Teacher Appreciation Week

[Anonymous]

its crazy how they have CLT Meetings and they tell us is not being taught.

[Anonymous]

Why the gift card hate? I add them to my phone app or wallet and move on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree that the majority of the gift cards should go to the teachers and not be split evenly across the board to all staff members. I think it is a nice gesture to try to give something to everyone to show our appreciation, however it should be based on some kind of tiered system where classroom teachers get the most, then specials, etc.

Why shouldn’t specials get same amount?

It’s simple: they don’t have to do parent teacher conferences, IEP meetings, or 504 meetings.

Right, specials teachers just teach every child in the building, host field day (pe), produce multiple student shows each year (music). Provide coverage when others are absent AND attend IEP/504 meetings when requested.

No one really requests a music or PE teacher at an IEP meeting, sorry.

And yes, dealing with parents via multiple emails and parent teacher conferences alone deserves a bit more appreciation. Deal with it.

Our specialists neither attend these meetings nor provide coverage when people are absent.

Your specialists must be lucky. I (music teacher) cover all the time and attend 504s and IEPs.

How are you able to cover if you are actually teaching your own class such as music, PE, or Art?

We forego our own planning time to cover in addition to teaching our own classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree that the majority of the gift cards should go to the teachers and not be split evenly across the board to all staff members. I think it is a nice gesture to try to give something to everyone to show our appreciation, however it should be based on some kind of tiered system where classroom teachers get the most, then specials, etc.

Why shouldn’t specials get same amount?

It’s simple: they don’t have to do parent teacher conferences, IEP meetings, or 504 meetings.

Right, specials teachers just teach every child in the building, host field day (pe), produce multiple student shows each year (music). Provide coverage when others are absent AND attend IEP/504 meetings when requested.

No one really requests a music or PE teacher at an IEP meeting, sorry.

And yes, dealing with parents via multiple emails and parent teacher conferences alone deserves a bit more appreciation. Deal with it.

Our specialists neither attend these meetings nor provide coverage when people are absent.

Your specialists must be lucky. I (music teacher) cover all the time and attend 504s and IEPs.

Why are you being asked to go to 504s or IEPs? They only require the classroom teacher and an AP usually.

We are asked to weigh in on the needs and strengths of the students we teach. I just go and do what I’m told.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree that the majority of the gift cards should go to the teachers and not be split evenly across the board to all staff members. I think it is a nice gesture to try to give something to everyone to show our appreciation, however it should be based on some kind of tiered system where classroom teachers get the most, then specials, etc.

Why shouldn’t specials get same amount?

It’s simple: they don’t have to do parent teacher conferences, IEP meetings, or 504 meetings.

Right, specials teachers just teach every child in the building, host field day (pe), produce multiple student shows each year (music). Provide coverage when others are absent AND attend IEP/504 meetings when requested.

No one really requests a music or PE teacher at an IEP meeting, sorry.

And yes, dealing with parents via multiple emails and parent teacher conferences alone deserves a bit more appreciation. Deal with it.

Well, tell that to the IEP meeting I went to as a music teacher last week lol. I’m not sure why you’d imply that I’m lying about that?
I also deal with parents (~500) via emails/over the phone and have in some instances hosted conferences when requested. On top of that I’ve produced 3 concerts so far this year and spent countless volunteer hours preparing kids and taking them to all county chorus. I’m absolutely not saying classroom teachers deserve less, just that specialists deserve the same appreciation too. It’s sad that someone would advocate keeping a few treats once a year from a public school teacher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree that the majority of the gift cards should go to the teachers and not be split evenly across the board to all staff members. I think it is a nice gesture to try to give something to everyone to show our appreciation, however it should be based on some kind of tiered system where classroom teachers get the most, then specials, etc.

Why shouldn’t specials get same amount?

It’s simple: they don’t have to do parent teacher conferences, IEP meetings, or 504 meetings.

Right, specials teachers just teach every child in the building, host field day (pe), produce multiple student shows each year (music). Provide coverage when others are absent AND attend IEP/504 meetings when requested.

No one really requests a music or PE teacher at an IEP meeting, sorry.

And yes, dealing with parents via multiple emails and parent teacher conferences alone deserves a bit more appreciation. Deal with it.

