Educators with PRIDE Unite

Martina · 08-20-2013, 09:42 PM

First staff meeting of the year. Oh god. Totally ruined my night. Our new teacher manager has confused the hell out of a lot of people. Our new Principal does not inspire confidence, and the AP seems to be doing nothing. (She was passed over for the Principal's job.)

Twice, I rephrased what the Principal said because no one had a clue what she meant. I said, "Are you saying that we are buying new curriculum?" The answer was yes, which is good. But if I hadn't asked, I am not sure many folks would have realized that that is what she meant. I sure wasn't sure.

The manager said something like the EL working group will adapt our current curriculum for EL students. I asked her if she really said that because it would mean a massive effort and take way more teacher time than anyone had scheduled. She was like, no, I don't know, maybe, I don't know. I looked at the Principal, and she said, no, we would be buying EL curriculum.

They basically said they were going to go against the contract in scheduling meetings to prep for our accreditation review. (They won't. If they do, someone will report them to the union and it will cost them money.)

Anyway, the teachers were just floored. I mean, to even act as if they could command us to work beyond our contract is naive. People won't do it. It takes leadership to get them to attend meetings they are contractually obliged to attend. It won't happen. They would get crucified by THEIR bosses if they tried. But they shocked the shit out of a bunch of teachers.

God, there was a ton more stuff like that. It wasn't a conspiracy to fuck teachers. It was just massive incompetence laced with stupidity. God help us.

sis · 08-20-2013, 10:15 PM

Started back up this morning with meetings, meetings and more meetings. Still awaiting a key to the classroom so I can begin set-up. Tomorrow, my local teaching assistant will arrive and hopefully we can get some time to get to know each other. While I'm an experienced teacher, and have taught at this school for a while, I'll be teaching a new grade this year so my learning curve will be huge. But, I'm up for the challenge! lolol I hope that each of us getting ready to go back has enjoyed their summer break. I know that I have!

Deb

sis · 08-26-2013, 06:25 PM

Well, the Grade One students start today ..... I only have to meet and greet them, introduce myself, and record their 'English' names! One class attended the school last year in a Bilingual setting; the other class is new to the school. I see copious amounts of

in my future! lolol I hope everyone is enjoying the start-up to their school year!

Deb

spritzerJ · 08-27-2013, 04:19 AM

Sis... Have a blast and remember we'll have pen pals soon!

I have training today. As a teacher new to the district. It will involve the new writing curriculum. Which my previous school used. So I am more experienced than others (even the not newbies). I hope to learn a ton.

My room is nearly set up. Waiting on supplies to arrive. I let the secretary know I won't be freaking out until Friday. I went and bought pencils because I am pretty sure the supplies won't be there.

Soon · 08-27-2013, 09:19 AM

6 more days of summer for me and then DAY ONE.

It's cool that I already went in and copied syllabi and we don't have any pre-school meetings, so I can eke out my summer holiday to the very end.

I have a Grade 9, Grade 12, and Grade 11 (English) this semester--different levels of ability, and I'm really looking forward to the mix of students. We have the International Baccalaureate program at our school, so the school has a really diverse population of academic (not to mention socio/economic) levels. I could teach all IB, but I really enjoy teaching different levels and getting to know all different types of students. I have a good time with them and feel really lucky that I still enjoy my job so much. The kids can really tell when their teachers WANT to be there with them and makes all the difference in terms of classroom management and motivation etc.

Oh, if anyone has any cool Icebreakers or something neat you do on the first day, please pass along. I usually do a writing sample, but I'd like to do something fun too! Thanks and best to all in their new school year!

spritzerJ · 08-27-2013, 06:01 PM

Soon... I am thinking about the ice breaker activity. Since you have high schoolers pardon me if my suggestion is too elementary. I was thinking about the "don't eat the marshmallow" activity, discussion and writing afterwards. My 2nd graders will do something similar with a cookie monster video (me wait or something like that) and marshmallows.

http://http://www.teacherspayteacher...ctivity-301214

Martina · 08-28-2013, 01:24 PM

So we have a new Teach for America intern -- Special Ed. I have MAJOR issues with TFA, but I don't want to take them out on any individual.

