Nevertheless, it appears that the coaches, an integral part of the expansion of non-classroom personnel under the Huff/Besendorfer administration, will continue even as the district's reserves dwindle to nearly nothing.
An advertisement was placed today on the district website for a teaching/learning coach. It reads as follows:
Teaching and Learning Coach-Elementary
| Job Description | |
| Primary Location | KELSEY NORMAN |
| Salary Range | Per Year |
| Shift Type | Full-Time |
There is absolutely no evidence to show that the millions and millions of dollars spent on TLCs has in any way proved effective. In fact, the evidence points to the contrary. The scores for reading and math in Joplin have bottomed out, with Joplin tying for dead last in academics in Southwest Missouri.
ReplyDeleteIn the meantime, the sixth largest district in the state has not provided its teaching staff with a decent raise in six years or more. Joplin teachers rank 164th in the state in pay, while their superintendent and administrators rank very high on the state pay scale. Joplin also has a much higher teacher-to-student ratio than any district near its size, so those administrators are really putting a squeeze on the teaching staff. It would seem obvious that the money has not been invested well. Put your money into the teaching staff so that you can demand better teachers, give them what they need, and then leave them largely alone. Learning will happen. Of course, you won't have a bevy of spies and junior administrators, but if things are going well, why would you need them?
The TLCs are not there to help students learn. They are there to spy. The top requirement is to be willing to dirty your nose in order to escape what has become the horrendous conditions of many of Joplin's classrooms, due to a lack of discipline expectations and a shortage of learning materials. They will do about anything to keep from going back in those rooms, and admin will do about anything to keep their little network, including paying them with questionable, if not illegal, funding.
ReplyDeleteIt's a wonder any Joplin teacher stays, and I admire those with the courage to do so. I hope things improve for the teachers soon.
I am surprised they're still called TLCs. I thought a decision had been made to give them new titles and move them around a little, and maybe put them under the supervision of building admin. That way it won't look like so many people are working for the Central Office. It's a nice try, but we will be counting heads and seeing how many teaching staff are in our schools and how many non-teaching staff are bleeding our pockets dry. There is simply no more patience in the public for this nonsense any more. We are watching every move and every hire, and we are monitoring where the money is going.
ReplyDeleteHas anyone noticed that of the TLC's who left that position, that some left the district or went back into a classroom? Some of the 21st century coaches (also now TLC's) did the same. Those are the ones that did not want to spy and wanted to help the teachers help the kids. Many TLC's are principals or in other admin positions in R8 and other districts. Some wouldn't/won't spy. They're the ones who aren't TLC's anymore.
ReplyDelete10:47--
ReplyDeleteThe coaching staff who have become administrators aren't the most trusted administrators around. They just have even more power now.
I have known a few good people who were or are TLCs at one level or another, but they are definitely exceptions to the rule. The majority are willing to turn on their former peers in order to stay out of the classroom.
12:24,
ReplyDeleteAre there any administrators who can be trusted?
I don't think there are any left.
All those TLC's and administrators who preach trust and relationships certainly don't have a clue as to how to cultivate it.
Power corrupts. And there is a LOT of corruption in R8land.
How many teachers have had a TLC watch a lesson in their classroom or comment on how they can improve?
ReplyDeleteNOT MANY I KNOW, and I know many!
TLCs just like to host meetings on teacher plan times and talk about how badly their students (scratch that, their teachers) are doing. They must test, test, test, so that they can prove that students are learning, though.