Just Not Fair

The reality is, i'll probably never teach again.

Full-time at least.

With all the budget cuts, teachers are seeing more pink than a new mother of a baby girl.

It sucks, for everyone.

Parents, students, especially teachers.

My son has had an AMAZING teacher this year.

In his 3rd year, second school, grade change from 4th to 2nd, My Boy's teacher has struggled to stay firm in a classroom.

But, what he has done is much more than any parent could expect of their child's teacher.

He has used 4th grade techniques and strategies to stimulate the 2nd graders' brains in a way that my oldest didn't get in 2nd grade.

He's has inspired the love of reading, mathematics, science (geology in specific for My Boy) and has made learning fun.

His classroom management style is one unheard of in a room full of mostly 8 year old boys.

There is never a peep going on when they're working, the class is focused, and almost all of them were invited to take the gifted and talented education exam this year.

As a parent, and a former teacher, I look at teachers like Mr. D as a rarity. If only more can be as good as he is at what he does.

But, alas, his time is up in our school.

Low man on the totem pole, it's truly unfair.

I can name a few tenured teachers that should be the ones in his shoes.

Thanks a lot California for not giving a rip about the education of our children.

Just keep pushing the old biddies along and keep discouraging our new, dynamic, enthusiastic, smart, young teachers that have learned all the latest and greatest methods of teaching.

The system is f-ed up!

*edited to add...Years taught does not equal a better, 'seasoned' teacher. And, administrators should have a stronger evaluation system every year of ALL teachers and parents do need to speak up and follow the right channels if they feel their student's teacher is not up to par.

41 supporters in group:

  1. Martha said...

    That is very unfair! Our children need good teachers, and it seems the best are always the ones that are asked to leave.

  2. Ohana Mama said...

    Horrible horrible horrible! Tenure stink sometimes, huh?

    Good teachers being thrown out so that lax teachers can stay on, makes me disappointed too!

  3. kel said...

    I agree that experience does not equal expertise, and that many teachers who should have moved on long ago are still in the classroom. I feel bad for their students.

    There is something to be said, however, for job security. I am very grateful to be a tenured teacher.

  4. Eva Carper said...

    the same is happening in our town, it's really sad and so many families are being affected

  5. Marla said...

    shit like this makes me want to scream! so sorry for your schools lost but maybe he'll come back in time for littlest one... can't remember if that one is DQ or if that one is the oldest...

  6. Jenni said...

    It is completely screwed up. This entire system stinks. While great teachers get fired, horrible ones stay on and are completely uninspiring to children. You should have to prove your worth as a teacher. Not to add more fuel to your fire (actually, yeah go ahead get hotter on this topic because I am) there are actually teachers who are getting paid to NOT teach because they are in "appeal" over decisions to fire them. They get $70,000 a year to literelly call in the morning, play all day, and call in the afternoon to check out for the day.

    Yep! And they wonder why we want to cut their budget...they just make the cuts in all the wrong ways.

  7. Leslie said...

    Definitely, it is a difficult time for our state. When my daughter was young she went to a private school. My son has always gone to public school. I am not a fan of our states public school system. Counting the years until he's out.

  8. Heather of the EO said...

    Yeah, I just don't get it! There are so many things in the educational system that just make no logical sense. I'm sorry you're losing a good teacher because of it.

  9. Sandi said...

    I agree. As a Cali mom with eight in public schools I am sick about the cuts. Five of my eight teachers will not be returning next year. It's heartbreaking!

  10. Unknown said...

    That is terrible! It's so hard sometimes to find good teachers. It's very unfortunate.

  11. Jennifer said...

    Ugh, that just breaks my heart. I hope he finds a school and gets to keep his job!

  12. Leah said...

    It totally is f-ed up. He sounds like a wonderful teacher. Your son was very lucky!

  13. Unknown said...

    GA sucks too! So bad that we go private! I have 2 friends that just graduated with teaching degrees & 1 can't find a job & 1 is teaching Pre-K at a daycare.

  14. He & Me + 3 said...

    Being a teacher I would have to agree. There have been a ton of pink slips going on around here too. It is very sad...because who suffers? Our kids.
    Sorry to hear about his teacher. That is sad.

  15. Tina said...

    I know.. I'm another unemployed teacher thanks to California. :(

  16. Ranch Girl said...

    I agree - it's definitely NOT a great system!

  17. Shana Putnam said...

    I 100% agree with you!

  18. Aria said...

    That is one of the things I detest about California's public school system. I learned so much about it being both a parent of a child in attendance, as well as the (ex) daughter-in-law of a tenured teacher. You just want to scream and protest and throw such a fit when the good ones go and the not good ones get to stay. Super Sucky.

  19. Jenni said...

    I know. I KNOW, My school is going through the same think and it is sickening...

  20. Michelle said...

    Horrible!

    It seems like priorities are never straight.

  21. Betsey said...

    Again, yikes, for the teacher bashing. I'm sure this post wasn't meant to start bashing on tenure. I am Jen's SIL, a tenured teacher, and the President of our teachers association. My husband, Jen's brother, works for a company that's starting to downsize. I know he and everyone in our family is glad I have tenure. And of course, the public always hears about the bad teachers...it's more exciting, right? How about support for those of us that work our asses off (as Jen can tell you, I am one of them) and deserve our tenure. As for her son't teacher, I am saddened by his pink slip...the whole situation invades our house every evening and on every level as I get many calls all of the time. This country needs to learn they need to pay to educate their children.

