Native Speaker

I watched the most recent episode of Glee last night and it actually got me thinking about something other than Broadway. There was a character who was a Spanish teacher at night school and was also a native speaker. Throughout the episode multiple people mentioned the fact that he was a native speaking teacher. They seemed to infer that this was a very desirable quality. They never mentioned if his students understood spoken or written Spanish. They never showed his students speaking in the target language. However, the high school students wanted him to be the new Spanish teacher for two reasons only: he is handsome and he is a native speaker. Now, I understand that the current teacher in the show does not speak Spanish well at all. But what about those of us who have dedicated years to learning a language and culture? If I had been the high school teacher would everyone be as eager to give me the boot just to get Ricky Martin? (Yes, I also realize that he can sing better than I can.)

To top things off, I heard something similar on the local radio yesterday morning. The county community college had a representative discussing the interesting classes that are open to anyone. The woman made sure that the audience understood that all of the foreign language classes are taught by a native speaker. First of all, I highly doubt that is true. Secondly, why does it matter? Shouldn't she have mentioned that they are all bilingual or have many years experience in the class room? I feel like there are many other traits that would reel-in people.

Now I can't help but wonder if this is how school districts feel. If I plan to be a high school Spanish teacher, am I going to have to worry that someone will be chosen over me because they are a native speaker? Is this trait more important than experience or training? If that is the way things are then maybe I now have a valid excuse to move to Spain to teach English.