Thursday, August 26, 2010
No Layoffs
IPS says there weren't be any teacher layoffs with this year's budget. Eugene won't have to fire anyone a number of teachers have just up and left because their classrooms are out of control, the kids' learning level is at least two years behind and they get no support from the administration.
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My guess is that there will be no layoffs. Instead teachers who retire, leave the system, quit will simply not be replaced. This will have the same result of layoffs as class sizes will grow even larger. There are nightmare stories out there this year about the size of classes in some schools and major cuts are being made by October 1.
ReplyDeleteI also predict that there will be several new high paying administrative jobs created for friends of Eugene.
Can anyone tell which administrators were cut?
ReplyDelete"...there weren't be any teacher layoffs..."? "Eugene won't have to fire anyone a number of teachers..."
ReplyDeleteMy English teachers always taught me to proofread all of my work before submitting it. Then again, maybe you're too busy complaining about how bad things are to learn the tools of your trade.
I've been lurking here for a long time, and all I see is the same things I see everywhere else about IPS. I see a lot of people complaining about how things never change. Then I see a lot of people complaining about the changes people want to make. It seems to me that at least one group of people needs to be disappointed here.
I've also seen a lot of people that are willing to trash the district and the students, but not willing to put forth their own time and effort to try and make a difference. I work a full-time job outside of IPS, but still find time to volunteer 10-20 hours a week at one of the schools as well as donate my professional skills to the staff at the school.
That's the challenge. Let your actions speak louder than your words. Do something other than complain on a blog about the way things are. Make it a call to action to make a real difference.
Then quit lurking here...As to grammar......"I've also seen a lot of people that....." people are not objects so the correct usage should be ""I've also seen a lot of people WHO" "all I see is the same things" Perhaps you mean "All I see ARE the same things" ............and you want to lecture others about proofreading....lol
ReplyDelete"Do something other than complain on a blog..."
ReplyDelete__________________
Well, YOU are "complaining on a blog" with that post.
Writing and speaking out are DO-ING activities.
That's why thousands of people get paid for working as journalists, TV and radio commentators, etc.
I get tired of people on here who try to control the articulating of opinions by others. If you want to have your say, then do so. But don't try to put others on guilt trips for expressing their own opinions.
It's a little thing called Freedom of Speech: unavailable to many (most?) teachers during the work day - but readily available in the after hours.
http://www.fox59.com/news/wxin-student-hits-bus-driver-with-belt-082610,0,6395115.story
ReplyDeleteI sure that this was a teacher's fault too. It HAS to be.
There is a new instrument being developed to evaluate administrators. Also, many schools are scheduled to undergo instructional and/or climate audits this fall. This is the favorite tool used by Johnson and her henchwomen to fire administrators. There is no doubt that there is already a list of principals and administrators who are next on the block to be axed, whether they deserve it or not, but the audit and the new evaluation tool will manufacture evidence against them to justify the actions of Johnson.
ReplyDeleteDr. White seems to go on the theory that if you aren't for me, you're against me...when in reality it isn't him anyone should be "for" but the kids and their futures...lots of good administrators may lose their jobs...and the really bad ones will keep on keeping on...lucky for some of those people.
ReplyDeleteOnly the friends of Eugene will keep their jobs and many of them are among the worst of the administrators.
ReplyDeleteOh it could end up being Mafia wars, if he goes up against the old white boy mafia, or the lesbian woman mafia. The balance of power between these mafias is pretty delicate.
ReplyDeleteThe lesbian woman mafia is definitely the strongest and most entrenched!! By the way, layoffs have started in night schools, adult ed and alternative program for part time teachers.
ReplyDeleteNight school was being cut about three years ago, too expensive, and with the classes full of township students, who paid a few bucks. They are going to ALS, to save some money.
ReplyDeletewhat's up with commissioner white? Does she have a nervous tick? All she knows how to do is twitch and shake her head back and forth. She's funny to watch. Kinda like watching an accident!!
ReplyDeleteCommissioner White appears normal to me. Are you sure the tic is not in your vision?
ReplyDeleteBlogmaster says teachers have "just up and left." Where? How many? I havn't heard about any of this
ReplyDeleteRead the board reports.
