Doyle agrees that the fellows program may not be the ideal solution to the teacher shortage, but it is the best remedy officials have right now. In many cases, the schools are happy to have the fellows. Teaching in a Chancellor's District school has both advantages and disadvantages for a fellow, according to Headley. Headley also has help in his class from a tutor and an AmeriCorps volunteer. Still, it can be challenging.
Fellows can draw on their own experience and background.
Hill says she told some of the fellows she met in the summer that teaching in a Chancellor's District school could be challenging. However, according to union spokesman Ron Davis, the program does not solve the long-term problem of recruiting and retaining experienced teachers. And I mean experience in terms of life lessons. But this does not address the real need, which is to make salaries more competitive. Until we do that, we won't attract the numbers or the really qualified educators.