Kent Education Association

'For Kent administrators, it wasn't about kids, it was about winning'

Kent is losing great teachers because the district has lost focus on what’s important for quality schools. The issue runs deeper than pay: professionals choose where to work based on other factors including professional respect, the time and freedom to creatively shape lessons to best fit their students, and the district’s overall focus on student achievement. One of those top teachers is Kim McKeever. Kim was a middle school social studies teacher in Kent, but left to teach in the Lake Washington School District. Kim is a National Board certified teacher, perhaps the most rigorous and prestigious standard today for teacher quality. Her photo remains as part of the wall of fame in the Kent School District headquarters.

I taught in the Kent School District for 10 years -- most of my teaching career. During that time I have watched employees in this district become more and more frustrated, exhausted and demoralized; a place where the power resides in the central office and the people who have the greatest impact on our student’s education have no say.

I have always been actively involved in my school. I considered my school to be the greatest place to work even as things got progressively worse for teachers around the district. Three years ago I joined the KEA Bargaining Team to try to bring another voice to the table on behalf of my peers and my students. During the time that I spent on the bargaining team I was amazed at the contempt some of the district administration had for teachers and the work that we do, and more importantly, the lack of knowledge of what we do.

For them, the bargaining table wasn’t a place to come together and work out a contract that would be in the best interest of our students. Instead, I sat across from people who viewed teachers with contempt and would respond to our offers with childish counteroffers that were meant to punish -- not find common ground. Those two years were the most stressful of my teaching career, because I knew I was not, and never would be, supported by my district.

For the district administration, it wasn’t about what was in the best interest of students -- it was about winning. It was during a bargaining session in the summer of 2008 that a list was passed out showing where Kent ranked among other districts in teacher compensation. At the time, Kent ranked third from the bottom. The district ranks even lower now. It piqued my interest enough to see what was out there. So I got online and began following the top district’s employment page. A job opened in a school district very similar in size to Kent -- the difference was they were in the top four of teacher compensation. I applied for, and was offered a job, within a week.

Just by moving districts, my pay increased by $10,000 -- for doing the same job!

But more importantly, there is a mutual respect here between the district administration and the union. Every decision that is made is done so based on whether or not it is in the best interest of our students. Teachers are honored for what they do every day with the understanding that education is not static. It is fluid and constantly moving forward. Teachers are expected to work hard and continue to grow in their profession, but they are properly compensated for doing so.

Unlike Kent, I now work in an environment that is positive, not punitive. Until now I had never worked outside of the Kent School District. I now realize that it is possible for the staff and administration to have a positive relationship.

I am Nationally Board certified, an adjunct professor, a Fulbright scholar, my students repeatedly placed in the top five for state History Day, repeatedly participated in and received special recognition in VisFest, I was recognized by my PTSA for Excellence in Teaching, I was a coach, and afterschool advisor for numerous clubs -- I cared deeply for my students and hated to leave, but I couldn’t work for the Kent School district anymore.

Kent lost a good teacher, and will continue to lose teachers like me in droves if it doesn’t provide adequate compensation, and learn that the ultimate goal is what’s best for our kids.