ReplyDeleteYou haven't heard about it because the blogmaster just makes up random shit.
ReplyDelete32 retirements or resignations on the August 28th board report, these would be people who quit right at the start of school, lets see how many quit on the next board report. And don't forget the one who died due to school related stress.
ReplyDeleteYeah. Like the comments that say, "Details of which will be released when appropriate." Funny thing is that time must never come.
ReplyDeleteThe Star has an editorial about IPS and its budget today
ReplyDelete"don't forget the one who died due to school related stress."
ReplyDeleteWould that be the Tech educator's suicide?
"A board member can ask for it (the budget), but I work for the whole board," White said. "The whole board didn't ask for it."
ReplyDeleteIndyStar, Saturday, August 28, 2010, page A14
What an ass.
...and a fat ass at that!!!
ReplyDelete@"A board member can ask for it (the budget), but I work for the whole board," White said. "The whole board didn't ask for it."
ReplyDeleteWhat an arrogant comment! Does White 'get off' on being a smart-ass? It's so unbecoming.
Why does he think he needs to 'wait' for the Board to request copies of the budget? That's his responsibility whether they ask for a copy or not.
Try that attitude with your principal next week when you don't turn in lesson plans -- See how far you'll get by saying, "But, you didn't ask me for lesson plans."
When I submit my lesson plans, I'll only submit photocopies of the TM's front covers. My administrator will need to submit a formal written request for complete plans. Said request will be acted upon within four to six weeks. Wait until I'm asked for my evaluation documents! There's a six-month wait for that stuff!
ReplyDeleteIt obviously can't be insubordination, as my Mentor is Dr. White, and he's setting a precedent. I'll tell my principal to shake it off and step up. Ms. Wilkins, take note. This will be worth every nickel of my union dues!
#94
ReplyDeleteLeave of Absence
Ann
Wilkins
IEA
President
08-09-2010
to
05-26-2011
Association Work
WTF?
ReplyDeleteThis is normal...you apparently aren't aware of the practices of the board, during the IEA presidents term of office they take a leave of absence for association work, and their salary is then paid by IEA members....If you got involved you would understand how these things work, and all of us would be better off, the union is what teachers make it....
ReplyDelete<<<<"...during the IEA presidents term of office they take a leave of absence for association work, and their salary is then paid by IEA members...">>>>
ReplyDeleteAnd, that is yet another reason I do NOT belong to the union. Judging by the amount of good Wilkins has done this past year for her fellow teachers, I'd say that all union members have been taken advantage of. I know this is a sore spot to mention, but some things are just too obvious.
Ann Wilkins is probably the worst IEA president in decades but we still need a release time president and members pay the salary so some freeloading chronic complainer above can shut his/her piehole.
ReplyDeleteI have been in IPS for several years now. I wish I could say it is all someone's fault but it isn't. IPS is a complicated and hypocritical mess. Teachers complain about downtown and their lack of professionalism but in my own building I see so much unprofessionalism is it unreal. I work in an unaired building but I have on more than one occassion been offended by a teacher's dress. You just don't wear really short skirts or sexy one strapped short dresses to teach children. I don't care how hot it is. I haven't even started on all the unprofessional talk that goes on... At the same time, you don't threaten to quit when you are questioned for valid reasons like Dr. White has done. Honestly, no one is perfect and yes, some are more flawed than others, but the hypocrisy is horrible. Trust me, I am not a Dr. White fan but I am also not a fan of teachers who blame him and still portray such a unprofessional image.
ReplyDelete"And, that is yet another reason I do NOT belong to the union. Judging by the amount of good Wilkins has done this past year..."
ReplyDeleteIt is overly apparent that you don't know anything at all about what Ann Wilkins has or has not done. Only union members are given that information, and you stated that you do not belong to the union. I'll tell you what, asshole, keep on freeloading while the rest of us pay dues and bust our butts to try to protect YOUR rights and YOUR contract - which, by the way, you would not have at all if the union was not in place. Twits like you sit back on your high horses and "refuse to join" the union, but not one of you has volunteered to give back the raises, benefits, due processes, and other protections that MY union negotiated for us all. So shut up the complaining. You are nothing but a freeloading parasite and an idiot. Have a nice day.
