Teachers:Teachers:Challenges Challenges

& & Reasons to StayReasons to Stay

Teachers:Teachers:Challenges Challenges

& & Reasons to StayReasons to Stay

By: By: Valerie KelleyValerie Kelley

Quentin McDonaldQuentin McDonaldTa’Joina Johnson Ta’Joina Johnson Shalayla WilliamsShalayla Williams

Introduction

The theme of this presentation is teachers’ challenges. We will discuss

the hurdles teachers face with the administration and even parents to

make sure that students learn. We will also discuss the things that inspired

teachers to have a career in education and why they continue to teach.

Lack of Resources“The schools send their supply list to the board for

the following year. And then when you come in, in September or in August, the supplies are not there. And most of the time teachers have to go

into their own pockets to buy the supplies to begin the work for the students. “

“We lack access to basic things like working

copying machines, paper, technology, professional development, etc”…There are

resources that come with the new geometry and algebra books that I have to have permission to be put onto the computer but they have to be approved first, so they bought it before it was

approved and now I have to wait ‘til they approve it”

Issues of Respect

“We must be paid a fair wage, just like anyone else. Detroit Public School teachers are the lowest paid teachers. In the suburbs, they're paying teachers

more. Why is that, and we have the biggest load to carry”

“The way I see it was, was a way for teachers to fight for what they needed--resources in the classroom.

Not a pay increase but not a decrease in their pay either. So I think it was for financial reasons and also for,

for academic reasons for kids, so kids in the inner city would have the same

opportunities as others, other school districts.”(DPS student)

Inspiration to Teach

“I became a teacher because I love math and I want to help students understand it better. …I've made it a quest to

understand how to clearly teach it so that more students will understand, appreciate and love math” (DPS teacher)

“I was educated in Detroit and why not give back to those who gave to me.” (DPS teacher)

“This is my career, this is my calling, this is what I chose to do you know, it’s not something that I fell into and so you know you have to look at if it’s your calling... I knew I

wanted to help I knew I wanted to do something to help children.” (DPS teacher)

Conclusion Detroit is still able to attract quality teachers. Even knowing that the pay is

not fair and the DPS system has its problems, there are still many willing to

sacrifice. A dedicated teacher is a passionate teacher and a zealous teacher is a quality educator.