Wednesday, December 16, 2020

LIVE BLOGGING FROM DECEMBER DELEGATE ASSEMBLY (Mostly Unedited)

No trouble getting on today so I am on time. We will keep updating.

The meeting began with Michael Mulgrew introducing himself and welcoming Delegates to the last DA of 2020 which happily will soon be over. Calls the people on the call the leaders of the UFT. Says Chapter Leaders and Delegates have been looked to and what CL's and Delegates have done has been phenomenal this year. Recognize what you have done. We've been fighting but using doctors to do what's right but it doesn't matter if it doesn't work at the building level. We have challenging administrators. In the mayor's race, we want DOE bureaucracy to change to support the schools, not themselves. People contacting us, remembering all the deaths. The School system has been protected by Delegates and Chapter Leaders. 

Tomorrow with snow is an instructional day. First grievance out of COVID will be for compensation for spring break 2020. We were not meeting our minimal instructional days with the State Education Department for 2020-2021. SED accepted our calendar with two remote instructional snow days. NY Times said this is the end of snow days in the United States but the calendar is only for this year. Our calendar has the most holidays in the United States. Don't want to give up holidays or eat into our breaks. We will visit this in the future. There is no substitute for live instruction but members find some things with remote valuable but there are others that we don't want to keep.

We never believed the state should have a statewide program on COVID. When city wanted to move their plan, we had no problem because of testing. We closed over 500 schools. If there was a hint of this virus, there was affirmative action. Linked cases mean they are isolated. Non-linked cases mean a school shuts down. Over 40,000 tests last week. Problems last week. We will go to court if conditions aren't met. State says city must adhere to agreements. 

Problems: Randomness. 20% of schools had no testing. When they were doing 20% per school per month, we asked that entire school be offered testing. Many volunteered. When people are in schools, there isn't alot of COVID spread. Doing 20% per school per week meant they could no longer test whole schools. They did not hit 20% per school target. They tried to test the whole school in certain cases. They could no longer do that. Getting the test results back became a problem. Give tests on Monday and results on Friday is not helpful. 

(At this point the signal dropped. Sorry, trying to get back on.)

I got back on a few minutes later when Mulgrew was talking about children being upset. By in large, it is working with nurses dealing with students in D75. Incident with lunch in Brooklyn. Staff tried to stop principal. They documented everything. They had statements done. DOE upset. We don't care. Teachers are heroes. They tried to fix it and when we got involved, it improved. Everyone was tested.

Following State Covid-19 numbers. It is not acceptable, irresponsible if city shuts down and school buildings stay open. City and other hotspots in the state have plateaued and are starting to move down. How  do we get the vaccine to those who want it so we can move back to some kind of normal?

1,140 operational complaints from over 700 schools. Most resolved. There is compensation involved that involves money. Superintendents say they have no money but that is their issue as they did this. We are teaching in non-ideal conditions. More information, myths, and misinformation out there but we continue to get our work done. UFT Member Assistance Program overrun. Also, kids have regressed developmentally. We are dealing with tough situation. DOE wants teachers to teach online tomorrow. Put up lesson and let the kids do their work. It will take five days for DOE to figure this out. Principals get very little direction. Good principals, it's okay without direction but for power-hungry and inept principals this is a problem. 

Federal-Big problems with the current stimulus package. Election has not changed things where people will now work together. We are trying to keep education money in the stimulus. State and local looks like it is out. Eviction protection is a big deal. If the virus gets out of control in NYC, we shut down. Safety is important. Next piece is livelihood. In many other states and districts without strong unions, many have lost their jobs. We need a massive federal stimulus next year. There has to be money directly tied to education where states can't divert that money. Georgia Senate race is important. For next year, there will be the biggest turnover in City Council history. State is $15 billion in red; the city is $9 billion and the MTA is $4.5 billion in debt. The entire debt was $7 billion in 2008. We need a massive federal stimulus. Do we want a fight? No but will we fight? Yes. Protecting livelihood means we have to be very politically active. We are interviewing all sorts of City Council candidates. We would like to endorse 21 people in January. We have to talk to the mayoral candidates. Reporters want to talk about mayoral control but they don't want to talk about the money. What happens in the next couple of days is important but we need a bigger federal package next year. Whoever wins the city races will be our partners for the next few years. We need people who are smart and know what they're doing. Teachers in City Council term-limited out. 

State-School systems opening and closing. Large systems that never really opened dealing with layoffs. If state and local money is off the table, Governor a little crazy. We are monitoring it. A glimmer of hope at the state level with testing and vaccine distribution. Vaccine is not mandated. Teachers and school staff are in the second tier of vaccine distribution. Healthcare workers and nursing homes in the first tier. Then essential workers and people with health conditions are next. Follow the Moderna vaccine closely. It is as effective as the Pfizer one but it is easier to administer. President-Elect Biden wants schools open in the first 100 days but we want PPE for the entire school year. How do we plan? We don't know if more children will be allowed into schools. Close to 90% of operational complaints tied to blended learning. We need live and fully remote. Schools know how many opted in. If that is less than 35% of entire school population, you need to have a conversation about 5 day a week schooling. DOE instructional people never did their job correctly. If you are a school that is open, number of in-school learners can only go down. Those who have not shown up by December 23 should be placed in all remote. No rulebook on how to run a school system this way. That is why we went to operational complaints.

End where it began by thanking the CLs and Delegates. Only large system in the country that is open. Safety, protect profession, (enemies like Kochs still saying we haven't done our job). Biden transition people have come to us about opening the schools. It comes down to the people at the schools. We dedicated our lives to taking care of children.

Staff Director's Report- Leroy Barr reports on some upcoming events. Many firsts with Kamala Harris as VP. UFT showing film Chisholm about Shirley Chisholm on January 21. Special election Dec 22, UFT endorses Kevin Reily. Happy Holidays.

Mulgrew back thanks Rich Mantell for coat drive. Got 800 coats out. The homeless population growing. He thanks Anthony Harmon for working on delivering meals. Food crisis in NYC. We are helping out. Karen Alford helping homeless coalition coat drive. Jeff P, Ellie Engler and UFT safety team running from school to school making things work. 

Question Period

Question about testing. Tested last Wednesday but 15 haven't received results.

