Saturday, October 24, 2020

REOPENING SCHOOLS IN A PANDEMIC IS THE LATEST FORM OF NEOLIBERAL TEACHER BASHING/UNION BUSTING

The education deformers have a new weapon in the war against teachers and teacher unions. Neoliberal reformers are blaming teachers for not wanting to sacrifice our lives for in-person learning in a pandemic and of course they want to slam teacher unions.

The Lancet is a leading medical journal. It's funny how this extensive research from 131 countries showing how closing schools is effective to slow the spread of coronavirus and opening them back up leads to a significant increase in infections isn't on the front page of the NY Times. I doubt the study will be covered in any corporate neoliberal publication but Reality Based Educator sent us a link.

From Twitter:

Quote Tweet
Tom Wenseleers
@TWenseleers
·
School closures, public event bans & workplace closures were most effective in reducing the rate of spread of the coronavirus in a new study of nonpharmaceutical interventions across 131 countries, thelancet.com/journals/lanin.
Wait, what's that first thing on the list? School closures? But the ran multiple articles this week telling us big schools systems nationwide should follow NYCDOE schools and go back to in-person learning - even as the nation hit highest daily covid count yesterday.

From the summary of the research in the Lancet: 

Individual NPIs (Non-pharmaceutical interventions), including school closure, workplace closure, public events ban, ban on gatherings of more than ten people, requirements to stay at home, and internal movement limits, are associated with reduced transmission of SARS-CoV-2, but the effect of introducing and lifting these NPIs is delayed by 1–3 weeks, with this delay being longer when lifting NPIs.


There is a worsening pandemic again in this country. We have never gotten COVID-19 under control in the United States since it first hit earlier in the year. We should be calling for all remote learning until there is no community spread, not the half-baked de Blasio, Carranza, Mulgrew blended learning that I think most insiders would agree is not working too well in plenty of schools.

For some context for people who cannot understand where the major push to open up is coming from, there is an important piece in Jacobin. It is called Neoliberal Education Reformers Have Found a New Way to Scapegoat Teachers. It analyzes the motives behind the open up the school buildings' crowd in some detail.

The introduction:

Liberal writers sympathetic to the corporate education reform movement are beating the drum about reopening schools, claiming to stand up for low-income students. But attacking teachers and their unions does nothing for poor and working-class students — it simply scapegoats the people who have dedicated their lives to actually helping those students.

Please read the entire piece to see what we are up against. It isn't just Trump; this is bipartisan. We need to have a strong union and not the Mulgrew misled UFT to stand up to the deformers as they attack teachers and their unions now for trying to protect our health.

58 comments:

Anonymous said...

It is now 200 days since we worked 7 days for free. I'm waiting for dues payers and uft leadership to tell me when to expect an agreement.

Anonymous said...

Notice there are so few flu issues this month?

Anonymous said...

Europeans must've been going to Trump rallies since the continent has been overwhelmed by covid

Reno Snow said...

Part 1
I don't understand. Why it is that teachers have to be the sacrificial lamb whenever shit hits the fan in society?

I understand that parents are having a tough time with child care. I understand that the students miss being able to go to school and socialize with their friends, have fun, and learn in a more interactive and engaging manner. I get it, I do. My sister, who started her freshman year at Hunter College, is definitely going through a depressive phase and has since the closure of schools in March. The loss of her senior year and college experience has really brought her down and she has crying outbursts a few times a week. She feels alone and never got the closure from her friends that she needed. She is emotionally younger than her peers and it has been hitting her hard.

However, we can't forget that safety is key. I am a very healthy 22 year old who caught this virus in late March. My father, who has had open heart surgery twice, also caught it. He had a fever for 11 days, going over 104, that wouldn't break. We were too scared to take him to the hospital because people were dropping like flies there. We thought that if he was going to die, at least he'd be close with his loved ones and not die alone. I didn't have a fever. However, for almost 2.5 weeks, I could not breathe properly. I was not able to breathe from my nose and spent 2.5 weeks trying to grasp some air from my mouth. My body hurt, like someone beat me up with baseball bats. I couldn't walk, move, breathe. My mother would come check on me at night to see whether I was still breathing. For months after, I lost my sense of smell and taste. I couldn't smell anything and everything tasted really bad or weird, things I enjoyed. It took about 6.5 months for my smell to come back and taste to realign, but definitely not pre-covid level. And for those that think it isn't that big of a symptom, try to eat food when you can't smell it and taste it, or it tastes like shit. The quality of life is shit my friends.

