(Editor’s note: This letter to the editor is in response to “IT Teachers Set to Face Strict Evaluation Measures” that appeared in the Friday, Sept. 2, 2011 edition of the Levittown Tribune.)
In a recent Levittown Tribune article entitled, “IT Teachers Set to Face Strict Evaluation Measures,” the author speaks of a recent Board of Education meeting that was seemingly devoted to a newly developed grading system that will subject Island Trees teachers to be evaluated and judged. What the author fails to mention is that the entire state’s teachers will be forced to adhere to these “newly developed” standards. While it is true that the existing board is displaying diligence with regard to adopting this new system, it is merely responding to the State Education Department’s direction.
The impetus of this editorial is to respond to a title and an article that could be deemed misleading. This community in the past couple of years has endured some difficult times. Many people remain unemployed, taxes have increased and education has been diminished due to a loss of teaching staff. Yet we all carry on, as we must. It is imperative now more than ever that this community remains committed to the students. As teachers are called to task with regard to lessons and how they will be judged, parents need to hold themselves accountable as well. These children need to understand the importance of responsibility and dependability. Parents will be asked to make sure that their children be diligent in their responsibilities. As we all know, with tax-caps looming, education will continue to get slashed. The remaining teachers will do their best, but success will only come if parents join the teachers in their attempt to educate.
This very newly developed, and still developing, Annual Professional Performance Review is in its infancy. It is not feared by the teachers of Island Trees, in fact, many teachers have volunteered to be on the committee charged with developing the components to it that are subjectively determined. They have come in over the summer, without a contract coincidentally, to assist in coordinating these ever-changing criteria. As the state changes its mind on things, the committee adapts. It is and will remain a work-in-progress.
So as the school year has begun and the talk of performance review circulates, the teachers of Island Trees will continue to hold themselves to a standard that is higher than any set by any state. That is a standard imposed upon themselves. As we come to school each day, it is with little thought of new evaluations or non-existing contracts. We come to school each day with thoughts of how we are going to engage our students in meaningful and thought provoking activities. We are a highly effective group of teachers that takes great pride in what we do.
Charles Smith, UTIT President, Tom Steinmeyer, UTIT Vice-President, Doug Rigo, UTIT Vice-President
