Teachers & the Classroom

All successful service industries require good employees, and education is no exception. The employee is responsible to provide the service and maintain customer satisfaction. Often other employees help in this process, from managers to accountants and supply personnel, but the focus is on the front-line employee providing the service. In education, the front-line employees are the teachers.

Teachers have the greatest influence on the educational process. Teachers are subject experts in their classrooms and, especially in secondary schools, have developed advanced knowledge. Teachers are child psychologists and have studied child behavior. Teachers are disciplinarians that help maintain a safe and appropriate learning environment. Teachers make learning a fun and enjoyable experience. Teachers are examples to their students and their influence can last a lifetime.

As the front line of the service, teachers and classrooms should be the focus of the educational system. Good teachers should be rewarded for their skills and effort. I believe that a merit-pay system can be developed that will reward those teachers who are outstanding in their field and incentivize all to continue to improve. This effort should not necessarily be additional education, but improved teaching and communication skills. Other district and school resources are important and the educational system could not function without them. However, these other resources should have their focus on the needs of the classroom. This focus will provide a better product that will produce higher parental—the customer—satisfaction.

Employees are essential in the educational system, especially teachers. I plan a future entry on principals and their unique role. The Davis Education Association (DEA) has asked that I fill out a questionnaire that has been sent to all school board candidates. The questions asked and the responses I provided have also been posted.