How Do We Select Teachers to Teach the Next Generation?

Central Falls High School in Rhode Island has undergone a tremendous change in the past week. Reported as one of Rhode Island’s worst performing schools, the state’s board of education was required to choose a “model for school turnaround.” The plan- in case you are interested- is to let go of all the employees at the school and hire a whole new set of teacher. The story is an eye-catcher because I have never heard of such a thing. It made me curious about the New York Board of Education. As I read the New York Times article, I wondered if there is anything in their policies that could allow a similar story to occur in New York. I have yet to see such a policy, but I am still searching.

Another interesting aspect that occurred to me while reading about the high school was “How do schools go about hiring teachers? How do school officials determine who is truly qualified to teach the next generation?” These are just some of the important questions us Teaglers will have to face this spring. Will we teach the fundamentals of our curriculum to the teachers who will then teach it in their classrooms? And if not, how will we determine which teachers are qualified to teach the course?

Authored by Lorraine Njoki

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Public Advocate Aims to Make Government More “Transparent”

New York's Public Advocate Bill de Blasio

The New York Times recently had an article about Bill de Blasio’s proposal to “shine a light on earmark funds.” One of Mr.de Blasio’s many responsibilities as NYC’s public advocate is to coordinate information concerning citywide agencies for citizens. The proposal will help make information about government spending more accessible for NYC residents. On a website called Open Government NYC, officials would be urged, but not mandated, to post the applications of nonprofit organizations seeking extra funding via “earmarks.” This proposal is among the many initiatives Bill de Blasio promised during his campaign and in January at his inauguration. Mr. de Blasio would like to see “transparency in government… making local government more open and accountable.”

Authored by Lorraine Njoki

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Federal Judge serving local community

Columbia University Professor Joseph Greenaway, Jr.

Columbia University alum and Professor Joseph Greenaway, Jr. was confirmed as a federal judge. I thought this was interesting because I have never thought of judges as having jobs outside the courtroom. There are many ways ordinary citizens can involve themselves in politics. Using Prof. Joseph Greenaway as an example, citizens could choose to educate others about politics (something Teaglers have in common with Prof. Greenaway!) or they could choose to serve in their local communities by taking positions that range from community board president to city comptroller to local federal judge! All citizens have the duty and responsibility to be “informed and involved!”

Authored by Lorraine Njoki

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