I did lose two veteran teachers, and it obviously took some time to replace them, but I was able to replace them with people I m satisfied with and who can do the job. Math teachers are in short supply everywhere, and Chicago s college prep schools will be hiring proportionately more of them because they are requiring four years of math rather than the three required of all students by the School Board. Garvey agrees with Lally and Barron that good principals encourage teachers to look for new positions that will fulfill them and elevate their skills. If someone wants to try something, I think they should. He acknowledges that some CPS watchdogs believe that without magnet schools, neighborhood schools would improve, but he asks how long that would take.
Magnet schools are a quick fix for the flight of the middle class, black and white.
Garvey is troubled, though, that principals of non-magnet schools sometimes are seen as inferior because their test scores are lower. Barron says the goal should be to get good teachers for every school. And it s up to the principal to get out there and be a motivator and leader in finding those teachers. When you do that, you re really selling prospective candidates on your leadership and vision. Rick Asa is a Chicago-based writer.