WaPo: How D.C. and its teachers, with shifting plans and demands, failed to reopen schools

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But the blame goes to all of you, too. Where were you? Who organized parents to reopen like in NYC? This has been a huge disappointment. You’d think reading DCUM that plenty of parents are angry and fired up, but there wasn’t any public pressure? A petition, one article in the WaPo, and that’s it?

Are you too scared to stick your neck out?

“ The result: Teachers were applying maximum pressure to stay closed, but there was virtually no public pressure to reopen.”

+10000 we need more public pressure & protest, it’s the only thing that seems to work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Problem is that teachers have a lot of power here. There is a national teacher shortage. If we fire all the teachers, we will be in an even worse off position. Alienating teachers and principals was a very stupid move by the mayor and chancellor. I don’t fully blame teachers as the US worships at the altar of capitalism and why wouldn’t teachers act in their own best interests.

Teachers don’t actually have much power here.

1.) Teachers in DC are — by a mile — the best paid in America. It’s not uncommon for teachers to make six figures.

2.) If they quit, who is going to hire them? Governments across the country are cutting their budgets. Who is going to hire thousands of teachers suddenly on the market.

3.) In most of the country, schools are back in session — IN PERSON. Many of the places that might hire DC teachers who quit would require them to go back to the classroom.

Bowser should call their bluff and tell teachers who refuse to show up for work are fired immediately. 98 percent would show up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Problem is that teachers have a lot of power here. There is a national teacher shortage. If we fire all the teachers, we will be in an even worse off position. Alienating teachers and principals was a very stupid move by the mayor and chancellor. I don’t fully blame teachers as the US worships at the altar of capitalism and why wouldn’t teachers act in their own best interests.

Teachers don’t actually have much power here.

1.) Teachers in DC are — by a mile — the best paid in America. It’s not uncommon for teachers to make six figures.

2.) If they quit, who is going to hire them? Governments across the country are cutting their budgets. Who is going to hire thousands of teachers suddenly on the market.

3.) In most of the country, schools are back in session — IN PERSON. Many of the places that might hire DC teachers who quit would require them to go back to the classroom.

Bowser should call their bluff and tell teachers who refuse to show up for work are fired immediately. 98 percent would show up.

+1

[Anonymous]

FFX teachers threatened to quit too. Only 17 actually quit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:FFX teachers threatened to quit too. Only 17 actually quit.

Not DCPS. We STILL don't have some teaching positions filled. And as a sped teacher believe me I can get a job anywhere, I also have a job as an adjunct professor so it wouldn't be a huge loss.
But let's be real, why quit because of a bunch of privileged parents? I won't be teaching in person until the next school year or term 4 (IF I decide to and IF the majority of my families want it)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But the blame goes to all of you, too. Where were you? Who organized parents to reopen like in NYC? This has been a huge disappointment. You’d think reading DCUM that plenty of parents are angry and fired up, but there wasn’t any public pressure? A petition, one article in the WaPo, and that’s it?

Are you too scared to stick your neck out?

“ The result: Teachers were applying maximum pressure to stay closed, but there was virtually no public pressure to reopen.”

+10000 we need more public pressure & protest, it’s the only thing that seems to work.

If public pressure and protest haven't started by now, it might be time to ask yourself why more people don't seem to agree with you that schools should reopen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But the blame goes to all of you, too. Where were you? Who organized parents to reopen like in NYC? This has been a huge disappointment. You’d think reading DCUM that plenty of parents are angry and fired up, but there wasn’t any public pressure? A petition, one article in the WaPo, and that’s it?

Are you too scared to stick your neck out?

“ The result: Teachers were applying maximum pressure to stay closed, but there was virtually no public pressure to reopen.”

+10000 we need more public pressure & protest, it’s the only thing that seems to work.

If public pressure and protest haven't started by now, it might be time to ask yourself why more people don't seem to agree with you that schools should reopen.