Well you don't get a better example of the union mentality than that, now do you? :)
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with Mr/Ms "It is overly apparent". All teachers benefit from what the union does so if you enjoy going to the doctor when you are sick, and getting a raise every now and then you should contribute. So many people like to complain but none of them wants to step up and help.
ReplyDeleteWe may be in a low point of union leadership right now but it won't last forever. I'd rather be protected by due process now than judged by factors beyond my control later.
Don't forget, the union got you SBDM, the only voice parents, students and teachers have setting policy.
ReplyDeleteStand up for SBDM, make it work in your school.
As a teacher, I consider myself a professional. What other professionals have unions that fight for salaries and benefits? Aren't unions for people who don't have college degrees such as electricians, welders, factory workers, etc.?
ReplyDeleteI agree that unions are for laborers, not professionals. And I disagree that people who don't belong to the union are somehow taking from those who do. The union negotiates wages based on an average value of members. If you're an above average teacher, you're being paid too low. If you're a below average teacher, you're being paid too high. Union or not.
ReplyDelete"I have to agree with Mr/Ms "It is overly apparent". All teachers benefit from what the union does so if you enjoy going to the doctor when you are sick, and getting a raise every now and then you should contribute. So many people like to complain but none of them wants to step up and help."
ReplyDeleteThank you! The Union is nothing more than the members who participate in it. The president is simply the voice for us all - period. Each and every one of us needs to be involved.
There is a meeting Monday at the IEA office. If you have concerns, questions, complaints, etc., PLEASE come to the meeting and voice them. Do not be silent. Your silence is perceived and accepted as aggreement with the status quo. Step up and brush the dirt off! ;) Be vocal.
Unions not for professionals?????.....you are really out of touch... What do you think the American Medical Association or the American Bar Association..the American Dental Association, and many other professional groups. They are there in Washington and the statehouse lobbying along side the NEA/ISTA/IEA for working conditions, funding, and new legislation. Your pompous views of unions border on being unAmerican. I went to college because I had two parents who were union members with jobs that paid well and had good benefits. Your belittling attitude toward millions of people like my parents is disgusting.
ReplyDeleteNicely said. Thank you.
ReplyDelete""Unions not for professionals?????.....you are really out of touch... What do you think the American Medical Association or the American Bar Association..the American Dental Association""
ReplyDeleteActually, I am not out of touch. My spouse is a member of one of the above professional organizations; however, it is not a union as we educators conceive a union. It is simply an organization of professionals. My spouse is a self-employed medical practitioner who pays $985 per month for individual health insurance. Plus, there's a monthly payroll to meet for the allied health professionals who work in the practice. There is no group insurance. There is no union contract. There is no written agreement how many hours are in a normal work day for the doctor -- that's up to the individual practitioner and that determines how much money the practitioner earns. If you slack off, then your income drops. If you work harder, get new patients, follow the standards of practice, then you'll earn more money. There is no magical person in a union office who speaks for my spouse when a patient gets huffy or who tries to protect my spouse if poor treatment is rendered by his/her practice. No, professional organizations such as the ADA or the IDA are NOT unions.
These professional organizations do not address work conditions, equity issues, length of the work day, sick leave days, personal leave days, vacations days, who looked at me cross-eyed, who disrespected me, who gets more money than I do even though they've not worked as long, etc. Forget tenure and seniority in these groups.
These professional organizations DO have 'peer review committees' where a committee of practicing medical professionals (your peers) review patient complaints received by the State. If you receive a complaint from a patient, the 'peer review committee' reads all the relevant info including all the medical charts, meets with you to discuss the complaint, decides if the complaint is grounded or not grounded. If there are no grounds, then you're lucky and are doing your job. On the other hand, if the complaint is grounded, then you may end up paying for a botched medical procedure, plus paying 'emotional', etc. damages to the patient and his family. If the complaint is of such severity, then the peer review committee turns the process over to the State where you can lose your license to practice. There is no union involved to protect your butt whatsoever. You're on your own.
This has nothing to do with belittling anyone's parents. People who do not belong to unions are no more unAmerican than those who do work in positions that are unionized.
