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I could not possibly agree more with this letter. I came home after the meeting to read the blog and found all of these comments about how well the meeting was conducted- my head was spinning! Two or three voices, shouting about "The administration done me wrong!" over and over-- virtually no mention of how heartbroken those 15 teachers would be to lose their jobs, no mention of what was in the best interest of kids. The teachers were no better than Jack Spillane at that meeting-- they took aim at a target and fired away, single-minded in their goal to make a point.
The administration has not always made good choices, but this wasn't a time to villify them-- this was a time to show that we were willing to sacrifice even more for the good of the kids and the city we serve, and to look out for our youngest members, who were too intimidated to speak up for themselves.
Although I'm a younger teacher, I probably have enough years in to narrowly miss getting laid off. However, if I do, the only consolation I will have when standing in the unemployment office to file is that at least I won't be paying another cent in union dues. I don't want to have it on my conscience that I'm paying to support a local organization that isn't looking out for me-- or the students I teach-- in the least.
While it may be expected that individuals not in our field and who do not understand what we go through day in and day out, year in and year out, may take shots at us I find it appalling that a very small amount of our own members would do likewise. The NBEA elected a Leadership Team and has a Board of Directors which volunteer time and advises the President on matters effecting the body. The Leadership Team and the Board of Directors advised the President on the course of action to take regarding the school department's proposal to request that we forego steps and raises and additionally lose a day's pay. The Board voted to suggest a counter proposal to the entire body for a vote as the original proposal stood very little chance of passing. Now we are being critisized by a member for not allowing the body to vote on the original proposal. This is, of course, after another member suggested that we, the Board make the decision for the entire body and forego the meeting at Keith. As leaders and decision makers we stand little chance of pleasing everyone. However, we do not run from our responsibility as leaders and decision makers. Maybe those who are critical should become more involved and learn what actually goes on and what information is available in making decisions. Being a logical person I pose the question: If 80% of those voting at Keith voted to not give up 3 day's pay to save 1 million dollars and some jobs, what would the vote possibly have been on giving up steps, raises, and losing a day's pay in order to save 3 million and some jobs? While everyone is entitled to an opinion I respectfully request that more thought should be given to bashing your own union in the papers. We have enough of that going on from those who don't understand.
To the first post: I guess what you didn't hear at the meeting, you made up here.
I was at the meeting and everyone was given an opportunity to speak. Shame on you for not sharing your opinions. Perhaps, if you had, the teachers would have voted a different way.
Lets not forget the past. For the first several years of most of our tenure with the NBPS we were all pink slipped. It had nothing to do with finances, that was the status quo. Many of the members had to day to day sub and go to school sick as dogs to make the 91 day just to get benefits. We didn't own positions our first year of teaching. We knew we had to get our foot in the door and work for a position, especially those of us who didn't know someone in politics. Was it right? NO! Is what happening now right? NO! But it is what it is. A financial mess! I did not make this mess, neither did my colleagues. I am tired of defending my career choice and my value systems. I am sick of others telling me I don't care about the kids. Walk into my classroom and let me show you the money I spent on not caring for the kids. Come by on the weekends while I am planning and let me show you how I don't care about the kids. I have cared about the kids in the NBPS for over twenty years. Who cares about me???? Who cares about the teachers who do this day in and day out? We need to stick together and care about each other. But caring about my colleagues does NOT mean I need to take money out of my salary to pay for theirs, nor do you need to give me your money for mine! I wouldn't expect it, and I would never ask them to do it. As for the younger teachers. I feel for you. I have been there and done that. I know what you are going through. But it does get better. Not much but a little!!! Hang in there. The membership cares about its members. Get involved. Speak your opinion. Have a voice. Someday you will be in our position, I wonder if you will feel the same way??????
Paragraph 1...." My motivation for attending the New Bedford Educators Association meeting on Aug. 5 was to be part of an effort to do all we could to save teachers' jobs. That notion was quickly shattered by both the union leadership and several outspoken teachers."
Paragraph 4..."While most of the union leadership maintained neutrality, they were unable to provide specific responses to many of the members' questions regarding the potential impact of concessions."
