Arizona teachers seek training, prep time
The Arizona Republic
5.27.2006

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0527teacher0527.html

 

Pat Kossan
 
Most Arizona teachers think their principals and fellow teachers are doing a good job but need more time to prepare lesson plans and want more training, according to a survey released Friday by Gov. Janet Napolitano's office.

Support from bosses, a conviction that students are learning and salary are top reasons teachers remain in the classroom, the survey reported.

Only 19 percent named school reform, which demands more testing and accountability, as "extremely important" in their decision to remain or leave.

High school English teacher Amanda McAdams, 34, said the relationship with principals and superintendents is important in keeping good teachers in the classroom.

"It's so important our leaders support teachers, provide technology, and that teachers understand what's expected of them," said McAdams, who is in her fifth year at Glendale's Apollo High School.

The school offers effective mentoring to teachers in their first three years on the job, said McAdams, who wants that mentoring to continue for all teachers.

The North Carolina-based Center for Teaching Quality polled 153 principals and 5,119 of the state's approximately 52,000 teachers. Some of their findings:


• About 18 percent of teachers surveyed were considering moving to a different school or leaving the profession.


• Nearly half said they needed more training in teaching language learners and helping needy kids catch up to their wealthier peers