The Teacher Factor

The teacher is the most important school-related factor for student achievement, especially for minority and low income students. 

The following are factors supported by research to consider when hiring our Esperanza educators:
#1:  Ethnicity of teacher:  What are the advantages of Hispanic teachers?  What are some barriers Hispanic teachers face?  George Monsivais has some great research to consider.  According to Dr. Martin Haberman white teachers can be effective with students of color --its the characteristics, not race, that makes them effective. 
#2:  Authentic caring relationships:  The importance of "confianza" and "respeto"
#3:  High expectations:  Never quitting until all children learn
#4:  "Warm demander"
#5:  Coach students with goal setting:  The book by Joachim Posada
#6:  Culturally responsive:  Teachers learn and use the teaching philosophy and methods that respect, value, and use strengths of culture and language
#7:  Professional development:  Collaboration and training
#8:  Rarely absent or tardy:  Research has shown that students who have teachers who are rarely absent or tardy have higher academic achievement.  Yet, teachers in schools with a high percentage of minority and/or low income students have a higher absent and tardy rate. 

School Factors #3

Please comment on how we can address the following factors:

Factor #15:  Engage parents (families) as partners and build confianza

Factor #16:  Motivational messages in English and Spanish on the walls.  It might be a good idea to put pennants from colleges on the walls, too.

Factor #17:  Accountability systems are linked to data drive instructional goals

• Alternative assessments such as portfolios
• Proficiency in both languages is measured

Also, use data to uncover and erase systematic inequities such as Gifted/Talented, Special Education, discipline (do one at a time) using the following three steps: 

1. Analyze if inequity existence
2. Implement a solution
3. Evaluate the effectiveness of the solution

Factor #18:  Each student plays a musical instrument.