Involuntary Transfers

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why wouldn't the county try to get someone who actually wants to teach elementary.

Did you even read the posts above? This is about compensating for an unexpected overstaffing. In an ideal world, yes, you’d get someone who really wants to teach elementary. But right now it’s about who is qualified.

This happens. But, what I would really like to see is destaffs at Gatehouse and its tentacles.

(cont.) and start with the two assistants each School Board member has. They have two assistants and cannot even respond to their constituents' questions without a form letter that does not answer the question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes there were huge destaffs in ESOL and several people got put back in the classroom.

There are also a lot of AP destaffs.

AP assistant principals?

Or AP as in Advanced Placement teachers.

If FCPS is having to destaff tons of teachers and principals, and our teachers aren't getting real raises, how is our 4 billion budget increasing? ESOL is one of our most expensive per student categories, if that student population is decreasing to the point that FCPS is destaffing ESOL teachers county wide, then there should be dramatic visible savings in the FCPS budget.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes there were huge destaffs in ESOL and several people got put back in the classroom.

There are also a lot of AP destaffs.

AP assistant principals?

Or AP as in Advanced Placement teachers.

If FCPS is having to destaff tons of teachers and principals, and our teachers aren't getting real raises, how is our 4 billion budget increasing? ESOL is one of our most expensive per student categories, if that student population is decreasing to the point that FCPS is destaffing ESOL teachers county wide, then there should be dramatic visible savings in the FCPS budget.

Assistant principals

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes there were huge destaffs in ESOL and several people got put back in the classroom.

There are also a lot of AP destaffs.

AP assistant principals?

Or AP as in Advanced Placement teachers.

If FCPS is having to destaff tons of teachers and principals, and our teachers aren't getting real raises, how is our 4 billion budget increasing? ESOL is one of our most expensive per student categories, if that student population is decreasing to the point that FCPS is destaffing ESOL teachers county wide, then there should be dramatic visible savings in the FCPS budget.

“Dramatic visible savings in the FCPS budget.” Like many, you really have no idea what the enormity of 4 billion is, do you?

Work that out for us. Go to the budget. Just for fun, what is the impact of losing, say, 50 ESOL teachers? Then tell us what percentage of 4 billion that is.

[Anonymous]

This happened to a bunch of ESL teachers throughout the county and they were understandably upset.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why wouldn't the county try to get someone who actually wants to teach elementary.

Did you even read the posts above? This is about compensating for an unexpected overstaffing. In an ideal world, yes, you’d get someone who really wants to teach elementary. But right now it’s about who is qualified.

This happens. But, what I would really like to see is destaffs at Gatehouse and its tentacles.

(cont.) and start with the two assistants each School Board member has. They have two assistants and cannot even respond to their constituents' questions without a form letter that does not answer the question.

There is no way School Board members should each have two assistants. Most constituent correspondence gets ignored. It’s just a waste of money on local political hacks looking for a cushy position that pays more than a teacher salary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why wouldn't the county try to get someone who actually wants to teach elementary.

Did you even read the posts above? This is about compensating for an unexpected overstaffing. In an ideal world, yes, you’d get someone who really wants to teach elementary. But right now it’s about who is qualified.

This happens. But, what I would really like to see is destaffs at Gatehouse and its tentacles.

+1
Disturbing that student facing positions were the first to go when FCPS realized that it was "overstaffed." And very few school-based employees would say that there are too many staff members in their buildings. Start with Gatehouse if staffing needs to be cut back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes there were huge destaffs in ESOL and several people got put back in the classroom.

There are also a lot of AP destaffs.

These aren't destaffs. Destaffing is based on seniority and means someone loses their job. These our involuntary transfers which don't go by seniority.

Also secondary ESOL teachers are in the classroom, I'm not sure what you mean by them have to go "back to the classroom".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes there were huge destaffs in ESOL and several people got put back in the classroom.

There are also a lot of AP destaffs.

These aren't destaffs. Destaffing is based on seniority and means someone loses their job. These our involuntary transfers which don't go by seniority.

