ATPE News is the official publication of the Association of Texas Professional Educators, the largest educator association in Texas. The magazine addresses the most important issues affecting public education in the state. Learn more at ATPE.org.
Issue link: https://atpe.epubxp.com/i/435977
atpe.org | 19 winter 2014 Although dissatisfed educators pointed to a lack of administrative support, most were also able to acknowledge that the true problem was with "the system," rather than with their particular school or district. They indicated that recent changes in the world of education, most notably testing and funding concerns, have placed added strain on both teachers and administrators. As David said, "Administrators have boiled their goals down to completion rates, attendance, and test scores because that's where the funding comes from." Renice noted that teachers' and administrators' differing priorities can create tension in schools, with both groups feeling the pressure: "Since there is a fnancial side to education, teachers feel apart from the administration sometimes based on the fact that one sees the business side and the other sees the face of the child. As long as money is tied to scoring, this gap will exist." Studies have shown that areas with high administrative turnover have higher-than- average teacher turnover as well, and both of these problems affect low-income schools at disproportionate rates. With all of these factors working against teachers, what makes some teachers stay? ATPE member Linda Geistweidt has been teaching kindergarten and elementary school for 25 years. Like Emily, she was drawn to the profession in childhood, but unlike Emily, she has never looked back. Although Linda acknowledges that there is plenty to be concerned about in the feld of education (testing, pay, and lack of parental involvement, for starters), she has never reconsidered her decision to become a teacher. So why do teachers like Linda remain in a career that they have honest reservations about? Linda is passionate about her job and her students, as are many educators who choose to leave the feld, and she's just as troubled by the negative changes she's seen over the years. Linda admits that she receives ample assistance from administrators and colleagues, and that the rural community she lives in is very supportive of its teachers. These factors have certainly played a big part in her ability to remain steadfast in her career, but for Linda, the joy of working with the children in her classroom is what really sustains her. Living in a rural community means she often gets to watch her students grow and thrive into adulthood, and for her, this reward is second to none. High school teacher Dixon Seider, also an ATPE member, followed a very different route into teaching. He originally intended to become a banker, but when things didn't go as he had expected, Dixon decided to get a teaching certifcate to honor his mother, who had taught for 35 years. Thinking that he would teach for a year before pursuing a business career, Dixon never anticipated that he would still be teaching 27 years later. Despite his unusual career path, Dixon couldn't be happier with his decision. What has made him stick with teaching all these years, when so many others who have consciously pursued teaching wind up leaving the profession? Like Linda, Dixon says that he feels supported by his administration and his community. Although he was never given an offcial mentor, Dixon speaks fondly of the staff he worked with as a new teacher and the guidance they provided. As one of the more experienced teachers at his school now, Dixon does his best *Note that that some teachers chose to remain anonymous, and we have changed their names at their request. Frequent teacher turnover has a direct efect on student success. If we want our students to succeed, we need to keep their teachers in the classroom. Mentors, time to collaborate with other teachers, and opportunities for communication with the principal are the most efective support measures. continued on page 40