Iowa teachers will have the opportunity to assume new roles as “model,” “mentor,” and “lead” teachers, along with additional pay, under a bill passed by the state legislature and awaiting the signature of Gov. Terry Branstad, who has long advocated the measure.
It calls for creating a fund that would help districts institute, or come up with their own alternative versions of, a career path for teachers. The money would pay for salary supplements, release time for the teachers who take the new positions, and longer school year contracts.
The positions would come with extra pay (up to $10,000 a year for lead teachers) and some new responsibilities, such as serving as the head of an instructional team or evaluating peers.
