I’ll admit to some skepticism regarding the well-intentioned Gates Foundation game plan for improving the quality of Hillsborough County teaching. Especially when its cost runs well into nine figures. Especially when some of the best teachers in the system will likely have to leave the classroom for a couple of years to do some mentoring. Explain that to the impacted students and their parents.
Like it or not, really good teachers are born, not made – no matter how much video-taping, mentoring, role-playing and seminar-attending you want to factor in.
Here’s what you need. Individuals:
*Who are smart. Certifiably so.
*Who have a work ethic that has enabled them to master their subject(s) and will prompt them to put in plenty of outside-the-classroom time.
*Who have a sense of humor.
*Who are creative — and relevant — without being gimmicky or patronizing.
*Who are forceful enough of personality to be strong disciplinarians.
*Who have a sense of fairness.
*Who genuinely like students.
*Who have never quite forgotten what it’s like to be a kid.
*Who because of the above qualities will not have to demand the respect of students. They will earn it. Year after year – as their reputations precede them.
Here’s arguably a better use for some of that Gates’ money. Underwrite scholarships and recruiting efforts to bring in the sort of teachers who won’t necessitate the best and brightest incumbents going on mentoring sabbaticals.