Readers React: What teachers think of teaching without tenure

To the editor: I have been teaching for 23 years. This is what the Vergara case, which threw out California’s teacher protection laws, means to me. (“Poll shows state voters are willing to weaken teacher job protections,” June 26)

I will no longer be advocating for your kids. When any administrator comes up with an idea that negatively impacts students, I will no longer be pointing out the shortcomings of these policies. I am not going to risk my job for a society that does not support me.

Don’t be surprised when education does not magically improve if this ruling is upheld. You will get rid of ineffective teachers, but you will also have silenced many teachers who want to make their schools better.

Julie Meneghini, Huntington Beach

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To the editor: The Vergara case was brought by students who felt that teachers should be fired without due process.

The animosity toward teachers today, which really should be directed at a tiny minority of misfit teachers, demonstrates the ignorance the voting public has about the profession of education. The majority of teachers are highly effective, and if they are not, they usually leave on their own because of the heavy workload, misbehavior by students and harassment from administrators.

Teachers with seniority are usually more effective than novices because of their experience. Would you go to an inexperienced doctor or a more experienced one for your medical issues?

Katherine Tripodes, San Marino