Most parents I know were (are) in emergency mode, but expect DCPS schools to start opening in spring. Take your time to read all the 150+ comments on this thread. Believe me, pressure is mounting and will continue to mount if DCPS fails to open schools by 21.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But the blame goes to all of you, too. Where were you? Who organized parents to reopen like in NYC? This has been a huge disappointment. You’d think reading DCUM that plenty of parents are angry and fired up, but there wasn’t any public pressure? A petition, one article in the WaPo, and that’s it?

Are you too scared to stick your neck out?

“ The result: Teachers were applying maximum pressure to stay closed, but there was virtually no public pressure to reopen.”

Well, this isn't an excuse, it's just an explanation:

Many MC and UMC white parents who wanted schools to re-open were shamed by WTU and by a small minority of parents supporting the teacher's union into staying quiet. We were threatened with the prospect of being labeled racist, Trump/DeVos supporters, and suffering the social and community consequences. We were afraid to speak up because wanting schools open was effectively equated with things like being a Covid denier, voting for Trump, hating unions, and not caring about POC. So we stayed quiet.

That this whole debate happened on the heels of a summer of BLM protests, and a real reckoning for white people, compounded the issue. We genuinely wondered whether advocating for our kids was an okay thing to do. Especially since survey after survey showed that white parents were far more likely to support re-opening. So many of us because uncertain in our convictions. I know I did. I was afraid to speak out, and I was effectively shamed by the union and other parents into believing that I needed to suck it up and stop complaining. That's a big reason I post on this board instead of taking a more vocal position at my school or in the community. In those places, I let other voices take the lead because I don't want to be seen as an entitled white person. But here, I tell the truth.

I'm not proud of this but I also don't know what the solution is, because as you can see, anyone who advocates for reopening is indeed accused of being a tone-deaf, privileged white person who doesn't care about POC or teachers. I have live in my community and my kid has to go to school, and I can't risk becoming a pariah.

I appreciate the self-reflection, and I think you know this already, but kindly, you’re a big part of the problem. I was a loud voice at my charter advocating to reopen. Maybe some have labeled me a pariah, but I’m proud of what I tried to do. Science and history will be on my side in this. I wish more parents had voiced their support instead is being honest here instead—which is useless.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But the blame goes to all of you, too. Where were you? Who organized parents to reopen like in NYC? This has been a huge disappointment. You’d think reading DCUM that plenty of parents are angry and fired up, but there wasn’t any public pressure? A petition, one article in the WaPo, and that’s it?

Are you too scared to stick your neck out?

“ The result: Teachers were applying maximum pressure to stay closed, but there was virtually no public pressure to reopen.”

+10000 we need more public pressure & protest, it’s the only thing that seems to work.

If public pressure and protest haven't started by now, it might be time to ask yourself why more people don't seem to agree with you that schools should reopen.

We've discussed the reasons already: virus fear, political partisanship and shaming, ability to find private solutions such as pods and tutors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But the blame goes to all of you, too. Where were you? Who organized parents to reopen like in NYC? This has been a huge disappointment. You’d think reading DCUM that plenty of parents are angry and fired up, but there wasn’t any public pressure? A petition, one article in the WaPo, and that’s it?

Are you too scared to stick your neck out?

“ The result: Teachers were applying maximum pressure to stay closed, but there was virtually no public pressure to reopen.”

Well, this isn't an excuse, it's just an explanation:

Many MC and UMC white parents who wanted schools to re-open were shamed by WTU and by a small minority of parents supporting the teacher's union into staying quiet. We were threatened with the prospect of being labeled racist, Trump/DeVos supporters, and suffering the social and community consequences. We were afraid to speak up because wanting schools open was effectively equated with things like being a Covid denier, voting for Trump, hating unions, and not caring about POC. So we stayed quiet.

