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Message from the Publisher:

Still  Needed… Highly-Effective Teachers of Color

These are tough times for our nation’s schools, teachers and prospective teachers. Many state and local governments have been especially hard hit and have had to significantly cut funding for education.  Superintendents of many school districts have been forced to increase class size, layoff teachers and close schools. In some cases, the directors have resorted to hiring freezes.

However, with all the bad news regarding hiring in education, I’m encouraged by what I’m hearing from my conversations with innovative and non-traditional schools. Yes, the bad news of cuts and more cuts is real, but the good news is that for highly-effective teachers of color there is still strong demand.  So how can you increase your marketability, find the job that’s right for you, then become an effective teacher?  Those are the issues we focus on in this issue and here are a few suggestions.

~Become proficient in a high-needs field like mathematics, science (especially chemistry and physics), bilingual education, or foreign languages.

~Do your due diligence and research schools and districts that offer schools that both fit you and are headed by innovative leaders.  ~Don’t just apply to large, traditional school districts.

~Be willing to relocate and seek out unique opportunities.  If you want to work in a high-needs inner-city environment, maybe your opportunity is not inner-city Chicago, but Inner-city New York.

~Be honest with yourself and consider your purpose for teaching and what would best fit your skillset. Whether it’s an urban, suburban, rural, independent or charter school, seek out what best fits you.

~Continue your professional development and seek professional organizations, and continuing-education programs. Get the support and development you need to be the professional that teaching requires.

Most importantly, go out and embark on this journey knowing that great teaching jobs are still out there. Many proactive schools are still hiring – seek them out. Commence your journey knowing that highly effective teachers of color are still needed.

Preston “Pres” Edwards Jr.

-Fall 2011 Issue 

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