Hmm; I'm not sure what you want, then. There are serious problems in our education system, and they won't be solved if everyone makes sure that no teachers don't feel offended or unwelcome. And of course, we're going down that same path of distracting attention away from problems and potential solutions by accusing a critic of current policies as being "unwelcoming."
So I'll repeat:
Problem: Many teachers lack subject knowledge, especially in mathematics. I like Bostonian's idea of hiring specialists in math and science in the lower grades. I remember having art and music teachers as early as kindergarten. They came to our classroom until 3rd grade, when we started going to the music room (7th for art).
Problem: The US public school system has huge disincentives to maximizing knowledgeable, talented people among the teaching ranks. As noted, bonuses, pay raises, and promotions (e.g. "Teacher I" to "Teacher II") could address these problems.
I'll also add that the current system shortchanges gifted kids and slower learners by not allowing them to learn at appropriate paces. Suggestion: ability grouping, acceleration and...umm... deceleration (?).
In that regard, I was thinking about swimming lessons. The first thing the teachers do around here is to test everyone and ability group them. My six-year-old has a ten-year-old in her class, for example. My eleven-year-old swam with kids aged 10-~14. It works, and it doesn't cost extra money.
Thoughts and suggestions welcome.
