadre (probably bigger than we realize) of highly qualified educators (i.e.semi-retired, those on need to be on extended parental or caretaking leave, those with health concerns, freelancing teachers) who are able/or willing to afford part-time teaching or job-share positions. Why don't more of these spots exist!?!?! Absent the ability to lower class sizes, better working conditions, ramp up salaries, and slash needless bureaucracy like … Read More
Absolutely!
More part-time, more part-time, more part-time teaching positions!!!
There exists a cadre (probably bigger than we realize) of highly qualified educators (i.e.semi-retired, those on need to be on extended parental or caretaking leave, those with health concerns, freelancing teachers) who are able/or willing to afford part-time teaching or job-share positions. Why don’t more of these spots exist!?!?!
Absent the ability to lower class sizes, better working conditions, ramp up salaries, and slash needless bureaucracy like Induction (as opposed to truly helpful mentoring), part-time positions would be way more sustainable and a win-win-win situation.
adrienne 2 years ago2 years ago
If I had known of all the requirements to become a teacher before I began the journey to become one, I would have chosen another path. I am in a credential/Master’s program and a 1st year special education teacher on an emergency credential, and I’m disheartened by all the requirements I must still meet. This is a second career for me. I’m too old and financially in too deep to quit or change course now.
Replies
Sarah Millhoff 2 years ago2 years ago
I feel the same way! I’ve had to delay having a family because of all of the requirements and I’ve invested too much to quit.
Suzanne Garrett 11 months ago11 months ago
Hi Sarah – It’s in the Governor’s May 2023 Revise K-12 and Higher Education Trailer Bill to eliminate the TPA requirement for those teachers that got COVID flexibility and had TPA deferred to Induction. We’ll know when the July 2023 is approved. You would need to either have two successful years of teaching experience or complete Induction – whichever comes first.
James 2 years ago2 years ago
We keep hearing about the teaching field needing to reach out to other professionals to become teachers or even just long term substitutes. Even if it's just for a short period of time, yet we have a ton teaching candidates who went to school and got an education to become teachers. But they are unfortunately being bogged down with the bureaucracy and insane amount of hoops California has just to become a credentialed teacher. From … Read More
We keep hearing about the teaching field needing to reach out to other professionals to become teachers or even just long term substitutes. Even if it’s just for a short period of time, yet we have a ton teaching candidates who went to school and got an education to become teachers. But they are unfortunately being bogged down with the bureaucracy and insane amount of hoops California has just to become a credentialed teacher. From a 4 year degree which should meet the requirements for the CBEST without issues, heck even a degree from a junior college should count for that, to a credential program where we are asked to teach for free for a full year on average. All while trying to complete all the other amount of stressful and costly exams. The insane amount of exams prove nothing in regards to how competent of a teacher we are.
In a day and age where we bend over backwards through laws and policies to help a student be successful in our classes – through alternative ways to prove their ability/knowledge that they can meet the standards. Why can’t these be done for teachers in the eyes of the state? We all have different strengths in learning and performing. Examples being writing, performing, speaking and other forms of learning styles.
Also why is it so hard to make any reasonable changes, when they are clearly needed?
Ann 2 years ago2 years ago
If older business professionals are going to be enticed into teaching or subbing, the Windfall Elimination Act would need to be repealed. Why would you take a reduction in your Social Security by teaching, as a short-term secondary career?
Susan Carle 2 years ago2 years ago
Martin, I came into teaching from another profession and during the time it was BITSA, before the Induction process was so improved. The Induction Program at Orange County Department of Education is a teacher centered program with no busy work. The end of the program surveys show overwhelmingly that the teachers- far from being burdened by the process- were grateful for the support. I do agree there should be a district stipend for the costs … Read More
Martin,
I came into teaching from another profession and during the time it was BITSA, before the Induction process was so improved. The Induction Program at Orange County Department of Education is a teacher centered program with no busy work. The end of the program surveys show overwhelmingly that the teachers- far from being burdened by the process- were grateful for the support. I do agree there should be a district stipend for the costs and some of the tests need a 21st century overhaul. The testing and onboarding process should never be a financial burden for our prospective teachers.
But, back to your case. Have you considered going through National Board Certification? I am not sure if you met all the requirements, but for some this is an alternative way to clear a teaching credential. I wish you well. This has been a hard year for all of us in education. We really need to support one another!
