Thursday, August 30, 2018

HALF OF DAY ONE SHOULD BE SPENT SETTING UP CLASSROOMS

This is an excerpt from UFT President Michael Mulgrew's email to chapter leaders on the start of the school year. This part concerns what can be done on Tuesday, the first day for teachers.



This year, because of the number of school holidays, the Department of Education allotted only one staff day after Labor Day before students return. At our insistence, the DOE has told principals that teachers must be given at least a half day on Tuesday to set up their classrooms. Here is the memo:

“Remember that teachers return to work this year on Sept. 4, which is only one day before students arrive. Schools should make good use of part of the day with staff, providing them with professional learning (or learning opportunities), motivation and advice for the upcoming school year. Schools can also utilize this time to plan future Monday professional development sessions, soliciting and recording ideas to share with the staff development committee. However since there is only one day prior to the arrival of students, teachers must be given sufficient time during the day to prepare classrooms for the students they will meet the next day. If schools chose to utilize the morning for professional development and/or staff meetings, then the afternoon should be set aside for classroom preparation.”

43 comments:

Anonymous said...

Even one day is not enough to set up an early childhood classroom. Teachers have to come in without compensation the week before. All this PD the first day back is BS.

Pat

Anonymous said...

The fact that this even has to be brought up, speaks volumes.

Anonymous said...

Its all torture. Period. Been feeling suck for a week already.

Anonymous said...

When do drive by observations begin .

Anonymous said...

Mid sept.

Anonymous said...

Isnt it ironic that they keep talking about desegregation, but dont mention that the students from the schools with all the problems will be put into the schools without problems

Anonymous said...

If Mulgrew would tell the members to stop working for free, and not to go in this week, they'd have to give us the full day on Tuesday. But he doesn't even have the balls to make that simple statement.

Anonymous said...

I got an email from that putz Mulgerw telling me to go support him the Labor Day parade. What a tool. That guy has done more harm to us that anything I can think of. I'd rather spend my Labor Day enjoying some cold beers at the beach then watch that blowhard up on a giant box of Kleenex with his sell out minions.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, check the uft twitter...All the teachers that showed great effort going in this week for free, and the uft lauds this, that is why the uft is useless. My school already asking for unit plans whike we are on vacation. Chanxellir is in an auditorium full of black supervisors, as he speaks about segregation. Hmmm.

Anonymous said...

School Chancellor's priorities entering his first full year:
#schoolsegregation
, admissions, and student homelessness.

waitingforsupport said...

Haters gonna hate...

Anonymous said...

NO JOBS FOR ATRs? PATHWAYS TO PE — PHYSICAL EDUCATION IN NYC’S ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
The Pathways to PE application for the 2019 program is now open! To begin work on your application, please click here. Please refer to our Application Preparation Guide for help completing your application.

The application deadline is Wednesday, September 5, at 11:59 pm.

Through an unprecedented City Hall commitment to Physical Education (PE) under the PE Works initiative, the New York City Department of Education (NYC DOE) is leading the nation in revitalizing quality PE, especially at the elementary level, with an infusion of certified PE teachers to provide quality instruction and lead health and wellness efforts in schools with grades K-5. An investment to hire more than 500 new certified elementary PE teachers ensures all elementary students learn about their bodies, how to take care of them, and how to move. We’re looking for aspiring PE teachers who are passionate about teaching students the skills and benefits of setting individual fitness goals, being good team players, and becoming part of a health-focused school community.

Now in its third year, the alternative certification program, Pathways to PE, is designed to recruit and train committed individuals with a demonstrated interest in fitness and education to become fully-certified PE teachers in NYC DOE schools by September 2019.

BENEFITS
Here are some of the great benefits available to Pathways to PE participants:

Make a lasting impact on New York City students. PE is an important academic subject that teaches students to be physically active, work as a team, and set fitness goals that can last a lifetime. Emerging research shows that students who are more physically active in school also perform better in the classroom.
Practical school-based preparation. Across the city, high-quality PE teachers are eager to open up their classrooms to aspiring Pathways to PE participants to learn alongside them. Participants will gain exposure to best practices of PE instruction and acquire hands-on experience with NYC DOE students.
Continue your education. Pathways to PE participants will matriculate into a master's degree program in Physical Education at Brooklyn College, engage in over 40 hours of skill-building sessions facilitated by teacher preparation experts, and participate in citywide learning opportunities offered specifically for PE teachers.
Join a network of dedicated professionals. The NYC DOE’s 75,000 teachers are passionate, goal-oriented, and committed to students’ success. Once hired, Pathways to PE participants are entitled to all NYC Department of Education employee benefits, United Federation of Teachers (UFT) membership benefits, and the benefits associated with collaborating with the NYC DOE’s Office of School Wellness Programs. There are numerous opportunities for growth, continuous learning, and leadership available to NYC DOE educators throughout their careers.


