Dear Unit A Members:
On November 6, 2013, NBEA Faculty Representatives communed for a frank discussion regarding the pervasive problems that plague our school system. Some of the topics discussed at this meeting included reports from our members regarding the following:
· Micromanagement by administration
· Open contract violations by administrators
· Numerous teacher termination hearings
· Multiple teacher suspensions
· Unrealistic goals developed by administrators
· The lack of support from the superintendent
· Educator evaluations that are being used as punitive rather than constructive tools for professional development
· Significant increase in number and variability of grievances brought to the union
· Numerous Educators have been assaulted by students
· Reports of considerable emotional distress among our members resulting in increased referrals to the Employee Assistance Program and area physicians
What’s been done thus far:
In September, President St. John brought this list of concerns to Mayor John Mitchell in the hope that educators, administrators and School Committee officials could collectively rectify the situation. The media reported that the Mayor was "not concerned by the issues St. John raised." As a result, the problems have persisted and multiplied, which has further exacerbated the already strained relationship between faculty and administration. Consequently, President St. John called upon building representatives to bring members’ concerns directly to the Board. During the meeting with faculty representatives on November 6th, The NBEA Board of Directors unanimously authorized a general meeting of the New Bedford Educators Association.
Emergency General Meeting scheduled:
The General Meeting will take place on Friday, December 13 at 3:15 P.M. in the New Bedford High School Auditorium. The reasons this meeting is slated for a Friday afternoon are as follows:
· A general consensus among Board Members that the meeting should take place as soon as possible.
• Educators at the elementary-level specifically: Parker and Hayden McFadden Schools work until 3:30 P.M., Monday through Thursday. Additionally, many teachers participate in after-school programs that do not end until 4 P.M.
• Educators at Pulaski School work until 3:30 P.M.
· High school faculty are released at 2:25 P.M. and middle school faculty at 2:45 P.M., so this meeting time is the most beneficial to ensure optimal member attendance at all levels.
Why you should attend the Emergency General Meeting:
If you are in any way dissatisfied with the administration’s management of the New Bedford Public Schools and the impact it has had on your ability to do your job effectively then you must join your colleagues in a larger discussion to address these issues. The purpose of this meeting is to provide all Unit A members with the opportunity to directly communicate with their peers and NBEA representatives regarding the drastic changes in policy and procedure that have transpired within our school system and the impact such Draconian measures are having on our work environment and our quality of life. In addition to faculty, many of these changes have also adversely affected the staff and students of the New Bedford Public Schools, making it clear that this is a systemic problem that cannot go unchecked. The Board of Directors and Faculty Representatives implore every member, system-wide, to participate on Friday, December 13. Your attendance at this meeting is critical, because our solidarity and the strength of our collective voice are the most powerful tools we have at our disposal to instill change.
In unity there is strength.
Very Truly Yours,
Board of Directors
New Bedford Educators Association
24 comments:
I pity the New Bedford school district. It took 4 very long years to get her out of Attleboro and already our morale has changed -- its like a dark cloud has lifted. It was a struggle because we had a very divided school committee. But, we prevailed and now I will end my 4 years very pleased knowing I had the best interests of our children and families at heart. I can sum up her reign in Attleboro with just one word......."Tyrant!"
If it's true that some of our members will not attend because, "She hasn't done anything to me yet."...it reveals a selfishness and ignorance I will not accept.
To all members, stand strong by attending this all important meeting on the 13th of December. Don't be intimidated by Durkin, administrators, Mayor, or the School Committee. They all point the finger at us and NEVER address the real problems, the students' lack of interest, attendance, attitude, seeking help, etc. Not one of the elected officials, Supt., or administrators has the answers to these issues so, in my opinion, are a major part of the problem.
STAND STRONG NBEA MEMBERS
I, myself, have had no run-ins. Still, I will attend this meeting. United we stand, divided we fall! Show your solidarity with others who ARE having serious concerns. YOU may be the next victim!!
Thank you for your support! We are New Bedford Educators-NB Strong!
Everyone better be there before her next round of "lurking walks". Criticizing every teacher she meets. Hey lady, how about you spend some of the money in reserves and bring back some teachers. We will not improve 1% with these giant and unsafe class sizes.
The world does not suffer because of the violence of bad people, but rather from the silence of good people.---Napoleon
In Attleboro I once met a teacher who supported Durkin. She told me that she never had an issue with her.
Later that year she told me a story of how she was called into Durkin's office and harrassed and bullied, to the point of crying, because she was part of a non-profit in the city that donated $500 to each school for the library. But there was another non-profit that was not happy with the publicity that the non-profit that donated was receiving and they complained to Durkin.
This teacher admitted that she was wrong about Durkin and now understood all of the negative stories to be true. She new that Durkin needed to go!
If it's true that the mayor actually said we should all stop complaining or leave NB, I am appalled. He really does not understand that the working conditions for teachers in this city have become deplorable in a short amount of time. This impacts the children. With all the school violence going on in the US--do we really want to further add to the anxiety, anger, and mental dysfunction in our city youth? Demanding constant rigorous instruction, limiting exposure to other subjects(arts,music, etc...), increasing intervention in place of outdoor activity, endless assessment(demanded by Pia) etc...I fear for the future of our students. I fear that we might have a traumatic situation brewing here.
More fights at the high school today and another teacher was assaulted. . . . . .punched in the face twice! The "education mayor" continues to deny that fights and assaults are happening. Is his lawyering in criminal defense? It certainly appears that way.
