Veteran Teachers: Valued Experience & Knowledge

In the current issue of Education Week, one teacher wrote about her experience learning from her colleagues, and how the wisdom and experience of veteran educators help her improve her professional growth and the learning of all students.

"These veteran educators became an integral part of my development as a teacher. Some argue that great teachers have innate qualities they cannot learn from others, and that (extending such reasoning) urban education would work if we could just get “the best and the brightest” into the classroom. My experience suggests otherwise: All the motivation, commitment, and raw talent in the world would not have amounted to much without the invaluable on-the-job training I received at that critical point in my teaching career. This reality takes on increased relevance as the national discussion about investing in human capital intensifies," writes the teacher.

However, there is something else to consider. About 53% of our teaching workforce are baby boomers, and they're rapidly approaching retirement. How can we keep them engaged in education? We can't let them take years of knowledge and experience with them. Instead of retiring, what if a valued veteran teacher could act as a mentor and support for new teachers – part time work that would afford her some income and encourage her to impart experience-based knowledge. What are your thoughts?