WTU rallies for new contract

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:According to Perry Stein’s column, the prior contract gave teachers 225 minutes per week of planning time. Union wants more time. Chancellor says sticking point is compensation. Sounds to me like the union is trying to get more pay for teachers out of classroom time.

Could be. Could also be adding in protections so we actually get to use that time for planning. Admin was able to use our planning time for required meetings and it was included under the umbrella of “planning”.

For example, one year I had a grade level meeting one day/week during planning, a content related meeting one day/week during planning and an SEL meeting one day/week during planning. Leaves you about 90 minutes of contracted time to plan, grade, complete correspondence to families, meet with students, etc

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:According to Perry Stein’s column, the prior contract gave teachers 225 minutes per week of planning time. Union wants more time. Chancellor says sticking point is compensation. Sounds to me like the union is trying to get more pay for teachers out of classroom time.

Could be. Could also be adding in protections so we actually get to use that time for planning. Admin was able to use our planning time for required meetings and it was included under the umbrella of “planning”.

For example, one year I had a grade level meeting one day/week during planning, a content related meeting one day/week during planning and an SEL meeting one day/week during planning. Leaves you about 90 minutes of contracted time to plan, grade, complete correspondence to families, meet with students, etc

Yes - 225 mins is pretty standard but it is not protected and that time is then not used for planning and has to
Be made up later.

[Anonymous]

I sure hope the union is also advocating for IEP time to be “protected.” Although my DS’s teachers are very good, they made every effort to shirk IEP meetings and otherwise demonstrate the meetings were their lowest priority. Our consultant who has experience in another (unionized) school district was always remarking on how crazy it was that nobody would show up, or show up late, or leave after 10 minutes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I sure hope the union is also advocating for IEP time to be “protected.” Although my DS’s teachers are very good, they made every effort to shirk IEP meetings and otherwise demonstrate the meetings were their lowest priority. Our consultant who has experience in another (unionized) school district was always remarking on how crazy it was that nobody would show up, or show up late, or leave after 10 minutes.

This happens at my school quite a bit and it’s because other meetings are planned during the same time. A colleague got in trouble with admin for not going to a meeting about PARCC (which was only scheduled two days before ) because they went to an IEP meeting (scheduled two weeks in advance). It’s a lose/lose for teachers sometimes.

[Anonymous]

PP again but as a note it’s admin who doesn’t impact evaluations, not social workers so a teacher is more likely to miss those than a meeting with admin.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I sure hope the union is also advocating for IEP time to be “protected.” Although my DS’s teachers are very good, they made every effort to shirk IEP meetings and otherwise demonstrate the meetings were their lowest priority. Our consultant who has experience in another (unionized) school district was always remarking on how crazy it was that nobody would show up, or show up late, or leave after 10 minutes.

This happens at my school quite a bit and it’s because other meetings are planned during the same time. A colleague got in trouble with admin for not going to a meeting about PARCC (which was only scheduled two days before ) because they went to an IEP meeting (scheduled two weeks in advance). It’s a lose/lose for teachers sometimes.

So, as for leaving early, I do understand that. If I’m the math teacher and we moved to the part of the meeting discussing ELA goals, there’s really no purpose to me being in that meeting. It’s not a rudeness thing, it’s trying to balance multiple tasks at one time and giving attention to all of them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I sure hope the union is also advocating for IEP time to be “protected.” Although my DS’s teachers are very good, they made every effort to shirk IEP meetings and otherwise demonstrate the meetings were their lowest priority. Our consultant who has experience in another (unionized) school district was always remarking on how crazy it was that nobody would show up, or show up late, or leave after 10 minutes.

This happens at my school quite a bit and it’s because other meetings are planned during the same time. A colleague got in trouble with admin for not going to a meeting about PARCC (which was only scheduled two days before ) because they went to an IEP meeting (scheduled two weeks in advance). It’s a lose/lose for teachers sometimes.

So, as for leaving early, I do understand that. If I’m the math teacher and we moved to the part of the meeting discussing ELA goals, there’s really no purpose to me being in that meeting. It’s not a rudeness thing, it’s trying to balance multiple tasks at one time and giving attention to all of them.

Except a lot of times discussion about accomodations and supports cuts across all subjects. You’re part of the team.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I sure hope the union is also advocating for IEP time to be “protected.” Although my DS’s teachers are very good, they made every effort to shirk IEP meetings and otherwise demonstrate the meetings were their lowest priority. Our consultant who has experience in another (unionized) school district was always remarking on how crazy it was that nobody would show up, or show up late, or leave after 10 minutes.

