HomeTeacher 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
Member Since: October 28, 2007 Last Signed In: November 16, 2008 Blog Views: 3243 Send To A Friend Sign Guestbook Add as a Friend
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Number 29, reporting for duty
Today I received an email stating that my district had finally put all the laid-off High School English teachers (we're called RIF's by the way; isn't that catchy) in a ranking. In case positions open up, we will get jobs in that particular order.
So here's how my district put the list together (I'm deliberately avoiding adjectives as to not appear snarky.) First, it gave every English teacher a point for every bachelor's degree, every master's degree, and every credential. Once teacher's were sorted by that criteria, the district had ties. The district had some choices to make. Teachers have two types of credentials: preliminary (a beginning credential) and a clear credential (meaning they've taken classes in topics like special ed and computers.) Every teacher must get a clear credential within five years of completing her preliminary. My district wanted to make things simple, so they chose to use a lottery system. They did not look at Clear credentials, years of teaching in other districts, or any other criteria. They selected teachers randomly. I am number 29 out of 34. My union rep says it's not looking good for me. I know for a fact there are teachers in front of me who have taught for fewer years and who do not have a Clear credential. Yes, the lottery system makes it easier, but does it make it fair? I wonder about the other teachers behind me: do they have qualities that are being overlooked? Basically, we are being told by the district that if we can teach more than one class, we are valuable. But any other skill we have is not. I was a department head, I led a program called AVID for at-risk students, and I wrote my school's distinguished school application. I am willing (and happy) to work at a school filled with at-risk, often rough, needy children. Teachers are more than paper, more than certificates. I hear politicians, including those at the district level, speak often about the importance of placing the most qualified teachers in the class rooms. I know now that can really be an empty promise. When we allow our children's educators to be selected at random, how can we ensure the highest level of quality? 5 comments from 4 users
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posted by
creatress
on Apr 3, 2008 at 09:25 AM
posted by
hmoeckli
on Apr 3, 2008 at 06:08 PM
Thank you for your continued support. It's why I share my experiences here. I know I have friends who are listening and genuinely care about me and the children I serve.
posted by
lokiyo
on Apr 3, 2008 at 10:24 PM
That is just appalling! As a parent, I want my kids to have the BEST teachers, not the teacher who got lucky and won the lottery! I don't even know what to say, this makes me so angry. And people wonder why California schools aren't the best? No where else would someone be hired by a lottery, I can't begin to imagine why someone thought it was a good idea for such an important position as teaching our children. posted by
Trisha
on Apr 5, 2008 at 09:31 AM
thanks for commenting your favorites on my blog.... I just read your blog Number 29 WOW ...I feel for the teachers as well as the chldren who will loose some fabulous teachers. I also have 2 blogs if you are interestd in reading them www.trishanovotny.blogsot.com and 247moms.blogspot.com Trisha posted by
hmoeckli
on Apr 5, 2008 at 10:02 AM
Thank you Trisha! I will definitely check those out.And the irony about being number 29 is that I turn 29 next Saturday. Didn't even think about that when I posted. Hopefully, 29 will turn out to be a lucky number for me. :) Good news about kindergarten in Elk Grove: they decided not to lay off the 54 teachers they had planned to. They will keep kindergarten the way it is at least for one year. So there's something positive.
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All I could do was shake my head when I read your post. I'm still in shock and reeling over this catastrophic blow to CA schools and its devoted teachers. These are terrible times and will impact every family in our state. I can't even imagine how abused you all must feel by the very industry you've chosen to dedicate yourself to.
A lottery system? That right there sums up the way things are going. We need some change. I'm just not sure how to help (besides attending meetings and whipping out the ol' checkbook). I feel so helpless in all this (as I'm sure most do right now). I wish I could shake someone and show them how crazy this all is!