“I’ve been a school principal myself, and I know that you have to have a strong principal who really can help those first, second, third year teachers manage a classroom, learn to manage a classroom, learn to manage their time, and learn to manage parents,” explains Mackey. “What we do know is that most people, if they can make it three to five years, then they’ll probably make teaching a career.”
The Alabama Education Association worked with the legislature to now allow new teachers under “tier two” to keep their sick days, which is an added benefit. “Previously it was use or lose, so that will keep employees in the classroom if they were hired in under tier two,” explains Hicks. “They also will be able to retire with 30 years full benefits now.”“Nothing worries me more right now than the lack of special education teachers,” says Mackey. “We have some really good ones out there, but there are just not enough of them.