Michigan Charter Schools are the FIRST Choice for These Great Teachers

Of all the mistruths and myths surrounding Michigan charter schools, one of the most frustrating is this: Michigan charter school teachers are only teaching in a charter public school because they can’t get a job at a traditional public school.

Hogwash.

Most every Michigan charter school teacher I’ve met – and I’ve met hundreds – is teaching in a charter school because it’s their first choice, not their second or third. 

They love the freedom they have to be innovative and creative in a charter school. They love the fact that they have real input in how the students are taught, and that if they want to try something new, they can. Michigan charter school teachers are valued, appreciated and feel like they’re part of a team.

They work in a Michigan charter school because they love it. It’s their first choice, not their last.

Meet Michigan’s best

Starting Monday, MAPSA will be profiling some of the best Michigan charter school teachers in the state on our Facebook and Twitter pages. We recently announced the five finalists for the 2017 Michigan Charter School Teacher of the Year award, and all next week, you’ll be able to meet these amazing educators. Each day at noon, Monday through Friday next week, we’ll debut a new video of these teachers.

I’ve been traveling the state over the past few weeks shooting footage and interviews for these videos, and getting to know these incredible educators. These are some of the best teachers you’ll find anywhere. They’re talented and passionate and accomplished, and each and every one of them could teach in any kind of school they wanted.

And each and every one of them teaches in a Michigan charter school by choice.

“Being in a charter school gives us an opportunity to try new things,” said Gordy Hyska, a first- and second-grade teacher at Charyl Stockwell Academy in Hartland. “We’re not handcuffed by what the tradition is or what’s been done before. We’re allowed that freedom to try new things, and if they work, we can build on them and share it. At a charter school, with the right leadership, you have people who trust you and believe in you, and not treat you like just another staff member.”

“At a charter school, I’m able to teach my children in the best way each year,” said Jennifer Melero, who has been teaching kindergarten at Holly Academy since the school opened in 1999. “I’ve been given the freedom to change to do what’s best for my children. I’ve been able to blossom after 20-some years of teaching because of the type of school I teach in.”

Ignorance behind the myth

Anyone who tries to disparage Michigan charter school teachers by saying “they don’t really want to be there” is either ignorant to the truth, or has an agenda.

Jennifer Melero has been at Holly Academy for the past 18 years, and she’s one of the best kindergarten teachers I’ve ever seen. She could have her pick of any teaching position at any school in the state – and yet she chooses to work in a Michigan charter school.

A charter school parent will tell you that a charter school was their first choice.

A charter school teacher will tell you the same thing.