The union statement that I made is based on the fact that my grandfathers were both in the union and my father was not because of his profession.
ReplyDeleteThank you to the person that mentioned that the American Medical (Dental, Bar) Association is not a union but a professional organization. So my question is again, what profession besides teaching has a union to fight for salary and benefits?
We belong to or benefit from a teacher association. It is not a union, however, benefits are negotiated through this organization. You never want to have this taken away. Believe me. You never want to have this taken away.
ReplyDeleteHow do you propose we get raises and benefits, if not through our professional organization? Do you think that personnel is going to come in and sit down with 4000 different individuals and discuss exactly what they are being paid? Gee whiz, that is one giant nightmare..."Mrs. Smith you teach gym, almost anyone who knows how to bounce a ball can teach gym, so we're willing to give you $20,000 a year"...."That is Doctor Smith, I have a PhD in teaching adapted physical education, and have developed full inclusion models of physical education for all three of my grade schools, I can't afford to work for $20,000 a year. I need and deserve at least $70,000." Well I'm sorry Dr. Smith we can replace you with someone fresh out of college for $20,000, do you want us to send you some boxes?" or the other end of the spectrum...
ReplyDelete"Miss Jones...you are so cute, where did you get your hair done? Aren't you the niece of Mary Busch? Oh I though so...I'm willing to offer you $75,000 and full benefits"...."Jeepers, that seems like a lot of cash, I can hardly wait to hit the mall."
In recent years the administration has been pleading poverty when it comes to money for teachers. But a quick look at board minutes shows them hiring all sorts of consultants, relatives, ex-athletes, friends who want raises...none actually in classrooms, all at high rates of pay. Never mind the bonuses paid to Dr. White for his smoke and mirror improvements in grade schools (that over/under program removed all the score lowering kids, scores rose)
When I am absent school and learning doesn't happen for my kids, when the administration, basketball coach, or Dr. White are/is absent...who cares, who even notices? I am IPS, I'm the one who makes sure you learn to read, fills in missing background knowledge by taking you to the zoo, wipes away tears from a tumble on the playground or your first break up with a boy...without me there is no teaching, and no learning...I deserve fair compensation and the only way to get that is through my professional association.
I wonder how the union/professional association feels about the teaching fellows starting pay rate being the same as a teacher who has gone through extensive education. Most teachers I know went to school for years, not months, to become teachers. From what I have seen, abbreviated training of the fellows = abbreviated learning of our IPS students. Some of the latest batch of Fellows have had a bachelor's degree for 4 or 5 months and their only formal education training is once a week at Marion University. I am curious what a "professional" organization would have to say. (Yes. I am a member. I have been unable to get an answer yet.)
ReplyDelete@Actually, I am not out of touch. My spouse is a member of one of the above professional organizations; however, it is not a union as we educators conceive a union.
ReplyDeleteHow do you know how "we educators" conceive a union? Let me go on record as saying that YOU don't know what I think and you don't speak for me. Teachers represent a wide variety of people. Don't even try to put us in a single group.
The other reason they are saying this is because they intend to put so much pressure on experienced teachers they will simply retire. They are cutting off their nose to spite their face.
ReplyDeletePeyton Manning belongs to a union and we'll watch them strike before we get the 2012 Super Bowl here.
ReplyDeleteAll I want to say is, I love my job, my school,my students, my parents and my principal. I know my fellow teachers would agree. Too bad for the few of you who don't feel the same way. I am blessed to be at my neigborhood school. Not everyone at IPS is a complainer ALL o the time.
Thank your lucky stars. Just wait and see what happens. I just bet your principal has been given marching orders to target an older more experienced teacher. See if he or she complies, because if he/she doesn't they'll be gone, and if he/she does you'll watch your formerly kind principal turn into a nit picking, nasty, unfair ogre as they go after your colleague. And they will pick the person least likely to be able to fight back. Hope it is not you!
ReplyDeleteIMPD, has a strong union who demands respect and pushes for their rights and wages. Unions are the founding force for a 40 hour work week, vacation time, eight hour days, and many other rights you enjoy, without lifting one finger. But, wait, until you have a problem at your school, you run to your AR for help. I am so tired of the phony snobs who talk about professional dress, if the administrator is ok, then you need to worry about your designer clothes that might have a crease in the sleeve.
