Schools Tackle Science Teacher Exodus

[N'Zinga Shani]

Schools Tackle Science Teacher Exodus

This is an excellent and informative article.  The comments by Mr. Therrien and Mr. Cicarella, and the research data provide important information about some of the key problems in retaining science teachers in urban school districts. Not enough emphasis has been placed on: 1) Lack of adequate teacher preparation; not in subject content but in classroom management and content delivery.  a) Many young teachers are totally unprepared for the environment they encounter in some urban classrooms; b) they are not prepared for the lack of interest demonstrated by some students, and c) they have no experience or know-how in dealing with the manifestations of socioeconomic and psychological maladies plaguing many students in poor urban environments.

2) The lack of creative flexibility teachers have in the highly regulated urban (NHPS, Bpt) learning environment is an issue.

3) Poor organizational management is a major turn-off for committed science teachers (and for most committed teachers).

4) Inadequate ongoing staff development, and

5) Teaching in an environment where up to 50 percent of one’s time and energy are spent trying to maintain discipline is truly exhausting.  Realistically, two years is the most many of these young teachers can take. Instituting an exit interview survey is 20 years late in NHPS, but it is better late than never. This process should start ASAP.

We commend Therrien and Cicarella for being factual.

http://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/schools...

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