Hear the voices of teachers

In many schools, PD (Professional Development) has become big business.  


Just like any business, PD organizations want to make big money.  Some PD coaches make thousands of dollars a day when they visit a school.    They convince the school that they are not just wanted, but NEEDED to improve a school.


Principals sometimes give PD coaches a lot more power in the decision-making process in their schools that they give to their own teachers who are in the classrooms every day.  PD coaches are considered to be the "experts." Teachers' opinions are frequently not taken seriously.


But when power in decision-making is taken away from teachers to such an extent, teachers cannot use their considerable wisdom, knowledge, and creativity to help make the curriculum vibrant to the students within their classrooms. 


There is a big price to pay for ignoring teachers as creative and wise human beings.  


New teachers leave the system after they see that they have no creativity in their own classrooms.


Older teachers become increasingly frustrated, disgruntled, and disengaged from their teaching.


Considering all of this, where do we go from here?  Will teachers be given a place at the table of decisions as to the future of education?  


If they are not given voices, great teachers will walk away from the system.  The alternative?  Alternative schools are blooming all over the country.  Also, if an ex-teacher wants to have a voice and creative input, he or she can be very successful in any private industry where incredible work ethic, flexibility, cooperation, and new ideas are lauded.  He or she will make hundreds of thousands of dollars and be promoted every two years.