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Comments
14-Mar-15 - Ray
As an international teaching professional with experience in Puerto Rico, the South Pacific, and Korea over a 14-year period, I congratulate both Ms. Jameson and TIE for opening this issue to the community. I have seen (and been the victim of) this practice on 3 different occasions, with each case being one where better-qualified internal candidates existed but were ignored. Having also taught in the US, I can say that such practices are RARE in public school systems here.
08-Mar-15 - in Bali, in agreement
Thanks Joy, for espousing this aberration. Indeed it has happened at my school of late, in fact a few times.. Staff members who became so unpopular with students had their assignments minimized, and in some cases their courses were no longer offered as an option due to lack of interest. Rather than be dismissed - as would occur in most types of organization - these staff members were rewarded with other positions, often which carried stipends and involved significantly reduced teaching loads. This was due to very weak administration, all of whom have now departed, but the school is left with the burden as these staff members would not consider leaving knowing that they would not likely have such good fortune elsewhere.
What to do? I have always thought, and more so now, that administrators need to put less credence into the "squeaky wheel", and in fact perceive it as suspect.
06-Mar-15 - SarahPGibson (The Traveling Librarian)
Kudos to Joy Jameson for raising this subject and to TIE for publishing it. In my fourteen years of international experience in seven schools and colleges I have seen this scenario many times. It is especially true in school libraries where administrators mistakenly believe they can toss anyone into the position. What happens is that the library program suffers and then, usually before an accreditation visit, administrators suddenly realize the library is an unutilized mess and hire a librarian to correct the situation. Unfortunately, even teachers and students often don't understand what they are missing out on due to lack of exposure and therefore rebuilding an effective library program is a tough, uphill battle. I have seen this situation with many other specialist positions as well. Administrators are under pressure to hire couples as it more cost-effective and thus they fill positions as best they can which can result in unqualified people being slotted into positions. Unfortunately, I don't see this long-term practice changing in this era of for-profit schools unless the accrediting bodies more strictly enforce the 'guidelines'.