I get it, we are essential to society. Society depends on us to provide children an education and safe space while their parents work.

My thing is that there are some parents who are working from home. They work from home either because their workplace was sane enough to allow that, or they made that choice for safety. Yet, they want schools to open so they can send their kids somewhere while they work at home. They get to work from home, nice and safe - while they expect us to endanger our lives for their kids. And what about my family at home, is their well being not important to me?

I promise you, there are a lot of parents who want schools open for the wrong reasons. They want schools open so that their kids are out of their hair. I call home, I speak with the parents in my neighborhood. They want their kids out of the house. We are seen as babysitting to them. Overpaid, glorified babysitters.

I work hard. I ensure to make sure the students enjoy their education this school year. However, I am not going to bust my behind, risking my well-being and those of my loved ones, so that we can please society. Not until parents hold up their end of the bargain and actually follow-up and keep track of their kids progress and show that they are damn serious about educating their kid, not just sending them to be babysat. Especially when my school was in a red zone.

Reno Snow said...

Part 2
The teacher bashing needs to stop. If all these people really think we are trying to weasel out of working and get paid while doing so, why don't you become a teacher? Please do - I'd love to see how they handle crazy parents, crazy kids who still misbehave and are insensitive even while we are undergoing this tragedy, and do the massive amount of work that comes with hybrid learning. Please do it, I will walk you through the entire process my friend.

We are allowed to be selfish fellow teachers. Take care of yourself. This is my second year teaching. I learned after my first year and student teaching that working long hours doesn't mean anything to anyone - you only increase your stress and lower your happiness in life. My admin. at my old school was incompetent. The students would throw stuff at teachers, fight in the class and hallway, and throw trash and food at my door daily. Admin. was not supportive, other teachers were burnt out. Working extra didn't change anything. And I learned that yes, while you do have the power to change a student and their life, some students don't want to change and I'm not about to get anymore gray hairs in forcing that either. Parents could do that, it is their job to raise their kid. My job is to just teach them. I have tried building relationships with the tough students. All I had was trash thrown at my class door, classroom destroyed by the students, trash thrown at me during class, threats of being beat up, students pretending to hit me as they walked behind me, being called a wh*re/crackhead/b*tch/and other colorful vocabulary. Parents threatening me when their kid wasn't doing well despite me scaffolding instruction, providing extra help after-school/during lunch, and endless reviews before exams, as well as test corrections.

This year, I wake up around 5 am, work a little bit in the morning at home. Get to school and utilize every free minute. Leave at 3:30 pm and don't look back until the next day. Why you ask? Because I will not stress and ruin my health for anything or anyone. I'm selfish and you know I will be after my experience with COVID in Spring.

No job is worth more than my health. I will not work or stress about any student, school, work after 3:30 pm. That time is for my family and me. Life is too short. Who knows if we'll even be here on this earth tomorrow? Who knows if it is your last night with the person you love? I am not willing to risk time or health to miss out on these important moments.

I ranted quite a bit, but it was important that this was said. I've been reading the posts these past few days and there are some teachers on here who really need to chill and look at why some people have backed off of giving their best. You don't know what they went through and why they aren't giving it their all anymore.

Anonymous said...

Uft?
An 8th grader held a birthday party including four classmates from her Bronx school before testing positive for COVID-19. But her four pals haven't gotten tested or test results, so teachers are worried they were infected and further spread the virus.

James Eterno said...

Reno emails me from time to time and did a reopening survey with us. I didn't know you and your family had that terrible time with COVID-19. I wish you and your family all of the best for good health.

Anonymous said...

Great post. Wanted to share this to show why the schools should not be open. Note that teachers weren’t notified until subs could be found. What does that say? Mulgrew needs to rise to the occasion and start doing his job.
https://nypost.com/2020/10/24/nyc-student-tests-positive-for-covid-19-after-birthday-party/?utm_campaign=iphone_nyp&utm_source=pasteboard_app

James Eterno said...

Mulgrew has not risen to the occasion since this started. What makes you think this incident will change anything?

Anonymous said...