The "mayor" thinks we should leave if we do not like it. Little does he know that we are planning to leave if things do not change. He irritates me because I live in this city. I teach in this city and I am invested as a parent in this city. These leaders have no right to rob the children on NB of good teachers and a strong school system. That have hired from outside the system and they have failed. They should have fetter her more carefully. They should have learner from Dr. Bonner. The school committee. Has failed all of us. We do need to maintain our professionalism. But we must not remain silent. In trying to encourage teachers to attend I have met several who seem to think they will be looked upon with tabor from administrstion if they do not attend. This is unacceptable. Please leave our union if you do not want to unite. We are in this together.
After reading the above post with the latest assault of another teacher at the high school dealing with students fighting, what disciplinary outcomes happened to these students.
What actions were taken against the students who kicked the teacher when he was breaking up the fight at the high school the other week?
Why is the Superintendent, Mayor, and School Committee covering this up? The best coverups always unravel.
Mayor too busy packing for Ireland.
Physically assaults and threats of violence are happening on a recurring basis at the high school. Teachers are fearful for the safety of their students and themselves.
Administration seems to want to avoid dealing with these issues. Teachers have instead had to suffer through a useless deescalation training where they were told that they should either fake being happy or leave teaching. Then this week the 'trainer' returned and showed staff an outdated video with ridiculous and unrealistic scenarios that were laughable. This is the kind of training we get after several teachers have had to leave the high school to seek medical treatment for injuries sustained from students. Some of these injuries were quite serious in nature.
The mayor has stated that the high school is safe but that is no longer true.
The teachers that were beaten up and assaulted by the so-called "students" (I use that term lightly.) are now filling assault charges against the "students." Yet another teacher was jumped by a pack of freshman yesterday afternoon after she tried to retrieve a pack of yellow permission slips that shouldn't have been in the student's possession. (Obviously they were stolen from someone.) This is a separate incident--not the one that happened yesterday morning whereby a teacher got punched in the face twice!!!
I am hoping that I see my fellow union members at the December 13th meeting, especially those who have experienced the wrath of our so-called district leader and her minions out to do her bidding. Oh, wait, that's nearly everyone in the district at this time!
Every day I hear more and more horror stories from teachers and other personnel regarding the violence being levied against them by students, the impossible demands being placed on teachers already stretched beyond the breaking point, and the fragile emotional state of many of my colleagues. Even if you don't feel like you are affected in any way, you are--because the atmosphere in which you work is what creates the school climate, which in turn affects all members of the system eventually.
ALL NBEA Unit A members should make the effort to attend this meeting; if for nothing else, simply to support their fellow colleagues. Please make arrangements and plan your schedule around getting to NBHS on December 13...to help make a better future for all who work at or attend NBPS.
The very fact that teachers are facing physical assaults from those we have devoted our lives to educate is reason enough to attend this meeting. The fact that those in charge are either blaming the victims or discouraging victims from pressing charges is reason enough to attend this meeting. The fact that we are treated with disregard and considered dispensable is reason enough to attend this meeting. The fact that nothing has happened to you YET is NOT a reason to not attend this meeting. All we have is the strength and support of one another to sustain us.... Do not bury your heads in the sand.... Attend this meeting for every teacher and every student you care about, and God Bless Us Every One.
When did teachers become combat soldiers? We were not trained to do physical battle.
How can this Mayor defend Durkin by saying she is the best superintendent in the "country"? What a CROCK!
When will the members of the School Committee address the serious happenings at the high school or are they going to wait until someone ends up in a rehab facility paralyzed or dies from their injuries?
STAND STRONG AND ATTEND THE MEETING ON THE 13TH OF DECEMBER.
Can I wear a mask during this. I'd like to be a part but not be on the list of 56 teachers she is already requiring to be fired district-wide. But at the same time id like to give me 2 cents
To the union member who posted above. You must go to the meeting in order to support your follow teachers. Whether you speak up or not is secondary. That is really the message that needs to get out.
Teachers all over the country have been sparing their lives to protect the lives of students, the least we all can do is to show up and listen to our peers that need to share their experiences and concerns. Being "seen" is trivial and the need to get over this type fear is alarming to me. Who knows, our actions may in fact save lives someday. It is sad to think about it in these terms, but that is reality.
Where else are you going to hear about concerns directly from the source. Like the huge schools we are building, our membership is too dispersed and fragmented not to meet and talk about items on our agenda.
Remember, this blog is one dimensional, and quite honestly, not supported very well by its members, whereas showing support by showing up on December 13 is three-dimensional.
Regularly we ask our students to be strong, now it is your time to prove you are strong.
I don't think there is a teacher or administrator or in fact the superintendent that wants to see our district fail, but to make the strides we need to make every stakeholder has the right to be heard regarding his or her concerns. This was the forum chosen, and it is your responsibility to be there. In fact it is the responsibility of all members to attend, whether vocal or silent.
This has turned into a witch hunt..
Please clarify the witch hunt comment...I believe this is a TRUTH hunt. If you have something to say at the meeting--say it! If you just want to listen--LISTEN! We need to show that we care about the staff and students of NBPS...in every classroom, in every school, in every situation.
A witch hunt to get rid of teachers.....
First of all, the mayor needs to grow a pair. Secondly, as a parent of a Parker school child, we need another principal in this school who can enforce discipline. She is a terrible influence. I want my children to succeed in life-not get coddled . Real life isn't like this. Pia, you need to let the teachers teach.
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