Saturday, February 13, 2010

ADJUNCT TEACHERS IN THE LOCAL SCHOOLS

I wrote the following letter to the NY TIMES that appears in Sunday's business section suggesting that local schools hire part time adjunct teachers. We have many experienced retirees/out of work residents who might enjoy teaching students a class. Students would benefit from the expertise of local residents who have lots to offer. Adjunct teachers would enable school districts to provide students with interesting classes from local residents who can share their real life experiences.
Colleges hire adjunct professors. Why not have adjunct teachers?
PAUL FEINER

Published: February 13, 2010
To the Editor:

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Related
The Search: Back to School, as an Adjunct (January 31, 2010) Re “Back to School, as an Adjunct” (The Search, Jan. 31):

I’m now 72, and have been an adjunct professor of economics for about 30 years at both four-year and community colleges. It started as a part-time endeavor, primarily for additional income to help finance my children’s college education. At the time I was employed as a pension analyst; I found that the jobs complemented each other. Later, when my corporate job was eliminated in the early-1990s recession, I became a full-time professor in the business division of a community college.

Since retiring about eight years ago, I have again been teaching part-time — and the income helps support our sagging investment portfolio in these early years of retirement. And my most rewarding experience has been knowing all of those students who’ve added richness to my life over the last 30 years.

Richard Risinit

Deep River, Conn., Jan. 31

The writer teaches economics courses at Quinnipiac University.



To the Editor:

Why confine the trend to postsecondary education? With unemployment so high, wouldn’t it make sense for public school districts to offer residents with expertise in particular fields a chance to work part time as adjunct teachers?

The adjunct teacher would receive a small stipend, the school district would enhance its education options (at affordable rates for the district) and children would learn from someone who has practiced what he or she is teaching. PAUL FEINER

Greenburgh, N.Y., Feb. 1

3 comments:

Resident said...

OMG, its not enough for Paul to raise taxes and create ineffeciencies in the Town. First, he wanted to consolidate Fire Districts. Now, he wants to tell schools how to operate. Paul, please the fire districts and school districts alone.

Fed Up With Feiner said...

This is just great. Hiring part-time adjuncts eliminates full-time jobs and gives employers to put more full-timers on unemployment without health benefits. You've messed up the Town finances so now you're going to help destroy the schools? Stick to what you already don't know.

Daniel R. Weinfeld said...

Paul: why did you delete the response to my earlier query about the Westchester Co. PD helicopter search on 2/5? Was the answer given about a search for an assailant in Hartsdale not true? I would appreciate a response.