Differentiated Coaching for Educators

I was privileged today to speak with Margueritte Izzo, a recent New York State Teacher of the Year, while at the summer NSDC conference. Margueritte effortlessly deflects any personal praise and instead emphasizes that she must have received the title for a purpose--and at least one of her purposes is advocating for teachers.

She pointed out that as New York determines its curriculum standards, there is almost no teacher representation on the committees. How much bias can our country show against teachers, that we do not involve them in setting the standards for what will be taught?

Compare this to Finland, where teachers are recruited only from the very top percentiles of their classes, or to so many countries where teachers are respected and admired.

May we all look for ways to ensure teachers get the respect, the working conditions, the professional development, the planning and collaboration time, and the roles in educational decision-making that they deserve. And, thank you Margueritte, for pointing the way.