Dear Baltimore City Public Schools Colleagues, Staff, Partners and Friends,
It is with great pleasure that we write to you with the news that Baltimore City Public Schools and the Baltimore Teachers Union have named the first cohort of Model teachers under the new teacher contract. In the last two weeks, 100 candidates have received word that they successfully completed the rigorous, peer review-driven Model teacher application process and have been recommended by the Joint Governing Panel and approved by the Joint Oversight Committee for placement on the Model pathway.
On the heels of our Teacher of the Year announcement, late last month, this is yet another indication that great teaching and learning are taking place across the district in many of our schools. It also advances the implementation of the contract, and shows that a good number of our teachers took advantage of the new professional and financial opportunities the contract affords.
Model teachers serve as examples of excellence, play leadership roles and create professional development opportunities in their schools and among their colleagues. The process for determining Model teacher eligibility was conducted in close collaboration by both the BTU and City Schools. The Joint Oversight Committee (JOC), comprised of BTU and district leadership, oversees the implementation of the contract and the Joint Governing Panel (JGP), comprised of eight teachers appointed by the BTU and the district, is charged with the actual implementation of the contract. The JGP managed the Model teacher application process and made Model teacher recommendations to the JOC for approval.
All told, 341 teachers applied to be Model teachers and 100, or 29 percent, succeeded. And these 100 teachers span a broad range of schools, grades served and subject expertise. For example, of the 100, 6 are art teachers; 8 are early childhood teachers; 3 are math teachers; 2 are music teachers; 10 are psychologists; 3 are social workers; 9 are special education teachers; and 3 are technology and business teachers. Of the 100, 15 are high school science and humanities teachers; 12 are middle school math, science and humanities teachers; and 10 are elementary school teachers. And of the 100, 21 teach at charter schools and 79 teach at non-charters.
The application process was rigorous—it started back in June 2011. It was peer review-driven. And as part of it, candidates had to demonstrate high levels of learner achievement; instruction/instructional support; professional development; and leadership. You can read more about the application process in the Model Teacher FAQ on City Schools’ website.
Meanwhile, please join us in congratulating our first cohort of Model teachers. They join 544 other teachers who, per the new contract, were previously grandfathered into the Model pathway because of their extensive education and teaching experience. And together, all of the Model teachers assume a distinguished and extremely important role in our district as we increase our focus on highly effective instruction and shift to more rigorous content standards.
Please also join us in celebrating all of the teachers who applied to be Model teachers, and their commitment to improving their practice and advancing in their role as educators. And let’s thank all of our teachers, who work so hard each and every day on behalf of our kids.
Thank you for all that you do support our students and schools.
Andrés A. Alonso, Ed.D.
CEO, Baltimore City Public Schools
Marietta English
President, Baltimore Teachers Union