City teachers set to start new roles to be more effective
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Eighty-five teachers in the Pittsburgh Public Schools will be the first to fill "career ladder" positions aimed at strengthening the quality of instruction in the district.
When the board and the teachers union agreed to a new five-year contract last year, the agreement established several career ladder positions that provide extra pay for extra time and responsibilities.
Later this month, the school board is expected to approve the selection of 85 teachers who will fill the first three career ladder positions this fall: Promise Readiness Corps members, who will receive $9,300 a year extra; Clinical Resident Instructors, who will work in the Teacher Academy, $13,300 a year extra; and Learning Environment Specialists, $9,300 a year extra.
The additional pay amounts to $910,000, which will be paid by two federal grants.
"This is the front edge of the reforms," said Jody Spolar. chief human resources officer.
Applications for the positions came from 296 teachers, some applying for more than one position. The selection process involved an application, an in-person interview and a classroom observation.
John Tarka, president of the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers, said, "I think the three career ladders address three very important areas. Certainly the Promise Readiness Corps is designed to help students who we know in our district can be at the greatest risk and need the most attention.
"I think the Teacher Academy and the Clinical Resident Instructors are very important professional recognition that classroom teachers can provide tremendous help to new teachers. ...
"The whole idea of Learning Environment Specialists is a key issue. I've often said that teachers can be most effective and students can learn best in environments which are safe and orderly."
The largest group is the 48 teachers of the Promise Readiness Corps, who will work in teams, each team teaching a group of ninth-graders this fall and then teaching the same students the following year.
First Published April 9, 2011 12:00 am
