CEO Says Philadelphia Lacks Teachers Experienced In Urban Classrooms
Dr. Stacy Gill-Phillips is the founder and CEO of the West Philadelphia Achievement Charter Elementary School. WPACES is a kindergarten through fifth grade charter school and has been in existence since 2000. The school uses technology and the arts to educate their students. WPACES takes the time to help students find their area of intelligence and use it the best way they can in the learning process. Dr. Gill-Phillips received a master's degree in elementary education and curriculum instruction from Temple University and a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Pennsylvania.
What is the most challenging aspect of teaching in the classroom environment?
"Finding teachers with the qualities needed to serve an urban student population is probably the most challenging for us. It is extremely challenging to find teachers who have experience working with struggling learners. Schools that want effective instruction in all of their classrooms spend a lot of time and money on coaching, training, and professional development... The other challenge is finding ways to retain highly qualified, seasoned teachers at urban schools. Only a handful of teachers become dedicated to the urban setting and stick it out for the long haul regardless of pay."
Are continuing education courses beneficial for teachers?
"In Pennsylvania, teachers are required under Act 48 to continue their education to maintain their certification. For every five-year period, teachers must earn six-course credits through a college or the Pennsylvania Department of Education or receive 180 hours of professional development education. To stay on the cutting edge of their field, teachers must be aware of the current research, literature and best practices since the outcomes expected from their students depends on them."
Do you feel a Master of Education would be helpful in your day-to-day career?
"A master's degree program is always helpful, but it is probably more helpful if the degree is obtained after a teacher has been in the classroom for a few years instead of immediately after undergraduate school. A master's degree helps teachers discover whether they are teaching to their full potential by forcing them to look beyond their own classroom. Teachers in a master's degree program are required to research and study at a level that changes the landscape of education for them. As a result, teachers with master's degrees usually have a deeper understanding and wider perspective of educational theory than teachers with bachelor's degrees."
Do you have any advice for people wanting to enter into the teaching profession?
"Know what you are getting yourself into. Spend time in schools not just as an observer but as a participant observer. Try to become a part of the planning process and the delivery of a lesson and interact with the students. It is regrettable when teachers enter the classroom for the first time after four years of college and realize teaching is not the profession for them. It is not good for the teacher, and it is especially not good for the students."
Christina Thompson is a freelance writer living in Philadelphia. She reports on various topics such as: Social Media, Local Events, Entertainment, Food and Drink and more. Her work can be found at http://firstsendmedia.com/