Being a new mom gives me a totally new perspective on, well, everything. Teaching and all of the issues (time management, pumping at school, childcare, getting around 440 with a stroller, etc) that come with it has been eye opening.
First of all, our maternity leave policy is just sad. I know it's not only in teaching, but 6 weeks, unpaid, is just awful!! At many private companies you get at least 6 weeks, often 12, and it's paid. Had we not been responsible and saved up so I could stay home longer, I would have been an absolute wreck. I have a great baby, who sleeps pretty well, but there was NO WAY I would have been ready to return to work in March.
Then, unfortunately I had some trouble with major post-partum depression/anxiety issues. For me it was more the anxiety piece, but it was no joke. I was going to counseling through my midwives at The Birth Center, as well as a family therapist that I'd been seeing for years. I asked Employee Health Services if my wage-continuation/maternity leave could be extended due to my condition. They said I would have to get a letter written from a psychiatrist. Well, my counselor or midwives are not psychiatrists, so I found one and set up a few visits. She wrote me a letter right away, seeing my condition, and we sent it to Health Services. Within hours, I was told that the district physician did not consider my condition "medically severe" enough.
I was apalled. Thankfully, I'm mostly better now, but at that time, there is no way that I should have been cleared to work. As is often the case with mental health issues, it was not given the attention that it deserved. What frustrates me is how the district made their decision, by using a doctor who never even met me. How is that fair, when my midwives, counselor, and a psychiatrist all confirmed that I was suffereing from depression and anxiety?
I don't mind talking about it, and I'm not embarrassed about it. Maybe if enough people put it out there, things will change. I did ask if I could appeal, and was told that I could go through the union if I wanted to fight it. I'm sure I could have, and maybe even would have won, but at that time, 6 weeks post-partum, I was busy taking care of a newborn. Adding in a union fight would have only added to my anxiety, so I didn't appeal.
Now, with more clarity and sanity back in my life, I almost want to go back and do something about it. But, what's done is done.
So, then came actually returning to work. Which, thankfully, has been fine. All of the staff who stepped up to help in my absence was great! I'm thankful for all the well-wishes and loving words for Estrella and I. Not once was I ever made to feel guilty for taking over 3 months off. Not once have I been pressured to make up work that I may have missed. Super shout out to all the teachers, principals, secretaries and other staff that made coming back much easier than I had anticipated.
The hardest part (well, other than leaving my precious baby at home) has honestly been finding places to pump at work. This is something else that really should be addressed in a district our size. I know there are actually laws about this, and it's time the district got with the program. I do realize that they have more pressing concerns, but I've had to pump from my car on a a few occasions (luckily I have a car with a full AC outlet) and that's not okay. I generally use nurses' offices (since there are rarely nurses in most of my schools anyway, which is a whole other issue) and that's not so bad in terms of privacy, but the schools are just dirty. No lie, yesterday, in the nurse's office as I'm setting up my pump, a roach ran across the table. ACK! ICK! GROSS. Period.
Two. More. Weeks. I love what I do, and these few weeks were good to "get my feet wet" with the working mom thing, but I'm ready for the summer with my baby girl. I'll stock up with more sanitizing supplies and be ready for September when it rolls around.
Friday, June 1, 2012
It's been a while...yet, not much has changed
Here we are, June 1st, and once again the SDP budget for next year has everyone in a frenzy. Here we are, getting ready for summer vacation, and once again many teachers are unsure if they will return to their positions in the fall.
Is it stressful? Yes. Is it annoying? Yes. However, I'm trying to go with precedent here, and believe that things won't be so bad when the end of summer rolls around. I know the district operates at a huge deficit, and this is a problem for sure, but ultimately, the city will not just leave students to be without classrooms and teachers come September. (Though, scary rumblings that Chester is actually closing the doors to its high school make my head spin!)
So, what are we to do. We're told to wear red every Friday, and stand in front of our respective buildings. I don't do this. I never have. I know I have some very union oriented teacher friends who participate, and I'm sorry, I just can't do it. Instead, this morning at my school, there was a teacher breakfast (complete with shrimp and grits, gotta love it) which is a much better way to come together as a united front. As the secretary here said (and a shout out here to all the great school secretaries, you are amazing!) these breakfasts are about morale building. And, boy, morale is something that is missing in a lot of schools.
Alas, I will leave on June 19th not knowing for sure where I'll be again in the fall. I've gotten myself to a place mentally where this is okay. I've taught now for 8 years, and with the exception of 2 years in a row as an 8th grade English teacher, I've never been in the same position year after year.