This happens at my school quite a bit and it’s because other meetings are planned during the same time. A colleague got in trouble with admin for not going to a meeting about PARCC (which was only scheduled two days before ) because they went to an IEP meeting (scheduled two weeks in advance). It’s a lose/lose for teachers sometimes.

So, as for leaving early, I do understand that. If I’m the math teacher and we moved to the part of the meeting discussing ELA goals, there’s really no purpose to me being in that meeting. It’s not a rudeness thing, it’s trying to balance multiple tasks at one time and giving attention to all of them.

Except a lot of times discussion about accomodations and supports cuts across all subjects. You’re part of the team.

I’m aware and I contribute to that part of the discussion before leaving. When you’ve done this for a while, and have a good team you learn how to contribute to meetings and also be efficient with your time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP again but as a note it’s admin who doesn’t impact evaluations, not social workers so a teacher is more likely to miss those than a meeting with admin.

You may not realize this but DCPS is unique in its “IEP meetings are optional!” culture. The team members are supposed to be there, full stop. Hopefully WTU cares enough to bargain for this but I doubt it. Although if WTU gets protected prep time I’ll certainly feel better about expecting communications from teachers, since now they have the time set aside for it. I’m just very worried that making prep time less flexible will mean more shirking of IEP meetings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I sure hope the union is also advocating for IEP time to be “protected.” Although my DS’s teachers are very good, they made every effort to shirk IEP meetings and otherwise demonstrate the meetings were their lowest priority. Our consultant who has experience in another (unionized) school district was always remarking on how crazy it was that nobody would show up, or show up late, or leave after 10 minutes.

This happens at my school quite a bit and it’s because other meetings are planned during the same time. A colleague got in trouble with admin for not going to a meeting about PARCC (which was only scheduled two days before ) because they went to an IEP meeting (scheduled two weeks in advance). It’s a lose/lose for teachers sometimes.

So, as for leaving early, I do understand that. If I’m the math teacher and we moved to the part of the meeting discussing ELA goals, there’s really no purpose to me being in that meeting. It’s not a rudeness thing, it’s trying to balance multiple tasks at one time and giving attention to all of them.

Except a lot of times discussion about accomodations and supports cuts across all subjects. You’re part of the team.

I’m aware and I contribute to that part of the discussion before leaving. When you’ve done this for a while, and have a good team you learn how to contribute to meetings and also be efficient with your time.

You’re supposed to be at the meeting. The meeting is the right of the child under federal law, not something you are volunteering for. This is a really bad attitude.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I sure hope the union is also advocating for IEP time to be “protected.” Although my DS’s teachers are very good, they made every effort to shirk IEP meetings and otherwise demonstrate the meetings were their lowest priority. Our consultant who has experience in another (unionized) school district was always remarking on how crazy it was that nobody would show up, or show up late, or leave after 10 minutes.

This happens at my school quite a bit and it’s because other meetings are planned during the same time. A colleague got in trouble with admin for not going to a meeting about PARCC (which was only scheduled two days before ) because they went to an IEP meeting (scheduled two weeks in advance). It’s a lose/lose for teachers sometimes.

So, as for leaving early, I do understand that. If I’m the math teacher and we moved to the part of the meeting discussing ELA goals, there’s really no purpose to me being in that meeting. It’s not a rudeness thing, it’s trying to balance multiple tasks at one time and giving attention to all of them.

Except a lot of times discussion about accomodations and supports cuts across all subjects. You’re part of the team.

I’m aware and I contribute to that part of the discussion before leaving. When you’ve done this for a while, and have a good team you learn how to contribute to meetings and also be efficient with your time.

You’re supposed to be at the meeting. The meeting is the right of the child under federal law, not something you are volunteering for. This is a really bad attitude.

Look I’m just going to be honest you lecturing me here isn’t doing anything. The fact of the matter is it’s one of 20 items on my plate during my 45 minutes of getting things done and often eating lunch. It is what it is. Hopefully the new contract finds ways to be more respectful of teacher time so I can give more energy and attention to meetings but the reality it isn’t there.