Great post Reno. You speak like a vet. What you say is great advice for all disillusioned teachers new and experienced.

Tom said...

@8:54 - the responses weren't to the teachers who have backed off "giving their best" - it was to those who backed off working at all. And it wasn't enough that they crow about sitting in bed, doing nothing collecting a check, while whining about dems giving bums money. Hahah @ the irony. They'll lay on their beds slinging mud at those who decide to work as if it is any concern of theirs. They made their decision and now want company.

I couldn't imagine going through the experiences you describe. Is that D-75? That is way too much and disgusting and no teacher should be subjected to abuse. You have a right to be protected. I would have been using that free time to polish my resume and get the hell out of there. Your Admin does sound incompetent AND weak but what about your union? I would have been suspending people left and right or calling for a Dean. I used to call home and say they weren't allowed back in the building unless the parent came (I didn't realize I didn't have the authority to do that but I did it anyway). You're going to have to put on your game face and not be so friendly with them. Sounds awful.

Anonymous said...

Wait. Where was the uft when Reno was having all these problems? The school was out of control, right? CL? DR? Not protecting dues payers.

Anonymous said...

I think the guy said he works from his bed because he gave up on this fraud system. We all agree this is a fraud system. He is responding to the mess, I guess. We all agree students are getting a free ride. Undeserving of a diploma. And, that is one guy, to use tgatcas your one source for everything isn't useful.

Moose said...

Moose Here:

Hey Reno. It's 5:38 AM and I am getting ready to Run a Half Marathon for the first time since I was diagnosed with Bladder Cancer almost two years ago. Your health, your family, your loved ones are all we have in this world. As a 33 year old "vet" (11th year now), I commend you for your efforts to be a great teacher. It gives me hope for Gen Z haha. Try your best with the one's who want it.

I don't yell at any kids anymore. The system is made to degrade our position and have us feel 'less than' when it comes to trying to actually do our jobs. For all of you out there, stay strong and love everyone who comes into your path. Life is too short and you never know what can happen.

Peace and Love,
Moose

Anonymous said...

Tom, are you joking? No wonder you’re still working, you obviously haven’t taught in a typical high school. 8:54 school sounds like almost every Bronx high school. District 75 are much better schools with much better behaved students.

Shelley said...

The caucuses of the UFT, all of them, are, and have been, throughout the latest fiasco, aiding and abetting Unity-UFT in its despicable betrayal of the members. Any so-called Unity or Union Reformer who is also a member of the democratic establishment is wold in sheep's clothing and can't be trusted. The alternative for some who post here and many teachers is the republicans, even Trump, but that's stupid. So what can we do? In NY many look to Cuomo because they love a strong mafia type who can take charge in a crisis, a shark, a bull, not a schlemihl like De Blah, but Cuomo hates the unions and especially the teacher's unions.

Read the piece in the New Yorker here-->

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2020/10/19/andrew-cuomo-the-king-of-new-york

So what can we do?

Strike!

That's all we can do, but we won't.

So pay dues?

No me.

Anonymous said...

Retro checks are available to look at in payroll portal. What's left of them anyway.

Anonymous said...

8:54: Good for you. I feel for you. I hope you're exaggerating a bit. I know if you tell admin., they'll tell you that you are doing something to provoke the behavior. You will need to get out of that school especially if you plan to work all 40 years because a situation like that is only going to get worse. I was in a school with similar students for 20 years and there are better schools out there where there is a culture for learning and supportive admin. No matter where you go, there are going to be a handful of unruly kids but nothing like what you described.

Anonymous said...

8:36: The reason there are fewer flu cases is because of the mask wearing which proves they work. I was skeptical about the masks, but I nor my spouse have been sick since we started wearing them. They also repel the flu, pneumonia, colds, viruses, etc. If you have a weakened immune system, you should wear a mask whenever you go out.

Anonymous said...

Lol. Retro. I paid 0 dues. How much did you all okay? Everybody tells me double. What a scam.

Anonymous said...

I paid $27 for "Teacher's Fund" What the hell is that????

Anonymous said...

If we had more 854’s, we would have a better profession.

I have to bite my tongue sometimes bc not all newer teachers are making colleagues look bad.

854 is someone young teachers should look at as how to be a good employee!

God speed, Reno!

James Eterno said...

