The 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).

List of Sample Resource Documents
A Cautionary Note
Preface
Acknowledgments
About the Author
1. Preparing for the Teacher Evaluation Process
2. Understanding Misconduct and the Teacher Appraisal Process
3. Describing the Marginal and the Good Teacher
4. Starting the New School Year
5. Organizing the Unsatisfactory Teacher Evaluation Binder
6. Observing All Teachers
7. Implementing an Intensive Assistance Plan
8. Getting Ready for the School-Level Dismissal Meeting
9. Conducting the School-Level Dismissal Meeting
10. Presenting Before an Impartial Hearing Officer/Body
Resource A: Sample Letters Sent to Supervisor
Resource B: Calendar With Suggested Timeline of Actions
Resource C: Summary Chart of Teacher Evaluation Statutes
Resource D: Sample Unsatisfactory Teacher Evaluation Documentation
References
Index