Mulgrew Answer: New process. Issue with testing, contact District Rep or Borough Office so it goes right to safety people. Tell Donna the District Rep. We will get the results back quickly or use them to go into court. 

Followup says people tested yesterday were told it would be five days to get results.

Answer: No, results should be within 48 hours.

Question: Physical dimensions not changing for five day instruction. What is the union's position?

Answer: 50 point UFT safety checklist is the standard. Mayor said 75% want in-person instruction. That was wrong but schools were programmed for 75% to come in. You know who has opted in, if you can program for the live students, do it. If  35% or below, you can try. If it can't be done safely, don't do it.

Question: Vaccinations, we will hit Tier 2. We will have to go get vaccinated or will they come to schools?

Answer: Phizer vaccine has to be kept in a controlled setting. We will guess we will have to go in and show we are DOE employees. We need a process so everyone who wants to get vaccinated can get a vaccine. City will probably send out conflicting information. 

Question: Thanks Mulgrew, no testing yet at PS 44, a school opened on Staten Island.

Answer: We know about this school. We will hopefully get folks there quick. Schools on Staten Island in orange zone but not much COVID in them. Doctors have access to our information. Politicians not doctors. PS 44 is on the list. Hopefully, they will be there tomorrow.

Question: High School CL. What is happening with high schools reopening?

Answer: Do we have the testing capacity, until we have the vaccine, to keep things safe? City does not have the capacity to test in high schools. Students need to take industry assessments. Many have hands-on components. We have had conversations at state and city level. (These are not Regents exams.)

Question: Thanks Mulgrew, Principal scheduling observations and teachers have been told they would be doing observations. What is the status of that?

Answer: There are no observations. There is no evaluation agreement. State has not waived student learning but left evaluation up to districts. Many would like to go S or U but using authentic assessment will lead to teachers being treated in a fairer way. S or U led to thousands being rated poorly because they had a fight with a principal. Let's get basic authentic assessment in for this year. We are telling our people to do that. No observations at this point. We should have APPR done by early January. We need protocols on online classrooms. Administrators saying they want access as a teacher into a classroom. They already have access as administrator. They don't know how to run their own digital platform.

Question: CL from D 25, Can we have clarification on the instructional coordination period in the morning? 

Answer: Coordination period is to work with other teachers who work with the same students. Grades could coordinate during this time. Mandated systematic meetings are a no. DR is on the call as well as Borough Rep who will be in touch with the principal and superintendent and we will take it from there. We don't understand the people who have to be power-hungry

Question: Onsite COVID testing, is there a system to show that it is random?

Answer: Some places it is getting better and others are not. Three problems with testing. Randomization, 20% and getting results back in a timely manner. Testing folks are good to work with. They don't take problems as personal attacks like most in the DOE. Getting additional people for contact tracing. Tell the DR and hopefully it will get fixed or go to court.

Question: CTLE hours for paraprofessional, will it be waived this year? CUNY having issues with financial aid.

Answer: Not waived as of yet. Regents meeting yesterday and today. You should call UFT call center and they will talk to certification people. UFT is offering a lot of CTLE online. Call Mary Vaccaro. We don't want anyone being jammed up.

Question: Countdown to July 1 retirement-Will the UFT continue Zoom information sessions after COVID? 

Answer: Much better DA meetings online. We have huge partipation online. Pension clinics and Member Assistance Program have huge numbers. Happy that numbers are what they are but we miss seeing people. Can't wait to go into a school without a mask. Looking forward to seeing kids smile. We will figure out the balance between online and in-person.

Question: Counselors at QHS must have Assistant Principal in three way or Zoom counseling sessions. No confidentiality is what AP said

Answer: Why would this lead to better results for children? There are confidentiality provisions in the DOE. We will ask the DOE if this is a mandated practice to defend it. This sounds like a power trip. The worse the idea, the more who get promoted at the DOE.

Motion Period:

First motion to commemorate World AIDS Day for next month's agenda. Mulgrew points out that it needs a majority vote to get on January's agenda. Motivator says that we can honor people impacted by AIDS in a better way. There was no speaker against it. Mulgrew tells everyone to stay safe over holidays. 92% vote yes and 8% vote no. It is on agenda.

Second motion is on mayoral control. Daniel Alicea presented it from MS 53. He wants this for next month's agenda. Says he is with Teachers of NYC. We need to end mayoral control as we know it. We need checks and balances. We need our union of educators to lead all stakeholders including parents, students and other community stakeholders. Growing call in our union that we need to limit mayoral control and not just cosmetic changes. It's personal. Data changed since we last discussed this issue in 2013. We need to use our power as the most powerful union in the city to step up. After two decades of mayoral dictatorship, we need to turn things up down. Revisit 2013 recommendations, endorsements can't come cheap and must be tied to candidates who want fundamental change in school governance, create an action plan with stakeholders to pressure Albany. Mulgrew asks for a speaker against. Nobody came forward to speak against. 81% voted yes and 19% voted no.

Special Orders of Business

Motion for UFT to stand for transgender rights. Protecting transgender folks. Nobody spoke against it. 95% yes and 5% no.

UFT honoring Latin American educators. Servia Silva motivated it. 40% of the students are Latinos or Latinx but only 7% of the teachers are. Nobody spoke against it. It carried with 95% yes and 5% no. 

 Time ran out. Mulgrew said Petrides results on Staten Island is now online. Take some time over the holiday but we need to keep the children safe. Thanks Delegates and CL's says God has blessed you. Says God bless and be safe. 

140 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ya see, why were you worried, spring break being negotiated asap. LOL. What a fool. it is already almost next term. How long will this negotiation last?

Anonymous said...

Safety, protect profession, (enemies like Kochs still saying we haven't done our job).

Um, they haven't done their job.

Anonymous said...

Dunno who I despise more, NYCMayor or UFT President Mulgrew.

Both don't give a shit whether teachers live or die.

UFT rank/file keep giving Mulgrew dues money, no wonder he doesn't give a shit.

Cut off the gravy train, you'll hear a different tune out of UFTUnity.

Anonymous said...

Well these are important. Sarcasm.

Motion for UFT to stand for transgender rights. Protecting transgender folks. Nobody spoke against it. 95% yes and 5% no.