It's just sad to me that education is something that always seems to be on the very public chopping (or auction) block. I do this because I love it. I don't like to hear teachers blamed for problems beyond our control. However, this involves society in general opening their eyes to the real problems (mainly poverty and its symptoms), and no one wants to do that.
I feel like I was writing almost the same thing last spring...sigh.
Is it stressful? Yes. Is it annoying? Yes. However, I'm trying to go with precedent here, and believe that things won't be so bad when the end of summer rolls around. I know the district operates at a huge deficit, and this is a problem for sure, but ultimately, the city will not just leave students to be without classrooms and teachers come September. (Though, scary rumblings that Chester is actually closing the doors to its high school make my head spin!)
So, what are we to do. We're told to wear red every Friday, and stand in front of our respective buildings. I don't do this. I never have. I know I have some very union oriented teacher friends who participate, and I'm sorry, I just can't do it. Instead, this morning at my school, there was a teacher breakfast (complete with shrimp and grits, gotta love it) which is a much better way to come together as a united front. As the secretary here said (and a shout out here to all the great school secretaries, you are amazing!) these breakfasts are about morale building. And, boy, morale is something that is missing in a lot of schools.
Alas, I will leave on June 19th not knowing for sure where I'll be again in the fall. I've gotten myself to a place mentally where this is okay. I've taught now for 8 years, and with the exception of 2 years in a row as an 8th grade English teacher, I've never been in the same position year after year.
It's just sad to me that education is something that always seems to be on the very public chopping (or auction) block. I do this because I love it. I don't like to hear teachers blamed for problems beyond our control. However, this involves society in general opening their eyes to the real problems (mainly poverty and its symptoms), and no one wants to do that.
I feel like I was writing almost the same thing last spring...sigh.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Back on track...thanks to the teachers!
It's early November, which means we are in the heart of the best learning season of the school year. September is all about getting settled, changing rosters, going over rules and expectations, getting to know one another and getting into the flow of the year. October and November are the two months where we are really able to get down to business and teach...after that, the holiday frenzy gets ahold of everyone, and after returning from the winter break, it's all about PSSA test prep.
I really love this time of the school year, all your plans from over the summer are finally taking shape (and of course the gorgeous fall weather just makes things feel better), and you feel like you can really get things accomplished during this year. First marking period grades have not been entered yet...so for the students, the year is still wide open for them to make it their own.
With all of the budget and leadership craziness this past summer, and so many people not being placed in teaching positions until just before the start of school, I would say that the train has gotten itself back on track pretty smoothly. But then, that's because teachers are running things! We just know how to do it. I mean, you get classes full of children staring at you in September, you better start doing something, lots of somethings really...or you will lose control of the whole year from the start. Despite everyone's grumblings, no one wants to have a bad year in their own classroom, for the students' sake or their own, so smoothing out the wrinkles (even the giant ones here in the SDP) just happens as teachers begin their practice. I just wish credit was given to the teachers where it's due. Yes, in schools where the administration is supportive, they deserve credit too...but I've seen plenty of classrooms back in the swing of things at schools where the administration is sub-par to say the least. So, go ahead teachers, pat yourself on the back!
As for the district, it's still a mess...there's still money problems, leadership problems, safety problems, inequities...the list goes on. However, most teachers I see are going full steam ahead and are deep in the learning process with their students. Happy November everyone! Take a minute to enjoy the path you've now carved out for your school year.
I really love this time of the school year, all your plans from over the summer are finally taking shape (and of course the gorgeous fall weather just makes things feel better), and you feel like you can really get things accomplished during this year. First marking period grades have not been entered yet...so for the students, the year is still wide open for them to make it their own.
With all of the budget and leadership craziness this past summer, and so many people not being placed in teaching positions until just before the start of school, I would say that the train has gotten itself back on track pretty smoothly. But then, that's because teachers are running things! We just know how to do it. I mean, you get classes full of children staring at you in September, you better start doing something, lots of somethings really...or you will lose control of the whole year from the start. Despite everyone's grumblings, no one wants to have a bad year in their own classroom, for the students' sake or their own, so smoothing out the wrinkles (even the giant ones here in the SDP) just happens as teachers begin their practice. I just wish credit was given to the teachers where it's due. Yes, in schools where the administration is supportive, they deserve credit too...but I've seen plenty of classrooms back in the swing of things at schools where the administration is sub-par to say the least. So, go ahead teachers, pat yourself on the back!
As for the district, it's still a mess...there's still money problems, leadership problems, safety problems, inequities...the list goes on. However, most teachers I see are going full steam ahead and are deep in the learning process with their students. Happy November everyone! Take a minute to enjoy the path you've now carved out for your school year.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Things Are Really Heating Up
At least with all the hot air...literal and figurative...smothering us this week we are getting early dismissals to deal with the pressure cooker that has become the School District of Philadelphia.
