Just got finished with three days of Regents grading in which our DOE superiors treated us like children.
The people I was grading with and I plowed through many Regents exams the past few days, but as usual with the DOE, no matter what you do or how you work, you are always treated like a criminal.
At one point, after grading hundreds of tests, we took a five minute break.
A "quality assurance" person wanted to know why we weren't working.
Our room supervisor told the quality control person our table had finished grading hundreds of exams, we had been grading exams faster than any other table and were taking a break.
The "quality assurance" person said there were tests to be graded and we ought to be grading them.
Tests were then thrown onto our table to be graded.
Here's the clicker - we finished three hours before the end of the work day, but because teachers are children not to be trusted to use professional judgment or treated like adults, we were kept around waiting until the time for "dismissal."
It reminded me of detention in Catholic school.
I have written this week about the demoralization many of the teachers expressed this week as they were grading the Regents exams.
Well, the DOE saved the best for last - how dare you take a break, work until all the tests are graded.
What - all the tests are graded?
Now you can take a break - for the next three hours until we "dismiss" you.
De Blasio and Farina say the tone from Tweed is changing and principals ought to be changing their tones too.
So far, I have seen nothing change at all.
Today was a terrific example of that.
I could have used that three hours to finish writing some recommendations I was asked to write by students this week.
Instead I sat at a table with three other people for a few hours and waited to be "dismissed."
So ridiculous. And, as far as waiting for that change. I made a comment on NYC Educator's blog calling deBlasio deBloomberg. It was about not calling school or declaring a delayed opening the night before, like Bloomberg used to do leaving evryone up in the air until the early morning.
ReplyDeleteI kind of regretted calling him deBloomberg, but I'll be honest...I too, am waiting to see some kind of changes from the destructively corrupt Bloomberg policy years.
I know it's early, but I do want to see some soon.
I'm pissed tonight. Sick of SED, sick of King, sick of Tisch, sick of the Regents and the governor and the Tweedies and the sycophant administrators and the tabloid writers looking for teacher gotcha stories. Just sick of all of it. Not sure when being a teacher fell below criminal on the treatment scale, but it surely has.
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ReplyDeleteCarmen Farina just announced that principals will need 7 years experience, putting an effective end to the Leadership Academy as it stands. I'm also told they are cleaning house at Tweed, but haven't got many details. Shael is gone, despite much conjecture he was setting up there for life.
ReplyDeleteWhen I graded at Bayside we were sent back to our home schools upon finishing exams. I very much suspect the decision to make RBE and others sit there was made by some braindead administrator rather than Bill de Blasio.
Totally agree the decision was made by the administrators there, and the treatment came from them as well. Nonetheless, doesn't undercut what I said about nothing changing at the school level so far since BdB and Farina took over. Whole bunch of people I graded with the last three days from different schools all attested to that. Maybe it will filter down at some point - but it hasn't yet.
DeleteThat's certainly a start. I want to see networks eliminated and "curriculum and talent" coaches sent packing, too. I don't want to hear that we need "more PD" to make these bogus Common Core Standards work.
DeleteAnd, I don't need the inexperienced Charlotte Danielson and her profiteering company to tell me how to teach NYC teenagers.
I would take Farina telling administrators to stop treating teachers like criminals. That would be a great start. Again, whatever she's doing at Tweed, whatever she's saying at Tweed, hasn't come down to the rest of the DOE. NYC Educator wrote about his fellow teachers being made to wait in line in 12 degrees so that their state ID could be checked. That sure sounded like the same treatment my colleagues and I got the last three days as well.
DeleteGetting rid of networks is definitely 1 of the biggest rumors out there that may happen... not sure when yet. I have a source (good source too) that those rumors are out there.
DeleteTime to name names of these administrators on blog. Let then google their names and find out what idiots they are. Will turn out nice when they go job hunting -- and at same time call out the good ones too. I hear great things about Phil Weinberg who Carmen chose for a top position.
ReplyDeleteThe point here was that the "gentler tone" decree from Farina has yet to make it down to the school level. I heard it from every teacher in the room from every school. And we all saw it in action in the treatment we received.
DeleteI agree with Norm... names of the administrators are a must..... especialy with the announcement that the DOE will not accept any more newbie and inexperienced principals who have less than 7 years of experience...
DeleteI'm grading at Eleanor Roosevelt and it seems it's a manner of who you get. The guy in our room is cool as hell. There's a guy in another room who brought his coffee maker in for everyone. And yet, there is a woman in a room that is watching everyone like a hawk with their prey. None of these people are full on administrators, just "test administrators." So, they all are following a general format and it's more like, I don't want to be the one guy to flaunt the guidelines. Overall, it's been relatively positive though.
ReplyDeleteThe people running the whole thing were administrators, not teachers serving as "test administrators." The room people, were just fine. It was the people above them who were the problem.
DeleteWear a small microphone/recorder around when u have to deal with nasty admins. If u can, nail them with incriminating evidence. Start to fight however u can. Put crappy admins on notice that we know their days r numbered. Think of ways NOT to be sheep...! I think Farina can't help but being,superior for,us compared to what we've had-and thins will improve with her and the new mayor. But until then-"grow a pair" whenever possible and realize we r,in a guerrilla war...and we r the guerrillas...
ReplyDeleteIt's,a,massive system and it'll take time before we see improvements on the school level.
ReplyDeleteOne thing though- when they close , all of those networks, those shit admins will go back to a school near you....helping,write up Danielson observations (if they can write at all), etc., etc. They will have to return to school buildings.
...but I know it's hard to be a "guerrilla" when the UFT leadership are sheep, and offer u no,template to,fight with. It's basically "grin and bear it." Look at the Portelos case-man did nothing wrong , other than be a man and do the right thing in his world....and he's getting screwed (to date) by a corrupt management.
ReplyDeleteI too can't wait for more changes to come down the line. I teach in District 5 (Central Harlem). I have been there since 2000, coming from District 6 where I started. My district has been abandoned by the local community opting to take their kids to Charter schools instead of supporting their Community Schools! So over the years, my school has become a victim of a "Brain Drain"! That is when all the "smart" students leave your school for a charter, thus leaving your school with the low performing students. District 5 Supt. (You can look up here name), does nothing but criticize my school. No support!
ReplyDeleteMy Principal informed us that the Network will be performing an alternative quality review. Mind you, my school had one last year! This is crazy! I am tired of all these people that come and criticize but don't support, nor can show you how things should be done! Eliminate Networks! Make all "Leadership Academy" Principals re apply for their jobs. Make all Superintendents re apply for their jobs! Any Supt. that supported Bloomy reforms need to be canned!! Clean break from those dark years!
ReplyDeleteThrough corporate, JP Morgan Chase and Goldman Sachs to Bank Street College, rubber stamping certificates as administrative certificate to be a principal under NYS requirements to CU, Eric Nadelstein. It is a who is who, limited to a few, corruption. Bloomberg did not trust public school and gov't and wanted control. He sent his girls to Chapin. Most private schools do not even accept community college certificates or accreditation from Bank Street. Social work degrees from CU should also be questioned as to where funds coming from, how much state, federal and who is allowed to benefit, minority with low entrance exams to go through program receive degree to supposedly help others or themselves through grants to find employment in the public school system. Business with appearance of public service. Accountability was never a true course in any studies at CU or at Brown so why was it developed as a position in DOE. The Board of Bank Street needs to do a better background check and not pay out favors.
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