Arizona teachers constantly evaluated; bureaucrats around them, not so much

Rod Wielkie

Submitted photo/Rod Wielkie

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What are your thoughts on the need to heighten the evaluation of Arizona school administrators and policymakers? Tell us in 300 words or less at yourvalley.net/letters, or email your comments, name, address and contact number to azopinions@iniusa.org.

OPINION — I never expected to become a teacher. After serving in the Navy and spending more than three decades in federal law enforcement and public service, I went back to college and later taught eighth-grade social studies at an Arizona public school.

Teaching was among the most rewarding jobs I ever had, and also an eye-opener. After years in organizations built around leadership, accountability, performance and consequences, I saw public schools from a different angle.

After eight years, I was left with serious questions. When did teaching become so complicated? Teachers navigate evaluation systems, professional development, administrative initiatives and shifts in philosophy. How much time and money were spent evaluating rather than helping them teach?

And who evaluates the evaluators? Teachers must meet standards, document progress, manage behavior, accommodate various needs and produce measurable results. Administrators and school boards also must face accountability — for hiring, spending, management and policy decisions.

I saw how much classroom time was taken by problems with nothing to do with instruction. And, teachers cannot replace parents. Parents must teach respect, set expectations and make clear that actions have consequences.

We do students no favors by protecting them from failure. Disappointment, discipline and hard lessons are part of learning. If students reach adulthood believing effort is optional or consequences can be avoided, we have not prepared them well.

I did see plenty of success, but success should not keep us from questioning practices.

Teachers are constantly evaluated. The bureaucracy around them receives far less. No organization improves by refusing to question how it operates.

Rod Wielkie is a retired federal agent, military veteran and former middle school social studies teacher. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to azopinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.