Again, there’s a difference in theory and in practice. Our rights are constantly violated so miss me with federal law

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I sure hope the union is also advocating for IEP time to be “protected.” Although my DS’s teachers are very good, they made every effort to shirk IEP meetings and otherwise demonstrate the meetings were their lowest priority. Our consultant who has experience in another (unionized) school district was always remarking on how crazy it was that nobody would show up, or show up late, or leave after 10 minutes.

This happens at my school quite a bit and it’s because other meetings are planned during the same time. A colleague got in trouble with admin for not going to a meeting about PARCC (which was only scheduled two days before ) because they went to an IEP meeting (scheduled two weeks in advance). It’s a lose/lose for teachers sometimes.

So, as for leaving early, I do understand that. If I’m the math teacher and we moved to the part of the meeting discussing ELA goals, there’s really no purpose to me being in that meeting. It’s not a rudeness thing, it’s trying to balance multiple tasks at one time and giving attention to all of them.

Except a lot of times discussion about accomodations and supports cuts across all subjects. You’re part of the team.

I’m aware and I contribute to that part of the discussion before leaving. When you’ve done this for a while, and have a good team you learn how to contribute to meetings and also be efficient with your time.

You’re supposed to be at the meeting. The meeting is the right of the child under federal law, not something you are volunteering for. This is a really bad attitude.

Look I’m just going to be honest you lecturing me here isn’t doing anything. The fact of the matter is it’s one of 20 items on my plate during my 45 minutes of getting things done and often eating lunch. It is what it is. Hopefully the new contract finds ways to be more respectful of teacher time so I can give more energy and attention to meetings but the reality it isn’t there.

Again, there’s a difference in theory and in practice. Our rights are constantly violated so miss me with federal law

Also, the meetings sometimes happen while the teacher is in class. If there is no sub, and admin says you have 10 minutes in this meeting while an AP covers your class, what are you supposed to do? Refuse to leave the meeting and then leave the kids unsupervised? Argue with admin, which would just lead to them hurting you on evaluations for "not being a team player"?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I sure hope the union is also advocating for IEP time to be “protected.” Although my DS’s teachers are very good, they made every effort to shirk IEP meetings and otherwise demonstrate the meetings were their lowest priority. Our consultant who has experience in another (unionized) school district was always remarking on how crazy it was that nobody would show up, or show up late, or leave after 10 minutes.

This happens at my school quite a bit and it’s because other meetings are planned during the same time. A colleague got in trouble with admin for not going to a meeting about PARCC (which was only scheduled two days before ) because they went to an IEP meeting (scheduled two weeks in advance). It’s a lose/lose for teachers sometimes.

So, as for leaving early, I do understand that. If I’m the math teacher and we moved to the part of the meeting discussing ELA goals, there’s really no purpose to me being in that meeting. It’s not a rudeness thing, it’s trying to balance multiple tasks at one time and giving attention to all of them.

Except a lot of times discussion about accomodations and supports cuts across all subjects. You’re part of the team.

I’m aware and I contribute to that part of the discussion before leaving. When you’ve done this for a while, and have a good team you learn how to contribute to meetings and also be efficient with your time.

You’re supposed to be at the meeting. The meeting is the right of the child under federal law, not something you are volunteering for. This is a really bad attitude.

Look I’m just going to be honest you lecturing me here isn’t doing anything. The fact of the matter is it’s one of 20 items on my plate during my 45 minutes of getting things done and often eating lunch. It is what it is. Hopefully the new contract finds ways to be more respectful of teacher time so I can give more energy and attention to meetings but the reality it isn’t there.

Again, there’s a difference in theory and in practice. Our rights are constantly violated so miss me with federal law

Also, the meetings sometimes happen while the teacher is in class. If there is no sub, and admin says you have 10 minutes in this meeting while an AP covers your class, what are you supposed to do? Refuse to leave the meeting and then leave the kids unsupervised? Argue with admin, which would just lead to them hurting you on evaluations for "not being a team player"?

Right, exactly. The person above is trying to get water from a stone. I maintain a great relationship with my families that had students with IEPs and still keep in touch with them through HS (I teach ES). Me running out of an IEP meeting bc I have many other responsibilities to tend to at the same time is not indicative of a bad attitude or lack of care for your child. It’s the reality of being a public school teacher

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I sure hope the union is also advocating for IEP time to be “protected.” Although my DS’s teachers are very good, they made every effort to shirk IEP meetings and otherwise demonstrate the meetings were their lowest priority. Our consultant who has experience in another (unionized) school district was always remarking on how crazy it was that nobody would show up, or show up late, or leave after 10 minutes.

