Respect Teachers as Leaders in the Community

I have enormous respect for the teachers in the classrooms of this county. They have made a commitment to help our children find their paths in life. Teachers are guides to learning in math and science and social studies, but they also help each child find his or her place in the community. For their dedication to a difficult profession, new teachers need to be encouraged. Pay scales and benefits need to be better focused for recruitment and retention. For their service to the community, teachers deserve to be able to live in the communities where they work. For their challenges in the classroom, teachers deserve our respect and support. For their years of commitment and service, retiring teachers deserve to be rewarded with greater advocacy for the improvement of state-controlled pension benefits.


Rebuild Year-Round Communications

A lot is said about what goes into teacher contracts. The newspapers detail percentages here and pay scales there. Every year the unions and the school board and the administration are keenly focused on contract time and the time-crunched resolution between budget and benefits. And every year, as parents, we sit by and wonder if our kids are getting the attention they deserve under the threat of work slow downs and strikes. Every year, as taxpayers – the true shareholders in the negotiation – we wonder if we are getting a good deal. As a parent and a shareholder, I would like to see a structured, year-round dialogue between the parties at the negotiating table. That way, when contract time arrives, there are no surprises. Everyone is walking into the room with a clear picture of what dollars will be paying for what services. Parents can be confident that education will not come to a standstill over line items and labor disputes. And taxpayers can be confident that their dollars will be invested over a carefully charted course.


Restore Autonomy in the Classroom

Teachers are among the first to see the trials and talents of our children in their studies. They endeavor every day to inspire each child with every lesson. In order to improve the quality of education in our schools, teachers are asking for help and we need to listen. Manageable workloads will allow teachers to focus on teaching students instead of administrative tasks. Flexibility will help teachers shape lesson plans to fit the individuals in their classrooms. Autonomy in the classroom will facilitate more creative and productive learning environments. Greater involvement of parents and local businesses in our schools will help to build our community as a whole.