My Recommendation for Improving the Teaching Profession

Let's create a system whereby teachers can become "free agents" and teach in districts that pay top performers

By Armando F. Sanchez
Published on LatinoLA: September 29, 2012

My Recommendation for Improving the Teaching Profession

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I recommend educators and administrators look to professional sports to gain new strategies.

Let's create a system whereby teachers can become "free agents" and teach in school districts that pay more if one is a top performer.

Thus, teachers can be recruited by other districts for their high performance with students and/or for developing innovative and successful teaching programs.

High performing teachers could make $150,000 or more a year if they are exceptional. Teachers would be encouraged to have their own agents and have them negotiate each year with multiple districts.

There is nothing more American than working for the highest bidders. Teachers would have a motive to be more creative with their teaching lessons.

Like all good business, educators that are required additional degrees and credentials can also in turn ask for high salaries. Teachers who are willing to work in low performing schools can negotiate for additional income.

Professionals on the playing field do it, why not professional in the classroom?

Teachers in mathematics and languages should be the most aggressive negotiators. Not because the subject is special. It's because those are in the main subjects being closely scrutinized by state and federal testing agencies.

For those teaching high school Economics, let's show our peers and policy makers how this option would benefit the nation's teaching profession.

About Armando F. Sanchez:
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