UFT honoring Latin American educators. Servia Silva motivated it. 40% of the students are Latinos or Latinx but only 7% of the teachers are. Nobody spoke against. It carried with 95% yes and 5% no.

Anonymous said...

I need clear info.

Will all schools open together after/during vaccine?
Including students being told they must go in?
Including teachers with med acc?

Anonymous said...

Mulgrew often parrots Cuomo. Imagine we had a union leader who wasn't a mimic for the governor.

Strongest union in the country. Dues well spent.

Anonymous said...

Principals are being pressured to re-open schools for 5 days a week, even if the students can not fit safely in the spaces. And uft send us in.

TeachNY said...

Do you really need the money badly? Manage your damn cash.

Anonymous said...

Dont need the money, just wont pay this corrupt union.

Anonymous said...

Huh? So we shouldn't get paid? Or we should wait 12 years? Confused at what your post is.

Anonymous said...

From what I gathered, it sounds like we are going to get screwed big time on APPR.

Anonymous said...

I don’t believe the anti-union dues person (doubt it is people) is an actual teacher. I have not met a single teacher who has told me they are going to stop paying their dues. I have met people who are mad, but they are smart enough to know without a union we would be treated like the right-to-work states.

Do I think they are not doing enough? YES Do I think they take too much? YES Do I think I would be better off without a union? NO

Instead of not paying, how about running to be your school’s delegate or chapter leader? Fight from inside. (Yes, I represent my school and i do not belong to unity.)

James Eterno said...

I heard that too 8:16. The MOSL is back for this school year but Mulgrew wants it to be an authentic assessment. Be careful here folks. This has potential for real problems.

8:36, Thank you for representing your school.

Anonymous said...

Teacher eval should be like our students’ grades:
Pass or NX
No failing this year.

Anonymous said...

i would think after the vaccine is readily available schools should be mostly open come sept 21. they prob say- get the vaccine if have a medical condition. there is going to be a big push to reopen schools 5 days a week for everyone imo.
i mean they are already talking about student lags in learning.

Anonymous said...

I am a real live teacher. I opted put. I heard, don't know if true, 7% opted out. That would be about 10k.

Anonymous said...

Ok, so schools closed until sep 2021. Cool.

Anonymous said...

Most students don't learn because they ate lazy and/or dumb.

Just an endangered CL said...

I see they had just enough time for all the political bullShirt motions except the last one: the motion to stand against the APPR/remote Danielson observations- you know the only issue that actually is about teaching and not politics.

Why? Mulgrew stated in answering a previous question that we will have APPR and observations in January. For xmas I will send Mulgrew a new pair of knee-pads, his are looking very worn out.

Anonymous said...

http://southbronxschool.blogspot.com/

Read that, he wants a transcript about the retro agreement. Is he an opt out, scab, hack? Nope. Think he will get the transcript? Why or why not?

jeff said...

And sure enough, people complaining about the APPR. Why? I thought the uft was there for us. I thought we should pay dues. Which way is it?

James' quote "Be careful here folks. This has potential for real problems."

A real union would make us be careful because we are about to be screwed...Again?

But keep paying dues. You guys aren't too smart.

You all make the argument for me.

Anonymous said...

You mean blm resolutions and motions for UFT to stand for transgender rights wouldn't be worth my money. I'll keep my dues.

Erica said...

Thank you, uft...

1. Hey ms I was wondering on extra credit or someway I can get caught up with all the work.

2. Student was in the building today to pick up an ipad. Hopefully you will begin to see him in your classes.

3. ms
i have a question but its unrelated. what assignmentd do i need to do to pass 3rd marking period???
yeah i know but some teachers told me if i pass like with a high grade
i can get a 65
is the classwork for all previous mionths are there?


Ok, so I got 3 more ridiculous emails, 2 from students, 1 from guidance. Extra credit, but he didn't do the regular work. Hopefully I will see a kid who already missed 80% of the term. A no show who wants a 65 because some teachers said he can still pass.
Oh, I know nobody cares but me. You said I can give grades I want. I can't do that when other teachers give a free ride, because I am then the only one who anger gets directed at and students can honestly say that i am the only one.
I know for sure everyone else is giving fake grades, you can't have done the work while never attending or being unable to write a sentence.
So how about this, tell guidance to stop sending me emails and tell everyone to stop questioning my grades, since my grades are the fair grades.
So why are saying students should graduate high school doing no work and being unable to read or write. Great. I want the chancellor and mayor to say that. That would solve many problems. My job would be much easier in that case.
Also, please tell them to stop asking why these students can ever do better than minimum wage, I am giving you the reason.
I would also like those who keep saying they are helping, and magically are passing everybody, to justify their grades. They are getting paid. Paid for what? Exactly what is the role we are playing? Ii guess I'm not sure about my responsibility? Can someone explain it to me? The funny part is that the ones who give the free grades are ones who scream black lives matter the loudest. So, set them up to have a productive life...
Oh, and I would appreciate if the chancellor would stop sending me racial equity emails. And I think they should stop having colored only job fairs, that is illegal and racist.
I'm not sure what you want me to do. Just do nothing and pass everyone? Is that the wise decision the rest of the staff is making?

nerd said...

I'd love to know what the actual vote tallies were for the motions (transgender rights etc.) I think once people realized the motion to stand against the remote/Danielson observations wouldn't make it to a vote, 95 percent of the voters/listeners hung up.

Anonymous said...

BLM is a radical antisemitic hate group.

The UFT resolved to support BLM and therefore the UFT supports antisemitism and bigotry.

I do not support the UFT since it promotes and offers encouragement to a radical hate group

I do not see how supporting antisemitism is in the interest of the UFT or its members.

I do not object to the ubiquitous phrase "Black lives matter".

I strongly object to the organization BLM.

Anonymous said...

They are more interested in non uft stuff than our core issues

Anonymous said...

