Qualified Teachers

* Re “Better Teachers Are Key to Reform, Report Says,” Dec. 3:

I must say that the report seems to have a hold on half of the solution. Yes, providing incentives to teachers who elect to teach in urban areas is a start. But, as a veteran of both L.A.’s and Compton’s unified school districts, I can say that it will only serve to “bring teachers to the party.” There’s a low likelihood of them staying around for the long haul without three vital elements on these campuses: disciplinary procedures that are proactive in nature, support in the form of professional development opportunities and campus leadership with a vision for the students and teachers to follow.

Luckily, I had the opportunity to serve on a campus that had all of these elements in place and thoughts of leaving for greener pastures never entered my mind until I was ready to enter the university professoriate. But the fact still remains that urban teaching can be an attractive option for the cream of the teaching crop when the proper support is in place.

JOHN K. DAVIS

Teacher Education Department

Cal State Dominguez Hills

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* I am a highly skilled and dedicated public schoolteacher in a wealthy suburb. After years of service, my salary has finally reached the level where I actually have some discretionary income left after taxes, retirement deductions and routine cost-of-living expenses. As a single parent, however, I cannot afford to purchase a house in the vicinity of where I teach. I would like to move to another area, where housing is more affordable. Then, to avoid commuting hours on the freeway, I would also like to change to a school district in the new, lower-income community. The problem? When experienced teachers switch school districts, we completely lose our tenure and have to drop down to the established maximum entry point on the new district’s salary table.

Message to school districts hoping to attract experienced, competent teachers: Stop demoting us!

KATE GREENE

Palos Verdes Estates

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* When jazz great Duke Ellington was asked how he managed to keep his talented musicians for up to 30 years, his quick reply was, “I pay them money.” When the public and our legislatures are willing to pay teachers a professional salary, we will see college graduates enter the teaching profession and stay there for 30 years. This is the way to true school reform.

WALLACE UMBER

Los Angeles