Christopher J Roe 2 years ago2 years ago
Martin, first off, apply for an extension to complete your induction program. CTC allows extensions for one or two years. Second, I am so glad you have a mentor that has been helpful - that is what induction is all about, not more work for teachers. There are induction programs out there that are "teacher centered" and focus on what is being done in the classroom. Third, RICA and TPA and CSET are challenges for … Read More
Martin, first off, apply for an extension to complete your induction program. CTC allows extensions for one or two years. Second, I am so glad you have a mentor that has been helpful – that is what induction is all about, not more work for teachers. There are induction programs out there that are “teacher centered” and focus on what is being done in the classroom. Third, RICA and TPA and CSET are challenges for some. They are designed to put our best in the classrooms. All students deserve well-qualified teachers. Having said that, these tests cannot screen qualified teachers in or out, just the ones who test well.
Love the idea of paying stipends for teachers to take these tests and for induction being a district-based sponsorship. Teaching is a calling. You answered the call – make it work for you and be your best daily for your students, as I am sure you are.
Mrs D 2 years ago2 years ago
I am a credentialed California teacher and I hold a preliminary multi-subject credential certificate that I received in July of 2021. Going back how it all started: First I went back to school and completed all prerequisites just to be eligible for the teaching credential program. Then after completing all of the requires CSET exams, getting the required 45 hours of substitute teaching in, applying to the CSU program and passing the interview, I began the … Read More
I am a credentialed California teacher and I hold a preliminary multi-subject credential certificate that I received in July of 2021.
Going back how it all started: First I went back to school and completed all prerequisites just to be eligible for the teaching credential program.
Then after completing all of the requires CSET exams, getting the required 45 hours of substitute teaching in, applying to the CSU program and passing the interview, I began the program. I thought that state tests and exams were behind me, that is until I learned about the TPAs.
With all of the pandemic stuff happening, the program was even more stressful and things were delayed. Still, I ended up completing both TPAs while some of my classmates threw in the towel and decided it was all too much at the time. Upon completing this program, I thought I would now be done with state requirements and would be able to begin an exciting teacher career. Little did I know that I’d have to pass a now 4-part exam called the R.I.C.A. However, I accepted this and just seen it as another exam I’d just have to pass. But the kicker came when I learned about induction.
I thought induction would be just some much needed new teacher support. But I am hearing that it includes two years of assignments and a case study as well. I did not apply at any school districts for this current school year. I am not even subbing now. Already feeling exhausted before I can even begin my career, I now feel so overwhelmed by the thought of having to now go through 2 years of more work on top of the hard work of being a first time teacher and trying to pass the R.I.C.A. Can there be a better way to support teachers during these first 2 years? Maybe changing the structure of induction?
One teacher of 4 years told me that going through induction was like feeling like you’re just starting to drown and as you’re asking for help, here comes someone steadily adding more water causing you to drown more. I want support as a new teacher, but I’m afraid of burn out in my first couple of years.
Pattie Hartman 2 years ago2 years ago
I ended up here because I wanted to hear from teachers about whats going on, not administrators. Far more informative, thank you.
Chris Tasik 2 years ago2 years ago
Tax season question: Can I deduct testing fees paid to Pearson on my California income tax?
Andy 2 years ago2 years ago
All of these reasons are driving people away and teachers out of education. However, you are missing the elephant in the room. Discipline/Consequences/Support/Respect are missing at every level, and the students and parents know it. Until this radically changes, there will be no change in public education. Conditions will get worse. No amount of money will fix the problem - ever. Money is just a band-aid. It will bring new teachers in for about 3 … Read More
All of these reasons are driving people away and teachers out of education. However, you are missing the elephant in the room. Discipline/Consequences/Support/Respect are missing at every level, and the students and parents know it. Until this radically changes, there will be no change in public education. Conditions will get worse. No amount of money will fix the problem – ever. Money is just a band-aid. It will bring new teachers in for about 3 years, but they generally leave in 3-5 years.
So, school districts cannot hire new teachers, and they cannot hold on to the ones they have. Now as the labor shortage gets worse, perspective teachers have even more options, many of which pay better, have less stress and offer real opportunities for promotion. And “school choice” will eventually come to fruition and only make public education have less dollars to run. Education is in trouble – it will get worse before it ever gets better.