IT IS TIME FOR A MARCH AT 52 BROADWAY TO TELL MULGEW HE NEEDS TO LISTEN TO US! Fuck it, I'll march out front alone if nobody wants to join me. In 26 years of teaching I have seen a lot of sellouts from the UFT but this is the worst of the worst. We are going to be forced to go back into elementary schools during the upcoming lockdown and Mulgrew will support that no matter what he says. Mulgrew is also going to be complicit in agreeing to a new shitty evaluation system just like he he did when he agreed to 4 observations for NYC teachers instead of 2. For the first time in my career, the sheeple teachers at my elementary school are actively talking about their hatred of the UFT. Our voices need to be heard and the public and the press needs to know how we feel. (The City Council also needs to hear our voice)

Anonymous said...

But why would you want to opt out? Any positive comments in the last year on this blog?

James Eterno said...

Because you have to replace the UFT with something better if you want to take it down.

Anonymous said...

There was nothing about the Early Retirement Incentive [aka buyout]. I know it is not a pressing issue for most in light of all the major problems right now, but has anyone heard any news on this?

James Eterno said...

State Legislature back in January. Most Bill's pass in April or June.

Anonymous said...

Erica, what’s our role? We work for nyc. We get our directives from the chancellor and mayor. They want every kid to pass. It’s my job to pass them. That’s how I see it. For those who don’t like it, elect a mayor that doesn’t want fake passing grades. Apparently the voters in nyc dont have a problem with passing all kids no matter what they have or haven’t produced since they elected DeBlasio again. Who am I with my white privilege to disagree with our brown chancellor and a mayor with black children? I have checked my white privileged and jumped on board the Carranza bandwagon. I’m white. I have inherent bias so I must defer to our chancellor of color for these decisions and he wants me to pass all children. The lunatic left of nyc made the bed we all have to lie in. I’m all in. Collect my money and pass kids. That’s my job. I get satisfaction in my personal life and give the nyc doe very little thought outside of work hours. That’s how you survive the nyc doe with your sanity intact.

Erica said...

Can someone tell me how students are getting classes added to their remote schedule on 12/16? They can complete an entire term in a month?

Anonymous said...

I dont think many people know what is actually going on in nyc schools.

Anonymous said...

Does everyone know there is no child vaccine. So even if half the teachers get vaccinated by summer and they open in September, no child will be vaccinated. So are we assuming next school year is back to normal will no children vaccinated?

Anonymous said...

Thanks uft.

Today's #COVID19 indicators:

• 174 new hospitalizations
• 2,739 new cases
• 6.00% positivity rate (7-day avg.)

We have a lot of work to do. Avoid holiday travel and social gatherings. We have to turn these numbers around. Together.

Anonymous said...

I'm 57, will be 58 next August. I'm in my 23rd year with the DOE. I have a pretty decent amount in my TDA. I'm in the 55/25 program. But I really don't think I can survive another two years in this crazy system. I'm praying they come down with the ERI by the end of the year. I will take it with both hands and sprint for the hills. In my mind, I'm out as of 6/30/21. Mentally and physically, I'm not doing anybody or myself any good by sticking around until June 2023.

Anonymous said...

I am an elementary teacher and I am in the building 5 days a week. I am traveling for Christmas to the sunny south. I earned that vacation. I will test and quarantine. Nobody should be telling teachers what they should do on their personal time. This job is a total shit show now and people like me deserve some fun in the sun. As mentioned, I will do my part to be responsible by testing and quarantining.

Not ready to Die said...

Remote Danielson is the next thing the UFT will agree to ?
I hope that is not the case but I see it happening . Just look at Mulgrews track record. Where’s the money for working the additional days over Spring break ?

How can we stop this ? The whole situation sucks with the pandemic raging from last March.
So many moving parts to worry about now this will be thrust upon us ..

James what are your recommendations to fight this battle ?

MulgrewSucks said...

If we can all band together and set up a protest outside 52 Broadway, I'm in.

I don't have any social media but if someone puts up an ad on Facebook, I say let's organize it and do it.

I'll even come out there in the freakin' snow if that is what it takes.

This Mulgrew bastard has to be made to understand that he either starts listening or he's going to have a major problem.

Erica said...

1021, I agree with everything you said, but it is still wrong.

Anonymous said...

1204, we cant stop it, because we happily accept it. Because you pay dues to a corrupt union.

Anonymous said...

100k teachers who have given in. They make my life more difficult by doing the wrong thing. I'm not passing no shows or students with 20% attendance. I've already given in with many who are due to graduate in January. There is a girl who is taking my class twice this term. That is double dipping. That is illegal. She has a child. That is my fault, I guess. Has done no work, never attends. I am giving her 65, twice, so she can get out of the school and graduate. Happy? She will hve a meaningless diploma. I gave in.

Anonymous said...

My high school just posted an honor roll for those who got 90 or more overall average for marking period 2. Take into account that NX was included in their averages and my school doesn't allow for zeros so you have to give 55 even if the work is plagiarized or if the student doesn't do it. Let's give all these students an SAT. If they all score above or even an average SAT school, I will personally apologize for my assumption, but I'm 99 percent sure 99 percent would score below average on the SAT. Yes, these are real honor students. LOL.

Anonymous said...

Brooklyn Institute for liberal arts...blue ribbon school, average SAT is 900. Looks like fraud. Fraud grading policy, nobody can fail, no zero grades, do nothing and you are a few points from passing

Anonymous said...

11:57 I hear you! I'm 56 in year 23 and in 55/25. Praying for an E R I that allows for purchase of 2 years of service credit.

Anonymous said...

While mulgrew dithers...

ChicagoTeachersUnion
@CTULocal1
Replying to
@CTULocal1
In such case, all options will be on the table for our union to enforce our rights and protect the health, safety, and livelihoods of students, educators and all families

Anonymous said...

Today, the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board, on a split 2-1 vote, denied our request to seek a preliminary injunction against CPS’ unilaterally developed plan to resume in-person learning on January 4 as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage Chicago.
ChicagoTeachersUnion
@CTULocal1
·
1h
The 2-member IELRB majority, Lara Shayne and Gilbert O’Brien, ruled on narrow grounds that they believe a full evidentiary trial is needed to determine whether CPS is obligated under a provision of state law that only applies to our district. (Section 4.5).
ChicagoTeachersUnion
@CTULocal1
·
1h
Acting chair Lynne Sered dissented, saying, “Health and safety is a mandatory subject of bargaining. It may not be disregarded by Section 4.5."
"It is undisputed that the Chicago Board of Education has announced a date certain to bring children and teachers back without bargaining that decision with the CTU. Further, we are literally dealing with life and death, which amounts to irreparable harm."
ChicagoTeachersUnion
@CTULocal1
·
1h
We will request that the IELRB set a trial date for next week and for a decision to issue the first week of Jan. Without that timeline, CPS could be allowed to put people in danger with its unilateral plan that likely will end up being declared illegal after the fact.

