Reply #44: Firing any teacher, at any level, should be unacceptable.

[smitra]

Firing younger teachers implies that you are reducing the potential of the next generation for that school/school district. And yes, more experienced teachers cannot continue for ever. But...and I base this on my own careful observations over the years ... most people who go into teaching hardly do so for the money. It is very often a 'labor of love' - even after you have put in years. Most 'older' teachers are still dedicated to the profession, and continue to do the best they can. Yes, there are undoubtedly some 'bad apples' but there will be a few of those in every barrel. The alternative ... give some ADMINISTRATORS the power to decide who gets fired when budget cuts occur ... is FAR WORSE. Recall that there is a whole philosophy behind the concept of tenure in academia - the security to speak the truth to power without being afraid of being rendered homeless.