Letters | Reward the best teachers to get them to stay

It was encouraging to read Kristen A. Graham's article (May 22) about the Knowles Science Teaching Foundation's support for science and math majors working toward master's degrees and teaching credentials.

Based on online student ratings, Kevin Henson is already considered an above-average science teacher whose "easiness" rating at http://www.ratemyteachers.com/ suggests a reasonable amount of rigor.

No doubt the "intense mentoring and professional development and [opportunity to] meet with other fellows and mentors online and in person several times a year" are helpful.

But would it not also be helpful if science teachers were actively recruited by districts once they had proved themselves to be among the best?

No amount of supply-side effort is likely to succeed unless the most promising students know that if they become excellent teachers, districts will compete, and pay, for their services.

The best teachers should not have to quit teaching and join administration to be rewarded.

Mark Trentacoste

Board of Education

Cherry Hill

Better by train

Re Porus P. Cooper's column "The PATCO paradox" (May 22):

PATCO is also my favorite way to get to the city. Although a NJ Transit bus runs in front of my home, its last departure from Philadelphia is at 9 p.m., so often I drive to the train station in Woodcrest and make my own hours.

I have also tried to persuade friends to use the train. Most seem married to their cars.

The last such trip occurred on an outing to Monk's Cafe, a mere two blocks from the Center City end of the PATCO line. I allowed my friend to drive. A bridge toll and a $20 parking fee later, he said that next time we'd take the train.

It's $5, and a bargain at twice the price.

However, we are a lazy country of convenience, and a lot of that convenience comes in the form of our automobile.

I seldom drive to the city, preferring to use public transportation of one form or another. I am usually given the stink-eye when I suggest using the train.

I, too, am tired of hearing of plans to take the PATCO line into Glassboro and points south. Supposedly, the wide median of Route 55 was meant for the train, but I don't think it will be seen in our lifetimes.

I don't know whether it's fear for safety or fear of the unknown that keeps people away.

Something tells me there's an aspect of public transit that today's nouveau-riche suburbanites feel is beneath them.

I know, as a single man, that if I suggested the train to certain women, they would refuse, and I would be stuck with the toll and parking charge for the sake of their fragile ego.

As though riding in my 2005 Ford Focus was that much better than a PATCO train!

Anthony Preziosi

Mantua

Try more parking

I was happy to see Sen. Diane Allen's letter (May 9) enumerating the advantages of using the River Line.

Recently, I boarded the train at Route 70/Pennsauken to go to Trenton before connecting to NJ Transit to reach my ultimate destination, New York Penn Station, all for the grand sum of $11.20 round trip (senior fare).

The Route 70 station included free parking. The ride was comfortable and convenient.

But earlier, a group of friends and I wanted to use the River Line to explore towns along its route. We wanted to start at the beginning - the Tweeter Center in Camden - but weren't able to find the free parking mentioned in the schedule.

Although several hundred vacant spaces were adjacent to the station, none was available for River Line riders.

I understand this property is state-owned for use by people attending events at the Tweeter Center.

Might it be possible for you, Sen. Allen, to recommend an allotment of parking spaces for those who utilize the River Line from the lovely, renovated area of the Camden waterfront?

Mary Ellen Middleton

Haddonfield