The times they are a changin’.
Angela 2 years ago2 years ago
This is absolutely amazing and true! This article really resonated with me. I am currently in a similar position was you and have no desire to actually complete my credential with the last required test I have. You are spot on about induction. It is a complete waste of time. The money spent on inductions programs would be best allocated elsewhere. This is my third year in my current position as a special education teacher and … Read More
This is absolutely amazing and true! This article really resonated with me. I am currently in a similar position was you and have no desire to actually complete my credential with the last required test I have. You are spot on about induction. It is a complete waste of time. The money spent on inductions programs would be best allocated elsewhere.
This is my third year in my current position as a special education teacher and I plan to give my notice in two weeks and end my contract mid-year. I am miserable, I cry every single night, and dread what I will have to put up with the next day at work. Thank you for writing this. So relatable.
Daisy 2 years ago2 years ago
Wow! Thank you so much for writing this article. It really spoke to me as well. I completely agree with everything you mentioned and glad I’m not alone on this. I just graduated with a multiple subject credential and I’m already starting to consider jobs outside of teaching. Thinking about having to complete the induction program and EdTPA is causing me so much stress. That on top of weekly PD and other meetings, no thank … Read More
Wow! Thank you so much for writing this article. It really spoke to me as well. I completely agree with everything you mentioned and glad I’m not alone on this. I just graduated with a multiple subject credential and I’m already starting to consider jobs outside of teaching. Thinking about having to complete the induction program and EdTPA is causing me so much stress. That on top of weekly PD and other meetings, no thank you.
Teaching has turned into a toxic environment that does not value work life balance. Thanks to videos on social media platforms of teachers resigning left and right, there will be no one left to teach in a few years. The CTC demands too much of us. On top of all the testing, mentoring, clinicals, induction programs, they feel the need to evaluate us 3 times a year only to get paid a starting salary of around $50k .. with a masters degree! Young teachers are quitting, old teachers are retiring, so California and the CTC better act fast. Listen to us. Pay us what we deserve. Eliminate unnecessary testing and induction.
James Eastman 2 years ago2 years ago
This article really spoke to me. Having just completed my credential program which I paid for myself this last fall. The cost being around $10,000 not counting all the time and gas I used to get to my placement. I was unable to work since the amount of work and effort I was putting into the program and to my students. I can honestly say that all the extra exams given by the state are … Read More
This article really spoke to me. Having just completed my credential program which I paid for myself this last fall. The cost being around $10,000 not counting all the time and gas I used to get to my placement.
I was unable to work since the amount of work and effort I was putting into the program and to my students. I can honestly say that all the extra exams given by the state are insane. They want us to write page after page to support one lesson or a mini unit for the CALTPAs, which cost a total of $300 if you’re able to pass both of them on the first try. Just for one person who is only seeing mere minutes of us teaching through a video clips, gets to pass or fail us. Which is added a large amount of stress to the student teachers.
Yet when we think about it, the process of how we become teachers should be good enough. Having gone through a credential program, I had professors and a subject specific supervisor not counting my Master teacher/ department at the school at which I was doing my student teaching. I had a total of 12 to 15 observations throughout the program where I created lesson plans and taught in front of my supervisor/ master teacher. And that’s not counting the countless discussions I’ve had about how to improve in my teaching with teachers and professors. Not counting all the years I spent learning my content area for my degree. Then when we are working in the field we have observations form other teachers, if not administration themselves. Are these not enough check and balances to become a teacher?
How can we even be confident with colleges giving us recommendations for credentials if the state does not trust their programs and forces us to complete more remedial exams that don’t prove anything but cost us potential teachers more money?
The state is only now allowing some testing to be skipped based on college class grades, which should had been the standard a decade ago And this change has been due to covid. There has been a teacher shortage for far longer than covid has been around. But all the state has done is add more hoops for teachers to jump through. Which is making it even harder for teacher to stay in the field and for new ones to get in.
Out of the roughly 60 person in my credential program, I know about 20% are already looking into other career paths as there are too many hoops to jump through. I am a child of two teachers and I know the countless hours my parents have put into their classrooms. So I know the work load and really enjoy teaching as a whole. Just the amount of extra meaningless hoops have really started to dash my hopes in completing the process of becoming a fully credentialed teacher.
