Mayor Karl Dean Advocates Change to Teacher Pay

Mayor Karl Dean wants to shift the way teachers are paid.

He’d like compensation to steer away from seniority and degrees earned, and towards performance. Dean made the statement Thursday, while congratulating some of Nashville’s newest teachers on completing an intense summer training session. He feels teachers who can turn around Nashville’s underperforming schools deserve a boost in pay.

“We need to move beyond where we are now in terms of traditional teacher compensation. And begin rewarding teachers who are committed to their craft and who are willing to be measured by students achievements and degree to which they close achievement gaps.”

The Mayor also wants to focus on teacher placement, making sure strong teachers are in the schools that need them most.