Teachers Say Council Will Add Professionalism
Photo
Creation of a Professional Standards Council for Wisconsin teachers
will raise standards for the profession.
That was the main message delivered by seven teachers who testified
February 24 before the Assembly Education Committee. The committee scheduled
a March 11 vote on the bill — SB-364 — which has passed the
Senate.
“Teaching never sits still,” said Jo Gehl, a Little Chute
teacher. “We have to be continuously changing and growing in order
to keep up with the demands of society and changing children.
“Ultimately, it will enhance our ability to do these things if
we have an arena where exchange of ideas between colleagues is encouraged.
As a thoughtful educator, I embrace and look forward to the opportunity
to put professional excellence back into the hands of the professional
educators.”
The Professional Standards Council brings together the entire educational
community, said Bob Nerad of Milwaukee, chair of the WEAC Instruction
and Professional Development Committee.
“The purpose of the Professional Standards Council for Teachers
is to ensure quality in the profession of teaching by recommending to
the state superintendent a set of high standards for licensing that
maintain quality classroom teaching, to address the changing needs for
the instruction of pupils in the state, and to provide for the continued
professional development of teachers. The primary focus of the council
is improvement of classroom teaching.”
Sally Heideman of Kenosha said the council will “enhance the already
high quality of teaching in Wisconsin by adding accountability.”
“A Professional Standards Council,” said Pamela Hill of Wisconsin
Rapids, “would promote the concept of teachers as professionals
and would bring together the state’s many stakeholders to discuss
and agree on the standards to be met by teachers throughout their professional
careers.”
The council, added Kathleen Farrell of Fall River, will “help
make teaching a respected profession.”
Diane Slivka of Sturgeon Bay said the council will “create a system
for continuous review of the quality of teacher training, standards
for achieving and maintaining certification, and the review of effective
classroom practices.”
Iris Othrow of McFarland said the council “will provide a means
to rejuvenate teachers and guide educators to be the best they can be
with the possibility for the highest standards in the nation.”
Posted March 6, 1998