Well, tell that to the IEP meeting I went to as a music teacher last week lol. I’m not sure why you’d imply that I’m lying about that?
I also deal with parents (~500) via emails/over the phone and have in some instances hosted conferences when requested. On top of that I’ve produced 3 concerts so far this year and spent countless volunteer hours preparing kids and taking them to all county chorus. I’m absolutely not saying classroom teachers deserve less, just that specialists deserve the same appreciation too. It’s sad that someone would advocate keeping a few treats once a year from a public school teacher.

One, I am talking about elementary school here. If you aren’t an elementary school specialist then this may not apply to you. I’m not saying you do nothing and shouldn’t get anything. But you don’t do nearly as much as a classroom teacher who has to do parent teacher conferences for every student. I’m sorry, specialists just don’t have that pressure. Parents don’t care about the curriculum or the grades in specials as much either. Classroom teachers always feel they do more work than specialists.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree that the majority of the gift cards should go to the teachers and not be split evenly across the board to all staff members. I think it is a nice gesture to try to give something to everyone to show our appreciation, however it should be based on some kind of tiered system where classroom teachers get the most, then specials, etc.

Why shouldn’t specials get same amount?

It’s simple: they don’t have to do parent teacher conferences, IEP meetings, or 504 meetings.

Right, specials teachers just teach every child in the building, host field day (pe), produce multiple student shows each year (music). Provide coverage when others are absent AND attend IEP/504 meetings when requested.

No one really requests a music or PE teacher at an IEP meeting, sorry.

And yes, dealing with parents via multiple emails and parent teacher conferences alone deserves a bit more appreciation. Deal with it.

Well, tell that to the IEP meeting I went to as a music teacher last week lol. I’m not sure why you’d imply that I’m lying about that?
I also deal with parents (~500) via emails/over the phone and have in some instances hosted conferences when requested. On top of that I’ve produced 3 concerts so far this year and spent countless volunteer hours preparing kids and taking them to all county chorus. I’m absolutely not saying classroom teachers deserve less, just that specialists deserve the same appreciation too. It’s sad that someone would advocate keeping a few treats once a year from a public school teacher.

Are you a middle school teacher? You mentioned all county chorus. I’m talking about elementary school teachers here anyway. Who requested that you go to the IEP meeting? I have never heard of a parent requesting a music teacher to attend. Was it the parents of the student who asked you to be there? Or did the admin request you were there because none of the core teachers could go?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree that the majority of the gift cards should go to the teachers and not be split evenly across the board to all staff members. I think it is a nice gesture to try to give something to everyone to show our appreciation, however it should be based on some kind of tiered system where classroom teachers get the most, then specials, etc.

Why shouldn’t specials get same amount?

It’s simple: they don’t have to do parent teacher conferences, IEP meetings, or 504 meetings.

Right, specials teachers just teach every child in the building, host field day (pe), produce multiple student shows each year (music). Provide coverage when others are absent AND attend IEP/504 meetings when requested.

No one really requests a music or PE teacher at an IEP meeting, sorry.

And yes, dealing with parents via multiple emails and parent teacher conferences alone deserves a bit more appreciation. Deal with it.

Our specialists neither attend these meetings nor provide coverage when people are absent.

Your specialists must be lucky. I (music teacher) cover all the time and attend 504s and IEPs.

Why are you being asked to go to 504s or IEPs? They only require the classroom teacher and an AP usually.

DP. You need a Gen Ed teacher. If the kids actual teacher can’t make it, another gen Ed teacher goes. In secondary, a kid has 7-8 teachers, any of whom legally can participate. It’s also the case sometimes that you get pulled into an IEP meeting for a kid you have never met because depending on the kid you legally have to have the case manager/sped teacher present, a Gen Ed teacher, and an EL teacher if the student is dually identified.

Obviously it is ideal if the Gen Ed teacher present is one who a) teaches the kid and b) teaches a core area that is typically the focus of their goal and accommodations, but in a pinch, a Gen Ed music teacher can go and has to if asked to legally fulfill the requirement for a Gen Ed teacher to be present. Their input isn’t going to be as helpful as a teacher who teaches the core content (sorry music teacher, but it’s true) but they can still contribute on behaviors and such.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree that the majority of the gift cards should go to the teachers and not be split evenly across the board to all staff members. I think it is a nice gesture to try to give something to everyone to show our appreciation, however it should be based on some kind of tiered system where classroom teachers get the most, then specials, etc.