Anonymous said...

Wait till the uft allows remote observations. They are already happening while not allowed. I wish that would make some of you wake up, but it wont.

Anonymous said...

A kid in my school got moved from Eng 1 to Eng 7 today. How does that work?

Anonymous said...

@12:00 PM
You deserve it and I am happy for you because I wish to travel to Canada to visit family but can't because of travel restrictions between the 2 countries.

Even though in my posts it seems like I am supporting them (students or poor admin.) over us (teachers), really all I'm trying to do is just give some benefit of doubt and think optimistic so I can make it through the year.

I am frustrated about the same things you all are and vent lot to my family and they get sick of it. So, I have been trying to follow my mom's advice, think optimistically. It works because I realize that I can't do much to help the kids. That is true. All I can do is my best and I can sleep easy knowing that I did that.

I hear all of you. This job has taken more from me than it's given. And I hate that the students don't have any accountability and I hate getting blamed for their laziness. My evaluation is not based on my work or effort, but the students reaction to it, and that's just not fair. But venting made it so much worse for my health. Half my head is gray at 22 years old because of this job.

I resigned from my first school. It was terrible. The students were chaotic - throwing furniture, trashing my class, throwing food at my door, fights in my class and no support from the dean. I used to drive to work but then my mom started to because she was worried I would do something. She said everyday my lip would quiver on the way to work because I was that anxious. My last day, an ATR said that she saw me from September to December and she saw the life be sucked out of me. She felt bad and I was sad to leave because she was my only support - the only one who listened and didn't blame me. I subbed from January to March and then long-termed subbed from March to June. From June to September, I worked at a REC Center. Now I am in my second full appointed position with the DOE.

I'm in my second year (kind of my first-ish again) teaching and I am in awe in how some of you made it through this many years. I can't, I just can't. I guess I'm not that good and am failure for that. I am very type-A (graduated with honors in my Math undergrad). So coming to terms with this was not easy. This year has been a blessing - less students due to COVID (I'm Middle School in-person), no behavior issues, less paperwork and grading because less students, no evaluations (as of yet), not chaos in the classroom. I can't even bear the thought of a normal school setting anymore - it is chaos. I have been in 4 schools in 4 different districts in Queens (even "good" ones) and they are more or less the same - mediocre schools and chaotic classrooms.

I am turning 23 years old over the break. All I want for my birthday is to go to Canada to visit my uncle and my grandparents. I'm really close with them and when I am with them, it feels like everything is okay. Unfortunately I can't due to the travel restrictions.

Wishing everyone a happy and healthy holiday. Enjoy the trip @12:00 PM.

Sorry if my previous posts being out of line or harsh. I was trying to cope the best I can but it was stupid. I can't cope but I can try to just make it through without stressing, just like all of you are. At the end of the day, we are all frustrated about the same thing and should support and not blame each other.

James Eterno said...

Reno, Happy holidays.

TeachNY said...

Yeah...I’m curious about the observations myself.

waitingforsupport said...

Reno...
Have a happy birthday. Enjoy the holidays with your family. Remember to turn completely off during the break. Don't look at your DOE email---at all. Stay safe and remember, you're marvelous!!!!

TeachNY said...

Yup. I’m very curious to see how the observations play out.

Anonymous said...

Reno, Whoever was the principal of that first school is to blame. If that is happening in one class, it's happening in several. The principal clearly had no control of the school. Don't blame yourself especially since you were a first year teacher. Yes, you are going to have some classroom management issues like talking in class, getting out of your seat without permission, cell phone use and throwing things, but that is beyond a classroom management issue. Administrators disagree with me but classroom management and student behavior are two different things.

Anonymous said...

NYS will end up in bankruptcy court thanks to the ineptness of both governor meatball and the communist mayor. South Dakota is not going to want to bailout NY for it's stupid response to the virus. The two quacks posing as leaders have killed the patient and NYC teachers will pay the price.

Anonymous said...

UFT gets taken out to the woodshed in Townhall commentary on BLM

https://townhall.com/columnists/derekhunter/2020/12/17/only-money-and-power-matter-to-black-lives-matter-n2581664

Here it is:

United Federation of Teachers and something called “Black Lives Matter at School” are pushing their bigotry on school kids in New York through a resolution dripping with racism and condescension. (Read the whole thing here.)

Make sure to read the entire commentary!!!

Anonymous said...

Listen to Reno...

Life sucked out
Students trashing the room
Throwing things
Sounds like a great career

Bronx ATR said...

Reno, Realize you aren’t alone and don’t ever blame yourself for what is a completely indifferent farce of a school system. Every middle school teacher I have ever know has gone through the same experiences - and that includes me. I started out teaching in middle school and it was by, and large, four of the worst years of my life - and that was thirty years ago. Our principal used to lock himself in his office all day and work on his newsletter for the CSA. The deans used to physically pass out from the stress and anxiety / there was an ambulance once a week carrying them out. I realized at the end of my fourth year I couldn’t spend the rest of my career dealing with raging hormones, massive undiagnosed ADHD, poverty, ignorance and indifference. My seventh grade class that year had four pregnant 12 year olds. All the veteran teachers in the school were completely insane. I got a HS license and never looked back. For me most of the worst days teaching in a high school was far better than the best days in a middle school. Have a great life.

Anonymous said...

Um, that garbage happens in almost every school, but nothing matters, they all pas. Nice job, teachers.

Anonymous said...

Read the new carranza racist email? Is that not forcing people into districts based on skin color alone?

Anonymous said...

I want to play in the NBA. Why can't I? Must be racism.

Chancellor Richard A. Carranza
@DOEChancellor
As Chancellor, it is my responsibility to deliver the highest-quality education possible to each of your children, so that they are prepared for a successful, productive life, and empowered with the skills they need to chase their dreams. and lead us all forward.