Anonymous said...

Pathways to PE prepares aspiring PE teachers through the following components:
A multi-week immersion in an established PE teacher’s classroom for observation, hands-on experience, and exposure to high quality PE instruction
Skill-building sessions from the NYCDOE’s Office of Teacher Recruitment and Quality Training team
Content-specific trainings from the NYCDOE’s Office of School Wellness Programs
A summer experience designed to strengthen and refine teaching skills
Job search and hiring support
A school-based mentor during Year 1
Access to all citywide resources and supports for early career teachers
During the months of March through August, participants receive a monthly stipend of $1,000.
A bachelor’s degree, conferred by January 1, 2019. All fields of study will be considered for acceptance to this program. Candidates who have completed graduate coursework should include their graduate coursework transcripts with their application.
An undergraduate GPA of 3.00 or higher. Candidates who have completed graduate coursework should include their graduate coursework transcripts with their application.
Citizenship requirements:
U.S. citizenship, or permanent residency status with a valid green card
Fluency in both written and spoken English
Previous work requirements:
Applicants should not hold, nor have ever received, a teaching certification from any U.S. state or territory. Those who have already received a teaching certification, as well as those who are currently completing a certification program, should review our application and hiring process to begin their careers in New York City schools
Applicants should not have previous experience with any NYCDOE program that subsidizes a master's degree towards teacher certification
Previous work experience with children, particularly in an urban setting, is preferred but not required
MASTER'S DEGREE PROGRAM
Participants will earn a subsidized Master of Science, Physical Education Teacher degree at Brooklyn College. This is a 36-credit program that participants will complete part-time over two years. While enrolled as Brooklyn College graduate students, participants will have full access to university supports and resources, including ongoing field supervision from a university-trained consultant during their first two years in the classroom.
Coursework will begin in January 2019 for all Pathways to PE participants. Classes will be held two evenings a week for the entire semester. Class schedules are subject to change in subsequent semesters. Graduate coursework schedules are designed to accommodate participants’ work and teaching schedules;they are held in the evenings and during the summer.
The NYC DOE subsidizes most of the cost of university tuition (excluding books and materials). Pathways to PE participants will be responsible for contributing $12,000 towards their degree. This amount will be deducted in 44 installments from the participants’ biweekly paychecks once they begin teaching in Fall 2019 (approximately $272.73/paycheck). There are no payment plans or deferment options available; participants should plan and budget for the deductions accordingly.
Upon successful completion of their spring and summer training experiences, participants will be encouraged to find positions at one of over 200 PE Works Cohort 3 elementary schools. PE Works schools are committed to hiring high quality PE educators starting Fall 2019. All participants are expected to commit to at least three full years of teaching in a PE Works Cohort 3 school. Program staff will support candidates to direct their job search efforts towards designated schools and assist participants in choosing one that is a good professional and personal fit. Participants are hired through a process of mutual consent, meaning that both the principal and participant agree to the hiring decision. This process allows for successful matches for both schools and teachers.

Anonymous said...

Good morning chaz

Can you make a new article about teachers in their last year , ready and waiting to retire who honestly don't give a shot anymore.

Without any sacrifice to our commitments to the students, we are the ones who feel relief because our much younger and inexperienced principals have virtually run out of time to prosecute us. They can harass but it will get them nowhere. We are out of there .Short timers .

As a 30 yr veteran teacher in the craziest schools in fist 75, I have the luxury now of retiring in the spring. I never felt such relief. People are very displeased with our new admins and I simply don't give a f$@#&k.

Last year they harassed the he'll out of me. False allegations etc. Looking for prosecution or resignation .I made it through the gauntlet. Several counter strikes, FOILs, and whistle blows and the backed off .Hopefully this fall will go smooth .If they need with me know I go to city council and the press with damning evidence on my admins .You'll see them in the NYPost .

I wish every teacher a blessing. Time goes quickly .Hang in there if you need the job .It takes its toll on your health and relationships .I made it ..you can too .

