TeacherWorkingConditions
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The Association of Adult Literacy Professional Developers, a network of professional developers across the country, is engaged in an on-going process of developing a platform of policies related to professional development. This platform would constitute a vision for professional development for which the whole field can advocate. AALPD invites discussion of this platform, in an effort to draft policies that represent the field's view. Please join the discussion by subscribing to NIFL-AALPD. To subscribe, visit:
http://www.nifl.gov/lincs/discussions/nifl-aalpd/subscribe_aalpd.html
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Subject:[NIFL-AALPD:2028] teacher working conditions
From:jataylor_at_utk.edu
Hello everyone! If you'll bear with me, I thought I'd offer up a few threads pertaining to the policies that have yet to be discussed on the list. Please share your perspectives and insights, offer suggestions, criticisms, ideas, and other comments. What suggestions do you have for improvements regarding this policy recommendation? What are some pros/cons of this policy recommendation that you would like to explore?
Best, Jackie Taylor, NIFL-AALPD List Moderator, jataylor@utk.edu
Teacher Working Conditions
In addition to paid professional development release time, programs should have sufficient resources to fund adequate working conditions that will allow teachers to make change as a result of the professional development they attend, including:
- Benefits for all teachers (including part-time),
- paid prep time for all teachers (including part-time),
- access for all teachers to at least one hour a week of sharing time with either colleagues or a coordinator who supports their teaching, and
- at least monthly mechanisms (staff meetings, meetings with director) for voicing their input/decision making within the program.
Here's the entire list of policies for easy reference: http://wiki.literacytent.org/index.php/PDPolicyPlatformUpdates
Subject:RE: [NIFL-AALPD:2028] teacher working conditions
From:Katrina Hinson <khinson-at-future-gate.com>
Hi Everyone. I'm way behind on my email responses due to a death in my immediate family. I'm just beginning to try to get caught up. I came across this email and I couldn't help but respond.
Jackie, I completely agree with the suggestions you've made under Teacher Working Conditions. I know at hte community college I work at, Part Time instructors can't even have their payroll checks direct deposited b/c they feel the turnover rate in some cases is too high...and forget that some, have been with the school for years. Instead, at the end of every month, they wait to see IF they're even going to get our checks on time while full timer instructors don't have that worry b/c of direct deposit. Additionally, people in admin positions sometimes wonder why the turnover rate is so high with their part time staff in some cases but then don't really hear the partimers who try to tell them - it's the little things: like time for lesson planning, being treated with equal respect regardless of PT/FT status, being valued for one's opinions and knowledge base. I think teacher working conditions are a big reason for high turnover rates sometimes. When Part timers don't have benefits, and don't have an adequate support/resource group where they work, they begin to look elsewhere for a place they feel will value them, and show them they are needed.
I think what you've written is very well said and very much needed.
Regards
Katrina Hinson
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