On the November "Start a new post," Anonymous wrote:
"A preview of coming attractions: Teachers received a letter dated 12/21 from the BOE and the PFT. The letter asks people who intend to retire by the close of this school year or during the summer, to sign a "Separation Notice" by January 29th. This will be an official (can't change your mind) notification to PPS and names will appear in the February Board minutes. The PFT is "seeking Board authority to purchase gift cards in the amount of $250" as a thank you for this early notification. You won't receive your gift card until after the effective date of your retirement.
A $250 gift card? How generous of them and by the way, don't let the door hit you on your way out. What a slap in the face to all the long time, hard working teachers. Let's hurry up and start cleaning house for the Gates' money. This is just the start of what is coming. What employee would sign now before the new contract is put out for review? You would have to be crazy. The letter concludes with,"We appreciate your years of dedicated service to our students." Yeah right.
Here is an interesting idea. Since the superintendent is not an educator, why don't we get rid of our so-called "former educators" who run the PFT? They are so far removed from education that they no longer have a clue. They are content to cozy up to Bellefield and collect their checks. Who needs educators running the show? We don't have any now.
I feel for the majority of our teachers. They are at the mercy of the BOE and have no support. This new contract should prove to be very interesting."
December 31, 2009 10:44 AM
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6 comments:
I'm surprised you did not mention the packet that all teachers recently received from the PFT. As usual, most of what Tarka wrote is drivel, a simple case of patronizing teachers for the hard work they are doing and reminding everyone that the PFT understands and is looking out for those in the trenches.
Tarka makes note of rumors regarding pay scales and the notion that there are teams of administrators in most if not all schools doing their fair share of headhunting. Amazingly, he gives the idea short shrift by saying that some larger schools simply have more teachers under improvement plans while some have none, if any, and that hey, the improvement plan is meant to help teachers becoming more effective.
My grandpa used to laugh at such tripe with his standard, "Don't piss down my leg and tell me it's raining." To him, there was honor in being a stand-up guy.
To me, too.
The idea of teacher effectiveness comes down to using the curriculum verbatim, even if it is absurd. Parents should know that this is now standard operating procedure in PPS, driven by people who either were never in the classroom, had little experience there, or were complete failures.
The idea is to teach your kids what to think, not how to think.
This is how my employer has directed me to conduct instruction. So be it.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is not education.
Just questions:
When should the teachers who are going to retire do so? What date makes sense? Is there any automatic contract renewal date or contract to sign on an individual basis?
Mark, it would make sense for the state to mandate a 30-and-out procedure for teachers in which they can retire after 30 years or in combination with their age and years of experience adding up to 80. Every year, this bill comes up for vote and every year it is shot down. After all, the prevailing wisdom in Harrisburg is much like it is on the streets: teachers are overpaid, work 9 months, work 6 hours, yadda, yadda, yadda. Yawn. Same old politics.
It's clear this administration wants veteran teachers who question out. They moved out old administrators in favor of non confrontational young people. Perhaps it's time for PPS to do the same. Offer incentives in a monetary sense. $250 gift cards are not going to do it, however.
The haridresser and the housewife have shown their penchant for sweetening the superintendent's package, perhaps they can see fit to move all the "old deadwood" off of the teacher rolls, too, LOL.
Nonconfrontational may mot be enough. A lot of the PELAs are reportedly struggling.
It couldn't happen to a nicer group of people.
Short article mentioning why it would be helpful to have teachers provide earlier notice of plans to retire:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10014/1028135-53.stm
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