ReplyDelete@Actually I am not out of touch. YES, you are and you are a horrible snob on top of it. Who do you think you are that you can pronounce from on high what teachers conceive? The day will come when you badly need union representation and I hope your AR reminds you that you are not entitled to any since you are not a member of this professional association. You are delusional if you think the AMA is not a union.
ReplyDeleteWhy is it so important to you that the AMA is a union? I'm pretty sure it isn't.
ReplyDeleteWell-funny thing, look at their website:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ama-assn.org/
First page is about a seminar on payment models. I'll bet you thought it would be about patient care.
The American Bar ASSOCIATION, the American Medical ASSOCIATION, the National Education ASSOCIATION, the Indiana State Teachers ASSOCIATION AND the Indianapolis Education ASSOCIATION are all just that, ASSOCIATIONS. And each offers a specific set of benefits to its' members. Economist Milton Friedman, have asserted that the AMA acts as a guild and has attempted to increase physicians' wages and fees limit by influencing limitations on the supply of physicians and non-physician competition, since they control medical schools. So indirectly they affect supply of doctors. In most places you cannot practice law with out belonging to the BAR ASSOCIATION. So yes, like other associations our ASSOCIATION does want to protect the standards of preparation and quality in teaching, as well as maintaining decent salaries.
ReplyDeleteIf you don't like the association perhaps you should go work at a charter school, see how that works for you...lots of turn over, no due process and a 50% pay cut, and no recourse other than quitting if something immoral is going on.
@Thank you to the person that mentioned that the American Medical (Dental, Bar) Association is not a union but a professional organization. So my question is again, what profession besides teaching has a union to fight for salary and benefits?
ReplyDeleteWell, a few groups come to mind: policemen, firemen, auto workers, coal miners, airline attendents, actors, professional athletes, garment workers, and air traffic controllers.
As far as the discussion about the AMA, the ADA, and the American Bar Association, these groups do not fight/bargain for salaries, working conditions, tenure, seniority, etc. The professionals in these groups stand alone in these areas. Yes, there are CE courses available for members to assist them in the financial management of their practices. But, if you're a lousy practitioner, the market eventually will take care of you; you will lose patients in a New York second and unhappy patients spread the word quicker than you realize.
On the other hand, they DO maintain strict peer review committees to weed out the incompetent professionals who ultimately drive up the cost of malpractice insurance. These groups also maintain 'wellness committees' composed of peers who handle reports of substance abuse among their members. A DUI, misuse of prescription medication, or use of illegal substances can warrant one of these professionals being stripped of their license to practice for prescribed periods of time or even permanently.
No, I do not belong to the union; however, I did at one time and decided I no longer wished to be represented by a group whose members wear black t-shirts complete with union messages to school. How'd you like to visit your doctor's office and have him/her greet you wearing an inexpensive, ill-fitting t-shirt announcing that he only works to the contract or needs more money, etc.? Does your doctor 'diss' younger doctors because they've had good results in treating a difficult population of patients? Is your doctor defensive when a younger doctor opens a new practice down the street?
"As far as the discussion about the AMA, the ADA, and the American Bar Association, these groups do not fight/bargain for salaries, working conditions, tenure, seniority"
ReplyDeletePerhaps they do not do so in such obvious ways as an association that has to bargain for salary, (see the post about 4000 different salary discussions) but all these groups have people who lobby so that laws governing their practice work to their benefit. Just look at the fuss the AMA made when congress tried to cut the medicade/medicare reimbursement, and who do you think is opposing healthcare reform? http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/06/11/american-medical-associat_n_214132.html
And who exactly in the association "dissed" younger teachers, and were they speaking for themselves or for the entire association? Can you provide one shred of evidence that this is some sort of "official" position. And please do not trot out that old "oppose alternative licensing methods canard" See if the AMA is going to allow doctors to practice who didn't go to medical school. Why would a professional organization of educators advocate for those are not trained to join their profession?
Teaching is an 'art', not a 'science'. Ruminate on that one this afternoon.
ReplyDeleteBetter read Robert Marzano's the Art and Science of teaching, because it is both an art and a science.
