“[Editor’s note: In recognition of Teacher Appreciation Week, The Topeka Capital-Journal invited area educators to have their say on issues in education that they feel are important today. Nathan McAlister teaches history at Royal Valley Middle School. Currently in his 17th year of teaching, McAlister was the 2010 National History Teacher of the Year and sits on the board of directors of the National Council for History Education.]
“Due process began out of the need to protect good teachers. Indeed the very inception of the right was stated by the Kansas Supreme Court in 1957 ‘to protect competent and worthy instructors and other members of the teaching profession against unjust dismissal of any kind — political, religious or personal.’ Unjust dismissal…
“Yet today, a teacher, no matter their years of experience or accomplishments, may be arbitrarily dismissed. Can a teacher be dismissed for having a losing sports season? Yes. Can a teacher be dismissed if a school board doesn’t agree with their political views? Yes. Can a teacher be dismissed for their religious views? Yes.
“According to those who pushed for the elimination of due process, such as Sen. Julia Lynn, ‘they want really good teachers to thrive.’ However, good teachers rarely thrive under such volatile conditions. Good teachers have years of experience and advanced degrees, making them easy targets as budgets dwindle. And, with pay well below the national average, due process afforded Kansas’ teachers a modicum of security…
“Kansas is losing teachers who are willing to take risks and do what is right for their students. Kansas is losing teachers who encourage their students to meet high expectations. Kansas is losing teachers to states that value educators.”
Read more here: http://cjonline.com/news/2015-05-03/teacher-due-process-protected-good-teachers-not-bad-ones