Pricey WeAreTeachers,
We have now 4 sick days per 12 months and two private days from the state. Yearly that I’ve been within the district (which is now 10), the board has at all times voted to offer us extra days in order that we now have eight sick and 4 private complete. However this 12 months, as a “resolution” to the sub and trainer scarcity in our space, the board accepted eradicating the district days altogether, leaving us with solely the state days. Do you suppose it is a short-term factor value protruding, or ought to I be part of everybody else in leaving now? —Make It Go Away
Pricey M.I.G.A.,
I had a child the summer time earlier than my final 12 months of educating. That faculty 12 months, my son needed to keep residence 12 days all year long on account of sickness and (clearly) wanted care. I used to be sick twice and needed to keep residence 5 faculty days.
That’s for one wholesome little one and one wholesome grownup. If I labored in your district, I might have owed hundreds of {dollars} in docked hours.
I do suppose it is a short-term resolution. However to me, a district who, throughout a trainer scarcity, expects a trainer to suit the invoice for something over 4 days of sicknesses is a district that:
- Is aggressively anti-family, which is a bizarre stance for folks ready immediately associated to households and youngsters.
- Is so out of contact with the fact of being a trainer that they anticipate lecturers to truly tolerate this coverage.
- Has completely no trainer voices of their decision-making course of (or simply ignores any trainer voices on the desk).
That stated, going to a brand new faculty or district is a giant transition. Earlier than making the choice to go away, I might learn the way my district supervisor and principal really feel about this district choice. It’s means simpler to trip out foolish selections from up prime when your quick supervisors are keen to work round it.
Pricey WeAreTeachers,
I’ve been given some cash by admin to purchase back-to-school presents for the brand new lecturers we’re getting within the fall, round $30 per trainer. They’ll be getting the necessities from our college and PTO, however what are some good “extras” to have within the classroom a brand new center faculty trainer may not consider? —Mom Hen
Pricey M.H.,
I like this query! Whereas there are such a lot of enjoyable concepts for decorations or cute provides, the subjectivity for what’s “cute” and “enjoyable” spans a reasonably wide selection from individual to individual. Listed below are some issues off the highest of my head that might be helpful to any new trainer:
One other random merchandise: Ask your native magnificence retailer for pattern sizes of fragrance or cologne. Fragrance is the one factor I’ve seen take away everlasting marker from partitions, desks, tile, and so on. It serves the added goal of considerably masking teenage funk!
Pricey WeAreTeachers,
I’m resigning on the finish of the 12 months to maneuver to a brand new district. In my exit interview, I used to be informed that I can’t take any tutorial supplies I created throughout my time working for the district as a result of it’s thought-about their mental property. I used to be shocked—so I’m supposed to simply begin from scratch at my new job? What would you do? —I Bear in mind When You Had been Mine
Pricey I.R.W.Y.W.M.,
Typically I believe folks in central workplaces of a district have forgotten what faculties and lecturers do.
It’s one factor to ask for copies of classes and supplies you created whereas on contract so the subsequent trainer can use them. It’s one other to say you possibly can’t use them in one other academic setting.
These are completely your supplies. Put copies of every part on a USB as quickly as doable since your faculty electronic mail and entry to any shared folders will doubtless disappear the second you’re off contract. What are they going to do, observe it?
I’m not completed ranting. So, once they get new lecturers within the district, do they inform them they’re forbidden from utilizing any supplies they’ve created whereas in different districts? Then it’s not about mental property; it’s about them viewing training as a contest and different districts’ youngsters as much less deserving.
OK. I’m completed now.
Do you might have a burning query? E mail us at askweareteachers@weareteachers.com.
Pricey WeAreTeachers,
I’ve wished to be a trainer my entire life, even the previous few years once I know so many lecturers have left the classroom. However lately I watched a bunch of TikToks the place lecturers discuss how brutal their experiences are, both due to dad and mom, in-classroom violence, or not having the ability to maintain themselves. Now I’m utterly freaking out that I’m placing myself in an inevitably poisonous state of affairs. Please inform me it’s nonetheless doable to like educating! —Am I About To Make a Rookie Mistake?