I personally did not have the dreaded one-on-one layoff meeting with my principal, but many of my fellow teaching friends were not so lucky. I say lucky, because there was no measure of skill involved in these layoff decisions, simply seniority and hiring dates. Some of these teachers are being optimistic, and say they will use the time to go back to school for a Masters Degree. A few I've spoken to say they may interview at Charter and Catholic schools, which they wouldn't normally want to do. Others say they will just put their information online at PA-REAP or PA-Educator online hiring sites, and hope for the best, though they have admitted that with other districts in the same budget binds, that they aren't expecting much. The biggest concern I've heard is not about loss of salary, as most seem somewhat confident they will make out okay with unemployment, but loss of benefits.
Once again this year, I find myself in this unique position of being able to observe so much due to my travels between 5 high schools. Never before have I had the opportunity to talk with so many different people in a school district. My previous 6 years of teaching, I had a small circle of friends that I sought out at lunch or prep. This year, without a classroom of my own at any of the 5 schools, I am much more visible, and have a chance to meet with not only teachers, but counselors, school psychologists, secretaries, school support staff, school police, etc. It has been almost surreal at times to have access to so many different perspectives on the individual schools and the district.
Though I was not given a lay-off notice, I have yet to be assigned a position for next year. Hopefully this will happen sooner than later, but in the meantime, I will digest all that I've been exposed to this year. By mid-year, I was feeling refreshed, thinking that this year was just what I needed to give me some perspective on the SDP. I had become frustrated with many things at my previous school, but this year helped me to see that I would find many of those issues at any school. I was able to come to a place of understanding where I would take things less personally. However, as the year is now winding down...these last few months I've felt that understanding turn into frustration and lack of hope for this district. As much as I try to be an optimist, and a pragmatist, I'm not seeing the place for either of those things. This city's school system is just a HOT MESS!
I'm sure all of this has be exacerbated by recent developments, and I'm feeding off of the high stress levels of everyone else around me. It also doesn't help that my school-issued teacher laptop was stolen out of my office last week at Overbrook High...and nothing has happened to the 2 students who were obviously involved....sigh.
Alas, I hope that I can use the summer to re-charge, and use this new district-wide perspective that I've been privy to this year in whatever position I land for next September.
Making my day today, and something I'll try to focus on, was saying goodbye to one of fabulous 11th grade ESOL students from Germantown. She was truly sad that I wouldn't be her teacher again next year, and said, "No other ESOL teacher will be as nice as you." She also remembered that I loved a bird that she painted earlier in the year...and gave me a smaller version that she recently made. I guess I've gotta just really treasure these little moments, and forget all the $4!+ that won't change anytime soon....
I personally did not have the dreaded one-on-one layoff meeting with my principal, but many of my fellow teaching friends were not so lucky. I say lucky, because there was no measure of skill involved in these layoff decisions, simply seniority and hiring dates. Some of these teachers are being optimistic, and say they will use the time to go back to school for a Masters Degree. A few I've spoken to say they may interview at Charter and Catholic schools, which they wouldn't normally want to do. Others say they will just put their information online at PA-REAP or PA-Educator online hiring sites, and hope for the best, though they have admitted that with other districts in the same budget binds, that they aren't expecting much. The biggest concern I've heard is not about loss of salary, as most seem somewhat confident they will make out okay with unemployment, but loss of benefits.
Once again this year, I find myself in this unique position of being able to observe so much due to my travels between 5 high schools. Never before have I had the opportunity to talk with so many different people in a school district. My previous 6 years of teaching, I had a small circle of friends that I sought out at lunch or prep. This year, without a classroom of my own at any of the 5 schools, I am much more visible, and have a chance to meet with not only teachers, but counselors, school psychologists, secretaries, school support staff, school police, etc. It has been almost surreal at times to have access to so many different perspectives on the individual schools and the district.
Though I was not given a lay-off notice, I have yet to be assigned a position for next year. Hopefully this will happen sooner than later, but in the meantime, I will digest all that I've been exposed to this year. By mid-year, I was feeling refreshed, thinking that this year was just what I needed to give me some perspective on the SDP. I had become frustrated with many things at my previous school, but this year helped me to see that I would find many of those issues at any school. I was able to come to a place of understanding where I would take things less personally. However, as the year is now winding down...these last few months I've felt that understanding turn into frustration and lack of hope for this district. As much as I try to be an optimist, and a pragmatist, I'm not seeing the place for either of those things. This city's school system is just a HOT MESS!
