MJ: There are a number of non-credentialed teachers in Lynwood. The State has said that if more than 20% of a school’s facility does not have credentialed teachers it is a serious problem. Could you address this?

JMM: The whole notion of non-credential teachers has been at the forefront of all education legislation because we recognize the importance of having qualified teachers. California in the next few years is rushing to make sure that all teachers are fully credentialed and that we do not have emergency credentials or teachers that are not totally certified. We are trying to reduce that 20%--the teachers who are not certified. We want teachers and persons who have had Liberal Arts as their main focus while getting their undergraduate degree and not a discipline that is unrelated to teaching. We are very determined to minimize the number of non-certified teachers because they indeed go to areas that already have high poverty and under-educated children, and parents who are not comfortable advocating for their children at school. It is our responsibility to put certified teachers into these classrooms.

Either the districts work hard to make the deadline or they will lose the funding.

MJ: Would you say that Lynwood is in a crisis?

JMM: We are clearly fighting to bring certified teachers into Lynwood. Lynwood would be one of those districts that we put on a high priority to help eliminate that percentage of non-credentialed teachers.

MJ: What is the federal government doing to ensure that the district is doing what it is supposed to with the money?

JMM: As you know, there is a role at all levels of government when it comes to education. A lot of fingers have been pointed at government, but it is not up to the federal government to dictate to the states and down to the local level. There is a law that forbids that. We are simply supposed to make sure that we have the funding that is adequate for states to disseminate those resources to districts. Indeed, that is what the federal government has done in the bill HR1. We want to make sure that we have accountability from these schools and that they will in turn give us an account on how children from poor, minority, and limited English-speaking schools will achieve those standards. Those standards will help them improve that school. They must be accountable to that. We cannot have children that are continuing to fail in school. All states must have a four-year plan to replace teachers with those who are fully-qualified. The school districts must report progress towards meeting those goals in investing in our children by giving more teacher professional development and mentoring. But more importantly, to make sure we have accountability and that the monies are going to that teacher in that classroom where he/she will teach that child in the various subject areas that are conducive to quality education. We will no longer put money where there is not accountability.

MJ: What program exists or can be created to help para-professionals in Lynwood become teachers?

JMM: There are many good programs out there. We certainly can have teaching assistants or those individuals desiring to become teachers look into schools such as Cal State University Dominguez Hills that has a good training program to help para-professionals move on into teaching. You have other schools, such as Cal State University at Long Beach, Cal State University at Los Angeles, UCLA, USC, and surrounding universities are already gearing up, and they have excellent programs in moving para-professionals into professional levels of teaching. I would suggest that they look into those programs because they all have outstanding programs to bring qualified teachers into our communities.

MJ: Is there money for teacher-recruitment that the district may not be aware of?

JMM: There are funds that have been provided to schools for recruiting teachers. Every school district must have a set of funds to go out and recruit teachers in respective states where there are large populations of liberal arts colleges that put out the great teachers that we come to know. I do think that there is funding for the Lynwood district as well as other districts.

MJ: When should we expect this problem to be solved regarding non-credentialed teachers in Lynwood?

JMM: Lynwood would be like all other districts throughout the nation. The federal government says, "in a four year span we want and expect all teachers to be fully qualified" and the bill also says, "each school district must report their progress toward meeting those goals." By meeting this goal, they will continue to receive federal education funding, however, if they do not, it is a possibility that that funding will be curtailed.

MJ: The School Reform Bill did mention that non-credentialed teachers should get credentialed in four years. However, in the state of California, it is five years and could be extended to a total of ten years. Is it feasible that we can make that deadline?

JMM: Either the districts work hard to make that deadline or they will lose funding. We are very serious about this, and serious about ensuring that our children are not left behind with an inadequate education. Given that premise, we are saying that they must meet this four-year plan. In addition the Federal Bill talks about reforming low-performing schools. We have authorized $500 million dollars in grants that school districts can apply for to meet the demands to help the advancement of low-performing schools.

MJ: What do you plan to do?

JMM: I plan to make sure that those school districts that I am in charge of are responsible in meeting the criteria set forth in the bill.

MJ: How can we, the community, work with you on this agenda?

JMM: I can tell you that with the redistricting, I have lost Lynwood and I regret that. I have been very attentive and close to Lynwood and the school district. However, at the first of the year, I move out of Lynwood and further into Long Beach. Long Beach has already embraced me and I will be meeting with its Superintendent tomorrow. But I will always keep an eye on Lynwood and wish them the best. I am supporting one of the candidates who is aspiring to represent Lynwood and I am sure that she will do a great job because I have worked with her sister, who is a Congresswoman, to provide funding for education. I will be working with all of Congress to make sure that we have legislation that absolutely advances education in the nation.

MJ: Do you make regular visits to the schools you represent?

JMM: I do. I send letters all the time, first off, encouraging all of the schools to write me back to let me know what kind of curriculum they have. I also make sure that they are computer-literate schools because I want to make sure that they are using their computers adequately. I try to visit when I am in town. I do come to schools and have been in the Lynwood school district. I was in there even before the high school was completed and looked at the site during construction. I visit the schools and talk with the students. A lot of times we are in Washington from the top of the week through Friday and when we get in, schools are out, so we get to visit the schools on special days when we are at home.

MJ: The February issue of the online journal is about quality teachers. Can you reflect on a teacher that made a difference in your life while growing up that was positive and encouraging that you can talk about?

JMM: When I was in high school, both my math and English teachers, were so important to me because they felt that I had skills that they could enhance and advance, and because of that those teachers moved me quite a bit. Every so often I think of them and thank them. I do remember those teachers. My Social Studies teacher was also an excellent teacher. There are teachers that I think about fondly and remember very well because of the encouragement that I needed.

MJ: I would like to thank you Congresswoman Millender-McDonald and on behalf of the Lynwood parents, thank you for your support.

JMM: I will always be there for all parents and students.