In North Carolina we have several "lateral
entry" teachers. Many do a wonderful job,
but many do not and may be wonderful
teachers, but do not believe in teaching
the curriculum. Several, also, do not
plan on staying in the field.

I personally believe that hiring lateral
entry teachers may be temporary solution to
the teacher shortage, but there are many
states where there are not teacher
shortages and recruiting teachers from
these states may also be an answer.

What I believe is the best solution to the
teacher shortage problem is making teaching
an appealing career. Pay and treat
teachers as the professionals they are.
Make work places as safe as possible (I'm
tired of students coming to school with
weapons and going home with warnings).
Administration needs to support teachers
100%.

Our biggest problem is we live in a society
where money goes to the things in which we
value. Right now, we do not value
education. Until our society changes, we
will have bright, educated college
graduates choose careers where, with less
education than I have, and less experience
than I have, can begin careers with
salaries twice as high as mine.

Just my humble, incoherent opinion.

Robin, wrdwrthy@bbnp.com,
12/28/01