I'm sure all of this has be exacerbated by recent developments, and I'm feeding off of the high stress levels of everyone else around me. It also doesn't help that my school-issued teacher laptop was stolen out of my office last week at Overbrook High...and nothing has happened to the 2 students who were obviously involved....sigh.
Alas, I hope that I can use the summer to re-charge, and use this new district-wide perspective that I've been privy to this year in whatever position I land for next September.
Making my day today, and something I'll try to focus on, was saying goodbye to one of fabulous 11th grade ESOL students from Germantown. She was truly sad that I wouldn't be her teacher again next year, and said, "No other ESOL teacher will be as nice as you." She also remembered that I loved a bird that she painted earlier in the year...and gave me a smaller version that she recently made. I guess I've gotta just really treasure these little moments, and forget all the $4!+ that won't change anytime soon....
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
So Much Going On...Some Places to Keep Up With It All
The School District of Philadelphia is in crisis mode. I read about different meetings, proposals, school changes, and budget updates daily, yet I still feel like I have no idea what is going on. If you're looking to learn more about any story related to this process, check out http://www.thenotebook.org/ where you can find anything and everything district related.
Also a great resource is the Philly School Files section of Philly.com: http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/school_files/ where Kristen Graham is diligent in reporting daily updates.
As for the district, the vacancy list for 2011-2012 has been posted. Who knows how they are going to fill these positions (but I do see quite a few ESOL spots on there, so hopefully I'm in good shape?!?).
http://www.philasd.org/vacancy_list/
Additionally, for some color commentary on all of this...there are these amazing "heat" maps of the district and its surrounding areas. Anyone interested in education, or socio-economics in general will find them intriguing. http://www.localetrends.com/philadelphia-trends.php
They are available for every major city...pretty interesting stuff.
I'm trying to keep a positive outlook on all of this. I realize that with the current economic situation there will need to be some major cuts. This is understandable, and realistic. Public education is not immune to the tough times that have plagued the rest of the country. I just hope they make the right decisions, and truly cut any "fat" before making decisions that will place our students at greater risk. One item on the table right now is cutting full-day kindergarten, and that is something that I fear will cause irreparable harm. Many of the students in our district enter school very far behind as it is...this will guarantee that all of our battles are uphill for many years to come. If there is one issue that needs to be fought for, I believe this is it!
Also a great resource is the Philly School Files section of Philly.com: http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/school_files/ where Kristen Graham is diligent in reporting daily updates.
As for the district, the vacancy list for 2011-2012 has been posted. Who knows how they are going to fill these positions (but I do see quite a few ESOL spots on there, so hopefully I'm in good shape?!?).
http://www.philasd.org/vacancy_list/
Additionally, for some color commentary on all of this...there are these amazing "heat" maps of the district and its surrounding areas. Anyone interested in education, or socio-economics in general will find them intriguing. http://www.localetrends.com/philadelphia-trends.php
They are available for every major city...pretty interesting stuff.
I'm trying to keep a positive outlook on all of this. I realize that with the current economic situation there will need to be some major cuts. This is understandable, and realistic. Public education is not immune to the tough times that have plagued the rest of the country. I just hope they make the right decisions, and truly cut any "fat" before making decisions that will place our students at greater risk. One item on the table right now is cutting full-day kindergarten, and that is something that I fear will cause irreparable harm. Many of the students in our district enter school very far behind as it is...this will guarantee that all of our battles are uphill for many years to come. If there is one issue that needs to be fought for, I believe this is it!
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Thumbs up, Thumbs down
This strategy is one of many used in classrooms as a "formative assessment" to check for student understanding. In some Philly schools, teachers are required to use "Thumbs up, thumbs down" as a part of their exit ticket for students to leave the room after a lesson.
From now until the end of the school year, check out my daily "Thumbs up, Thumbs down" on Twitter @yogabeth218
I am actually a bit sad that this year is over, as I have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to work in 5 different high schools. I was unsure in August how this placement would work, but it has been an amazing learning experience. I have a much deeper grasp on what truly goes on...what works, what doesn't....in this troubled district. After the last two years in a very negative environment, I was really heading towards a "7 year itch" in my career. This year has saved me from that, and given me a fresh perspective that was so desperately needed. Thumbs up for that!
From now until the end of the school year, check out my daily "Thumbs up, Thumbs down" on Twitter @yogabeth218
I am actually a bit sad that this year is over, as I have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to work in 5 different high schools. I was unsure in August how this placement would work, but it has been an amazing learning experience. I have a much deeper grasp on what truly goes on...what works, what doesn't....in this troubled district. After the last two years in a very negative environment, I was really heading towards a "7 year itch" in my career. This year has saved me from that, and given me a fresh perspective that was so desperately needed. Thumbs up for that!