10:01, Can you email us the stub with your name and any other identifying information covered over? We will investigate. iceuft@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

So after all this the uft bloodsucks members again...And everyone is cool with that? Great.

Anonymous said...

Reno’s school sounds almost as bad as Grace Dodge, that I had the misfortune of spending almost a decade. It’s all a game. I’m retired now and I got the ‘Retiree’ newsletter yesterday with a large 1 page letter signed by Mulgrew and a Mr Murphy painting a hellish picture of the future unless I contribute more money to COPE. They can both go fuck themselves.

Anonymous said...

Teacher bashing is strategic for the Plutocratic elites in their relentless pursuit of the privatization of the public commons, namely the public school education systems. Their relentless attacks soften the groundwork of public opinion, as it were, so as to build foundational support for privatization in the court of public opinion. This relentless attack on teachers and teachers' unions is fundamental to their long term strategic planning. It is intended to both demoralize teachers and to spread their gospel, which is their ideological enmity of teachers.

erica said...

In addition to all the other problems, the uft took double dues and the chancellor now says that nobody can fail. Ok, yeah right. My grades will be honest. Thankfully not paying dues. They can fire me.

Reno Snow said...

I have left that school. The school was no D75. It was a school in Queens. My administration did exactly that - they would say I was provoking the kids. I wish I was exaggerating. However, I promise you with all my heart that everything is true.

I would call the Dean. They would come at the end of the period after class was over. In fact, our administration actually held a meeting to tell us why we shouldn't log reports onto OARs - because it would be more work for us teachers and we wouldn't want that right? I think I almost burst a vocal chord in that school.

I actually spoke with my Chapter Leader about my concerns who then in turn told the administration who then in turn said that maybe I wasn't doing enough. I spoke with the UFT on the phone to see if it was possible to transfer during the year, but they said the principal would need to release me. It was a very rough time in my life, but I'm glad to make it.

Albeit, I made it out 20 pounds heavier than when I started. Now my old-fashioned 100% cotton denim is a bit too snug for my liking. I've started running and lost a bit of the bloat, but I would like to go back to being a little bit smaller haha.

The school I am at now is better. However, it is hard to tell because of the pandemic. There are only 6 kids in each of my in-person classes so it is hard for there to be any serious behavior issues. I will say that I have heard from a few teachers about different incidents of students bringing weapon to school. The school definitely does have an issue with fights/behavior. Just a couple of weeks ago there were two incidents - a fight after school in which one of the students ended up in the hospital. The second was a fight in the courtyard and a weapon was involved. Can't say too much as I wouldn't want to give away where I am now. However, not too much this year due to social distancing and limited students in the building.

But I honestly can't complain because the school is still much better than my old school. It is a bigger school, so the instruction is much more organized than my old school. Administration is helpful and not out to get you. And the faculty is pleasant. My old school, I couldn't say that.

You are right, 9:32 AM, there are always going to be a handful of unruly kids everywhere.

Reno Snow said...

I don't know everyone. I have been in the school for 4 years. As a TA during college, then a student teacher, then two years teaching. When I was a TA, I was very bright-eyed about teaching. However, I didn't see much of the behind the scenes. Then student-teaching started and it was alright, but the school I was at wasn't the most united (my cooperating teacher got mad at me when I wouldn't answer their text late night because my dad was in the hospital). Then, I started teaching and every year that I have been in the NYCDOE, I just am losing hope and purpose in what I am even doing. What is the point of all this?

What is the point of planning elaborate lessons when the students are multiple grade levels behind (I teach STEM- did my undergrad in Applied Math and Math Education)? What am I supposed to do to catch them up in one year? How do I even do that if they aren't trying themselves? If the parents aren't being involved as they should be? I teach, I make scaffolds, I do different types of activities, I do office hours, I do extra help. And while I have made a tremendous stride in creating work-life balance to care for myself, it is still hard not to be stressed when you are constantly being pressured to pass the students when there really isn't much leeway in making that happen.


I know in my heart, teaching won't be a forever career. Growing up, I thought it would. My parents immigrated to the United States, only completing up to 8th grade. I loved my teachers and I loved going to school. I wanted to become a teacher so I can help students as my teachers helped me. But, that isn't what teaching is anymore. That isn't what the schools are for anymore. The DOE and the schools are just focused on pitting staff against each other, students against the staff, staff against the students, parents against the staff, staff against the parents.

