StudentsFirst.org - Michelle Rhee Answers Your Questions - Ask Michelle

[EnjoyHi5Autism]

Hi5! Thanks Students First. #Students needs should always take priority over the #economy,states rights, #politics and other secondary factors .

[humanswin]

Secular school program??Well they did say "the lord's work"below.I wish you the best,kids are literally screwed today(second mile foundation,ouch).Video game addicted and oh so vey,very fat.They are over medicated and see a world of little to no hope.Can you be honest enough to look at the sky and see chemtrails?and say something?Doubt it..9-11 reality or any other,cowards and the blindly ignorant make me sick...good luck with it all...I show the way and give the answers .Honesty will do that.

[hibamazahreh]

GOD BLESS YOU! THIS IS THE LORD’S WORK FOR SURE!

WHAT A GREAT LEADER

[antonscottgoustin]

Teaching, like social work, is a calling, not a job like being a car mechanic. The best teachers I had growing up were often the people I took as role models for an adult to respect. My stepfather was the epitomé of a bad role model as a parent, as a human being, so my first male teacher (fifth grade) had a tremendous impact on me developing respect for adult males.

[MsJanetWood]

For once I agree! Not all teachers are created equal! Most teachers went into the profession, because they had a DREAM! A dream to change the world and make it a better place for all!

Then, there are those few "teachers" who only think of "teaching" as a stepping stone towards their more ambitious career goals!

THEIR DREAM? A six-figure salary just to walk around with a clip-board and a latte!

Instead, you could hire a private tutor for each student with their salaries!

What a waste!

[4thelordlove]

So if teenagers can tell the difference, than I think we as adults should be more honest and acknowledge the difference between the effective teacher, and the teacher who is a liability to the success of our students and our schools.

P.S. Thanks to Michelle for recognizing that charters often take the students that are low performers, have special needs, or a history of behavioral problems. We don't just take all the local Valedictorians.

[4thelordlove]

At the same time, teacher's should not be evaluated by the narrow scope of well intended but poorly crafted initiatives like NCLB/student performance on standardized tests. The evaluation measure should be a reflection of what the teacher does in the classroom, and how it creates an environment that facilitates student success and learning. At the secondary level, the student's recognize the teachers who care enough to give their all.

[4thelordlove]

Several teachers at my school would be jobless if it were up to the local teacher's union, since pink slips are a yearly threat if you don't have 20 years on the job. At the non-union charter school the 20 year veteran and the 1st year teacher are held to the same standards for evaluation. Collective bargaining is an important tool for the labor rights of many, but it also results in the layoff of some very effective teachers. Job performance should be the focus of personnel decisions.