Anonymous said...

Hey Reno. It only gets better. Its not your fault. They throw you into the lions cage with no nothing to defend yourself. This is not a career anymore.You get better respect working fast food than this.

Anonymous said...

No merit required.

Mayor Bill de Blasio
@NYCMayor
We need to profoundly change the distribution of resources in #NYC, especially when it comes to our students and the #COVID19 crisis.

Starting THIS September:

• Middle school: one-year pause on screens
• High school: eliminate geographic priority over the next two years

Anonymous said...

UFT keeping us safe? mayor says numbers are way too high then sends us in, and we go.


Mayor Bill de Blasio
@NYCMayor

Today’s #COVID19 indicators:

• 158 new hospitalizations
• 2,805 new cases
• 6.16% positivity rate (7-day avg.)

These numbers are WAY too high. YOUR actions make a difference. Don’t give up now. The end of this crisis is in sight.

Erica said...

I agree with carranza, they should drop the gifted and talented program. Many students are neither gifted nor talented. That's what he is saying, right?

TeachNY said...

Any word on when the heck middle schools are going to open up again? These poor kids sitting home.

Anonymous said...

Oh no what about all those poor teachers who want to teach only the good white and Asian kids and a handful of black students and Hispanic students for unreal diversity? Everyone knows that's why they teach there though they won't say that.

TJL said...

Why not just go back to traditional zoned high schools? (And, for that matter, JHS.) Bring back community pride and spirit, and stop the pointless practice of having young people travelling all over the City on public transit. Keep the specialized high schools. We don't need 150 different screened schools all over the place. With so many what can they be screening for? How exclusive could they be?

Anonymous said...

They’ll be reconstructing all the campus schools after the cuts. Neighborhood schools will also come back and a much more conservative system. This is all reliant on getting rid of mayoral control - after deBlasio’s abject governance NYC is posed to get someone like Bloomberg again. If that happens it’s charters, remote learning and everything that Bloomberg wanted to do.

Anonymous said...

Would you prefer to be with motivated students who care or the opposite?

"Oh no what about all those poor teachers who want to teach only the good white and Asian kids and a handful of black students and Hispanic students for unreal diversity? Everyone knows that's why they teach there though they won't say that."

Anonymous said...

So the chancellor is putting people in schools because they are black or Hispanic? Isn't that the definition of racism? Not based on merit?

Anonymous said...

@TJL

I too have always wondered why we can't do the zoned high schools? I feel like the best way to improve any school is for the neighborhood folks to go there. Students would be traveling shorter distances to get to school and will have more time to rest, get school work done, and maybe even work if they aren't commuting from Queens to Manhattan for school.

Second, communities would be more invested in improving their school if the community members are the ones attending it, not people from all 5 boroughs. They know what they need for their kids and members of the community can work with community council to achieve that.

And like TJL said, keep the specialized high schools and the schools with specialized programs open to everyone who would like to test or audition to attend.

I don't think it is fair to get rid of the specialized schools. I understand that taking a test doesn't seem fair, but also tests are part of life. You have to take the SAT to get into college, the GRE to get into grad. school, the civil service exam to work a city job, test to become an accountant, nurse, teacher, etc. If you get rid of the SHSAT, it still doesn't change the fact that in life, you will need to take tests for school or career.
When I was in middle school (district 25) offered free Saturday prep for the SHSAT. Two of the teachers would run the session. 9 - 10:30 was English/Writing. 11 to 12:30 was Math. I got into Brooklyn Tech but didn't go because of the commute.

A lot of students see these schools as a way of getting access to a real education because unfortunately, due to the lack of community and city investment into their zoned school, they know they might not be getting the best education possible. These students look at these schools as a way to overcome that challenge.
And these students are advanced students who would be held back by the gen. ed. population in the traditional high schools. They need a challenging and fast paced program and no amount of differentiation in a traditional classroom would meet that need. Just like putting a low performing student in an honors class would limit their learning because they are getting the pace that they need to succeed.

The way to solve the issue of poor zoned schools is to bring back traditional zoned high schools as TJL said. If people had only the choice to attend their zoned schools, I'm sure more communities would invest the time to improving their school to be acceptable enough to serve their children. It doesn't make sense to let the schools rot and have students commute across the city for a better school. Fixing their zoned school should be the priority. Maybe more kids would consider attending closer to home if their zoned schools were safe and excellent.

Anonymous said...

Also, thank you for the kind words everyone. I really do appreciate it. Again, I'm only 22, a few years working in public schools, and am so jaded. I can't imagine how some of you made it decades. My head is half gray! I'm sure a decade in will be wrinkles haha.

Anonymous said...

Agree with you tjl except I would get rid of the screened schools also altogether. Education would improve in all schools once you made the kids who are zoned for a school go to that school. When you give the parents an “out” they can ignore the problems of the “bad” schools

Anonymous said...

"I like to say very bluntly: our mission is to redistribute wealth."
Mayor de Blasio

If teachers and the uft are in bed with this, your are pathetic. Good luck. I will no longer redistribute my dues. Opted out today.

Anonymous said...

For the love of it all! How in the hell is our school system racist? Every teacher has to go through a vetting process and have the proper license/education background. Do people really think that racist teachers would go through all that bullshit AND deal with the craziness of working for the DOE just to "keep black and brown kids down?" Do people actually think that teachers wake up before the sun comes up and drive to the South Bronx just to spew racist ideology? Is there a secret cabal of teachers who wear Klan robes after school? Last time I checked, there are no racist teachers but there are plenty of fools running the DOE who would be better off actually trying to fix the working and teaching conditions that the kids and rank and file have to deal with on a daily basis. Ahhh, but that is too hard. Easiest move is to declare the whole educational process as racist and being dominated by whitey.

Anon said...

4:26
Right on the money!

Anonymous said...

What the fuck is this?

This is what we deal with in my school.

Dear Teachers,

I will review a guiding document that Admin will use when visiting your class. First, please know it is NON-Evaluative. Which means our feedback, like any other feedback, is focused on your professional growth. Second, Admin and I see this tool as support to zero in what it means to create antiracist spaces that highlights our focus on knowing every student well.

