New rules affect everyone
Back in the day, there were less rigid methods for teaching children how to read. Schools in the early 1980s consisted of more play than work. Now, it is all about the amount of AP classes one’s GPA. With so much pressure, students rely on their teachers to relay the material in a concise and accurate way. In order to do so, the teachers must be highly qualified.
Some teachers at Peninsula may have renewed their teaching credentials just last month or a couple months ago; some may have single-subject credentials or multiple-subject credentials. Others may have received their credentials several years ago and have not renewed them ever since. One such credential is the “life credential” which allows teachers to be certified for the rest of their life without having to renew it; however, this had not been issued since 1985.
Former French teacher Patricia Maier is one of many who have received a life credential in 1975. She received a secondary credential authorization for humanities English and another for French.
Though it is no longer distributed to teachers, life credentials still have lasting impacts. Because there is no renewal process for attaining this lifetime credential, there is no opportunity for employees to judge whether the teacher is still qualified.
Life credentials too often correlate with outdated methods that no longer work and do not produce positive and effective results. With the possibility of these teachers continuing to implement the early 1980s curriculum, students may fall behind in the academic race against fellow students.
Though lifetime credentials are no longer available, teachers with them still pepper campus. While these teachers are no less competent, there should be a renewal system so that we, as students, are in classrooms with the most up-to-date teachers.
“One of the main values of a credentialing program is the opportunity to work with mentor teachers who can share their wisdom,” teacher Bruce Colin said.
A district’s decision to hire teachers with antiquated methods also denies students the right to a proper education. Since teachers with a “life credential” do not need to renew it, they miss out on new ways of teaching students. High school students today are the future; the school district, must therefore, ensure that these teens are given proper resources to ignite their maximum potential.
“I think it is important to make sure teachers have the most up-to-date credentials because it puts me at ease knowing that I am in good hands,” junior Darren Lim said.
Setting the bar higher will force the district to become more selective in its processes while employing new teachers. A failure to do so will be manifested through the students’ performances.
