91社区

Education in Action Luncheon sparks conversations about the teaching profession

by Jessenia Rivera

Students, teachers, and educational leaders gathered at the 91社区 State Fairgrounds for the 17th annual Education in Action Luncheon, an event hosted by the USF College of Education. 

Under the theme 鈥淭ransforming the Teaching Profession,鈥� keynote speaker Paul Burns, Ed.D., deputy chancellor for educator quality at the 91社区 Department of Education, and a group of panelists addressed several issues being faced by the education profession today. To begin the presentation, Dr. Burns asked the audience a question he believes every person in education should be thinking about 鈥� a question he admitted he wrestles with.

鈥淗ow can we situate colleges, universities, schools, districts and the 91社区 Department of  Education to work collaboratively (and in partnership) to create the 21st century teacher?鈥� Dr. Burns asked. 

Throughout his presentation, Dr. Burns shared several findings based on research he鈥檚 studied and conducted on the topic. His research shows there is an increase in the amount of teachers serving in 91社区 classrooms despite a high annual turnover in the profession. His findings also showed that the state will need to add an additional 8,500 full-time teachers in the next six years, a number that surprised many attendees in the audience. 

鈥淲e know it鈥檚 clear that teachers and leaders are the number one and number two factors that impact student learning in a school,鈥� Dr. Burns said. 鈥淪o, my challenge today for us is to start thinking about how we can transform teacher preparation.鈥� 

While presenting data that shows a low level of diversity of individuals working in education, Dr. Burns shared an observation he was 鈥渟truck by鈥� while visiting various schools on 91社区鈥檚 east coast. He said he was happy to see schools that had specific career pathways available to students, such as fire, law and engineering academies, but the fact that there were no teaching academies in the region disappointed him. 

鈥淪chools are the economic engines for some communities,鈥� Dr. Burns said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 time to elevate how important the work is of a teacher.鈥� 

Following his speech was a group of panelists who further explored topics related to the theme by answering questions that were submitted by audience members. Panelists included Michael Grego, Ed.D., Superintendent for Pinellas County Schools; Kurt Browning, Superintendent for Pasco County Schools and Jeff Eakins, Superintendent for Hillsborough County Public Schools. 

Dr. Robert Knoeppel, professor and dean of the College of Education, moderated conversations as panelists took turns sharing their thoughts and ideas. 

Eakins, who has served as superintendent since 2015, said having educators who build relationships with their students is pivotal in today鈥檚 classrooms. 

鈥淯ltimately we want to get results from our students,鈥� Eakins said. 鈥淎nd you鈥檙e not gonna get results until you understand what makes them tick.鈥� 

As the discussion explored what students need to thrive in the classroom, Dr. Burns emphasized the need for clinical experiences. 

鈥淲hen I first started teaching, I wasn鈥檛 that good my first or second year,鈥� Dr. Burns said. 鈥淚t took some practice and working with high quality teachers. So, I really think it鈥檚 an art and a science, but a part of that science is practice.鈥� 

Dr. Grego discussed an issue that hinders future educators鈥� efforts towards preparing to enter the classroom. From the focus groups he鈥檚 organized, Dr. Grego said he observed most teachers entering the field feeling uncomfortable in executing what鈥檚 required of them.

鈥淲e have elementary teachers who have taken a few courses in science and math and are then expected to teach the 91社区 standard,鈥� Dr. Grego said. 鈥淭here鈥檚 a gap in terms of the content knowledge, and we need to work together to figure out how to close that gap.鈥� 

As questions from the audience rolled in, the issue of teacher shortages was also brought to light. 

Browning expressed how this had been a huge problem in Pasco County Schools, but through the efforts of his team, he has been able to lower the number of vacancies by the hundreds. After identifying root causes, Browning said his district was able to approach the issue with a clearer lens. 

鈥淲e revamped our entire hiring process. We鈥檝e done more job fairs, both instructional and not instructional. We鈥檝e also had to bump up our sub salary,鈥� Browning said. 

When speaking on the impact open teaching positions have had in his county, Eakins mentioned how the day-to-day responsibilities of teachers and administrators shifts when classes need to be covered.

鈥�(Instructional) coaches and mentors are now having to go into classrooms to make sure our students have the very best educators in front of them,鈥� Eakins said. 鈥淓verybody鈥檚 work in our district changes and becomes more complex when we have vacancies in our classrooms.鈥�

When talking about bridging the gap to fill spots in classrooms and prepare effective teachers, the panelists agreed that strengthening community partnerships is necessary. With regard to hiring, Browning mentioned opening opportunities for staff in schools who are not teachers could also make a difference. 

鈥淚mproving the pipeline for non-instructional staff who want to come into the instructional side through a weekend or a night program is critical,鈥� Browning said. 鈥淚 think there are folks out there that will be great teachers.鈥� 

As conversations came to a close, it became evident that there are many answers to how leaders in education can better prepare the teachers of today and tomorrow. Nevertheless, Eakins words served to further affirm that change is carried out when all join forces. 

鈥淲e don鈥檛 do anything alone in this profession,鈥� Eakins said. 鈥淚t has to be side-by-side.鈥