I request that you read pages 8 and 9 (Component 1 b). Take notices of the elements of the component to help design your instruction and your teacher moves in your classroom.

Thank you!

Be safe and stay warm!

Anonymous said...

Well, we should ignore the real problems, throw out merit, send students in by race to fill a quota, then call it fair and equitable and pretend we fixed a problem.

James Eterno said...

Which school?

Anonymous said...

There has to be a better way to circulate air then having 2 windows open. It is freezing!!! And the heat is not strong enough.

Thanks uft.

I will be opting out now.

Anonymous said...

And here we are, the robust testing s actually a fraud, what a surprise. Nice job, uft. Are we striking now?

NYC's Randomized Testing Plan Repeatedly Targets Same Group Of Park Slope Schoolchildren

https://gothamist.com/news/nycs-randomized-testing-plan-repeatedly-targets-same-group-park-slope-schoolchildren

Anonymous said...

Feel safe yet? Are we suckers? At least I don't pay dues and work home.

"The practice was confirmed in an internal newsletter by the school's principal Eve Litwack. In the newsletter obtained by Gothamist, Litwack "'expressed our concern to our Superintendent and the people in charge of the testing that only one cohort has ever been tested.'"

"The principal also revealed that testers are typically there for just one hour or so, offering little time for teachers who are not part of the randomized pool to be tested, a condition worked out between the city and the United Federation of Teachers union."

Anonymous said...

Who would've thought the mayor can say out loud, on camera, that his job is to redistribute wealth and nobody would care? While refusing to pay $450 million of ours for 12 years with no interest. After holdings a ton more for 11 years.

The dumbest in NYC=us.

Anonymous said...

Didn't Trump offer 2 trillion? I thought Pelosi was a great negotiator. She is as bad as mulgrew.

Anonymous said...

If I get a job because I'm white, it is unfair.

How is this not unfair?

"NYC schools will change admission requirements to address segregation"

Anonymous said...

2:53: A real teacher is able to motivate those kids. These teachers just want half of their job done for them already. You must be one of the ones afraid of the black and Hispanic kids.

Anonymous said...

Actually it's harder to get a teaching job now because you're white. A lot of schools are looking for what they call teachers of colors that can better empathize with students of color. Obviously every black person has the same experiences.

Anonymous said...

Good, right?

The University of Pennsylvania's Dr. Harald Schmidt told the NY Times older people are "whiter." Thus, "Instead of giving them the vaccine, we can start to level the playing field a bit."

That means intentionally causing people's deaths — because they're the wrong color.

Anonymous said...

Instead of fixing the plan, the plan is to have someone else pay for your problem.

Anonymous said...

As everyone rich flees the city ...As crime skyrockets...As the uft bows down....As we go into infected buildings...

Mayor Bill de Blasio: "Our mission is to redistribute wealth."

Erica said...

Dumb question, because I am dumb.

After they redistribute wealth and force people into schools without merit and let everyone out of jail and nothing improves and the same people are lagging, then what?

Anonymous said...

As he divides the city by skin color, pushes Asians backwards...

Peace & Hope

As a year like no other comes to a close,

we wish you a holiday season filled with

laughter, joy and connection.


In unity,

Richard A. Carranza

Anonymous said...

Local schools with locAl control. Works on Long Island and west Chester. Everyone goes to zip Ned schools. Get rid of all screened schools. If you are so smart you can do honors program in your local high school and graduate top 5% in your school.

Anonymous said...

Dumbass dues payers, dumbass mulgrew.

Open schools appear to be fueling the surge.

Rebekah Jones, MS, GISP
The 12-17 age group is experiencing the highest positivity rate of ALL age groups in nearly EVERY FEMA region (region 1's highest positivity rate is pediatric under 5 years old, then pediatric 5-11, then pediatric 12-17)

Anonymous said...

This may be the reason the mayor doesn't want High Schools to open because they might have higher infection rates.

Anonymous said...

8:27,

There are almost 100k not real teachers because all those kids are only passing because of grade fraud.

Anonymous said...

Silly me, I thought those kids didn't get into those schools because they couldn't pass the test and weren't smart enough. Now I know from carranza that it is because of racial segregation. I guess Asians aren't segregated.

Anonymous said...

My grandfather came here from Europe with nothing. What was he given? Stop with the bullshit, go to school, get a decent job, get a decent living space. We already give free money, free housing, free schooling, free bus passes, free school breakfast, lunch, calculators, computers, free college apps, free SAT...

Anonymous said...

What reason would they have to do this to schools unless they knew certain students would never be able to get in?

Anonymous said...

Admission not based on attendance, grades or test scores.

What is left? This can't be serious.

Anonymous said...

HELP!!! I need to know - what would happen if I retired after 19 or 20 years??? I can not take working for the DOE anymore. Please help if anyone knows!!!

Anonymous said...

@8:52 Big difference retiring after 20 years as opposed to 19. If you can make it to 20, your divisor becomes 2%, as opposed to 1.67%. So for example, holding out for 20 years will get you to 40% of your FAS when you retire. 19 years only gets you to 31.7% of your FAS. Do whatever you can to stick out to at least 20 years.

Anonymous said...

Minus 27% if you take pension at 55 years old.

Anonymous said...

No workplace protections if employees won’t take vaccine. That’s a big problem. Many, conservatives and liberals, wont take it. Already stories are circulating that the stem cells used were taken from aborted fetuses and DNA tinkering. Highly repulsive, if true, to most outside NYC.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/federal-agency-says-employers-can-require-workers-to-get-covid-19-vaccine/ar-BB1c40WP

Anonymous said...

Well, in nyc there are no rules. Criminals and failures get rewarded. Uft will be no help.

TJL said...

That's where a Union comes in. That's what (some of) the opt outers don't get. As much as our Union drives me nuts, in most jobs if you want to sit in your basement you're fired, if you would rather not take a vaccine, you're fired.

The UFT failed us with this forced testing but the latest DA was encouraging, Mulgrew said no forced vaccine. Now we have to hold him to it.

Anonymous said...

He also said strike. And retro on time. And 3% infection rate. And robust testing. Want me to keep going? I'll keep my dues.

Bronx ATR said...

