Bad teachers need a helping hand
James Riley Jr., standing, donated most of the money needed to create a mock trading room in a classroom in the Hagedorn Hall of Enterprise at Adelphi University in Garden City. Credit: Karen Wiles Stabile
Regarding "School administrators too reluctant to grade" [Letters, April 19], the writer takes a simplistic view of how to terminate bad teachers. As a former administrator for 12 years, I saw my share of great, good and incompetent teachers. However, I would never say, "improve your teaching skills, or you will be terminated."
My role was to help teachers improve. That is not to say that there were teachers who would never improve and were probably not meant to teach. Many times, when I wanted to terminate a teacher, no one in a higher position was there to support me.
I, too, believe that those teachers who are not competent should find another career, but first they are human beings who must be helped and treated sensitively. That letter did not give this impression.
Ruben Friedman, Central Islip
Editor's note: The writer is an adjunct professor of English at Nassau Community College.
A better follow-up statement to a teacher who conducted "a poor, ineffective lesson" would be: Let's meet to discuss ways we could make your lesson more effective and improve your teaching.
Terry Weiss, Woodbury
Editor's note: The writer is a kindergarten teacher.
Sarra Sounds Off Ep 36: Champs crowned in lax and flag football On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Gregg talks with Michael Sicoli and Tess Ferguson about county champs crowned in boys and girls lacrosse, and Jared Valuzzi reports on the Long Island flag football championship.