Which is it? "That notion was quickly shattered by both the union leadership and several outspoken teachers." or ..."While most of the union leadership maintained neutrality,"
You can't have it both ways. I'm wrong, apparently some can.
No, I agree-- everyone was definitely given an opportunity to speak. Being given the opportunity to speak and being comfortable enough to do so are two different things. Have you forgotten what it's like to be a young teacher in a sea of veterans? Those without PTS are constantly afraid to rock the boat; we're all just hoping to make it to that three year mark. Of all the voices heard, how many young teachers spoke? Do you think it was because they had nothing to say, or because they were intimidated?
I myself am a newer teacher and I'm sorry but I can't blame the veteran teachers for not wanting to give up what they have, especially considering the crap that they have dealt with for multiple decades. We have those teachers to thank for everything that we have today; Teachers that have volunteered their time for the union over the years negotiating every benefit and cent we have. How many new teachers does the district hire that actually stay in the district permanently? Every year I see new teachers come in, get their "urban experience" and fly to greener pastures the second something better comes along. The district certainly gives no incentive for loyalty, so this doesn't help the new teacher turnover. But seriously, how many new teachers do you see that simply can't hack it in this city or don't want to put up with things like assault, threats, verbal abuse, no resources, abysmal attendance, etc. People that don't get the job need a reality check. It's not that easy and you truly have to have a sincere love and dedication to this city to stick around. I really can’t blame a veteran teacher of 20 years for not wanting to give concessions to keep a teacher that may not even stay. Veterans have proved their loyalty through time and trust between teachers and the district has always been shaky at best. This is a logical reaction to an environment of deceit and distrust that’s been perpetuated for years. On a side note, we might be able to keep many of these great new teachers in the district if badly performing ones were reported and terminated. So much goes unreported. Everyone complains about teachers who can’t lose their jobs because they have tenure. No such thing anymore!! Everyone can be fired. The contract goes both ways. The protocol is there. It needs to be utilized far more often than it is. Then we would really start seeing some equity spread around!
9 comments:
I could not possibly agree more with this letter. I came home after the meeting to read the blog and found all of these comments about how well the meeting was conducted- my head was spinning! Two or three voices, shouting about "The administration done me wrong!" over and over-- virtually no mention of how heartbroken those 15 teachers would be to lose their jobs, no mention of what was in the best interest of kids. The teachers were no better than Jack Spillane at that meeting-- they took aim at a target and fired away, single-minded in their goal to make a point.
The administration has not always made good choices, but this wasn't a time to villify them-- this was a time to show that we were willing to sacrifice even more for the good of the kids and the city we serve, and to look out for our youngest members, who were too intimidated to speak up for themselves.
Although I'm a younger teacher, I probably have enough years in to narrowly miss getting laid off. However, if I do, the only consolation I will have when standing in the unemployment office to file is that at least I won't be paying another cent in union dues. I don't want to have it on my conscience that I'm paying to support a local organization that isn't looking out for me-- or the students I teach-- in the least.
While it may be expected that individuals not in our field and who do not understand what we go through day in and day out, year in and year out, may take shots at us I find it appalling that a very small amount of our own members would do likewise. The NBEA elected a Leadership Team and has a Board of Directors which volunteer time and advises the President on matters effecting the body. The Leadership Team and the Board of Directors advised the President on the course of action to take regarding the school department's proposal to request that we forego steps and raises and additionally lose a day's pay. The Board voted to suggest a counter proposal to the entire body for a vote as the original proposal stood very little chance of passing. Now we are being critisized by a member for not allowing the body to vote on the original proposal. This is, of course, after another member suggested that we, the Board make the decision for the entire body and forego the meeting at Keith. As leaders and decision makers we stand little chance of pleasing everyone. However, we do not run from our responsibility as leaders and decision makers. Maybe those who are critical should become more involved and learn what actually goes on and what information is available in making decisions.
Being a logical person I pose the question: If 80% of those voting at Keith voted to not give up 3 day's pay to save 1 million dollars and some jobs, what would the vote possibly have been on giving up steps, raises, and losing a day's pay in order to save 3 million and some jobs? While everyone is entitled to an opinion I respectfully request that more thought should be given to bashing your own union in the papers. We have enough of that going on from those who don't understand.