I'll probably do this for a few more years. But once I find the opportunity to pursue a new career, I will. Because teaching has made me so ill. I have gone to counseling and I knew long before I went, but there, it came out - I don't want to teach anymore. A few sessions in, I made the realization that if I want to be happy in life, I need to find a new career. I cried in so many sessions because it is really painful when a dream breaks. It feels like you experienced a death and it hurts a lot.

Thankfully, I have no debt of any kind. I have money saved over the past few years. And next year, I'll start schooling to pursue a new career, one that makes me happy, one in which I am excited about the work I do. I want my work to define me in my career, not others reaction (students and parent reaction) to define my career.

I have spoke with fellow colleagues who said no, it will get easier. I am sure it does. But I can't spend the rest of my life just tolerating this and putting up with it for the sake of making it a lifelong career. I won't be happy just being complacent and trying to make it through year after year. I know some people are able to, but I know myself. I can't. I'll go crazy just trying to fit myself somewhere that I know doesn't fit me.

Yeah, I would say I am quite a bit old school compared to the rest of my Gen Z peers. They are more worried about tenure and playing the game to achieve it. Me on the other hand, I could care less. I'll give my best and do the work to the highest quality possible. But, I won't demean myself or put anyone else down to get ahead to get tenure. If you like me an my work, great. If you don't, then do what you will. But I will uphold my professional duty of working hard, constantly adapting based on feedback, and being courteous/professional.

I wish the younger teachers were more united like the older folks. You'd be surprised just how quick the younger teachers are willing to rat out a peer if it means they benefit from it somehow.

Reno Snow said...

I don't know everyone. I have been in the school for 4 years. As a TA during college, then a student teacher, then two years teaching. When I was a TA, I was very bright-eyed about teaching. However, I didn't see much of the behind the scenes. Then student-teaching started and it was alright, but the school I was at wasn't the most united (my cooperating teacher got mad at me when I wouldn't answer their text late night because my dad was in the hospital). Then, I started teaching and every year that I have been in the NYCDOE, I just am losing hope and purpose in what I am even doing. What is the point of all this?

What is the point of planning elaborate lessons when the students are multiple grade levels behind (I teach STEM- did my undergrad in Applied Math and Math Education)? What am I supposed to do to catch them up in one year? How do I even do that if they aren't trying themselves? If the parents aren't being involved as they should be? I teach, I make scaffolds, I do different types of activities, I do office hours, I do extra help. And while I have made a tremendous stride in creating work-life balance to care for myself, it is still hard not to be stressed when you are constantly being pressured to pass the students when there really isn't much leeway in making that happen.


I know in my heart, teaching won't be a forever career. Growing up, I thought it would. My parents immigrated to the United States, only completing up to 8th grade. I loved my teachers and I loved going to school. I wanted to become a teacher so I can help students as my teachers helped me. But, that isn't what teaching is anymore. That isn't what the schools are for anymore. The DOE and the schools are just focused on pitting staff against each other, students against the staff, staff against the students, parents against the staff, staff against the parents.

I'll probably do this for a few more years. But once I find the opportunity to pursue a new career, I will. Because teaching has made me so ill. I have gone to counseling and I knew long before I went, but there, it came out - I don't want to teach anymore. A few sessions in, I made the realization that if I want to be happy in life, I need to find a new career. I cried in so many sessions because it is really painful when a dream breaks. It feels like you experienced a death and it hurts a lot.

Thankfully, I have no debt of any kind. I have money saved over the past few years. And next year, I'll start schooling to pursue a new career, one that makes me happy, one in which I am excited about the work I do. I want my work to define me in my career, not others reaction (students and parent reaction) to define my career.

I have spoke with fellow colleagues who said no, it will get easier. I am sure it does. But I can't spend the rest of my life just tolerating this and putting up with it for the sake of making it a lifelong career. I won't be happy just being complacent and trying to make it through year after year. I know some people are able to, but I know myself. I can't. I'll go crazy just trying to fit myself somewhere that I know doesn't fit me.

Yeah, I would say I am quite a bit old school compared to the rest of my Gen Z peers. They are more worried about tenure and playing the game to achieve it. Me on the other hand, I could care less. I'll give my best and do the work to the highest quality possible. But, I won't demean myself or put anyone else down to get ahead to get tenure. If you like me an my work, great. If you don't, then do what you will. But I will uphold my professional duty of working hard, constantly adapting based on feedback, and being courteous/professional.