ReplyDelete"I just bet your principal has been given marching orders to target an older more experienced teacher."
ReplyDeleteWow. On Thursday, our first-year principal notified the most senior teachers in our building that they all will be evaluated this school year.
The AMA and the ADA both lobbied hard during this session of congress for an increase in the reimbursement of Medicare and Medicaid. This is like bargaining for a salary. Some people are so hung up on not being blue collar which they deem to make a person less worthy.
ReplyDeleteI have nothing but respect for blue collar workers and labor unions. But unionizing the teaching profession has destroyed it. Teachers who advocate major education reforms are seen as the enemy of the teachers' union. In most schools with union contracts, teachers concerned with the status quo are treated with hostility. Obviously anyone with any integrity at all is going to see this as an ethical concern. There's no way I'm going to align myself with any group that wants to hold back progress. The AMA and ADA don't do that. Doctors and dentists who don't keep up with the advances made in their profession become obsolete very quickly. They don't negotiate a monopoly over the medical industry and force the entire country to stay in an outdated, irrelevant healthcare system. If they did, then you're right, that would be like the teachers' union.
ReplyDeletebetter read up on the AMA before you make those statements, try the Huffington post link, but if that is too liberal for you their are other sources that have the same information. We'd have far better health care in this country if the AMA had not opposed reforms going back to FDR.
ReplyDeleteQuite frankly I don't think that NEA opposes reform. The major education associations embrace reform, they simply want it done sensibly. Think about our methods over the past few years and then think about what your physician would say if this reform "model" was imposed on him/her. Compare the imposition of "springboard" on teachers, you do it or else, it doesn't matter if you don't think it is right for your students, it doesn't matter if they don't find it either relevant or rigorous...just do it or else." Now lets put that in terms of a physician, Hospital management "Every patient who walks in the door gets an MRI...it doesn't matter if they need it or not" Do you think the AMA would let that fly?
there not their...sorry
ReplyDeleteBut unionizing the teaching profession has destroyed it.
ReplyDeleteSo you wouldn't mind boarding with a family in the community? Impositions of rules on your personal life? And giving up your career if you get married? And since the 50's class size has dropped from 1/27 to 1/17...I know that is the result of the union pressing for smaller class sizes.
@I have nothing but respect for blue collar workers.......I bet you are going to say that you have a few friends that are blue collar workers. If you look down on blue collar workers who are skilled and contributing to society, I wonder how much you debase the children you teach who are coming from families that are struggling. Perhaps you need to go to Carmel or somewhere like that. Children sense when you think you are better than them and it builds a wall that prevents trust and achievement. I hope I never have to teach with you or someone with your elevated self opinions.
ReplyDeleteLOL, no I'm going to tell you I live in a came from a blue collar family, married a blue collar spouse and moved to a blue collar neighborhood. While still living in that blue collar neighborhood, my spouse and I both put ourselves through college and now hold white collar occupations, but still live in that same neighborhood, and 80% of our circle of family and friends are blue collar. But thanks for the opportunity to clarify. I became an IPS teacher to make a difference. And I do make a difference. So obviously it infuriates that the teachers union sees me as a threat, as the enemy. You're free to belong to your union. But until the union stands for education, I don't want anything to do with it. I'd go on welfare first.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone have any additional info about the older, more experienced teachers being targeted? How about those same ones being evaluated whether or not it's their turn in the evaluation cycle? Our school is one that is being "audited." It will be interesting to see if the more experienced teachers suddenly need "help." I'm at the top of the experience ladder and, frankly, I'm scared.
ReplyDelete1:17? I haven't seen a clasroom low in years. We are averaging about 28 per room now.
ReplyDelete@LOL.....please edit your intended remarks and repost as they are impossible to comprehend as written.
