As most of you know, I was quoted recently during the new teacher orientation as being “overwhelmed.” The quote was only part of a long interview and it was far from the best part of my discussion, but that’s journalism for you. I was overwhelmed during the training because they didn’t differentiate for early childhood teachers and we all know thatyou don’t teach the same content or use the same methods for a preschool class as for a 7th grade English class. Yes, being stressed and overwhelmed seemed like the appropriate feelings for being an early childhood teacher being trained for middle school practices. However, I was also excited, elated and generally ecstatic to be teaching but that didn’t make it in.
This time was also used to recruit new union members. The union encouraged new teachers to sign up by enticing them with dental, vision and sick bank benefits. I was sold even before I was hired. I have been following the politics between the teacher’s union and the school district, through teacher firings and hirings, contract negotiations and the new rubric in which to evaluate teachers. I must honestly admit Chancellor Rhee has some gall to attempt to change an entire district of mostly failing schools into an effective and efficient school district. I don’t want her job but I hope she can keep most of her promises to the students, families, teachers, staff and administrators.
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