  22. Barbara said...

    Yup. Good old California. This state is gonna go to hell in a hand basket if we don't get a miracle soon. In addition to giving valuable teachers the boot, a bunch of programs that benefit the advancement and livelihoods of the impoverished are up to completely eliminated. And lets not even get to talking about the statement the state has made about equality!

    We really need to get our ish together!

  23. Jen said...

    Glad to see someone else with these same views! I was the "low man" this year and got the cut. Our private school lost all but two of my class when they found out who was staying and who wasn't. It's sad that the kids are the ones suffering when "tired" teachers keep their jobs.

  24. Vicki said...

    That really sucks!! Here there are dynamic, energetic teachers - those that can give a fresh perspective and motivate our kids - and they are overlooked for the older teachers that are sitting there till they can retire. Now granted, I'd hate to see a teacher who has worked for x number of years get let go - but I was sick to read your post. He sounds awesome!!!! I hope another school will recognize that!!!

  25. Unknown said...

    Oh I hate to hear that!! I'm am glad however that your son was able to have the year with him that he did. He sounds fantastic and the next kids who have him are very lucky!

  26. Me said...

    I so totally agree with you! I know my daughter's first second grade teacher this year was awful! All I ever hear when I tell parents that she was in her class was complaints. I finally was able to get her moved to another class and our life has changed immensely. The problem--said she-devil teacher has tenure and will be staying next year. The good ones--saw pink! The teachers I wanted to request for 3rd grade based upon the comments--also, pink. California sucks in this regard!

  27. Swirl Girl said...

    I agree that CA is f-ed up! We are losing two elementary schools this coming year. Two are changing from public to charters and our principals and administrators may have to share duties to cover two schools!

    The only way to ensure success is parent involvement....

  28. Leslie said...

    I'm so sorry to hear this. You are absolutely right, it's just not fair. I wish more parents would get involved. That's the only way things can change.

  29. Moonrayvenne said...

    It's the same here in Michigan, especially in the Detroit area. I'm not in the Detroit district, but they are closing about 29 schools. The charter schools are worse than the public schools & we have no private schools close enough or affordable enough to even mention.

  30. Brittany said...

    Totally with you! Arizona's school systems are screwed. Apparently nobody seems to care about education at all.

  31. wife.mom.nurse said...

    oh, i hear you about california schools!!!

    I'm so sorry to hear about your boy's teacher!

  32. tbonegrl said...

    I am so sorry to hear that happened. I don't know about you but here in OH school funding is so jacked up. It is the prime culprit.

    While I agree sometimes it is a tenured teacher that needs to go, like a pp mentioned I am thankful for job security of some sort as a tenured teacher. I'd hate to see it swing the other way and more seasoned teachers get the boot b/c districts don't want to pay for them.

  33. Unknown said...

    What will happen with our children's futures? This is awful.

  34. Unknown said...

    My niece just graduated and got her Masters degree and already has a teaching job in Virginia.

    But!! the way I see it, if they are laying off teachers then they should lay off the student loans to that education that you were taught to bring to the schools to teach our kids.

    I know its not realistic but it is surely a good thought!

  35. Auds at Barking Mad said...

    This is just one of the many reasons I was so glad to have gotten out of CA when I did. There isn't much of anything that could persuade me to move back there and I wish I could talk my folks and sister into getting the hell out!

    I hope that your son has a chance to find other educators that stimulate his eagerness to learn, much the same way Mr. D did.

  36. Mama Badger said...

    Sorry, Betsy, no one deserves tenure. I work really hard at my job, too. And that's how I keep it. Teachers should be evaluated every year based on parent response, student achievement, and administrator evaluations. And then the best will want to stay and teach, and the rest will go. I taught for a year before I got disgusted with the system (in NY). I don't mean to sound critical or unsympathetic to teachers, but somethings got to give. The Unions won't let the district cut benefits or salaries (which is how other companies are making the recession work) and so our kids suffer. You say you're there for the kids, but you couldn't give up your cost of living raises to keep a few collegues employed? For shame.

  37. Merrie said...

    I agree with you, Mama Badger. Nobody should have auto-job security just because they've put in a certain amount of years. I get evaluated at my job every year, and every year my performance matters. Tenure or not, a teacher should continue to be a teacher if they're good at what they do. If not, they have no business there.
    I'm all for job security, but not at the risk of giving it to the wrong people. Our kids should matter.

  38. Mel Fraase said...

    It's sad and frustrating. My BFF will most likely lose her job in another year at best. She's an awesome and fun teacher, I wish my kids could have her. Sad.

  39. Jamey said...

    I feel the same way!! Although Mrs. N wasn't new she was just one of the best teachers!! How is letting her go ok? Abby was crying after school because her teacher wasn't coming back next year. How do I explain to her why they made her leave? Just a shame the whole state!

  40. Messy Mommy said...

    Amen! Get those oldies outta here!

  41. Mrs4444 said...

    As a teacher, I still think it's way too hard to fire crappy teachers. Even to let a probationary teacher go is hard. I appreciate my union, but I think it needs some revamping.

    Fortunately, because of retirements, we did not have to let anyone in our district go for next year, though we are not replacing one of them.

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