Peace out

I'm going fishing

TJL said...

This PE program, Fellows, etc. is both a slap in the face to all the experienced and talented ATR's and also a colossal waste of money on the part of the City. Why give these 500 greenhorns 1,000 a month before they graduate plus subsidize their Masters when you have thousands of educators holding Masters degrees already in the ATR pool?

Granted, I wouldn't want to teach gym, but at least ATR's ought to be eligible to apply.

Back on topic: Here's something else that ought to be part of negotiations, there needs to be a day for teachers to set up classrooms. Considering the WEEKLY PD we do there is no reason for all of these Chancellor's conference days. I wouldn't even mind a Conference Day on day 1 (when it makes sense to do a Conference), and a setup day on day 2. If the DOE whines about instructional days - which is bogus as how often do we get down to 178 (remember that 2 conference days count in the 180) - let them have that day in June as an instructional day. In fact here is my proposal:

2 conference days only: First day of school and first day of 2nd term.
Election Day becomes an off day.
Brooklyn Queens Day becomes a school day.

Everyone wins. Students get an extra instructional day, we get an "extra" day off (quotes since we actually work a longer year than almost all districts) and most importantly less pointless PD Days.

Anonymous said...

I feel that I have to go in the school in August to set up my classroom. I need at least 10 hours to set up my classroom. We have to leave it bare in June. When I move classrooms, it takes me about a week to move all my things and get organized in the new room. I have moved 5 times in the 15 years I have been at my school. It was horrible when we had to return in August for stupid BS full day meetings. That meant I went in to set up even earlier in August.

I have no faith in the UFT. If all the teachers who go in early to set up their rooms decided not to go in, nothing would change for the better. We would have extremely stressed out teachers, admins getting on their backs for not being prepared, letters in file for not having bulletin boards done, teachers staying after school hours to prepare their rooms, etc.

At this point, it seems to be every man for himself. Every teacher seems to do whatever works for him or her; even at the expense of the others. I do think this trend will continue and get even worse.

Anonymous said...

To those bitching about the Pathways to PE program to recruit certified teachers into NYC schools: The DOE is pushing to get CERTIFIED PE teachers in every school. There is a loophole in New York State Law that says a teacher with a common branch license may teach elementary PE under the supervision of a certified PE teacher. Pretty much every school district outside of NYC has certified PE teachers in elementary schools. NYC is in good faith trying to get certified PE teachers in elementary schools but is having a hard time finding certified PE teachers to take the jobs and that is why the Pathways to PE program is happening. If any ATR is a CERTIFIED PE teacher, he or she should not have that much of a difficulty getting a PE job on the open market because elementary principals are getting major heat from the DOE if they do not have a certified PE teacher in their school. Do I believe that all PE ATR teachers should have priority in taking these PE jobs first? Of course I do. Do I believe these PE teachers should be forced placed into these PE jobs? No, because I can see the DOE making certified PE teachers take jobs outside of their current district and or be forced placed into a hell hole elementary school. (Yes, there are plenty of hell hole elementary schools out there) What I find ironic is that the Pathways to PE program is currently in it's 3rd year and the DOE still has not filled the 500 PE job slots that they need filled. This just goes to show 2 things: 1) That alternative certification programs are going the way of the dinosaur aka Teach for America. 2) Folks who do want to become PE teachers are still going through traditional ed prep colleges to gain certification and have no desire to teach for the DOE.

Anonymous said...

I am a certified PE teacher, and as usual, got ignored.

Anonymous said...

Maybe if my name was Torres or something black I wouldve been hired.

Anonymous said...

Anno, 9:44, how many elementary schools did you apply to? How many years do you have in the DOE? I'm a certified PE teacher in NYC too but I have never tried to transfer but have considered it a lot over the past few years. I'd love to hear your story.

Anonymous said...

Almost 20 years in, applied to about 10 elementary schools...Same old story, as if they already decided before the vacancy was posted.

waitingforsupport said...

@6:08...I hear ya! I know of what you speak as I have walked in similar shoes. We can see the light and have weathered the storms of the bullying Admins, Blind DOE and Useless UFT. Good luck and happiness as you wind down your career.

waitingforsupport said...

@10:31...do you need cheese to go with your "wine (whine)"? Rofl...bye

Anonymous said...

Same as the whole open market, always ignored.

Anonymous said...

