teacher-tenureA teacher tenure is a form of job protection that is just for experienced teachers who have performed and met the standards set by the school board for a specified period of time. If you are studying for your degree in Education, or you are taking the steps to earn your teaching credential, it is very important that you understand this career status and how you can earn it. Read this guide on how this form of job protection works and what you need to do to earn this status, then stay updated on changes to the system in your state.

How Does Job Protection For Teachers Work?

The tenure system started to grow in popularity in the field of education in the early 20th century so that educators did not have to fear that they would be fired for reasons that were not relevant to their ability to teach. Now that all states have some type of job protection law in force to protect their licensed educators, it is very important that anyone who wants to enter this profession know what the laws entail.

To enter career status and be given job protection unless there is just cause to get fired, teachers need to satisfy a probationary period. This is referred to as a tenure-track position, and the length of time that you are found to be on probation is typically around 3 to 7 years. After the track is over and the professional has proven to be an effective educator, they will be entitled to due process before school administrators can terminate them. They must show that the educator is guilty of wrongdoing and complete a lengthy process by showing just cause before a tenured teaching professional will lose their job.

What Must You Do to Earn Tenured Status During the Probation Period?

Getting tenured as an educator in a primary or secondary school is not as difficult as you might think. To obtain this status, you must fulfill all of the terms of employment in your contract and complete your probation period. You need to work satisfactorily in the classroom and meet the standards that are set by board and the teachers’ union. It is not extremely difficult to be a tenured teacher if you love your job, take it seriously and if teaching is your calling. It can help if you are surrounded by great teachers and faculty who will help you get acquainted along the way.

When the system was first introduced to the sector, there were not laws against discrimination in the workplace. Now that employment laws pertain to all industries and sectors, some opponents argue that the job protection system that is place still in education is outdated and prevents bad teachers from being fired. The supporters of the system claim that the protection from the powerful administrators is much-needed for teachers who have several years of experience. Because it is such a controversial topic, many states are reviewing their protection laws for teaching professionals at all levels of education. Be sure to stay updated with the teacher tenure system in your state, and take advantage of the protection while still staying passionate about what you do.