TJL,
Let’s try to hold Mulgrew to his word. If the DOE insists on and the government will allow employers to make it mandatory, you can bet your bottom dollar that it will happen. The DOE has already told teachers if they refuse mandated testing they will be terminated. I haven’t heard a word of protest from the Uft. I wrote about a recent lawsuit concerning it in my last blog. I believe these teachers have a valid case. https://atradventures.blogspot.com/2020/12/understanding-potential-dangers-of-dna.html

Anonymous said...

Right, if you retire with less than 30 years then you must go until 62 to not get hit with the age reduction percent.

Anonymous said...

Anybody who keeps paying is a fool. Why are we going in to buildings at all?

Anonymous said...

FDA investigating allergic reactions to Pfizer vaccine reported in multiple states.

Quick, tell mulgrew.

And what happens when they force us all back in soon? Students don't have to go but I do? They can fire me. I will live off my 2 million. Thanks for nothing.

Anonymous said...

Vaccine is still under emergency authorization.
I doubt it could be mandated till it gets full authorization, which it may get in 2021.

Anonymous said...

Um. It will be 2021 in 13 days. Good luck, schmuck.

Anonymous said...

I mean, probably nothing. Mulgrew said it is safe. Why pay dues?

More NYC schools close as COVID-19 cases soar among students, staff
By Susan EdelmanDecember 19, 2020 | 4:17pm | Updated

Anonymous said...

Does anyone trust Mulgrew=UFT and deBlasio=DOE with anything? Wait, some of you are trusting them with your lives and the lives of your loved ones.

Anonymous said...

The U.K. has identified a new Covid-19 strain that spreads more quickly. Here’s what they know
PUBLISHED SAT, DEC 19 20202:18 PM ESTUPDATED SAT, DEC 19 20202:52 PM EST
Noah Higgins-Dunn
@HIGGINSDUNN

Anonymous said...

8:38. What is left is fairness. Every school should have to accept ANYONE from the school system. When there is an equal distribution then we will really see if there are TRUE “elite” schools. What you will see is that some students who are motivated and have good parent support will succeed, others will not. The only other option is to do it by zoned schools. That is still unequal but at least it’s fairer. I would be more in support of a pure lotttery system though. Either way screened schools are racist. Plain and simple. They don’t serve the same population as the rest of us “plebes” out here. And please don’t tell me to use open market to try and get a job in one of those schools. It’s next to impossible

Anonymous said...

Why dumb it down if they think those students can do the work? Should Harvard take anybody? How about the NFL? Those students have 1800 schools available. Do they have to destroy the 10 left that are decent?

Anonymous said...

So if every school should except everyone what if 15,000 kids all want to go to a certain school? How does that work? The answer is zoned school districts like on LI. There can can also be 2-3 specialized HS. This is how it was when I was a student in city schools from 1984-1993 and it worked great.

Anonymous said...

8:19: I like your thinking. Yes let's see if those teachers at Stuyvesant and Brooklyn Tech are really so effective when they have to teach the low functioning students. I lost my position at a low level school because our kids performed so poorly. Let these schools put their money where their mouth is. If they still have a 99 percent graduation rate after 4 years of taking low functioning students then I will never complain again.

Anonymous said...

There is a difference between low functioning students and students who don’t give a shit, are psychotic behavior problems, and who try to purposefully ruin the educational process for all. The DOE needs to realize this.

Anonymous said...

The neighborhood I teach in is already a crime ridden wasteland. DeBlasio will ensure every neighborhood in nyc is just like it. Part of me says GOOD. Nyc got exactly what it voted for...a fucking communist. Houses for sale in my suburban neighborhood flew off the market this summer. Many are nyc transplants. If you can afford it, get out. Nice schools, conservative politics with some liberals, no violence. And as much as the Deblasios of the world want to label us racists, we’re not. We just want a nice community to raise our kids. If you’re a good neighbor, no one gives a shit what race you are.

Anonymous said...

Last week our Principal had us all go in and change report cards for 1st marking period. All 1s and 2s had to be changed to N.

Did other schools do this? Or did your Admin know you can't give 1s and 2s?

I spent 2 hours changing to N, NOT HAPPY!!!!!!!!!!

erica said...

104, why did you do it? Who did you conbtact? Uft? media?

Unknown said...

2pm

I did it because the Principal told us to do it, am I wrong to do it?

1s and 2s become N

Anonymous said...

Yes, it is wrong if it is grade fraud.

TeachNY said...

I think we should let anyone who wants to become a brain surgeon perform surgery if they tried hard in school. Why hurt feelings and tell med students they’re not cut out for brain surgery?

Anonymous said...

TeachNY,

That is what I keep saying...Or pilots.

Then I get told that these kids will amount to nothing, all they will do is work at McDonalds or move boxes at Pathmark so I shouldnt care.

Anonymous said...

4:11: You're mixing apples and oranges. We're talking about public high schools not med schools.

Anonymous said...

4:29: Really? There's a Pathmark still open? Where?

Anonymous said...

It’s called preparing students for the real world. In the real world you can’t be whatever you want if you are a shit head or even if you try hard but lack the skill. So why are we going to pretend that every student can succeed everywhere? It’s only setting them up for a rude reality in the real world.

Anonymous said...

Changing 1 and 2s to N is grade fraud???

Our Principal said she made a mistake telling us to use number grades. Now we are to fix mistake by going back in and making 1 and 2s a grade of N.

Leave 3s as 3s she said.

Is this a bad thing to do???

Anonymous said...

522, why ask here? Are you an idiot? No wonder Mulgrew wins landslides every election.

Anonymous said...

5:22
How does that make me an idiot?
I'm asking if other principals had staff give number grades.

Anon said...

Number grades to pass in high school. In place of a no pass grade, NX.
Now I have a meeting with my AP tomorrow to review my scholarship report because I gave too many NXs.
Lovely!
Fuckin cooking the books!

Anonymous said...

953, send email to sedelman@nypost.com or councilmember Holden

Anonymous said...

9:53: I've had scholarship report meetings. Try to put the guild on the AP. Say you know teachers inflate grades to please their APs. Also, say you care about the kids and that's why you give them honest grades. What are we telling kids by giving them inflated grades. High grades are more important than honesty? You need to use your rhetoric skills.