ReplyDeleteAnd I guess that is what happens when you have a weak association. Money that should have gone to students ends up being spent at the Palmer House in Chicago, and other places it doesn't need to go. 1:17 is a nationals average.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if you're sincerely asking me to repost them, or if you're mocking me, but I'll repost them just in case. :) I was posting from my cell phone and sometimes when you backspace and correct, it shows right on my end, but posts it as if I never backspaced. Anyway, this is what it should have said:
ReplyDeleteLOL, no I'm going to tell you I came from a blue collar family, married a blue collar spouse and moved to a blue collar neighborhood. While still living in that blue collar neighborhood, my spouse and I both put ourselves through college and now hold white collar occupations, but still live in that same neighborhood, and 80% of our circle of family and friends are blue collar. But thanks for the opportunity to clarify. I became an IPS teacher to make a difference. And I do make a difference. So obviously it infuriates me that the teachers union sees me as a threat, as the enemy. You're free to belong to your union. But until the union stands for education, I don't want anything to do with it. I'd go on welfare first.
You're already on welfare, someone else is paying for benefits you are receiving...if you don't think the Association stands for education join and change things. Lead, follow or get out of the way...
ReplyDeleteYour excuses are pathetic. Give back your raises, and if you have a problem with administration don't look for due process, or help from your AR...get your own attorney, minimum retainer $5000.00
Considering that a union is an organization of workers together to work for the betterment of it's memebers, I'm STILL pretty sure the AMA isn't a union. Doctors ARE the management.
ReplyDeleteOh, sweetie, I know it's probably confusing for a union teacher, but that's not the way economics works. (Did you have to learn economics back when you were going through training?) But talented teachers would make more without the union. The union is based on the value of teachers as a collective. You're only benefiting from the union if you're a below-average teacher. The union is what keeps the school from paying me what I'm worth. My principal would give me any salary I asked for to keep me from leaving for a higher paying district. The union is the one that stands in the way. He can't pay me more without paying everyone more.
ReplyDelete@Oh, sweetie-I'm so sorry that you don't get paid what you are worth. I do hope that you make enough to afford wipes to get that brown stuff off your nose.
ReplyDeleteJeez, how many times a day do you have to blow him for that?
ReplyDeleteAnd don't call me sweetie, you don't know me.
@Oh, sweetie, I know it's probably confusing...
ReplyDeleteYou're correct. The union is all about equity which means excellent instruction with excellent results causes a good teacher to be looked upon with suspicion. It doesn't matter how good or how bad you are, you'll still get paid the same based upon a salary schedule! If you happen to be really good, then it highlights how bad some of the others are. Yes, you'll be called a brown-noser if the principal speaks highly of your work.
My experience with union teachers in my building(s) has shown them to be some of the weaker teachers in the district. Even Mr. Tibbetts of child molestation fame was a building AR at his last IPS school. He was always beating the union drum and was extremely tight with the union before his issues surfaced. The UniServ Director, Ms. Patterson, for that particular area thought Tibbetts was such a young, creative, valuable teacher. I'm not joking! He was held in high esteem by the IEA and the UniServ Director and never missed a building level meeting.
My principal would give me any salary I asked for to keep me from leaving for a higher paying district.
ReplyDeleteOh really...then what are you still doing in IPS? Why haven't you left for one of those higher paying districts? North Central will only pay you for 8 years experience, and other districts won't hire someone with more than three years of experience, so you'd probably take a pay cut to go anywhere else ...sorry to burst your bubble but in this economy no district wants to pay one cent more than they have to....
Doctors ARE the management
ReplyDeleteNot at hospitals, and in order to practice they need to have hospital privileges...
Exactly. Calling me a brown noser for being a good teacher is just like the slackers mocking the kids who try to do well at school. I'm not a brown noser. I'm a professional. But yes, in my industry, being a professional is seen as something negative. I understand this mentality with the urban kids, the idea that someone is betraying who they are by making something of themselves. But for educated adults to begrudge those who are making something of themselves as teachers, it's just shows how sad and insecure you really are.
ReplyDeleteI'm not going to give away my anonymity, but there are many teachers who can get a job anywhere they want. If you have kept track of your own results, you just need to make sure you show those to the hiring school. Teachers who have proven success with urban kids are a pretty valuable commodity in this country, economy or no. And I'm here for the kids, not the pay. But the idea that I'm taking from union teachers is laughable. I'd make considerably more without the union.
