Teacher morale is important to students' success

As school districts move closer to fully implementing the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), teachers and the quality of instruction they deliver will be under the microscope.

According to the CCSS' website, the Standards are "the first step in providing our young people with a high-quality education." Teachers will need to know what the CCSS require K-12 students to learn about if they are to successfully teach Common Core-aligned lessons.

Unfortunately, if educators are not satisfied with their profession, it is unlikely they will be able to deliver the type of instruction students deserve. This is why surveys like the one Maryland's Howard County Education Association recently conducted are so important. The Baltimore Sun reported that while the majority of teachers in Howard County are satisfied with their jobs, many of the Howard County Public School System's middle school instructors are not as happy.

Overall, 53 percent of middle school teachers who responded to the survey did not agree with the statement that the morale at their school or work site was "good." While this was not the most positive news for Howard County, having this information can help district officials take steps toward improving conditions so that educators, and the students they teach, benefit.