Pearce’s statement on teacher evaluations frustrates Las Cruces educators

New Mexico Congressman Steve Pearce’s statement this week on New Mexico’s teacher evaluation system frustrated several Las Cruces educators.

“We may use almost exactly the same evaluation system,” Pearce said, speaking at the New Mexico Coalition of Educational Leaders conference in late July. “I see productivity and I see some teachers saying, ‘You know, I used to push against this pretty hard, but now I’m seeing the positive aspects.’ So, we may end up with something very similar.”

Pearce is running for governor against U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D). Half a dozen educators from elementary to high school level expressed their frustration with the current teacher evaluation system, which they say unfairly evaluates teachers on metrics they don’t understand.

“Being a teacher is about heart,” said Wendy Alberson, the president of the National Education Association in Las Cruces. “You pour yourself into this job. You have to love what you do to be a good teacher. So, when you love what you do and you’re told very clearly that not only is it not good enough, but it’s minimal… the harm of that carries you.”

A spokesman with Congressman Pearce’s campaign for governor said the quote was completely taken out of context.

“Before and after their soundbite, he reiterated his plan to immediately suspend the evaluation system,” said Kevin Sheridan, the spokesman for the campaign. “Bring everyone together, give teachers a voice and create a better system.”

State Senator Howie Morales won the democratic primary for lieutenant governor. He told ABC-7 he pushed legislation to overhaul the current system in Santa Fe, which was vetoed by Governor Susana Martinez.

“Anytime that you give validity to a failed system of evaluation that’s in place in New Mexico, I think that what you’re doing is undermining the profession of educators,” Morales said.

Pearce does not plan to keep the current evaluation system, his spokesman said.

“His comments were directly in line with his commitment to immediately suspend the teacher evaluation system and bring teachers together with parents and education advocates to redesign New Mexico’s teacher evaluation system,” Sheridan said.