I wish the younger teachers were more united like the older folks. You'd be surprised just how quick the younger teachers are willing to rat out a peer if it means they benefit from it somehow.

Reno Snow said...

@Moose

I am sorry to hear about that experience. I can only imagine how rough it is to deal with cancer at 33 years old. I am happy to hear that you are engaging in activities that bring you joy! I used to run in high school but fell out of the habit. I've been trying to pick it up again, but it isn't easy. I run out of breath a lot more quicker now than I used to.

Have any tips for someone trying to get back into running? I loved it so much! I would put on my headphones and the world around me would just poof - disappear.

Reno Snow said...

@ James Eterno

Yep. We thank God everyday for helping us through that time. I feel so badly for those that lost loved ones to COVID. It is not easy. I actually have a family friend whose sister-in-law died, leaving behind her two little ones.

My dad's co-worker's brother died from COVID. My friend's aunt died from COVID.

I guess for me, I am cautious about it because I know the loss it caused for people. I do hope things get better and I do agree that school needs to be open for the students for the most amount of learning to occur. However, it needs to be done safely.

And while the school can do everything it can to keep it safe, it is important for New Yorkers to take action as well. That means families are practicing good hygiene and social distancing outside of school. That means if your child is sick, don't drug them up on tylenol and send them to school. That means if you, a staff member is sick, you call in sick and don't pony up to school because you don't want to leave the kids with a sub - don't be a martyr.

The important thing is that we collectively take the steps to ensuring we are practicing the steps of wearing a mask, washing hands, social distancing so that we can get to a point of slowly and safely get to a point of opening things up again.

waitingforsupport said...

@12:12am...
Fraud system run by a fraud doe/mayor and fueled by us educators who are unprotected by a fraud uft leader. Ridiculous how the few who want to nip away at the fraud are called names. Ridiculous how everyone is failing the usa: leaders, workers, parents. Kids are kids. They have to be taught right from wrong. Adults are supposed to do the right thing or step aside. Period. So folks are yelling about opting out of the union but continue to work for the mayor. The opt-outers laugh at people who want a union with a different leader. They laugh about teaching from bed, passing everyone "because the students curse me out/hand in junk work" while collecting (not earning) $130,000 and driving a Mercedes. Dumbazz. You're making the case for those who say that public education is dead. You may not be funding the union but you certainly are fueling the fire to end public education.
@Reno: Thank God that you and your family survived Covid. Anyone who thinks that those who do their best (it's about you and your professionalism and not the behavior of the kids,etc) are crazy are themselves, crazy.
Don't get it twisted.

Tom said...

@6:25 - get a clue - not everyone works in the Bronx, and I don't recall the poster saying what borough she works in. But that's besides the point - there are 5 boroughs, and the suburbs. If you are experiencing such abuse it's YOUR responsibility to get out of it. There are always choices. And no - you're wrong - I haven't worked in high performing schools with stellar students. Neither have I worked in a school that resembled a version of Animal House because it was NOT TOLERATED (although one or two teachers might get more abuse than others and they were on anti-anxiety medication). As for D-75 - there are many students who should be in D-75 and are not. I have friends who work in D-75 and it's no picnic, but at the high school level the attendance is very low.

waitingforsupport said...

@Moose. Stay safe. God's still in control. Enjoy that marathon.

Tom said...

I don't think it's unfair to give students extra time to finish coursework. It's not their fault that the system is messed up. I have students in shelters who don't have internet and they made an effort to come to school. Then they find that they're in school and the teachers are home and everyday they're getting a new schedule change. Not even a lunchbreak - they eat some crappy lunch while in class. It was easy to keep with up the A & B schedule but the rotating Mondays is confusing so they show up and get sent back home. So now they're not coming. How is that their fault. The DOE had since March to get this right. All students should have the appropriate resources and not be penalized if they don't. It's a complete shit show.

waitingforsupport said...

@10:07 am
I agree. I know many young educators who are FABULOUS. They understand the importance of having a work life balance while maintaining their professional ethics.

Anonymous said...

Tom,

This system is a joke.

Grades don’t exist.