Barb Miller 2 years ago2 years ago
Holy casual racism batman! Maybe this is why black men aren't interested in the profession. "If you want more Black men, for example, you are going to have to pay for them. Remove the labyrinth and offer them decent stipends and allow them to cross-teach other subjects besides special ed (coaching and physical education would be a strong draw)." The assumption that black men are a strong draw for PE and coaching is like … Read More
Holy casual racism batman! Maybe this is why black men aren’t interested in the profession. “If you want more Black men, for example, you are going to have to pay for them. Remove the labyrinth and offer them decent stipends and allow them to cross-teach other subjects besides special ed (coaching and physical education would be a strong draw).” The assumption that black men are a strong draw for PE and coaching is like assuming a white woman would really love to teach sewing and cooking.
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Christina Askins 2 years ago2 years ago
I thought exactly the same thing! Why is the author assuming black men would only be interested in coaching and PE?
ms d 2 years ago2 years ago
And if there absolutely has to be tests, they need to be free. I paid $1000 + to Pearson for tests and TPAs.
Then the districts are like, Why can’t we find any Black people to hire??!
Lee Wygand 2 years ago2 years ago
Teaching is my second profession. I agree with enticing older people from private industry, as that’s what I did. However, we need to get rid of the Soc Security WEP as I will only receive about half my SS benefits earned from my first profession. I paid into SS (as well as my employer) and none of my benefits should be reduced due to becoming a teacher.
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Rod 2 years ago2 years ago
Great observations. I’m retired now with many teaching awards, but “mandatory” training was truly a waste of time as were most meetings. Online sessions were useless, and added to the burden of the day. Yet someone got paid who wrote the software, and a specialist was hired to police the content. But no students benefited.
I truly feel sorry for today’s teachers. It is a wonderful profession, but run by idiots.
David Saba 2 years ago2 years ago
So spot on – we produce 8,000 new teachers a year but CA law/rules make it so cumbersome we will work on other states for now. Hopefully the Legislature wakes up to the fact that they cannot continue to keep people out of the classroom.
SS 2 years ago2 years ago
Thank you for talking about the induction program. I taught 10 years in other states and 3 years at a private school in CA, but since I have switched to teaching at a public school where I am in the induction program. I get an observation every other week then lose a prep period to talk about how the class went. It is tiring and insulting that the state thinks I have to be … Read More
Thank you for talking about the induction program. I taught 10 years in other states and 3 years at a private school in CA, but since I have switched to teaching at a public school where I am in the induction program. I get an observation every other week then lose a prep period to talk about how the class went. It is tiring and insulting that the state thinks I have to be inducted after all these years of teaching.
On top of that I am finishing the CLAD certification by taking the classes since nothing transfers. I am learning the same stuff again as I did in my master’s. This may be my last year of teaching – it is too much!
Michael Sagehorn 2 years ago2 years ago
One of the flaws in teacher retention is how both administrators and teachers themselves low-bar pre-service and in-service professional development. What other profession requires you to pass a test, test drive the profession (internship and/or student teaching) and throw you into a classroom with no support? Medical professionals, attorneys, accountants, and engineers, even clergy members have PD requirements that demand more mental investment. Improving content knowledge, instructional methods, and regular mentorship are all informal and … Read More
One of the flaws in teacher retention is how both administrators and teachers themselves low-bar pre-service and in-service professional development. What other profession requires you to pass a test, test drive the profession (internship and/or student teaching) and throw you into a classroom with no support? Medical professionals, attorneys, accountants, and engineers, even clergy members have PD requirements that demand more mental investment.
Improving content knowledge, instructional methods, and regular mentorship are all informal and frequently not demanded. Teachers whine and complain – “I’m not getting paid for this…..” need to reconsider their status as a salaried professional or a wage worker.
My solution is for every teacher to create an annual PD plan in the spring for the following year, share it with their admin leaders, and have the site pay any associated costs. Teachers should collaborate on their plans, perhaps attending together in department and age group teams.
Virginia L Nelson 2 years ago2 years ago
1. Focus elementary teacher training on the foundations of literacy aligned with the evidence based science of reading. You can’t remediate your way out of poor classroom instruction.
