Over the past half-decade, Copley-Fairlawn City Schools has ranked among the top schools in the State of Ohio. Despite 17 different administrative position changes since 2007, the district has gone from Excellent to Excellent with Distinction and in each year attained 29 or 30 of the 30 benchmarks on the Ohio state report card. A highly qualified and experienced staff, along with a high degree of trust from the community, is key to this success.
Dr. John Nebor, a superintendent in Illinois, summarizes the trust engendered by teachers:
The role of the teacher in a positive school-community relationship is extremely important since it is the teacher who is the backbone of the educational system. Although school boards create school policy and administrators interpret these policies, teachers are the personnel who implement school policy. Teachers must also be prepared to make the most favorable impression possible in even the most innocent of circumstances in order to maintain public support. The community’s perceptions of the teacher affect their perceptions of the school and subsequently student morale, school resources, and support for the school in general.
Teachers comprise the frontlines of trust between the community and the school district. Copley teachers have earned the respect of the community through their classroom efforts and dedication to teaching and learning.
Our teachers have a wealth of experience to help foster that respect and trust, with our average teacher having 16 years of experience. 76% of Copley teachers have earned a Master’s Degree. This exceeds the typical teacher in the State of Ohio, as only 59% of teachers statewide have a Master’s Degree. Teachers who have advanced degrees have shown a commitment to advancing their own learning.
Copley teachers utilize opportunities within the school year or during the summer to continue their learning or to collaborate with colleagues.
- Two-thirds of CTA teachers will spend their summers taking classes and workshops. Many teachers are working towards renewal of their licenses, required by the State of Ohio every five years, or attaining Highly Qualified Teacher status required by federal No Child Left Behind legislation.
- Two-thirds of CTA teachers also spend their summers collaborating with colleagues on curriculum. A large portion of those working together during the summer are completing curriculum maps to better address the sequencing of instruction and alignment with state standards.
Trust is earned by teachers who are dedicated and committed to students. It results in lifelong connections to learning. As Tim Skubick, Michigan television personality wrote on April 29, 2010:
Next time you are out with a group of friends, ask each one to answer this question: Who was the teacher that had the most influence on your life?
You will be surprised on two fronts: Everyone will have an answer and they won’t sit there trying to figure out who it was. It will be on the tip of their tongues.