Why shouldn’t specials get same amount?

It’s simple: they don’t have to do parent teacher conferences, IEP meetings, or 504 meetings.

Right, specials teachers just teach every child in the building, host field day (pe), produce multiple student shows each year (music). Provide coverage when others are absent AND attend IEP/504 meetings when requested.

No one really requests a music or PE teacher at an IEP meeting, sorry.

And yes, dealing with parents via multiple emails and parent teacher conferences alone deserves a bit more appreciation. Deal with it.

Well, tell that to the IEP meeting I went to as a music teacher last week lol. I’m not sure why you’d imply that I’m lying about that?
I also deal with parents (~500) via emails/over the phone and have in some instances hosted conferences when requested. On top of that I’ve produced 3 concerts so far this year and spent countless volunteer hours preparing kids and taking them to all county chorus. I’m absolutely not saying classroom teachers deserve less, just that specialists deserve the same appreciation too. It’s sad that someone would advocate keeping a few treats once a year from a public school teacher.

Are you a middle school teacher? You mentioned all county chorus. I’m talking about elementary school teachers here anyway. Who requested that you go to the IEP meeting? I have never heard of a parent requesting a music teacher to attend. Was it the parents of the student who asked you to be there? Or did the admin request you were there because none of the core teachers could go?

Elementary has All County Chorus too. It was last week in FCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree that the majority of the gift cards should go to the teachers and not be split evenly across the board to all staff members. I think it is a nice gesture to try to give something to everyone to show our appreciation, however it should be based on some kind of tiered system where classroom teachers get the most, then specials, etc.

Why shouldn’t specials get same amount?

It’s simple: they don’t have to do parent teacher conferences, IEP meetings, or 504 meetings.

Right, specials teachers just teach every child in the building, host field day (pe), produce multiple student shows each year (music). Provide coverage when others are absent AND attend IEP/504 meetings when requested.

No one really requests a music or PE teacher at an IEP meeting, sorry.

And yes, dealing with parents via multiple emails and parent teacher conferences alone deserves a bit more appreciation. Deal with it.

Well, tell that to the IEP meeting I went to as a music teacher last week lol. I’m not sure why you’d imply that I’m lying about that?
I also deal with parents (~500) via emails/over the phone and have in some instances hosted conferences when requested. On top of that I’ve produced 3 concerts so far this year and spent countless volunteer hours preparing kids and taking them to all county chorus. I’m absolutely not saying classroom teachers deserve less, just that specialists deserve the same appreciation too. It’s sad that someone would advocate keeping a few treats once a year from a public school teacher.

Are you a middle school teacher? You mentioned all county chorus. I’m talking about elementary school teachers here anyway. Who requested that you go to the IEP meeting? I have never heard of a parent requesting a music teacher to attend. Was it the parents of the student who asked you to be there? Or did the admin request you were there because none of the core teachers could go?

Elementary has All County Chorus too. It was last week in FCPS.

Is there an All County Chorus for a grade diffferent than 6th??

[Anonymous]

PTA usually provides for all staff but gift cards are usually raffle since we never have enough for each staff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree that the majority of the gift cards should go to the teachers and not be split evenly across the board to all staff members. I think it is a nice gesture to try to give something to everyone to show our appreciation, however it should be based on some kind of tiered system where classroom teachers get the most, then specials, etc.

Why shouldn’t specials get same amount?

It’s simple: they don’t have to do parent teacher conferences, IEP meetings, or 504 meetings.

Right, specials teachers just teach every child in the building, host field day (pe), produce multiple student shows each year (music). Provide coverage when others are absent AND attend IEP/504 meetings when requested.

No one really requests a music or PE teacher at an IEP meeting, sorry.

And yes, dealing with parents via multiple emails and parent teacher conferences alone deserves a bit more appreciation. Deal with it.

Our specialists neither attend these meetings nor provide coverage when people are absent.

Your specialists must be lucky. I (music teacher) cover all the time and attend 504s and IEPs.