2. Have community colleges develop paraeducator certification programs and pay them appropriately.
Dan Ragland 2 years ago2 years ago
I retired in 2021 after teaching high school English in California for 32 years. I was also adjunct faculty at a community college for 13 of those years. I do not encourage anyone to go into teaching. It has only gotten worse since I began despite promises from teaching professors that it was going to get better. All the things the article covers are true and many more …
Martin Blythe 2 years ago2 years ago
Judith, thank you for your kind words. If I may say so, it’s a testament to your own commitment to education and SPED in particular that you still read up on education now that you have retired. My best wishes to you.
Cindy Lederer 2 years ago2 years ago
Hello Martin, I would like to address one of your statements....."allow them to cross-teach other subjects besides Special Ed (coaching and physical education would be a strong draw), and don’t push them into disciplinary roles." I've seen first hand how having a non-highly qualified educator teaching a curriculum and standards that they know nothing about ruins the students experience of how interesting the subject can be. It … Read More
Hello Martin, I would like to address one of your statements…..”allow them to cross-teach other subjects besides Special Ed (coaching and physical education would be a strong draw), and don’t push them into disciplinary roles.”
I’ve seen first hand how having a non-highly qualified educator teaching a curriculum and standards that they know nothing about ruins the students experience of how interesting the subject can be. It robs the students of a valuable lesson that they can take into adulthood. A non-highly qualified educator has tendency for a subject matter never moving forward. The subject lives in the perception solely of the untrained educator. Education needs to be careful when finding ways to make the pathways easier to become a teacher and how to keep them. Are we sacrificing the “highly qualified” teacher in the process?
Yes, lets get creative. But let’s not forget that our students need to have a Highly Qualified educator in every subject matter.
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Seth 2 years ago2 years ago
I agree. I do not want the bar of training and knowledge of teachers to be lowered. If we are to be expected to be professionals, then we must must expect teachers to prove their knowledge of subject matter and prove that they can actually teach students effectively. Is that too much to as ask from a professional teacher? In my almost 30 years of being in education, I remember when we had many low … Read More
I agree. I do not want the bar of training and knowledge of teachers to be lowered. If we are to be expected to be professionals, then we must must expect teachers to prove their knowledge of subject matter and prove that they can actually teach students effectively. Is that too much to as ask from a professional teacher?
In my almost 30 years of being in education, I remember when we had many low quality teachers being the norm and students not getting challenged or developing needed academic skills. I have seen firsthand the difference in the quality of teachers since 2004 when the requirements of teacher training was raised. I do not like the idea of lowering the training bar just to get a poor quality teacher in a classroom.
Luis R. 2 years ago2 years ago
True. But would you bar a person with a bachelor's degree in the subject matter they are qualified to teach due to not having a teaching credential? Majority of the people with STEM degrees do not consider teaching k-12 an option due to low pay and credential requirements. That is why it's rare to have an actual person with a mathematics degree (either pure or applied) teach mathematics. A biology degree holder, teaching biology … Read More
True. But would you bar a person with a bachelor’s degree in the subject matter they are qualified to teach due to not having a teaching credential? Majority of the people with STEM degrees do not consider teaching k-12 an option due to low pay and credential requirements. That is why it’s rare to have an actual person with a mathematics degree (either pure or applied) teach mathematics. A biology degree holder, teaching biology etc. You are asking a person to give up a guaranteed minimum $60,000 a year year job, with many companies offering to foot the bill for MS program, guaranteed salary increase, and better benefits.
Why would a STEM degree holder waste two years in a teacher credential program , when they could spend those two years in a MS program in their undergraduate area of study, and make minimum $80k? These are the people who are well equipped to train young minds. However, the credential process bars them from even wanting to participate.
Most of these teacher programs are a joke, and the programs themselves are not rigorous. They are costly – that is it.
I worked 3 years teaching at a Catholic Middle school.
Janene Whitney 2 years ago2 years ago
Agreed! The system if evaluating teachers is what is broken, and the assumption that already highly qualified teachers need to produce endless hours of proof that they are being constantly trained is driven by government that wants to look good to the voters---while teachers leave the profession. I am a highly qualified CA teacher, with multiple teaching awards. I moved out of state because I could not afford to buy a home in CA … Read More
Agreed! The system if evaluating teachers is what is broken, and the assumption that already highly qualified teachers need to produce endless hours of proof that they are being constantly trained is driven by government that wants to look good to the voters—while teachers leave the profession.
