This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
My father was a chemist. I retired at the end of this school year from a fulfilling career as an elementary teacher. While driving and listening to the radio news today I laughed out loud when I heard the most recent teacher-shortage solution. Send in the chemist to teach chemistry; send in the accountant to teach math; send in the personal trainer to teach physical education and coach. Whatever profession needed, send in someone who has worked in their own field to teach.
Like it is the easiest thing in the world. Like they won't be eaten alive without the training and education of a professional teacher. Teachers spend a lot of college tuition learning to:
• develop individual education plans for individuals or classes.
• design differentiated instruction and assessment models.
• advise parents and students on homework and learning strategies.
• devise varied learning paths to help different students meet the same standards.
• link learning style data with student achievement data in your school or district.
• manage a classroom without yelling, hitting or deriding anyone.
It is yet another insult thinking anyone can walk into a classroom and teach. Just because you "like kids" and may be a "parent," you will find teaching to be so much more than the solid information base from your field of study.
It has been reported 42 percent of professionally-trained teachers are quitting the career of their choice in the first five years, so good luck, "professionals" not trained to teach. Give it your best shot.
Kay Gleave Quealy
Salt Lake City