Why are you being asked to go to 504s or IEPs? They only require the classroom teacher and an AP usually.

DP. You need a Gen Ed teacher. If the kids actual teacher can’t make it, another gen Ed teacher goes. In secondary, a kid has 7-8 teachers, any of whom legally can participate. It’s also the case sometimes that you get pulled into an IEP meeting for a kid you have never met because depending on the kid you legally have to have the case manager/sped teacher present, a Gen Ed teacher, and an EL teacher if the student is dually identified.

Obviously it is ideal if the Gen Ed teacher present is one who a) teaches the kid and b) teaches a core area that is typically the focus of their goal and accommodations, but in a pinch, a Gen Ed music teacher can go and has to if asked to legally fulfill the requirement for a Gen Ed teacher to be present. Their input isn’t going to be as helpful as a teacher who teaches the core content (sorry music teacher, but it’s true) but they can still contribute on behaviors and such.

Ok so as I stated before I’m talking about elementary school where there may only be 1 gen Ed teacher. A music teacher at an elementary school is highly unlikely to get pulled into an IEP meeting. Whereas the classroom teachers at elementary could easily have 6-7 IEPs or more per year. That alone means teachers at elementary schools should be getting higher amounts of gift cards than specialists. They do more work overall. They are also required to have conferences with each parent in the fall. Specialists don’t have to do that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree that the majority of the gift cards should go to the teachers and not be split evenly across the board to all staff members. I think it is a nice gesture to try to give something to everyone to show our appreciation, however it should be based on some kind of tiered system where classroom teachers get the most, then specials, etc.

Why shouldn’t specials get same amount?

It’s simple: they don’t have to do parent teacher conferences, IEP meetings, or 504 meetings.

Right, specials teachers just teach every child in the building, host field day (pe), produce multiple student shows each year (music). Provide coverage when others are absent AND attend IEP/504 meetings when requested.

No one really requests a music or PE teacher at an IEP meeting, sorry.

And yes, dealing with parents via multiple emails and parent teacher conferences alone deserves a bit more appreciation. Deal with it.

Our specialists neither attend these meetings nor provide coverage when people are absent.

Your specialists must be lucky. I (music teacher) cover all the time and attend 504s and IEPs.

Why are you being asked to go to 504s or IEPs? They only require the classroom teacher and an AP usually.

DP. You need a Gen Ed teacher. If the kids actual teacher can’t make it, another gen Ed teacher goes. In secondary, a kid has 7-8 teachers, any of whom legally can participate. It’s also the case sometimes that you get pulled into an IEP meeting for a kid you have never met because depending on the kid you legally have to have the case manager/sped teacher present, a Gen Ed teacher, and an EL teacher if the student is dually identified.

Obviously it is ideal if the Gen Ed teacher present is one who a) teaches the kid and b) teaches a core area that is typically the focus of their goal and accommodations, but in a pinch, a Gen Ed music teacher can go and has to if asked to legally fulfill the requirement for a Gen Ed teacher to be present. Their input isn’t going to be as helpful as a teacher who teaches the core content (sorry music teacher, but it’s true) but they can still contribute on behaviors and such.

The parent can request the meeting to be rescheduled if the core classroom teacher can’t make it.

[Anonymous]

Wait I thought we were supposed to give little gift cards as opposed to trinkets/mugs/whatever? My kids’ school polls the teachers on what their favorite stores and restaurants are and most of them write Starbucks or Dunkin. Some teachers have a class wish list too but not all. So I’ve just been picking up little Starbucks cards and putting them in a Thank You card that my kid signs. Should I not be doing this??? This is elementary so the “I wish your kid would just get off his phone” stuff doesn’t apply.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wait I thought we were supposed to give little gift cards as opposed to trinkets/mugs/whatever? My kids’ school polls the teachers on what their favorite stores and restaurants are and most of them write Starbucks or Dunkin. Some teachers have a class wish list too but not all. So I’ve just been picking up little Starbucks cards and putting them in a Thank You card that my kid signs. Should I not be doing this??? This is elementary so the “I wish your kid would just get off his phone” stuff doesn’t apply.

Every school does it differently. I’m sure there have been emails going out. Pay attention.