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Teacher by day, Mommy by night

Teacher by day, Mommy by night
Juggling the demands (and insanity) of being a high school teacher, a wife, and a mother to a toddler
About hmoeckli


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October 28, 2007
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March 19, 2010
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hmoeckli - > Teacher by day, Mommy by night -> A slow, rolling boil
A slow, rolling boil
I taught for seven years in Milpitas, Ca in the Bay Area. My first two years teaching, there were threats of teacher layoffs because of the downturn in the economy. The tech bubble had just burst and we were feeling the squeeze. Everything worked out, but it was no fun.

Now, I work in Elk Grove, and I moved here just as another bubble burst--the real estate/development boom. I was not entirely surprised when we started hearing about budget cuts in my district and the "remote" possibility of layoffs.

Now remote has nothing to do with it. My principal pulled me in yesterday to inform me that the district is cutting 9th grade Class Size Reduction in English and Math. While that doesn't affect my site directly, there is the distinct possibility of me being "bumped" by a teacher from another district with more seniority because his or her schedule was reduced. I will be receiving a pink slip in March and there is a distinct possibility that I will not be asked to return next year.

Today the district released its projected cuts and they include eliminating over 50 kindergarten teachers, almost 30 high school English and Math teachers, and special education teachers. We have to cut $25 million, so I understand that tough cuts will be made.

Now here's where the boiling comes in. I am pissed off that millions will be stripped from programs that directly affect kids. However, we are only projected to cut 1/4 million from management's budget. No administrators at the sites or at the district level are projected to be cut. They're not cutting sports or extracurriculars...No, English and Math. Because that makes sense.

The more I think about this, the angrier I become. And not for myself, necessarily. I am scared about losing my job, but I know things work out. What makes me angry is that I have a sneaking suspicion that this is a stunt for the media.

Today my school had a big press conference with the State Secretary of Education and huge education big wigs. I am not sure what was said, but I was told it was a big show of opposition against our governor. Our school's scores have been rising, but the majority of our students are African-American and poor.

I feel resentment about having my students being used by politicians to make a point. I really hope that the district is really serious about helping students succeed and isn't trying to make a big, splashy political point during an election year. That would do nothing to benefit the education of our most needy students.
Topics: education
posted by hmoeckli on Friday, February 29, 2008 at 02:33 PM
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posted by mom2twinboys on Mar 1, 2008 at 12:41 PM
I can relate to your frustration about politics and how it negatively effects education, specifically the children and the teachers.  I used to teach in the EGUSD.  I received a pink slip each year, and the last school year I taught, the downsizing began with cutting Science, Technology, and PE teachers.  I was also faced with seniority issues.  I was a Science & Technology teacher at the time.  I made a difficult decision to end my teaching career because I was done dealing with the political aspects of education.  I do not regret my decision, but it was one of the most difficult I have had to make.  I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to teach  children grades First through Fourth.  What a wonderful and life changing experience.  I wish you the best of luck.  Hang in there!
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posted by hmoeckli on Mar 2, 2008 at 04:07 PM
EGUSD is my current district, and your comments about its practices concern me. My former district often faced money troubles, but they went out of their way to reassure teachers that the cuts, at least in the beginning, would not touch the class room. I really wish EGUSD practiced similar courtesy to their employees and students.

Thank you for your well wishes. I'm so glad I have a place to vent!
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