Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/11437
give enough tools for buyers to make good purchasing decisions, so in that way the best materials and best teacher authors rise to the top.” “It’s added a whole new dimension to teaching careers,” continues Edel- man. “Teachers have always been fo- cused on creating the best curriculum they can. But now they are spending more time on lesson planning because they are offering it to the world and putting a price tag on it.” The ethics of selling Because the teaching profession has always been known for sharing and col- laboration, there are bound to be some who feel that selling materials “cheap- BELOW: Student Zain Circourel at Marin Elementary School; Kerry Dunigan, Albany Teachers Association member and a teacher at Marin Elementary School. ens” the profession. However, it was difficult to find any CTA members who agreed with that sentiment. Susan Mercer, Santa Ana Educators Association president, has been selling on TPT since 2006. Her products, iden- tified by a frog logo, introduce pre-al- gebra concepts, provide an alternative to rote memorization in textbooks, and address the needs of all students, in- cluding English learners and those in special education. “I believe it is entirely ethical to sell teacher-generated materials on the In- ternet,” says Mercer, a curriculum math specialist. “I have spent countless hours developing and writing the units. I did this on my own time and used my own computer. Teachers don’t have the time to reinvent the wheel. If they can buy a product that has been successfully used by others, why not? This is no different from attending a professional confer- ABOVE: Susan Mercer, president of the Santa Ana Educators Association and a curriculum math specialist. ence or workshop to get ideas and ma- terials.” Her district adopted her curriculum as supplemental materials, and teach- ers have been using them for more than five years in nine middle schools. Mer- cer allows her district to share them with teachers for f ree, but requires 18 California Educator | MAY 2010