This is my fourth year teaching, Im not very happy in my current situation as I am still traveling between buildings. I’m not quite sure how a teacher is expected to grow without being allowed the required resources to do so. Without ample supplies, space or storage, I am still expected to receive advanced art work from students? I have been teaching a class of 20 in a shoe box for 3 years, an art room without a sink and students are forced to sit in the hallways on cold, dirty floors. I am dictated as to what lessons I must teach by the teachers that I am sharing rooms with. They tell me what I should be doing and maybe if they are feeling generous will allow me a few sheets of paper to use. And since it is important to maintain positive relationships with your co-workers, I do what Im told and don’t complain.
The lack of respect from students, administration and parents is appalling. l feel constantly questioned, second-guessed, and blamed as a teacher. There are surprise classroom visits constantly from principals, coordinators, and board remembers, (one who which called me lazy in front of my class because a desk was not put together and remained inside the packaging, even though I placed a work order 3 weeks ago for assembling) which prove stressful even if you are doing what you are supposed to do.
We work hard for little money, and it never seems to be enough. My pay continues to remain low and I must work on the weekends to supplement my low salary. My district allows us 183 dollars for every three graduate courses completed… twice a year you are allowed to submit for submission. I think one graduate course is close to 1800? Weekly, I spend about 100 dollars on supplies for the kids, but yet I can’t manage to pay my phone bill or buy groceries?
There are more expectations layered on every year, an example is that we are even running our own department meetings now as the coordinators cannot seem to manage it. I am expected to run after school activities such as yearbook and art club without stipend. Not to mention that there is no time provided to do it all. I teach independent studies without extra pay because student are seniors and need the credit for graduation. However, we are asked to stay for this or that or are asked to take on more responsibilities, cover more classes etc. And what is a prep even? Mine is spent driving in a car panicking. One year, I was teaching in 5 buildings so lunch wasn’t even an option.
We design the community libraries showcases on our weekends to advocate for our school art programs. We hold festivals to display art in the park and work weekends with our unions at local charity events and stay after school for open studio time. But still, we don’t do enough? And right now, I just called into a CSE meeting, post more later. Forgive typos, sorry
I see how all that can be frustrating. Especially after teaching for so long. I’m not sure how to help with the room situation or the other teachers dictating your lessons. Work orders are tough too, but I always think about how many people are also asking for work orders, so I usually wait or fix it myself. Hopefully it gets better for you this year!
Lets hope so! I am trying to simplify everything I do. It’s so hard though, not having a printer, a space etc. It is exausting. On a positive note, at least the pre and post tests have been eliminated this year! Woo hoo!!
Brette,
I mentioned in Melissa’s post that itinerancy is difficult, yet some of the conditions you are working in are rather unheard of. For instance I’m not sure how another teacher has authority to dictate what you teach – this baffles me. Also, not being reimbursed for extra curricular activities like art club or yearbook – again unheard of.
During my early years teaching at a high school in MD, our faculty organized and petitioned to “work to rule” which is basically only do what you are getting paid to do. This meant that since I wasn’t getting paid as an assistant coach for the swim team, I wasn’t going to practices and so on. Eventually, this was a county-wide issue and we were recognized. But this requires your union to organize and needs people to be on board.
I suggest you consult your union.
I’m interested in what you decide to focus your inquiry on while pursuing your MS.Ed.
As a footnote: Colorado teachers weren’t reimbursed for their graduate degrees. Some areas observed a pay increase at the end but there was no support while pursuing it.
You can claim some of these expenses on your taxes as education credits.
Kevin
Yes Kevin, the Union was consulted about the stipends for clubs and extra circulars. Nothing could be arranged as it was not proposed in the budget that for year. Also, the staff was mislead and manipulated in believing that there would be stipends. At the alternative high school where I work, funding is usually nonexistent. We even provide breakfast for our students… as we do not have a hot food line. We do not have the resources for both staff and students which is very frustrating, like a library, computer lab, break room etc.. Also, teaching lessons that are not my own is not by choice. I share rooms, supplies and space with others. If I made a fuss about this, things would only be more difficult for me with my coworkers. As for supplies, I am allowed to write off 200 dollars every year, and I do. I am still pondering ideas about choice based learning that would better suit my alternative students as inquiry for my MS.Ed. I also have more ideas I would like to explore as well