Bill Would Give Teachers New Career Ladder to Climb

As it stands now, there’s not much of a career ladder for teachers in New Jersey -- if they want to keep teaching.

Basically it comes down to two choices: Stay in the classroom and get the predictable salary bumps for years of experience -- and keep doing the same job. Or become an administrator -- and leave the classroom. Other than that there's little to no chance for added responsibility or added rewards.

But some in New Jersey are starting to rethink that situation, led by the state’s teachers union and a growing cadre of legislators in the Statehouse.

A bill (A-3989) easily passed the Assembly this week with bipartisan support that would set in motion a process for creating a new class of faculty called “teacher leaders.” The new designation is largely based on added training in education leadership, professional development, and other skills.

Under the bill, these teachers would not have supervisory roles. Instead, they would serve as coordinators and facilitators for the schools -- on internal committees or school projects, or in community outreach.

“One of the big problems we have is we have really good teachers who become administrators or leave the profession altogether, because there is no place for them to go,” said state Assemblywoman Mila Jasey (D-Essex), one of the primary sponsors.

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