Rare discovery.... a Superintendent with courage to speak out against Teach for America!

From John Curry, May 6, 2011

Thank you, Middletown Superintendent Rasmussen!

“I’d like to believe the teachers who are specifically trained to be teachers, with the skills and background they get through a more traditional teacher-training program, are the kind who will be best prepared to work with our students,” Rasmussen said.

Thank you, educator Richard Packert!

Richard Packert, a seventh-grade teacher at Vail Middle School and president of the Southwestern Ohio Education Association, said the program is a “slap in the face” to students who went to college specifically for the profession.

“Would you go to a surgeon that only had five weeks of training?” Packert asked. “I understand their mission, but I think school districts can attract quality, qualified teachers (themselves).”

http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/middletown-news/educators-wary-of-teacher-program-1153973.html

Educators wary of teacher program

By Andy Sedlak, Staff Writer
May 6, 2011

MIDDLETOWN — It’s too early to say if Teach For America — a competitive program that places teachers in low-income urban and rural classrooms — will reach Middletown schools.

A TFA spokeswoman last week gave no indication of how many teachers the organization will hire in Ohio, or in which school districts it will operate. This came after Gov. John Kasich signed a bill on April 27 to allow TFA to operate in Ohio.

The program has placed 8,200 top college graduates in the classrooms of 39 underserved regions across the country. Members of the highly competitive program — who may or may not be seeking long-term teaching careers — are sent to schools for a two-year job with starting-level pay.

Kasich has stated the program will bring “new blood” into classrooms. Greg Rasmussen, superintendent of Middletown City Schools, said he needs more information.

Rasmussen said he prefers the usual methods of training that teachers receive in colleges and universities over the preparation TFA members receive before they are deployed to their schools.

TFA applicants must pass subject-area tests and complete a five-week summer training program. Applicants must have a 2.5 or better grade point average and come from an accredited school.

“I’d like to believe the teachers who are specifically trained to be teachers, with the skills and background they get through a more traditional teacher-training program, are the kind who will be best prepared to work with our students,” Rasmussen said.

Rasmussen said he couldn’t make a definitive comment regarding the program’s effectiveness, or any potential it has to serve Middletown schools.

“I think there might be a way we could fill some hard-to-fill positions ... specialty positions, maybe,” he said.

Richard Packert, a seventh-grade teacher at Vail Middle School and president of the Southwestern Ohio Education Association, said the program is a “slap in the face” to students who went to college specifically for the profession.

“Would you go to a surgeon that only had five weeks of training?” Packert asked. “I understand their mission, but I think school districts can attract quality, qualified teachers (themselves).”