Would the world be a better place if the best teachers received offers for million dollar endorsements?

Question

I always use these sticky notes to remind myself. Scotch Tape has held more of my student's works of art than I can count. These staples are the best. I have become attached to them. Acme poster boards have made my life so much easier. Where would I be without whiteout? Laminate me baby, I can take it.

Answer 1

You have an interesting question. It all comes in to where you are getting your "standard" for grading the teachers.

Being a teacher myself, here in Arkansas, there is a great debate currently on giving pay bonuses for those teachers who have an increase in testing scores of his/her students.
To me, that is only testing how well those teachers taught to the test. Most of those students are test smart, but street dumb. Most of them know formulas and rules, but when asked why and how questions, all you get is a blank look.

I feel the best teachers are those who teach from the heart, and no amount of endorsement from whichever product will make them any better of a teacher.

That does raise an interesting point. Why don't more corporations "sponsor" teachers, like in NASCAR? Hmmm...

Answer 2

It depends who decides who are the best teachers and on what basis the decision is made.

In Houston, Texas there is a huge controversy because some teachers got bonuses and others were snubbed. The superintendent had some disingenuous formula which even he concedes needs "some tweaking." Some of the hardest working and best teachers were snubbed. Teachers were set up against teachers. Hard working teachers went home crying because they were not recognized for their efforts. Often, two teachers would work together to help students, but only one would get the bonus. A reward system would only hurt a school by pitting teachers against each other and force a competitive environment which is not conducive to the cooperation that it so important for success.

Many people who are not in education do not understand that education is not a business or a sport, where you reward the "best" and fire the others at will. Many teachers work very hard under very difficult circumstances. They are excellent teachers who choose to work in low-income high-minority schools because they want to be there and want to make a difference despite the public's belief that only bad teachers work in those schools. They know their scores will never be as high as those of schools in more privileged areas because circumstances are so vastly different. They won't stop trying because they know that many of their students make great growth (or to use a sports term, "personal best") in their classrooms that may not translate into high scores in standardized tests.

Answer 3

I think it would be nice, but largely the best teachers are the ones who love teaching. I think a million dollar bonus would allow teachers to find a job wherever they like, not wherever best pays the bills -- which would often mean losing public school teachers to private schools with fewer restrictions, less focus on "teaching to the test," more flexibility and creativity... but often lower salaries.

Answer 4

YES! Especially for the level of expertise, training, certification and education one must obtain first in states like NY and Mass.

Answer 5

No, teacher teach with their passion, not for the sake of million dollars.

Answer 6

Yeah, wouldn't it be nice if the professions who ACTUALLY make a difference would be properly compensated!!! I consider these to be (not inclusive) teachers, nurses and policemen, ironically the most chronically underpaid workers!

Answer 7

It would be nice indeed...but...

would they still teach after receiving this award?

P.S. - Laminate you? Has it been that long of a long week?

Answer 8

Sorry, the communist teachers union won't let you reward overachieving teachers with higher salary. Same salary for everyone, it's the socialist / union way.