I am a highly qualified CA teacher, with multiple teaching awards. I moved out of state because I could not afford to buy a home in CA (perhaps we could give teachers home buying incentives?). When I got to WA State, they wanted me to practically take my entire teaching credential courses over again. No reasoning.
What we need to do is train teams of expert evaluators. I am dual credentialed in English and Dance (former professional classical dancer also). One year, my evaluator in both those subjects, was a math teacher. He gave me a great rating in English, but never wrote why, and he took off points in Dance, because he said that all dancers should only step on the whole notes in the music. Meanwhile, he recommended tenure for an English teacher who only had her college prep students write one essay per year.
Great teachers can spot another great teacher with one or two observations and an interview with questions like “Can you show me how many ways you have provided for a student to learn a particular skill or concept? How many assignments include the across- the-board skills such as researching and writing? Are you offering any project-based learning? Can you show me a portfolio of student work that accommodates various learners?”
If great teams of evaluators, trained to evaluate within their expert subject areas, could do one observation a year and then view one portfolio of student work – not driven by thousands of templates the teacher must fill-in to justify that a committee worked on them – teachers would stay in the profession.
One exception to that statement is that teachers also leave in masses because schools are afraid to enforce respectful behavior on campus. They are too afraid of being sued by parents. No matter how many threats a student makes, nor how many times they disrupt a class, these student will stay on campus.
Our system does not allow us to listen to teachers who warn about danger. We see the results of this later in the news. That has to change within our government. Until then, who wants to prove they are a great teacher by doing months of paperwork and testing over and over? When will leaders address the real reasons why teachers leave, and then nurture their employees with something other than an SEL class that tells teachers to make sure to take care of themselves?
Alyson Wylie 2 years ago2 years ago
This resonates! I finished all requirements during the “Pink Slip” era. I wasn’t able to secure a permanent job and ended up getting hired with a university. I passed every test but wasn’t able to complete the induction program before my hard earned credential expired. I watched several of my peers opt out of teaching after the intensive induction program, their family time eroded due to paperwork requirements.
Sherry Smith 2 years ago2 years ago
I agree with Martin. I’m retired, but I served as a teacher and principal. The induction programs have devolved into a paper chase and busy, overstretched teachers are further burdened by these requirements. The induction programs need to be shortened and streamlined.
Rachel Salau-Barce 2 years ago2 years ago
I luckily got out of BTSA, the Induction of my day. It it useless and is just a rehash of the fifth year, which is also a waste of time. What they really need to do is leave teachers alone to actually teach and to make students more responsible for their learning instead of throwing different teaching methods to compensate for students not doing their jobs. If you want people in business to become teachers, … Read More
I luckily got out of BTSA, the Induction of my day. It it useless and is just a rehash of the fifth year, which is also a waste of time. What they really need to do is leave teachers alone to actually teach and to make students more responsible for their learning instead of throwing different teaching methods to compensate for students not doing their jobs. If you want people in business to become teachers, then don’t take away their Social Security that they worked so hard for, and change the laws that deal with teachers and Social Security. Stop cheating the teachers out of what is rightfully theirs.
Julie Sheldon 2 years ago2 years ago
I agree with the author that teaching, especially in Special Ed, has become more challenging, and his ideas for offering financial incentives for defraying the cost of exams and attracting second career folks and people from underrepresented populations are good ones. But I absolutely disagree with him about the value of induction, especially in these challenging times. I have been the coordinator of an induction program for the past 10 years, and have seen firsthand … Read More
I agree with the author that teaching, especially in Special Ed, has become more challenging, and his ideas for offering financial incentives for defraying the cost of exams and attracting second career folks and people from underrepresented populations are good ones.
But I absolutely disagree with him about the value of induction, especially in these challenging times. I have been the coordinator of an induction program for the past 10 years, and have seen firsthand the benefit of an effective induction program for the support and retention of new teachers.
Are there programs that still require an additional workload that is more busywork than support? Yes, but the vast majority of programs across the state are dedicated to creating an individualized program that supports new teachers in the first, most challenging years as educators. Many of the teachers who enter my program have heard horror stories about the workload involved in induction, but find that those stories are false and the time they spend with their mentor is invaluable. Many of the teachers in my induction program become mentors themselves to “pay forward” the gift of support they received.