Also secondary ESOL teachers are in the classroom, I'm not sure what you mean by them have to go "back to the classroom".

This is correct. These are administrative placements and outside of the destaff process.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DD is in 6th grade and her teacher quit back in December (she was a disaster). We've had a few long turn subs until a teacher was finally placed this week.

The class is already behind because of the last teacher and subs, so I was excited when she got her new teacher. However my daughter said the teacher is really quiet, and I have found out the teacher was forced to come to elementary. She was a high school ESOL teacher who has never taught elementary and didn't want to be moved.

Back in January we were told they were interviewing candidates, but I'm finding out now that wasn't true. I just don't understand how it's the best interest of the students who are already behind to force a high school teacher to teach elementary. I'm very frustrated and admin isn't responding to my specific questions. They are just saying the teacher is "qualified".

Has anyone else seen this before?

This is the counties solution to overstaffing in ESOL. Instead of destaffing ESOL teachers, they are going through their credentials and essentially "forcing" them to teach wherever there are openings in the county. It's not based on seniority, it's simply what credentials you have. I'm guessing this teacher has elementary education on her license, so they told her teach elementary or lose your teaching license, I wouldn't be happy with it.

Your admin didn't have a choice. Principals are not allowed to hire anyone right now and have to wait for these ESOL teachers to be placed. For some reason they think this is best for the students.

I'm sorry for your DD. Make sure she is reading at home, practicing math and maybe get some tutoring.

This is why as a teacher I refuse to just stack certifications. Some people get certified in 2-3 different areas to get hired but the caveat to that is they can then staff you in those areas. Don’t ever get certified in something you would not be ok teaching!

+1.

[Anonymous]

FWIW, when I was teaching we lost a slot in October. A teacher who was doing a terrific job with a very difficult class was cut--she was last hired. She ended up at another school. Wonderful teacher. She had been a sub before she was hired. Luckily for another school, she was able to transition there. And, the other first grade teachers at my school ended up with 5-6 more kids per class.

We had a teacher who knew she was moving out of the area with her husband in December and she refused to resign a month early because she knew her "rights."

Difficult year for the remaining teachers--and the kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:FWIW, when I was teaching we lost a slot in October. A teacher who was doing a terrific job with a very difficult class was cut--she was last hired. She ended up at another school. Wonderful teacher. She had been a sub before she was hired. Luckily for another school, she was able to transition there. And, the other first grade teachers at my school ended up with 5-6 more kids per class.

We had a teacher who knew she was moving out of the area with her husband in December and she refused to resign a month early because she knew her "rights."

Difficult year for the remaining teachers--and the kids.

Yeah your describing a destaff in regards to last hire. These are involuntary transfers, they just move you because of your credentials, seniority doesn't mean anything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It may be that the ESOL position was reduced if a lot of immigrant families were deported from that particular school. Since she’s young, I assume she was the last one hired, so the first one released due to caseload reduction, but surprising that it’s mid year.

I’m sorry your kid’s teacher left and is behind due to the long term subs. My kids are in high school and both have had disruptive years like this. Try not to stress too much. Keep your kid reading and learning at home and they’ll be ok.

FCPS is a disaster-we all have had years like this. I feel for the teacher who has been taken away from colleagues she knew well and students she formed relationships with this year. It's not ok FCPS. You are dealing with humans the students and teachers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This happened to a bunch of ESL teachers throughout the county and they were understandably upset.

Yup some had been at their school for years and some now have crazy commutes. But hey we should all be happy that Gatehouse people are nice and comfy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It may be that the ESOL position was reduced if a lot of immigrant families were deported from that particular school. Since she’s young, I assume she was the last one hired, so the first one released due to caseload reduction, but surprising that it’s mid year.

I’m sorry your kid’s teacher left and is behind due to the long term subs. My kids are in high school and both have had disruptive years like this. Try not to stress too much. Keep your kid reading and learning at home and they’ll be ok.

She's not young. Her bio said she has been in the county 18 years and at her last high school 11 years.

FCPS does not care about employees. They let us know daily.