It’s chaos.

You can fight the good fight and make yourself nuts and impact your health or go with the flow and get along with everyone and ‘fake it until you make it’.

Honestly, after a quarter of a century doing this job, I don’t know which viewpoint is the way to go.

When I think about which way is the best way to go, my brain hurts lol

waitingforsupport said...

Absolutely. Now if only EVERYONE followed suit...school by school. If one in the building is singled out, everyone should speak out and stand up. Do your job, grade honestly, go home. Period.
You want to send a message: Stand up TOGETHER to the bully.

Anonymous said...

Pay stubs for 10/30 are up.

Anonymous said...

James, are you reading all this. Can people be more demoralized? How sad. Mayor running around happy, as is mulgrew.

Anonymous said...

Thank you Reno for sharing your story.

Anonymous said...

Tom, if the choice is teaching regular high school or D75 in the city, most are choosing D75. Some folks have too many years in to leave and have been demoralized and targeted. Speak to an ATR some time to get a true picture of what most high schools are. Their knowledge is the only reason those rotations stopped. I’ve been to 75 different high schools in the last seven years and I’ve got the low down on each and every one of them. This virus is a serendipitous gift for most high school teachers. I say that not to diminish the pain and suffering that was callously caused by the DOE and the UFT’s greed. Consider yourself fortunate Tom - when you’re hair starts to go grey or falls out and the students start calling you ‘pops’ or ‘grandpa’ watch out because you’ll be facing charges and or become an ATR or terminated - not for any reason other than your salary. Experience does count, it puts a target on your back; all facilitated by the UFT. @6:25

waitingforsupport said...

@tom
Absolutely correct

waitingforsupport said...

@11:33 am

Another option
Work and grade ethically and go home.

Anonymous said...

Shouldn't uft dues be half as well?

Shelley said...

One thing is for sure, ask three teachers for their opinions on the state of education and you will get at least five opinions.

What they all agree to is that education needs reform.

Does it?

Isn't it better than ever? Yes. Aren't we making great progress? Yes.

But you wouldn't know this asking a bunch of teachers or Admins or almost anyone who is involved in the day to day or education. But ask anyone who studies the progress and the reform movement and they will tell you that huge progress has been made, not by any reform movement, but by a bunch of factors that have little to do with education.

In any event, I like the bit from 10:19:00 AM

"Teacher bashing is strategic for the Plutocratic elites in their relentless pursuit of the privatization of the public commons, namely the public school education systems. Their relentless attacks soften the groundwork of public opinion, as it were, so as to build foundational support for privatization in the court of public opinion. This relentless attack on teachers and teachers' unions is fundamental to their long term strategic planning. It is intended to both demoralize teachers and to spread their gospel, which is their ideological enmity of teachers."

Right on. Spot on. But the teacher bashing is also common in schools, where the bashing goes on by educators and admins. Why?

Well, there has been, from the start, and there will always be, as long as there is education, two big camps: the progressives and the traditionals. They can't stop bashing. They are locked in a battle, they need each other, it's like a dance, and S&M kinda thing. And the Plutes preach a gospel that spreads in schools, one both and either side. And the UFT, and all its caucuses and factions, and this blog, it's just aiding and abetting the status quo. So it goes.

Good Luck

S


Tom said...

@2:30 - D-75 High school students who are emotionally disturbed are a real challenge and I don't know where anyone gets the idea that they are the most well-behaved. You just might get some of those behaviors that the poster talked about and you have to be a Special Education teacher to even work there, no? If a D-75 ED student winds up in a regular school it is next to impossible to transfer them out without parental consent.

But I'm not even sure of the the point of your post. Am I suggesting it's easy? That a lot of schools aren't like that? That the schools are great. There ARE things teachers can rally around. Like coming up with a plan to take phones at the door. There is a huge difference in classroom management with the schools that take phones, and those who don't, but then again, that also depends on the school. Why am I fortunate - whatever classroom management I've had I've worked my ass off for. I put in A LOT of work at the beginning of year with the freshmen. I have structures and routines, and I make sure that I am ready to go at the bell, and not a minute after. I also make a lot of calls and document. And things settle down. From September through June it's rough for me too, if that makes you feel better. But being rough, and being abused regularly (by students and/or Admin) are two different things. I had a really good mentor when I started and he was a powerful CL. I could never fill his shoes but I did try to borrow from best practices. I know another teacher who was the most organized person, with excellent classroom management. I borrowed from those best practices. Then there are other teachers whose room as a 3 ring circus year after year and you can't tell them a damn thing. You have no idea how old I am or how much experience I have.