The state gathers data from teachers who have completed induction each year, and the percentage of teachers who stated that they want to stay in the profession was 93.6% in 2020-21, the year that was most challenging to be a new teacher because of Covid. Ninety eight percent of teachers who completed induction in my program reported that they wanted to stay in teaching, and I honestly can’t take credit for that.
The success of induction relies on the skill of the mentor, and I’m privileged to work with the finest and most generous mentors in the state. So I say to the author who chooses to decry what he did not even experience – you should have participated in induction instead of doing your best to avoid it. You missed out on one of those most valuable and enriching experiences in education.
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Kp 2 years ago2 years ago
Julie, As a first year Induction candidate, I cannot disagree with you more. This is my 3rd year teaching and I have the most amazing veteran, partner teacher who also happens to be my mentor teacher. I was lucky to have met her through my student teaching process. The problem with the Induction Program in which I am currently attending is that it requires meaningless "logs & surveys" on the part of my mentor to … Read More
Julie,
As a first year Induction candidate, I cannot disagree with you more. This is my 3rd year teaching and I have the most amazing veteran, partner teacher who also happens to be my mentor teacher. I was lucky to have met her through my student teaching process.
The problem with the Induction Program in which I am currently attending is that it requires meaningless “logs & surveys” on the part of my mentor to reflect on our endless conversations throughout the day. She attends ridiculous virtual trainings. The time she commits to the program versus the stipend she receives equates to less than a $1/hour of time.
To set a goal for myself, the program had me refer back to a rubric from 3 years ago where I assessed myself during my student teaching period to base my Induction goals on for my 3rd year of teaching. How is that helping me? It’s insulting to think we aren’t capable of creating our own goals that are meaningful to us now, in real-time.
If your program is as effective as you declare it to be, it tells me one of two things; 1.) candidates are lying on their surveys because they feel scrutinized and obliged to “comply” with a fake smile as a probationary employee & pass the program (I myself have done this) or, 2.) the CTC is not capable of consistently administering the Induction Program so that it is implemented in an equitable manner that affords every new teacher going through the program a quality mentorship that is not coupled with senseless busy work put on the shoulders of priceless mentors & overtaxed new teaching staff.
I have lied on surveys about what I have learned throughout my mid-year cycle 1. I have spent hours constructing “artifacts of growth” of my pointless goal just to meet program requirements. I have filled out forms & templates with meaningless numbers gauging where I think I am on the rubric of a CSTP element that lines up with my goal, but I am advised to aim low so I can show growth at the end of the cycle.
After I mock up the forms, surveys, artifacts, assignments, etc. to look the way they want it, my day is gone & then the real work must happen, while I’m exhausted & my family is frustrated because I come home most evenings in the dark after putting in 10-12 hours each day. If I could put that time into real improvement of my practice, grading assessments, planning instruction, prepping materials & reflection on practice in the classroom, my students & myself would all be better off.
The Induction program sucks the little time I have to get real work done for actual improvement to be made. The Program is a bloated bureaucratic facade made to look like CA is not only supporting new teachers, but they are holding them to high standards in the name of “quality public education.”
What we need are better ways to entice veteran teachers into mentor roles. New teachers know where they need support & quality veteran teachers know how to offer that support. School administration should be held accountable for locating those veteran resources & ensuring their new teacher force is supported by those veterans in constructive ways. The obscene amount of money districts spend on Induction could be better allocated towards incentivizing veteran teachers to accept mentorships. The administration should manage this at a local level use it as a way to recruit & retain quality teachers.
Bottom line is, the Induction Program does not ensure quality mentors are being provided & new teachers are not being supported in the areas they need. It’s just extra, meaningless work causing undue stress on an already stressed workforce.
Judith Dunn 2 years ago2 years ago
Martin, Thanks for the time you invested sharing your opinions regarding preliminary credentials. Your comment "This is my sixth year and I enjoy it " (teaching) speaks. Keep connecting with kids!! Don't quit. You are the "larger-than-life" person needed. I'm a retired SPED teacher. Your grasp of education is real! Keep talkin' Read More
Martin,
Thanks for the time you invested sharing your opinions regarding preliminary credentials.
Your comment “This is my sixth year and I enjoy it ” (teaching) speaks. Keep connecting with kids!! Don’t quit. You are the “larger-than-life” person needed.
I’m a retired SPED teacher. Your grasp of education is real! Keep talkin’