In a war between the school district and the teachers’ union, the biggest casuality has just become the students.
School administrators in the Rhode Island town of Central Falls threated the teachers’ union that if the teachers were not willing to work an extra 25 minutes a day, spend one lunch per week eating with students, spend two weeks in the summer training, and tutor after school on a rotating schedule, they would all be fired.
The union decided not to budge and now Central Falls High School is without any teachers.
Congratulations. You bargained these students’ futures on what essentially amounts to a $500 difference in what the union thought the teachers should be compensated for this extra work and what the school administrators felt they could afford.
This was already a poorly performing school. The teachers were not doing their job as it was and the drop out rate was high for the area. It is a disgrace that the union let this happen. Even worse is that the union is made up of teachers – people that are supposed to dedicate their lives towards the betterment of education.
Pathetic. This is why I no longer support public education in this country. It is a damn disgrace.
mac
5 months ago
I always wonder why teachers complain that they don’t make much money.
I have a suggestion. Try getting a real job. You still get shit pay, but are actually expected to work more than 6 hours a day, work weekends, and all damn summer, too.
Please, don’t misunderstand me. I believe teaching to be a noble profession. Or, it used to be, anyway :(
the lion
5 months ago
Used to be is right. And for some, it still is. There are a great number of amazing educators out there. Sadly, there are so many more inadequate ‘teachers.’
mac
5 months ago
I recall a teacher that really reached me.
He was my 8th grade history teacher. He was the one who brought it all together for me.
Quite possibly, it is he who stirred my love of history.
Thank you, Mr Orr :-)
the lion
5 months ago
Mr Fitzgerald is my only truly memorable teacher. He was my 10th and 12th grade English teacher. He helped me understand new concepts in literature and allowed me to see beyond the written word. I have him to thank for my love of books.
Now, post high school, I must thank Dr. Madden, my US and Public History Professor who really brought it all together for me and helped me see that the “story” is almost never the truth. Also, Dr. Cote who taught me that there is no such thing as a poor writer – only a writer with too little practice. And finally, Dr. Allison, who taught me that no good deed goes unpunished (after I taught over half her Business Writing courses for her so she could attend meetings she accused me of plagiarism in that same class).
Out of 16 years of education there are four teachers I will remember always. That just is not right.
mac
5 months ago
I remember lots of my teachers. Most, not for their teaching prowess, but more a quirk of my memory. I remember Miss Baker, she used to wear those beautiful sundresses :-) I remember Mr Oglesby he sent the biology rat home with me for break(Mom’s dog almost ate poor Valentine). I remember Mr Chapman, he felt threatened by all the students who demonstrated a greater mind than him. Coach Morello, he was a decent Government teacher and a mediocre wrestling coach, but a helluva guy :-)
TheNateisCool
5 months ago
So the government owes a school district 7.8 million dollars. The district doesn’t have enough money to remain afloat, so their solution is to fire ANY teacher without five years of experience in the district. But, the district is rapidly expanding adding large amounts of students to each school. What does this mean for students? Less possible class options. More kids per classroom (around 40 per teacher). A complete halt on new technologies such as Smart Boards, Elmos, and Projectors. Almost no new textbooks and novels. Overcrowed hallways and buses And this school district is located in one of Illinois highest income areas, with ridiculously high taxes.. Shit sucks everywhere.
the lion
5 months ago
It is a disgrace, Nate and it is only getting worse.
But what the fuck is an Elmo? Like from Sesame Street?
TheNateisCool
5 months ago
Pits a projector that projects in color like a video.
TheNateisCool
5 months ago
*it’s
mac
5 months ago
I thought an Elmo was from Sesame Street, too :-)
Remember that shooting at UAH I mentioned last week?
It was all because the woman was loosing her job. If she had Tenure,
three people would be alive today.
That is the nuttiest reason ever to shoot your fellow workers! Not that the other reasons are sane, or anything.
the lion
5 months ago
She killed people because she was getting fired? And what….she thought they would let her keep her job, then?
Tenure is a joke. It allows mediocre teachers to keep their jobs. What should have happened is someone should have caught onto her crazy a LONG time ago.
TheNateisCool
5 months ago
I once had a shop teacher (mustache, low creepy voice) who was fired for alleged sexual misconduct. He was rehired because they couldn’t locate a replacement, he gained his tenure and works there to this day.
mac
5 months ago
She and her husband were suspects in a domestic mail bombing back in the 93. She killed her brother as well. In Massachusettes, 1986 she shoy and killed her then 18 year old brother with a 12 guage shotgun. Mass. failed to charge her with anything.
Yes. Dr Amy Bishop is one woman who should never have been outside of a cage.
the lion
5 months ago
Nice. Fucking awesome.
mac
5 months ago
She reportedly charged oficers with the shotgun back in 86. There is no explanation as to why she was charged.
The death was ruled an accident. But still, it was an accident of her making.
mac
5 months ago
You know, if they keep this up, soon they’ll be just like me…
No Class ;-)