To the first post: I guess what you didn't hear at the meeting, you made up here.
I was at the meeting and everyone was given an opportunity to speak. Shame on you for not sharing your opinions. Perhaps, if you had, the teachers would have voted a different way.
I get it! If you don't like the outcome of a vote be critical of those that voted.
Lets not forget the past. For the first several years of most of our tenure with the NBPS we were all pink slipped. It had nothing to do with finances, that was the status quo. Many of the members had to day to day sub and go to school sick as dogs to make the 91 day just to get benefits. We didn't own positions our first year of teaching. We knew we had to get our foot in the door and work for a position, especially those of us who didn't know someone in politics. Was it right? NO! Is what happening now right? NO! But it is what it is. A financial mess! I did not make this mess, neither did my colleagues. I am tired of defending my career choice and my value systems. I am sick of others telling me I don't care about the kids. Walk into my classroom and let me show you the money I spent on not caring for the kids. Come by on the weekends while I am planning and let me show you how I don't care about the kids. I have cared about the kids in the NBPS for over twenty years. Who cares about me???? Who cares about the teachers who do this day in and day out? We need to stick together and care about each other. But caring about my colleagues does NOT mean I need to take money out of my salary to pay for theirs, nor do you need to give me your money for mine! I wouldn't expect it, and I would never ask them to do it. As for the younger teachers. I feel for you. I have been there and done that. I know what you are going through. But it does get better. Not much but a little!!! Hang in there. The membership cares about its members. Get involved. Speak your opinion. Have a voice. Someday you will be in our position, I wonder if you will feel the same way??????
Paragraph 1...." My motivation for attending the New Bedford Educators Association meeting on Aug. 5 was to be part of an effort to do all we could to save teachers' jobs. That notion was quickly shattered by both the union leadership and several outspoken teachers."
Paragraph 4..."While most of the union leadership maintained neutrality, they were unable to provide specific responses to many of the members' questions regarding the potential impact of concessions."
Which is it? "That notion was quickly shattered by both the union leadership and several outspoken teachers." or ..."While most of the union leadership maintained neutrality,"
You can't have it both ways. I'm wrong, apparently some can.
No, I agree-- everyone was definitely given an opportunity to speak. Being given the opportunity to speak and being comfortable enough to do so are two different things. Have you forgotten what it's like to be a young teacher in a sea of veterans? Those without PTS are constantly afraid to rock the boat; we're all just hoping to make it to that three year mark. Of all the voices heard, how many young teachers spoke? Do you think it was because they had nothing to say, or because they were intimidated?
I myself am a newer teacher and I'm sorry but I can't blame the veteran teachers for not wanting to give up what they have, especially considering the crap that they have dealt with for multiple decades. We have those teachers to thank for everything that we have today; Teachers that have volunteered their time for the union over the years negotiating every benefit and cent we have. How many new teachers does the district hire that actually stay in the district permanently? Every year I see new teachers come in, get their "urban experience" and fly to greener pastures the second something better comes along. The district certainly gives no incentive for loyalty, so this doesn't help the new teacher turnover. But seriously, how many new teachers do you see that simply can't hack it in this city or don't want to put up with things like assault, threats, verbal abuse, no resources, abysmal attendance, etc. People that don't get the job need a reality check. It's not that easy and you truly have to have a sincere love and dedication to this city to stick around. I really can’t blame a veteran teacher of 20 years for not wanting to give concessions to keep a teacher that may not even stay. Veterans have proved their loyalty through time and trust between teachers and the district has always been shaky at best. This is a logical reaction to an environment of deceit and distrust that’s been perpetuated for years. On a side note, we might be able to keep many of these great new teachers in the district if badly performing ones were reported and terminated. So much goes unreported. Everyone complains about teachers who can’t lose their jobs because they have tenure. No such thing anymore!! Everyone can be fired. The contract goes both ways. The protocol is there. It needs to be utilized far more often than it is. Then we would really start seeing some equity spread around!
Enough! Stop the fighting-we are all in this together.
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