Marginal Teacher

C. Edward Lawrence, president of the Lawrence Educational Consulting Group, has advised many school districts on how to prepare and win unsatisfactory staff member evaluation and misconduct cases. Dr. Lawrence has nearly 30 years of experience in the field of education—he has served as a teacher, principal, assistant superintendent, author, and professor. For the past twelve years, Dr. Lawrence has inspired future educators as a Clinical Professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from West Virginia State University, a master’s degree in guidance and counseling from the Marquette University, a certificate in administrative leadership, and a Ph.D. in urban education from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Before his current position, he was the assistant superintendent for a large urban school district where he had an extensive educational career in public education. He served as a teacher, counselor, team leader, and assistant principal at the elementary, middle, and high school levels, as principal at the elementary and middle school level, as director of alternative programs, and as a community superintendent. In addition, he served as a hearing officer for unsatisfactory teacher evaluations, second-step misconduct, and immediate teacher suspensions. He was an adjunct instructor in the Department of Administrative Leadership teaching courses in clinical supervision and critical issues—including staff misconduct and evaluating the marginal teacher. Dr. Lawrence is first author of the following books: The Marginal Teacher: A Step-by-Step Guide to Fair Procedures for Identification and Dismissal (1993) (2nd edition 2001); How to Handle Staff Misconduct: A Step-by-Step Guide (1995) (2nd edition 2003); and The Incompetent Specialist: How to Evaluate, Document Performance, and Dismiss School Staff (1996).

"The material presented in this book includes direction in providing mentors to teachers, implementing an assistance plan for those who are ineffective, evaluating the assistance plan, preparing for the building-level dismissal hearing, and presenting at the subsequent impartial hearing...This book is a valuable resource for practicing principals...The appeal of this book is wide, as the needs of novice as well as seasoned administrators can be met."

• List of Sample Resource DocumentsA Cautionary NotePrefaceAcknowledgmentsAbout the Author1. Preparing for the Teacher Evaluation Process2. Understanding Misconduct and the Teacher Appraisal Process3. Describing the Marginal and the Good Teacher4. Starting the New School Year5. Organizing the Unsatisfactory Teacher Evaluation Binder 6. Observing All Teachers 7. Implementing an Intensive Assistance Plan8. Getting Ready for the School-Level Dismissal Meeting9. Conducting the School-Level Dismissal Meeting10. Presenting Before an Impartial Hearing Officer/BodyResource A: Sample Letters Sent to SupervisorResource B: Calendar With Suggested Timeline of ActionsResource C: Summary Chart of Teacher Evaluation StatutesResource D: Sample Unsatisfactory Teacher Evaluation DocumentationReferencesIndex