An Example

Sometimes we need to look to others to help us figure out the best course of action. This holds true when it comes to unions, especially unions. I remember when the fire fighters, (love them, God bless them) stood firm and waited till they were given a fair contract. Ditto for the police force. However, the teachers' union doesn't follow suit.

If anything, I would say, (I do say) that we were sold out and that when the contract was ratified the membership was not consulted. Do you remember voting to ratify the contract? I certainly was not included in that decision.

Well, right now we have to live with the choice made for us and wait for the tiny little increments we will be receiving. Yeah, more like bread crumbs, if you ask me. Sold out, is how I feel and so does everyone I speak to. The contract shows how little our union thinks about its members and how much they think about lining their pockets.

So, I'm looking to Seattle teachers for a little guidance. Maybe a model for when I am part of the new union leadership, Solidarity. They do say, "Imitation is the highest form of flattery!"

First of all, let me set it up for you if you haven't heard.

• Having  the old contract expired, Seattle's teachers hadn't received a cost of living raise in six years. 

• the district wants to increase the length of the school day by 20 minutes without adequately compensating teachers for the extra time.

• The teachers are seeking to address racial and social inequality in Seattle schools by setting up equity teams to study achievement gaps and discipline trends in 60 of the district's 97 schools

• Teachers also want to ensure that every elementary school student gets at least 30 minutes of time to play outside the classroom.

• Teachers also wish to address over-testing by imposing limits on the number of tests students take and increasing teacher involvement in deciding which tests are given and how they are used.

These are just some of the major points they wanted to address in their new contract. I love how they became social advocates for the kids, especially schools with more low-income students and students of color who tend to have less recess than wealthier, whiter ones. 

The talks broke down and they announced on their website, "parents and students (should ) prepare for something not seen here in a generation". Yes, they are  passionate and willing to make sacrifices even in the face of being fined for their action. 


Hear that, New York...


On they went and their strike lasted until Tuesday, September 15, 2015, 6 PM, P.S.T, when the  district and teachers' union bargaining team reached a tentative agreement. They voted to recommend its ratification and end the strike. School would start on Thursday for Seattle students, but the strike wouldn't be officially over until Sunday, when the full union membership would have a chance to vote on the contract agreement.


Hear that, New York...


... full union membership has a chance to vote on the contract agreement...


Membership as part of the final decision... isn't this the way it's supposed to be? I have yet to vote on a contract and ladies and gentlemen, I have been around since 1987!

On this past Sunday, the full membership of Seattle Education Association overwhelmingly voted to accept a new three-year contract with the Seattle School District after months of negotiations and six days of striking. Sure some of what they fought for had give- backs, like their salary increase came with a longer school day for students, but they fought for their beliefs. They stood firm and took on Goliath. That's what a union does.

A union supports and fights for its membership.

A union keeps track of the rising cost of living and makes sure to take it into account when it's time to talk again.

A union does not allow anyone to speak ill of one of its members. No Matter What!

A union does not play politics on the backs of the people who voted them into their positions. They keep in mind, I Am a Representative Of Many!

A Union...

A union...

A Un... I could go on...

It is time for a change. As I walk the hallways of the school I'm in, you can hear it. As I sit in the Teachers' lounge, it is a topic of conversation. Teachers want a change. They are dissatisfied and morale is at its lowest. This is not our doing. This is the result of a leadership who puts itself first. A leadership who plays politics for its own betterment. A leadership whose president belongs to so many different councils and groups that he has forgotten that this is his primary job and that we put him there. Well, not me.

This upcoming June will be the first time that I will vote with much delight and full of hope.
I will be voting Solidarity all the way! Because as their slogan says, "Hope is coming!"

It Can Happen to You

Being that I am now an ATR, I've actually contemplated changing the blog's name. I mean "A Day in the Life of a NYC Teacher"  doesn't seem to be truthful considering the menial tasks I have been performing this school year.

But, I'm not. I'm still a teacher and I will not let this ATR business bring me down. I'm scheduled to be at the present site till October 16th, unless the powers that be make a change.

Every day last week, I entered the school with my head held high. I made eye contact with everyone that passed by me. I smiled at the students and made small talk. It wasn't as bad as some other ATRs have it.

Sure, the first day I spent it on the phone making calls to parents regarding their kid's attendance. Then, the second and third day were spent handing out metro cards and on the fourth day, I was once again on the phone calling parents about a Meet and Greet tomorrow.

It could have been worse. No one thumbed their nose, no one stared me up and down. Well, actually, that's a lie. There is this woman, a dean I believe, who has yet to  smile back. But, I think she's just snooty, nothing to do with me.

It's a beautiful school filled with all the new technology. I was even pleasantly surprised when I was directed to the Teachers' Lounge.

I walked into an actual room with four walls and a door. The hole I came from had a space in the main office, about 8 by 8. It is divided from the main by a row of lockers. There is no privacy.

The present school has about 8 computers, Macs and Pcs. The hole had 3 Pcs that still ran Windows 98.

The present school has black, comfy couches and chairs, several tables for group planning as well as chairs at each computer. The school I came from had a small, round table and a total of 7 chairs.

I can go on but the gist is this school seems to value their teaching staff. Where I came from made the room happen because contractually they had to abide, not because anyone cared. There are several underutilized rooms that could have been used as a Teachers' Lounge.

I do not know what is ahead for me in this ATR journey. Yesterday I checked my DOE email and found two mandatory interviews for this Thursday and Friday. Unfortunately, since I am presently appointed as a 7-9 English teacher, both are in Middle Schools. I want to continue my career in a High School.

I don't know how to go about doing this.....

All I'm sure of right this very minute is that I do not deserve this. I have devoted my life since the age of 21 to teaching. I am a caring and fair person and none of my actions throughout the years led to this.

One piece of advice to anyone who reads my story: It can happen to you!

Wow, If Only the UFT Would...

I was extremely overjoyed with the demands of the Chicago teacher's union. They are really asking for what the students need and deserve. Someone is trying to make a difference for our kids.
Mulgrew, pay attention!

Chicagos Students Deserve Better

Common Core

Now I understand why it is that the PBA and other city unions fought for fair and equitable contracts. They waited it out till they received what they deserve.

The UFT fell for it very quickly and Michael Mulgrew made it a point to instill fear so that the contract would be ratified by the majority of teachers, even when most knew that we were getting the short end of the straw.

It was the Common Core mentality that we have been indoctrinated for the past several years. Look at the next example:

Mulgrew is a big advocate of the Common Core which basically, in its quest to increase critical thinking has made simple math look like a puzzle from the New York Times.

I am not a math teacher but what  I do know is that the increases we will be receiving in no way will match the cost of living in 2020. We were short changed in ways that the union blatantly accepted because they will continue to receive their fat checks as we speak.

Now, I say this in jest, not really but think about, why? Why is it that teachers who are creating the future of tomorrow are treated like second class citizens? Why is it that after three degrees, I am still considered substandard according to the new evaluation system?

My principal who did nothing to support us when it came to Danielson, rated me as Developing. It was only after the test scores came in that the students who took the local exams passed, that I received Effective. Then the state exams results came in and I was found Highly Effective.

Morale is the lowest since I began as a teacher. And it is not just me! It is every teacher who has seniority and is making the top salary. Hell, I worked for that! It's taking me 27 years to get there. Cops hit top pay at five, and trust me, I take nothing away from them. They protect us and keep us safe. But, teachers go through it too. Last week, I was pushed by a student and verbally attacked by another.

The new chancellor regs now stipulate that unless there is an immediate threat we are not to remove students. Well, both were back in the classroom: one the same period, the other three days later.