By

John S. Erwin, Ph.D.

President, Illinois Central College East Peoria, Illinois USA

Dr Hans A Andrews’ research on recognition for teachers highlights the distinction between a strong recognition system and simple merit pay as a reward for teaching excellence.  As Hans points out, pay alone does not necessarily result in higher motivation for classroom instructional excellence.  His studies suggest that teachers often have more incentive from a formal and consistent program of recognition.

Key points of his research are:

• School recognition systems must be developed cooperatively between teachers and administration.
• Each school must customize its recognition system to focus on the important qualities for quality teaching at that institution.
• The basic levels of faculty need must be met before launching a recognition program for faculty.  For example:  adequate base pay; a professional work environment; and a high level of trust between teachers and administration.
• Intrinsic motivators such as professional recognition, esteem, challenge, and autonomy are the essential ingredients to supporting a successful recognition program.

As an educator who has been both a professor and an administrator, I have experienced an Excellence in Education Teacher Merit Award during my professorial years in higher education.  I received a modest stipend of $500, but more importantly, to be recognized during the annual Commencement ceremony in front of my peers was the most gratifying aspect of the recognition.  I am not alone in my assessment of motivation.  Hans quite rightly points out the common joy and sense of satisfaction that comes from confirming excellence in the classroom through classroom evaluation, peer review, and student feedback.

In some recognition programs, student performance is also a necessary ingredient to a solid reward system.  Student learning assessments provide the school with an external, and data-driven method for acknowledging instructional excellence (Andrews, p. 188 Accountable Teacher Evaluation 2004).  Teachers will appreciate the authenticity of a recognition program built upon data that measures effective teaching

Hans’ scholarship points the educator toward not only why it is important to build a teacher recognition system, but also how to construct the system for success.  Invaluable lessons are shared by Hans, from past and current research that illustrates exemplary recognition programs and the need to expand these initiatives to create positive educational outcomes.  What may be most valuable from his studies is that he balances his research between successes and failures.  Cautions are given to the reader as to what to avoid in the design of a recognition program such as a system built only upon merit pay and he amply presents the internal motivators for getting the most out of teachers

By reading this compilation of Hans’ research essays, one will be given a blueprint for educational success – not only for faculty who are striving toward excellence in their classroom, but also for the students who deserve the best possible teaching to achieve their educational goals. 

I dedicate this book to my highly supportive wife, Carolyn, our children, Christina, Hans E., and Ashley and our two grandchildren Bennett and Elizabeth. 

Thanks to my colleagues who continue to be supportive of the strong need to expand recognition to many more thousands of excellent teachers. 

Special thanks goes to Elizabeth Christie who has done much to promote recognition throughout Australia and has supported much of my recent work through her schooldaysmagazine.com .  Dr. John Erwin, President of Illinois Central College,  and Dr. William Marzano, Dean at Waubonsee Community College, are two former co-workers who have done much over the years with me to develop the research base that this book is based upon.

I dedicate this book to my highly supportive wife, Carolyn, our children, Christina, Hans E., and Ashley and our two grandchildren Bennett and Elizabeth. 

Thanks to my colleagues who continue to be supportive of the strong need to expand recognition to many more thousands of excellent teachers. 

Special thanks goes to Elizabeth Christie who has done much to promote recognition throughout Australia and has supported much of my recent work through her schooldaysmagazine.com .  Dr. John Erwin, President of Illinois Central College,  and Dr. William Marzano, Dean at Waubonsee Community College, are two former co-workers who have done much over the years with me to develop the research base that this book is based upon.