Teacher Accountability

“However, once teachers receive tenure status, evaluation and accountability diminish in many districts across Minnesota.”

-Tim Pawlenty, Governor-Minnesota in his February 13, 2008 State of the State Address

Clearly, Mr. Pawlenty has never stood in front of 5 distinctly different 7th grade English classrooms of 30 students each. Each of whom expect to be simultaneously and uniquely entertained and educated for 55 minutes. No one knows accountability better, more publicly, or more acutely than a teacher. In fact, I think we could teach him a thing or two about setting standards and meeting them.

Good teaching is the rule of our profession, not the exception, and I have examples of good teaching to show off throughout St. Paul Public Schools.