Money is far from everything here, but pay says something about the value assigned teaching by society. College students should be encouraged to consider it as a career track that can run alongside a strong liberal arts education - rather than an option largely confined to teacher colleges or schools of education. The mastery of subjects like math or history should be elevated to equal footing, at least, with teaching theory. Clearly, no one should be in charge of a classroom who lacks the basics of knowledge measured by the test administered in Massachusetts. But a grounding in mathematical reasoning or the rules of grammar is only one of many ingredients needed for success in the classroom.
Good mentors can help close gaps in teacher preparation.
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