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Does this count?
This week, students in Philadelphia are taking the quarterly "Benchmark" tests to monitor their progress and learning up to this point in the school year. These tests serve as indicators as to how well the students should score overall on the state tests, and they also provide data regarding what concepts and topics need to be reviewed and which have been understood. They take benchmarks in English, Math and Science.
The students whine and complain about these tests, and most don't give their best effort. Yesterday I heard the typical, "I'm just gonna put anything..." and "Give me my paper, I'll just fill in the bubbles". I also heard the more colorful, "Man, I hate this reading shit. All these damn words dawg." Most students finish way too quickly, indicating that they did not actually read the stories, but just rushed through the 20 questions. That's right, it is only 20 questions, about 4 separate 1 page stories (for the English test). But to most of the students in my English classes, reading through a full page of text that is written at their grade level is a monumental task.
Before starting the test, students argue about it's worth, and state that it doesn't matter how they do on them anyway. I repeatedly hear, "Does it count?" If the students don't see an immediate possibility for a reward/consequence for themselves, they just can't understand the value of giving their best effort.
Myself and another teacher in the class proceded to explain why they should actually try to do their best work. We explained that these scores are used in determining course placement for the students, and that the school overall will be judged on the scores. This particular school is one that has been failing for years, and is being taken over by a charter next year. We pointed out to the students that results on tests like this have helped the district make that decision. Still...this has no impact on the students. One says, "Well, I'll just go somewhere else next year anyway." They never want to take ownership of the conditions of their school. It's kind of like how people say, "Why should I vote? My one vote doesn't count." These students don't see how them making an effort on one day's test is going to help their school. They just can't see the bigger picture.
Now, I'm not the biggest proponent of the heavily testing based curriculum that is in place, but nonetheless, days like these are frustrating. Many of our children just don't see the point in proving their intelligence. They seem to think they are being asked to perform in order to help the school, or to help the teacher. They can never seem to grasp that it's their own learning that is being measured. Over and over my days are filled with times where I feel like I care more about my students' education than they do. I try to convince them that things are important. I try to challenge them, and ask, "What's the harm in doing your best?" and "Why not try to think through this? You're here in class anyway, just make an effort!". A few will try, but most are just trying to get through the next 42 minutes until the bell signals them to go get their 4 minutes of acting up in the hallways.
Sadly, it ends up being their own education that they think doesn't "count" for anything.
The students whine and complain about these tests, and most don't give their best effort. Yesterday I heard the typical, "I'm just gonna put anything..." and "Give me my paper, I'll just fill in the bubbles". I also heard the more colorful, "Man, I hate this reading shit. All these damn words dawg." Most students finish way too quickly, indicating that they did not actually read the stories, but just rushed through the 20 questions. That's right, it is only 20 questions, about 4 separate 1 page stories (for the English test). But to most of the students in my English classes, reading through a full page of text that is written at their grade level is a monumental task.
Before starting the test, students argue about it's worth, and state that it doesn't matter how they do on them anyway. I repeatedly hear, "Does it count?" If the students don't see an immediate possibility for a reward/consequence for themselves, they just can't understand the value of giving their best effort.
Myself and another teacher in the class proceded to explain why they should actually try to do their best work. We explained that these scores are used in determining course placement for the students, and that the school overall will be judged on the scores. This particular school is one that has been failing for years, and is being taken over by a charter next year. We pointed out to the students that results on tests like this have helped the district make that decision. Still...this has no impact on the students. One says, "Well, I'll just go somewhere else next year anyway." They never want to take ownership of the conditions of their school. It's kind of like how people say, "Why should I vote? My one vote doesn't count." These students don't see how them making an effort on one day's test is going to help their school. They just can't see the bigger picture.
Now, I'm not the biggest proponent of the heavily testing based curriculum that is in place, but nonetheless, days like these are frustrating. Many of our children just don't see the point in proving their intelligence. They seem to think they are being asked to perform in order to help the school, or to help the teacher. They can never seem to grasp that it's their own learning that is being measured. Over and over my days are filled with times where I feel like I care more about my students' education than they do. I try to convince them that things are important. I try to challenge them, and ask, "What's the harm in doing your best?" and "Why not try to think through this? You're here in class anyway, just make an effort!". A few will try, but most are just trying to get through the next 42 minutes until the bell signals them to go get their 4 minutes of acting up in the hallways.
Sadly, it ends up being their own education that they think doesn't "count" for anything.
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