And as I have gotten to know her, I find that I like her. She's not from an Ivy, she's a woman of color, and she is actually getting a Master's in SPED. The typical TFA intern is Ivy educated, white, and filling out her resume before she leaves after two years to become a lawyer or investment banker. TFA treats teaching as a volunteer position, not like a profession.

Also these folks almost never stay. In the mean time, they are so privileged and so out of their depth that they are sponges for support. They have NO shame about asking -- nay, demanding help -- and are rarely more than perfunctorily grateful.

So today the TFA intern is with a student and comes to me for help. She wants it NOW. I stop and help her because Wednesday is my light day and I want to be available to her when I can. So I gave her what she asked for, but she didn't understand it. I said I could explain it, but you are with the student now, right? Yes, she said. I said I have nothing that is transparently understandable that I can give you right now. She gives me the look that any gently raised 22 year old college graduate would give an elder -- the one that says, "You've failed me."

God, help me. I am not good with these folks. With my students, I am good. Lots of patience. With demanding entitled twenty-somethings, not so much.

08-20-2013, 10:15 PM	#2
sis Diva! How Do You Identify?: StoneFemme Preferred Pronoun?: She, Her Relationship Status: Content! Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Canada! Posts: 322 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 4,173 Thanked 1,403 Times in 296 Posts Rep Power: 21474850	Back to the grind ..... Started back up this morning with meetings, meetings and more meetings. Still awaiting a key to the classroom so I can begin set-up. Tomorrow, my local teaching assistant will arrive and hopefully we can get some time to get to know each other. While I'm an experienced teacher, and have taught at this school for a while, I'll be teaching a new grade this year so my learning curve will be huge. But, I'm up for the challenge! lolol I hope that each of us getting ready to go back has enjoyed their summer break. I know that I have! Deb __________________ Oh! Please do not touch me! Oh! Please do not touch! Oh! Please do not! Oh! Please do! Oh! Please! Oh!

08-26-2013, 06:25 PM	#3
sis Diva! How Do You Identify?: StoneFemme Preferred Pronoun?: She, Her Relationship Status: Content! Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Canada! Posts: 322 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 4,173 Thanked 1,403 Times in 296 Posts Rep Power: 21474850	Well, the Grade One students start today ..... I only have to meet and greet them, introduce myself, and record their 'English' names! One class attended the school last year in a Bilingual setting; the other class is new to the school. I see copious amounts of in my future! lolol I hope everyone is enjoying the start-up to their school year! Deb __________________ Oh! Please do not touch me! Oh! Please do not touch! Oh! Please do not! Oh! Please do! Oh! Please! Oh!

08-20-2013, 09:42 PM	#1
Martina Senior Member How Do You Identify?: * Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: * Posts: 4,999 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 13,409 Thanked 18,284 Times in 4,167 Posts Rep Power: 21474854	First staff meeting of the year. Oh god. Totally ruined my night. Our new teacher manager has confused the hell out of a lot of people. Our new Principal does not inspire confidence, and the AP seems to be doing nothing. (She was passed over for the Principal's job.) Twice, I rephrased what the Principal said because no one had a clue what she meant. I said, "Are you saying that we are buying new curriculum?" The answer was yes, which is good. But if I hadn't asked, I am not sure many folks would have realized that that is what she meant. I sure wasn't sure. The manager said something like the EL working group will adapt our current curriculum for EL students. I asked her if she really said that because it would mean a massive effort and take way more teacher time than anyone had scheduled. She was like, no, I don't know, maybe, I don't know. I looked at the Principal, and she said, no, we would be buying EL curriculum. They basically said they were going to go against the contract in scheduling meetings to prep for our accreditation review. (They won't. If they do, someone will report them to the union and it will cost them money.) Anyway, the teachers were just floored. I mean, to even act as if they could command us to work beyond our contract is naive. People won't do it. It takes leadership to get them to attend meetings they are contractually obliged to attend. It won't happen. They would get crucified by THEIR bosses if they tried. But they shocked the shit out of a bunch of teachers. God, there was a ton more stuff like that. It wasn't a conspiracy to fuck teachers. It was just massive incompetence laced with stupidity. God help us.

