Focus on Education: Where-Oh-Where Have The Teachers Gone By: Anthony Pellegrino

The PSS has many teachers departing at the end of this year. Employees depart also from private industry and the public sector, so what’s the big deal? The big deal is that a good educational system as any good organization demands stability and continuity of loyal employees. To improve our educational system we must understand why teachers leave after a brief stay. What prompts so many of them to want to return home after only one or two years? What are the real underlining reasons?

The quick answer is the salaries are too low. Fortunately this is simply not true. Teachers’ salaries offered here are in the 50% bracket of all the States. Also the teachers knew what their salaries were to be before they came to the CNMI.

All teachers know that the teaching profession is not the path to riches. The teachers leaving are not beginning teachers seeking higher salaries. They are experienced teachers devoted to their profession. Teachers do not have tenure or job security as civil service employees.

Another reason given is that this year’s belt tightening measures have created frustrations therefore the teachers are simply running away to better paying jobs. Teachers are intelligent and resourceful people. They fully realize that economic conditions around the world affect all of us. By reading what their counterparts are facing in other parts of the world, they understand that in many cases teaching in the CNMI offers more security than in some of the States.

Another reason given is that class sizes are too large. Class sizes are relative. A large class or a small class can be just as frustrating or just as enjoyable. It depends on other factors, not just class size. A very lame excuse for quitting a job.

All of the above reasons are simply balderdash! So what is the real reason?

Sandra Feldman, president of the American Federation of Teachers, the country’s second largest teachers union, succinctly put it when she stated: “Teaching is enormously gratifying, and many more would make it their career choice if they felt treated as professionals.” True, there are matters such as need to enforce strict discipline policies, modernize or at least maintaining school buildings, and supplying necessary and sufficient teaching materials. But being treated and respected as a teacher goes to the head of the class as the most valid reason for leaving!

Parents, can you recall when was the last time you spoke with your child’s teacher? When was the last time you invited him/her to a family function such as a party or a rosary? What have any of us done to show respect to the people we entrust our children? When was the last time we said a simple, “Thank you for helping my child.”

During this past year when there was serious talk about cutting 10% from teachers salaries, who of our Legislatures and Administration created a dialogue explaining why such an action was necessary? What other government agency gave both teachers and non-certified personnel 90 day termination notices to get through the budget restraints? Did anyone rush to their defense?

When a parent comes storming into a school and beats up a teacher because that teacher tried to discipline the student, what message do the other teachers receive? To add insult to injury, the judge forgave the parent! Are we making teachers welcome to our islands or are we tolerating them until we can educate enough local people to supplant them? But even our local people will cope out without the respect due to teachers.

Think about it the next time you decide to bad mouth a teacher!