I came across an article recently that discussed a plan to offer higher salaries to teachers teaching math and science. It is believed that more highly qualified teachers in these two subjects are needed.
Fewer persons with math or science degrees choose teaching because of the low pay. They are offer jobs in other professions for more money.
In addition to higher pay, the plan also called for scholarships, bonuses, loans, and pay for working in high-risk areas.
While I agree that fewer teachers specialize in math or science than any other subject areas, I am not certain that the plan could work without many complications.
As of now, teachers receive pay based on experience and years of service. Teachers receive a step-raise each year until they reach the maximum salary. Teachers also receive more pay based on higher degrees held. However, one receives the same bonus for holding a reading degree as a math degree.
It is my concern that offering teachers more pay for the subject taught will cause a great disturbance in the education system. Can we tell reading, social studies, vocational, and special education teachers that they are not worth as much as math and science teachers? I feel that doing so will cause much conflict among teachers.
How will primary grade teachers that teach all subjects be treated? Teachers of grades kindergarten through sixth are not required to be highly qualified in a specific subject area. However, the teachers in these grades teach math and science.
I am also concerned that there will be a great interest in education students to become math or science teachers. Our goal is to have highly qualified teachers in these subjects. By offering more pay, I worry that many teachers will specialize in the subjects solely based on money. I am not certain that having a highly qualified math teacher that does not have a strong interest in math serves the desired purpose.
A good teacher can usually be detected because he or she enjoys what he or she teaches and has a great interest and love for the subject. I have no doubt that I could teach middle school history. I could take the textbook and teach it. However, I do not have a strong history background or a love for history. Although I could relay the information to students, in my opinion that is not enough.
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