Anonymous said...

Someone alert mulgrew, richard and bill...
HUGE—“children and young adults are potentially much more important to transmitting the virus”—The largest #COVID19 contact tracing study to date of half mil people finds children key to spread, evidence of superspreaders.

Anonymous said...

RENO:I really feel for you.maybe you can work remote and catch a mental health break.i hope you get out of there.i am a vet teacher.i would stay till 7 or later after school.ir was a thankless admin.shit paras to turn disturbed kids against me, etc.years later, I got 3020a from shit AP who set me up.awful to go through.but light at the end of the tunnel.i became an atr.one assignment was a shithole, others ok.i got to see that not all schools look s were so bad.my last atr assignment was in a great school and I got hired.i bet I never would have made it had I not had 3020a.i would still be with shit admin and miserable...I go in because I like being at work, although I qualify for accommodation.i pray that you can go remote and find a better school.they exist!you are in a demoralizing situation.try to go remote for now, then try to transfer.

Reno Snow said...

@1:23 pm

Thank you. I appreciate those that took the time to read. I've been in a real bad mental space these past few years and have been trying to be optimistic this school year. But, I guess the stress has built up within and has bubbled out. But I feel much better having let it out.

So thank you for reading my ramblings. I really do appreciate it.

Anon2323 said...

Hang in there Reno, only 2 years barely in and a lifetime to go. UFT should be ashamed of the way they treated tier VI teachers to basically compensate for the Tier 1 and II pensions. 19 years in the same school in the south bronx, fortunate it is a smaller school. It can be hell on earth in many schools in the Bronx.

At best 10% of the Tier VI will reach 30 years or proper retirement, you have to be one tough cookie these days and times. Will be praying there will be other/better buyouts in the next 3-5 years.

Anonymous said...

Bethlehem Central High School will go to all-remote instruction for at least one week as a result of COVID cases/widespread quarantine. Two additional cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed at the high school, bringing total number of confirmed cases this week alone to five.

Moose said...

Hi Reno,

My advice for you is to find a "groove" where you start by running for a specific amount of time and then walk for a specific time. Make your Goal Realistic. It is going to be a frustrating experience at first but that's the only way you'll get back into it successfully.

Start by Running for maybe 30 seconds, then walking for 30 seconds. Do that for 20-30 minutes. Change the times every week or every session where you feel improvement (plateauing). You'll be great! Good luck with work. Survive the day as we all do at the DOE.

PS: Thank you James for the Blog. There are normal people in the DOE and this blog somewhat confirms that ;).

Moose said...

Hi Anon,

It isn't 30 years for Tier 6. It is potentially 40 if you start at 22 and work until 62. You're a million percent correct about how the UFT handled Tier 6 to compensate for Tiers 1-4 to be honest. What a joke. We need new leadership. That NEVER should have been negotiated. Now the City gets what they want; burnt out teachers hanging them up early and not getting a full pension. People don't go into city jobs for the pay. They go into it for the retirement benefits.

Anonymous said...

You can still do your best by following the contract. We dont need to stay late because administration cant meet deadlines. We have specific hours that we work.The young teachers need to be supported by their chapter leaders. I think many teachers work hard. I have 18 years in and I still work but Im not giving them anything extra unless i want to. When 2:20 comes Im out of there. We have hours for a reason. The tier six should have never happened.

Anonymous said...

For those of you wondering what the deduction for “teacher fund” is on your pay, I believe it is for a TRS cost adjustment or shortfall incurred. I got a letter in August that they said they would be taking the money starting in October for three payments if Idid not make a lump sum repayment. It is the same amount stated in the letter.

Anonymous said...

I made an online Echeck payment for my deficit and I still see 414H arrears on my check... TRS also sent me a notice I was delinquent 15 days after my Echeck! Of course you can't reach them. I waited 20 minutes to leave a message that they'll call me back. Um- I'm a teacher and can't exactly pick up the line during school hours.

What a cluster. As we work in person, they're working at home. No breaks...for us these days