ReplyDeleteIf you think doctors are management then you do not have a realistic concept of how hospitals work. Doctors work on a set reimbursement rate from insurance companies, Medicare or Medicaid. They do not say we are going to pay you more for that surgery because we think you are a better doctor that Dr. XXXXXX. It is a standard reimbursement rate for all. I wonder what was missing in your childhood that you now must work so hard to convince people that you are better than other people. That is more like junior high girls. Maybe you have a bad case or arrested development.
ReplyDeleteI'm heartened to read such a large number of posts discussing the definition of teachers as professionals. It's evident there's a large divide between two distinct groups: 1) those who'd like to be considered professionals such as physicians are traditionally considered, and 2) those who'd like to be rid of anyone aligned with group 1.
ReplyDeleteOf course good surgeons make more than bad surgeons. Are you high?!
ReplyDeleteGood surgeons aren't available through Medicare or Medicaid. That's the problem with the above analogy. Go check out where the wealthy go if they have cardiac problems or need cosmetic surgery or a hernia repair. Their doctors won't be participating physicians for Medicare or Medicaid. Because they charge too much. Because they're good.
ReplyDelete@If you think doctors are management
ReplyDeleteTrue, doctors receive standard reimbursements from insurance companies for medical procedures; however, the difference in doctors' pay levels lies in the NUMBER and QUALITY of procedures a doctor performs. GOOD doctors get so many referrals based upon their excellent treatment that they have to turn away new patients; whereas, less stellar doctors are content to fill their offices with Medicaid patients and live off the government dollar. It's all market driven with the ability/skill level of the physician being the determining factor in his or her earnings. Good doctors earn a heckuva lot more money than mediocre doctors.
As my spouse would ask, "What do you call a person who graduates at the very bottom of his medical school class?"
ReplyDeleteAnswer: Doctor
There are doctors, and then there are doctors. The same goes for teachers.
Oh, good! Can I select who my students are? Can I refer those with problems to specialists?
ReplyDelete@Oh, good! Can I select who my students are? Can I refer those with problems to specialists?
ReplyDeleteFor years and years, many general ed teachers did, in effect, select their students. They accomplished this 'selection' by 'referrals' to the specialists -- the special education teachers.
Some gen ed teachers still would enjoy this practice of 'selecting' their students by 'referring' any student who is too wiggly, too touchy, too emotive, and/or too talkative.
Why do you think IPS has such a high number of special ed students? We over-identify based upon teacher 'referrals'.
That is a bundle of lies! If anything the students are under-identified. Someone has been feeding the above poster rotten information and he/she has been eating it up!
ReplyDeleteBudget cuts our teachers are being let go, our deans are being demoted, all the while the fake judge sits or her make shift bench getting tripple digets. I have been around IPS for a while now am I wrong or did the schools decide to send the kids to the other schools? If you add her salary, her secretary's the courts secretary, director, directors secretary, the social workers there, the special ed lady, the other lady that is over there I bet we could have kept some good deans and other good people. The school system and the way it was done was working well the way it was. Someone needs to check her it was told that she was going to be let go from her last job now we got her. Go Dr White lets get the rejects here we have a fake butt judge, lets administrators here to help our chldren why? The fake judge is not scareing the kids, they all laugh at here and deep down know there is nothing she can do. You must understand a lot of our kids having been in front of real judge's in real court, so this is not working on them. The ones that we do send there are not being scared by her. I think this judge is makeing IPS look crazy not to mention it is a drain on us as a whole, this program is costing us more then it would to have some good teachers to make sure our children are getting what they need. IPS let go of our officer's someone needs to spend a day at Arlington and rethink that move. This is program is not right for IPS we are all ready seen as a school for low income etc, not you put a judge there who clearly should be some place else in the state of IN. We look like it has gotten so bad we need a court system in place to make it. Someone go to the board reports and look at her pay, and all that work up there you will see how many good and helpful people we could have kept around with just letting her go. She as NO school experience so how can she know what to do? Her first year there she and one school over loaded with spec ed kids. Help IPS not to look like a school system that is so bad we need a fake judge.
ReplyDeleteLet me point out that while the doctors don't have a union, the nurses, the custodians and all other hospital employees do. If we really wanted a true union we would dump IEA and bring on the AFT. Let's get a real union instead of just a dues collecting organization.
ReplyDelete