This happens at my school quite a bit and it’s because other meetings are planned during the same time. A colleague got in trouble with admin for not going to a meeting about PARCC (which was only scheduled two days before ) because they went to an IEP meeting (scheduled two weeks in advance). It’s a lose/lose for teachers sometimes.

So, as for leaving early, I do understand that. If I’m the math teacher and we moved to the part of the meeting discussing ELA goals, there’s really no purpose to me being in that meeting. It’s not a rudeness thing, it’s trying to balance multiple tasks at one time and giving attention to all of them.

Except a lot of times discussion about accomodations and supports cuts across all subjects. You’re part of the team.

I’m aware and I contribute to that part of the discussion before leaving. When you’ve done this for a while, and have a good team you learn how to contribute to meetings and also be efficient with your time.

You’re supposed to be at the meeting. The meeting is the right of the child under federal law, not something you are volunteering for. This is a really bad attitude.

Look I’m just going to be honest you lecturing me here isn’t doing anything. The fact of the matter is it’s one of 20 items on my plate during my 45 minutes of getting things done and often eating lunch. It is what it is. Hopefully the new contract finds ways to be more respectful of teacher time so I can give more energy and attention to meetings but the reality it isn’t there.

Again, there’s a difference in theory and in practice. Our rights are constantly violated so miss me with federal law

Also, the meetings sometimes happen while the teacher is in class. If there is no sub, and admin says you have 10 minutes in this meeting while an AP covers your class, what are you supposed to do? Refuse to leave the meeting and then leave the kids unsupervised? Argue with admin, which would just lead to them hurting you on evaluations for "not being a team player"?

Why doesn’t WTU bargain for this? Making planning time more protected means that it will be even harder to get someone to cover the class. DCPS and WTU need to stop treating IEP meetings like optional extras. As I said, other districts don’t do this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I sure hope the union is also advocating for IEP time to be “protected.” Although my DS’s teachers are very good, they made every effort to shirk IEP meetings and otherwise demonstrate the meetings were their lowest priority. Our consultant who has experience in another (unionized) school district was always remarking on how crazy it was that nobody would show up, or show up late, or leave after 10 minutes.

This happens at my school quite a bit and it’s because other meetings are planned during the same time. A colleague got in trouble with admin for not going to a meeting about PARCC (which was only scheduled two days before ) because they went to an IEP meeting (scheduled two weeks in advance). It’s a lose/lose for teachers sometimes.

So, as for leaving early, I do understand that. If I’m the math teacher and we moved to the part of the meeting discussing ELA goals, there’s really no purpose to me being in that meeting. It’s not a rudeness thing, it’s trying to balance multiple tasks at one time and giving attention to all of them.

Except a lot of times discussion about accomodations and supports cuts across all subjects. You’re part of the team.

I’m aware and I contribute to that part of the discussion before leaving. When you’ve done this for a while, and have a good team you learn how to contribute to meetings and also be efficient with your time.

You’re supposed to be at the meeting. The meeting is the right of the child under federal law, not something you are volunteering for. This is a really bad attitude.

Look I’m just going to be honest you lecturing me here isn’t doing anything. The fact of the matter is it’s one of 20 items on my plate during my 45 minutes of getting things done and often eating lunch. It is what it is. Hopefully the new contract finds ways to be more respectful of teacher time so I can give more energy and attention to meetings but the reality it isn’t there.

Again, there’s a difference in theory and in practice. Our rights are constantly violated so miss me with federal law

Also, the meetings sometimes happen while the teacher is in class. If there is no sub, and admin says you have 10 minutes in this meeting while an AP covers your class, what are you supposed to do? Refuse to leave the meeting and then leave the kids unsupervised? Argue with admin, which would just lead to them hurting you on evaluations for "not being a team player"?

Right, exactly. The person above is trying to get water from a stone. I maintain a great relationship with my families that had students with IEPs and still keep in touch with them through HS (I teach ES). Me running out of an IEP meeting bc I have many other responsibilities to tend to at the same time is not indicative of a bad attitude or lack of care for your child. It’s the reality of being a public school teacher

It’s indicative of DCPS and WTU not caring about SN kids. Those meetings are important. They are not afterthoughts. And if you run out I will call another one.