Looks like I am stuck in my current school as a PE teacher as well since I have too many years in. (Although I have never tried open market, I would consider it in the next couple of years) I'd like to personally thank the UFT for agreeing to the 2005 contract that eliminated seniority based transfers. Speaking of seniority based transfers, when I mention seniority based transfers to the newbie teachers at my school they can't believe that it once existed. I also mention how 99% of teachers got tenure by estoppel after 3 years with no portfolios and their jaws drop. Then I mention how we used to get rated "S" or "U" with only 1 or 2 observations a year and they think I am speaking of some kind of sorcery. Lastly, I try to tell them that the UFT used to actually send district reps into schools when admins were abusing the contract and they think I have lost my mind. What the hell happened???

James Eterno said...

2:00, It was the 2005 contract that changed so much and for the worse. Every new teacher should know how the UFT played a big part in making our working conditions this bad. Great comment. What you tell new teachers should be required reading for every new teacher and the exerienced ones too in order to show what we've given away.

Anonymous said...

Thank you. I'm retired on active duty. ROAD

Anonymous said...

I'm going to respond to the Pathways to PE program from first hand experience as someone who has had a 'student teacher' from the program. They had a cohort of about 50 members this past year, many of whom were paras in the system already. They have recruited at state and national conferences to fill vacancies, but still have a bit of a shortage due to there being a large amount of openings being created all at once. There's also programs for current in-service common branch PE teachers to get certified. In the next couple of years or so, when these vacancies are filled, the amount of openings will decrease significantly once people get settled into the good schools. The DOE literally cannot fill all the openings they have now, keep in mind that there are a lot of undesirable openings (bad schools, schools with no gym space, etc.) If you're looking to move to another school with a PE certification, this is the time to apply. I'm not one to deny that experienced teachers have more trouble moving to other schools, but schools in the Pathways to PE program get their teachers free the first year, and a discounted rate for 3 years after that, so many will consider taking on someone who isn't a newbie. When I applied on the open market a couple years back (I am relatively new) I got tons of interviews, much more than before this program existed, and I know of experienced teachers who switched schools recently as well.

Anonymous said...

I applied to almost 40 vacancies, nothing. Not all were elementary, and most were in Staten Island.

TJL said...

5:18, a job on Staten Island is like the Holy Grail. Especially, as was mentioned above, post-2005.

Anonymous said...

I’m going into my 14th year. I can say I voted for the 05 contract as a rookie. Looking back, the worst thing I ever did. I’ve only taught four years. The rest have been as an atr.

In doe world, I’m a dinosaur now right around 40 years old.

I have top salary and not much teaching experience.

Giving the principals power was a direct product of the Uft and weingarten. Mulgrew is continuing this pattern.

However, I see as an atr what new teachers and all teachers are going through and I don’t think I can do it.

Anonymous said...

It’s nezt to impossible to transfer. Principals have too much power. Thanks Randi!

Anonymous said...

Notice that not only do students come in on Wednesday, the June regents starts a whole week later. Sounds like a lot of extra instructional days.

Anonymous said...

is It true mulgrew has to remove his face from city hall’s ass this summer?

Anonymous said...

No he can keep his ass there as long as he keeps screwing the teachers over.

TJL said...

The June Regents being later is a product of there being no more RCT's. Less tests means a shorter exam period.

What I can't fathom is why the DOE couldn't have students start on Thursday, nor why the school year ends on a Rating Day.

Part of the reason is the excessive PD Days we have. The State gives 2 free attendance days for PD, so there only need to be 178 "instructional" days. I put that in quotes since Regents days (including Rating days) count as instructional days.

Anonymous said...

Its a joke. We got fucked again with all those extra days. Kids come in Wed plus regents start a week later.

Anonymous said...

How long is Tuesday supposed to be. Is it 6hr 50 min ps day or is it extended day time?

Anonymous said...

Pd day. Stupid autocorrect

Anonymous said...

650

James Eterno said...

6 hours and 50 minutes Tuesday.

Unitymustgo! said...

yes, thank you. Another question if you don't mind. What about half the day for preparation? In most places I read it on the UFT site and even Mulgrew's message it says teachers for classroom preparation? What about all the various out of classroom positions? ESL, Speech, Guidance, Clusters, PE, etc... What is meant by teachers? You get the idea. Are these positions entitled to preparation time?

Anonymous said...

Why wouldn't they be? Aren't they teachers?