That this whole debate happened on the heels of a summer of BLM protests, and a real reckoning for white people, compounded the issue. We genuinely wondered whether advocating for our kids was an okay thing to do. Especially since survey after survey showed that white parents were far more likely to support re-opening. So many of us because uncertain in our convictions. I know I did. I was afraid to speak out, and I was effectively shamed by the union and other parents into believing that I needed to suck it up and stop complaining. That's a big reason I post on this board instead of taking a more vocal position at my school or in the community. In those places, I let other voices take the lead because I don't want to be seen as an entitled white person. But here, I tell the truth.

I'm not proud of this but I also don't know what the solution is, because as you can see, anyone who advocates for reopening is indeed accused of being a tone-deaf, privileged white person who doesn't care about POC or teachers. I have live in my community and my kid has to go to school, and I can't risk becoming a pariah.

I appreciate the self-reflection, and I think you know this already, but kindly, you’re a big part of the problem. I was a loud voice at my charter advocating to reopen. Maybe some have labeled me a pariah, but I’m proud of what I tried to do. Science and history will be on my side in this. I wish more parents had voiced their support instead is being honest here instead—which is useless.

How have DC charters navigated the school opening issue? I ask as a newcomer to this debate because I'm applying for preK 3 for 21-22, and I want to make sure I list charters that have at least attempted to do something about getting kids back in school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Problem is that teachers have a lot of power here. There is a national teacher shortage. If we fire all the teachers, we will be in an even worse off position. Alienating teachers and principals was a very stupid move by the mayor and chancellor. I don’t fully blame teachers as the US worships at the altar of capitalism and why wouldn’t teachers act in their own best interests.

Teachers don’t actually have much power here.

1.) Teachers in DC are — by a mile — the best paid in America. It’s not uncommon for teachers to make six figures.

2.) If they quit, who is going to hire them? Governments across the country are cutting their budgets. Who is going to hire thousands of teachers suddenly on the market.

3.) In most of the country, schools are back in session — IN PERSON. Many of the places that might hire DC teachers who quit would require them to go back to the classroom.

Bowser should call their bluff and tell teachers who refuse to show up for work are fired immediately. 98 percent would show up.

You are not living in reality. Teachers hold a lot of power. Very hard to replace these days. That is the reality. Bowser knows it and that’s why she only goes so far

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Problem is that teachers have a lot of power here. There is a national teacher shortage. If we fire all the teachers, we will be in an even worse off position. Alienating teachers and principals was a very stupid move by the mayor and chancellor. I don’t fully blame teachers as the US worships at the altar of capitalism and why wouldn’t teachers act in their own best interests.

Teachers don’t actually have much power here.

1.) Teachers in DC are — by a mile — the best paid in America. It’s not uncommon for teachers to make six figures.

2.) If they quit, who is going to hire them? Governments across the country are cutting their budgets. Who is going to hire thousands of teachers suddenly on the market.

3.) In most of the country, schools are back in session — IN PERSON. Many of the places that might hire DC teachers who quit would require them to go back to the classroom.

Bowser should call their bluff and tell teachers who refuse to show up for work are fired immediately. 98 percent would show up.

Only she cant fire any of them. the union forbids firing for demanding work.

[Anonymous]

this also means probably evan more DCPS parents are going to leave for Charters. since its clear DPCS has no clue what they are doing and just making that case the charter schools are better for kids.
The pandemic is going to erase the gains DCPS was actually making over the last ten years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:this also means probably evan more DCPS parents are going to leave for Charters. since its clear DPCS has no clue what they are doing and just making that case the charter schools are better for kids.
The pandemic is going to erase the gains DCPS was actually making over the last ten years.

That's for sure on multiple levels.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:this also means probably evan more DCPS parents are going to leave for Charters. since its clear DPCS has no clue what they are doing and just making that case the charter schools are better for kids.
The pandemic is going to erase the gains DCPS was actually making over the last ten years.

This is not true. The parents squawking to reopen schools would only send their DCs to a handful of charters, most of which have outrageously long waitlists. They paid $$$$ for those Wilson feeders! More likely they’ll move to MD...which is also still fully virtual.