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2012 International summit on the teaching profession . MATCHING SUPPLY & DEMAND. How to make the teaching profession attractive. FUTURE TEACHERS’ CONCERNS: Being Respected as a Valued & Distinguished Profession Fair and Competitive Compensation Supportive Working Conditions
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2012 International summit on the teaching profession MATCHING SUPPLY & DEMAND
How to make the teaching profession attractive FUTURE TEACHERS’ CONCERNS: • Being Respected as a Valued & Distinguished Profession • Fair and Competitive Compensation • Supportive Working Conditions • Trust & Autonomy • Professional Development • Teacher Preparation & Student Loans • Adequate Career Structures • Safe Working Environments
Finland’s approach to attract their best • Finland Respects Teaching as a Distinguished Profession • The Teacher is the KEY factor in education. • Teaching is one of the TOP most desired professions in Finland. • Require their teachers to have 5 years of education (Masters). • 10 Applicants for every open teaching position. • Only 1/10 applicants are selected to teach in Finland’s schools. (Attract and Select the best, keeping the profession highly respected and competitive.) • Finland Appreciates their Teachers with their Fair and Competitive Compensation
Finland’s approach to attract their best • Supportive Working Conditions: Autonomy & Professional Development • TRUST is KEY in Finland Schools! • Finland schools emphasize trust, respect, and mentoring. • Finland schools believe in teacher autonomy; each school designs their own curriculum, because the teachers are trusted. • Finland believes teaching involves lifelong learning. • Short School Days – Value how they use their time • When not teaching, teachers plan, design curriculum and receive professional development (as lifelong learners). • Student Loans • Finland pays for teacher programs – NO STUDENT LOAN DEBT!
How to make the teaching profession attractive My summary: Finland and other successful countries discussed their strategy for solving the supply and demand challenge in the teaching profession. I concluded that there is a balance between academic preparation (prior to becoming a teacher), continuous professional development as a teacher, and supportive work conditions. Each of the successful countries discussed how valued and respected their teachers are by their entire society. Evidence of this respect includes: paying for their teacher programs and advanced degrees; providing 100 hours of professional development a year during the school day; giving teachers autonomy and trust; and paying teachers competitive salaries they deserve.