08-27-2013, 04:19 AM	#4
spritzerJ Timed Out - Permanent How Do You Identify?: Queer (gender), female (biological marker) Preferred Pronoun?: she will work as a default. Relationship Status: engaged to jac until 8/10/14 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Maine Posts: 3,154 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 30,307 Thanked 15,802 Times in 2,905 Posts Rep Power: 0	Sis... Have a blast and remember we'll have pen pals soon! I have training today. As a teacher new to the district. It will involve the new writing curriculum. Which my previous school used. So I am more experienced than others (even the not newbies). I hope to learn a ton. My room is nearly set up. Waiting on supplies to arrive. I let the secretary know I won't be freaking out until Friday. I went and bought pencils because I am pretty sure the supplies won't be there.

08-27-2013, 09:19 AM	#5
Soon Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: femme Relationship Status: attached Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: . Posts: 6,896 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 29,046 Thanked 13,093 Times in 3,386 Posts Rep Power: 21474858	6 more days of summer for me and then DAY ONE. It's cool that I already went in and copied syllabi and we don't have any pre-school meetings, so I can eke out my summer holiday to the very end. I have a Grade 9, Grade 12, and Grade 11 (English) this semester--different levels of ability, and I'm really looking forward to the mix of students. We have the International Baccalaureate program at our school, so the school has a really diverse population of academic (not to mention socio/economic) levels. I could teach all IB, but I really enjoy teaching different levels and getting to know all different types of students. I have a good time with them and feel really lucky that I still enjoy my job so much. The kids can really tell when their teachers WANT to be there with them and makes all the difference in terms of classroom management and motivation etc. Oh, if anyone has any cool Icebreakers or something neat you do on the first day, please pass along. I usually do a writing sample, but I'd like to do something fun too! Thanks and best to all in their new school year!

08-27-2013, 06:01 PM	#6
spritzerJ Timed Out - Permanent How Do You Identify?: Queer (gender), female (biological marker) Preferred Pronoun?: she will work as a default. Relationship Status: engaged to jac until 8/10/14 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Maine Posts: 3,154 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 30,307 Thanked 15,802 Times in 2,905 Posts Rep Power: 0	Soon... I am thinking about the ice breaker activity. Since you have high schoolers pardon me if my suggestion is too elementary. I was thinking about the "don't eat the marshmallow" activity, discussion and writing afterwards. My 2nd graders will do something similar with a cookie monster video (me wait or something like that) and marshmallows. http://http://www.teacherspayteacher...ctivity-301214

08-28-2013, 01:24 PM	#7
Martina Senior Member How Do You Identify?: * Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: * Posts: 4,999 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 13,409 Thanked 18,284 Times in 4,167 Posts Rep Power: 21474854	So we have a new Teach for America intern -- Special Ed. I have MAJOR issues with TFA, but I don't want to take them out on any individual. And as I have gotten to know her, I find that I like her. She's not from an Ivy, she's a woman of color, and she is actually getting a Master's in SPED. The typical TFA intern is Ivy educated, white, and filling out her resume before she leaves after two years to become a lawyer or investment banker. TFA treats teaching as a volunteer position, not like a profession. Also these folks almost never stay. In the mean time, they are so privileged and so out of their depth that they are sponges for support. They have NO shame about asking -- nay, demanding help -- and are rarely more than perfunctorily grateful. So today the TFA intern is with a student and comes to me for help. She wants it NOW. I stop and help her because Wednesday is my light day and I want to be available to her when I can. So I gave her what she asked for, but she didn't understand it. I said I could explain it, but you are with the student now, right? Yes, she said. I said I have nothing that is transparently understandable that I can give you right now. She gives me the look that any gently raised 22 year old college graduate would give an elder -- the one that says, "You've failed me." God, help me. I am not good with these folks. With my students, I am good. Lots of patience. With demanding entitled twenty-somethings, not so much.