TFER's Blog
TFER Blog | Why National School Choice Week Matters to Teachers
January 29, 2013
By Omar Lopez, Director of Teacher Policy
School choice is a topic typically associated with parents. Though it's not often argued, advocating for school choice is just as beneficial for teachers as it is for parents looking to send their child to the school that is just right for them.
Teachers are a heterogeneous bunch. Just like there isn't one type of school that is right for every student, not every school is right for every teacher.
The most successful schools have a defined culture and buy-in from every member of the learning community. Some schools, like the Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP), have a defined structure that some teachers respond well to. Others might prefer a school structure that is more fluid or nontraditional, like a blended learning school might provide. Some teachers feel comfortable being part of a union, while others find it constricting.
Diversity in school structures provides teachers the choice to teach in the school that is right for them. The more comfortable teachers feel, the better they will be able to teach.
Teachers can advocate for these different structures through National School Choice Week, celebrated this year between January 27 and February 2. As described on their website:
"National School Choice Week provides an unprecedented opportunity, every January, to shine a spotlight on the need for effective education options for all children. Planned by a diverse and nonpartisan coalition of individuals and organizations, National School Choice Week features special events and activities that highlight support for school choice programs and proposals."
Each dot on the map below represents one of the over 3,500 events planned for the week.
To find an event near you, click here. For more information about National School Choice Week, click here.
I'll leave you with one question: How has school choice helped you be a better teacher?
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