Dear Editor,
I am dusting off my role as a debate coach to address an issue I believe could impact everyone in Wyoming, especially our children and educators.
Wyoming House Bill 100 (HB0100) for the 2025 legislative session, titled “K-12 Uncertified Personnel,” proposes allowing school districts and charter schools to employ administrators, teachers, and other personnel without requiring certification or permits from the Professional Teaching Standards Board. Instead, these employees would need to undergo background checks.
This would mean individuals without a college degree could potentially be hired as teachers, provided the school district or charter school deems them qualified based on their experience, skills, or other criteria.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Ocean Andrew (R-Laramie) and co-sponsored by several legislators, aims to address the state’s teacher shortage by broadening the pool of eligible candidates.
After much careful thought, numerous cups of coffee, and a late-night debate with myself (I’m a good conversationalist, I promise), I’ve decided to stand firmly against Wyoming House Bill 100. While I totally get the whole “we need teachers like yesterday” thing, allowing uncertified teachers into classrooms is a bit like hiring a chef who “watches a lot of cooking shows” but has never actually used a knife. It might seem like a quick fix, but I’m not sure our students are ready for that level of risk.
Here’s the thing: I’ve seen firsthand how important a teacher’s training and expertise are—not just to help students get the answers right, but to inspire them to ask the right questions. And let’s be real, we all know what happens when we let someone “wing it.” Would you allow a surgeon or engineer to do that?
Uncertified teachers might be able to fill seats in the short term, but research tells us students taught by folks who haven’t been through the rigorous process of teacher prep don’t perform as well in subjects like math and reading. So while we might fill the room with bodies, are we really doing our students any favors?
Plus, let’s talk about fairness. We all know that rural and low-income schools are often the ones left with the “unicorns” of the teaching world—those who love teaching but might not have the certification (yet). But this law would likely mean that these very schools, already serving our most vulnerable populations, could see even more uncertified teachers, widening the gap between the haves and have-nots. It’s kind of like trying to patch up a leaky roof with duct tape. It works for a bit, but it’s not exactly a long-term solution.
Let talk teacher turnover. The last thing our students need is a revolving door of teachers coming in and out of their classrooms like it’s “May the odds be ever in your favor.” If the goal is to help our kids succeed, we need to give them the stability of qualified teachers who stick around—otherwise, we’ll end up with more educational cliffhangers.
Instead of lowering the bar, we should be raising it. Let’s address the real issues—like better pay, better support, and giving teachers the resources they need to thrive. That’s how we’ll make sure our students get the high-quality education they deserve.
So, in conclusion, I’m all for solving problems, but I don’t think this bill is the right solution. Let’s find ways to make sure every student in Wyoming gets a teacher who’s not just “good enough,” but absolutely amazing—and fully trained for the job.
Daniel Parson
Green River
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