Rethinking Teacher Tenure for the Next Generation by Cadence

Rethinking Teacher Tenure for the Next Generation by Cadence - September 2025 Scholarship Essay

Over the next ten years, one major change I hope to see in education is the removal of teacher tenure. Tenure was originally created to protect teachers from being unfairly fired for personal, political, or discriminatory reasons. At its core, it was a safeguard to ensure that good teachers could teach without fear of losing their jobs for reasons outside of their control. While the intention was honorable, the system does not always work the way it was meant to, and in many cases, it ends up protecting ineffective teaching rather than encouraging excellence.

As a student, I have seen firsthand the difference between an inspiring teacher and one who is simply going through the motions. Great teachers light up classrooms with creativity and energy. They make students feel like they can achieve more than they thought possible. On the other hand, poor teaching can leave students frustrated, discouraged, or unprepared for the next step in their education. When tenure makes it nearly impossible to replace a teacher who is not performing well, students are the ones who pay the price. That does not seem fair, especially when education is supposed to be about giving every student the best possible chance to succeed.

I believe removing tenure does not have to mean stripping teachers of job security altogether. Instead, it could be replaced with systems of accountability that reward effort, creativity, and consistent results. For example, schools could create renewable multi-year contracts based on performance reviews, student growth, peer evaluations, and professional development. Teachers who work hard and show dedication would still feel secure in their jobs, while students would benefit from knowing their teachers are committed and evaluated fairly.

Another issue with tenure is that it can discourage innovation. In today’s world, technology, industries, and career paths are evolving quickly. Schools should reflect that same energy by adapting teaching strategies and curriculum to prepare students for the future. But when a system allows teachers to stay in their position no matter what, it sometimes creates complacency. Education should be dynamic, but tenure can hold it back.

I also think removing tenure could help raise the respect that society has for teachers. Right now, teaching is often seen as a career where once you “make it” past a certain point, you are locked in for life regardless of performance. Imagine instead a system where teachers were celebrated the way athletes are, not for how long they have been around, but for their skill, their impact, and their ability to adapt. That shift could attract more passionate, motivated people to the profession, which would help students even more.

Of course, I know there are concerns. Teachers should absolutely be protected from unfair treatment, and there should be safeguards against favoritism or discrimination. But those safeguards can exist without creating lifetime job guarantees. Other professions have systems of accountability without tenure, and many of them thrive. Teaching could too, if we built a system that rewards quality instead of simply time served.

Over the next ten years, I hope to see education become more about students and less about bureaucracy. By phasing out teacher tenure and replacing it with a system of accountability, schools could become more responsive, more innovative, and more focused on results. Students like me would benefit from teachers who are passionate, hardworking, and constantly growing. In the end, that is what education should be about: creating the best environment possible for learning and growth.