WTU rallies for new contract

[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"?

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.

Why are you blaming the WTU for this? The lengths some parents go. I’m sure they have tried but again, water from a stone.

[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"?

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.

Bargain for a what, exactly? That teachers be required to attend IEP meetings? Teachers are required to attend IEP meeting. That subs be provided for IEP meetings? Teachers would love for there to be sub coverage for IEP meetings, sick days, and everything else, but WTU can't force that. DCPS needs to figure out how to get more subs. Why isn't admin covering for the full IEP meeting? I don't know - if they have me more time to be in an IEP meeting, I would most definitely stay. I don't see how that could be forced by contract, though. Many principals don't care one bit about the contract until a grievance is filed. If it's in the contract, we could file a grievance if they don't let us attend IEP meetings, but that will just get us back pay or the principal a slap on the wrist. It won't help your child one bit, and won't stop it from happening again. If you have a suggestion of what to bargain for, I will happily bring it to WTU leadership, if they'll even listen to me, but I don't see what to bargain for in the contract.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

It’s indicative of an under resourced and over scheduled school system. You are certainly entitled to call as many as you want. If I have other things to do I will have to get them done. We don’t live in a utopian society where everything works as it should friend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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"?

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.

Why are you blaming the WTU for this? The lengths some parents go. I’m sure they have tried but again, water from a stone.

Somehow DCPS has done a masterful job of convincing upper middle class parents that all of the teachers in the district are out to destroy their children, that all the problems in the schools are entirely the fault of the teachers. Parents have so bought into the idea that there are no systemic issues on this city, or that what issues there are are caused by the WTU. I'm not going to defend WTU that hard - leadership of the WTU is horrible, uncoordinated, and seemingly only in it for themselves, and this does hurt the system and the kids. But WTU is not creating those systems, or the systemic issues inherent in them. They don't have enough organization in the leadership to run that massive of a con on DCPS. The systemic issues stem from the leadership of DCPS, and WTU aides and condones the failures, either directly, or at least tacitly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They are absolutely evil to be threatening to strike.

No one threatened to strike. 🙄

[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"?

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.

Parent here. You are being ridiculous and you know it. Teachers have 50 different things on their plate and you want them to prioritize your precious child above everything else. Maybe try to empathize where they are coming from.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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"?

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.

Why are you blaming the WTU for this? The lengths some parents go. I’m sure they have tried but again, water from a stone.

Because IEP meetings are not “water from a stone.” They are legally required with a specific set of procedures about who needs to attend and timing, and how a team member can be excused. So you’d think WTU would want to give some input about protecting the time these meetings happen and even obtaining more time for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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"?

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.

Parent here. You are being ridiculous and you know it. Teachers have 50 different things on their plate and you want them to prioritize your precious child above everything else. Maybe try to empathize where they are coming from.

Nope. These meetings are legally required, not optional. They need to be a top priority. DCPS culture is that they are optional, which is not the case in other places.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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"?

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.

Why are you blaming the WTU for this? The lengths some parents go. I’m sure they have tried but again, water from a stone.

Somehow DCPS has done a masterful job of convincing upper middle class parents that all of the teachers in the district are out to destroy their children, that all the problems in the schools are entirely the fault of the teachers. Parents have so bought into the idea that there are no systemic issues on this city, or that what issues there are are caused by the WTU. I'm not going to defend WTU that hard - leadership of the WTU is horrible, uncoordinated, and seemingly only in it for themselves, and this does hurt the system and the kids. But WTU is not creating those systems, or the systemic issues inherent in them. They don't have enough organization in the leadership to run that massive of a con on DCPS. The systemic issues stem from the leadership of DCPS, and WTU aides and condones the failures, either directly, or at least tacitly.

WTU could bargain for protected time for IEP meetings and other communications/planning for services. Especially given that planning time is apparently a big bargaining issue right now, it is absolutely appropriate to want WTU to include it. DCPS obviously has its own responsibilities here, but if WTU doesn’t agree to any flexibility on planning time to address IEPs, then the already chaotic coordination and short-shrifting of IEP planning is just going to get worse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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"?

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.

Why are you blaming the WTU for this? The lengths some parents go. I’m sure they have tried but again, water from a stone.

Because IEP meetings are not “water from a stone.” They are legally required with a specific set of procedures about who needs to attend and timing, and how a team member can be excused. So you’d think WTU would want to give some input about protecting the time these meetings happen and even obtaining more time for them.

Have you been in the bargaining meetings? You’re making some pretty serious claims based on nothing. Of course the WTU is bargaining for more planning time. That is what I posted along with the WAPO article.
Your “nope” towards empathy is sad to me. I attend the meetings as is my legal requirement. There is no legal requirement that I have to sit in for x amount of minutes or for all of the sections.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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"?

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.

Why are you blaming the WTU for this? The lengths some parents go. I’m sure they have tried but again, water from a stone.

Somehow DCPS has done a masterful job of convincing upper middle class parents that all of the teachers in the district are out to destroy their children, that all the problems in the schools are entirely the fault of the teachers. Parents have so bought into the idea that there are no systemic issues on this city, or that what issues there are are caused by the WTU. I'm not going to defend WTU that hard - leadership of the WTU is horrible, uncoordinated, and seemingly only in it for themselves, and this does hurt the system and the kids. But WTU is not creating those systems, or the systemic issues inherent in them. They don't have enough organization in the leadership to run that massive of a con on DCPS. The systemic issues stem from the leadership of DCPS, and WTU aides and condones the failures, either directly, or at least tacitly.

WTU did a masterful job of losing UMC parents during the pandemic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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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.

Why are you blaming the WTU for this? The lengths some parents go. I’m sure they have tried but again, water from a stone.

Because IEP meetings are not “water from a stone.” They are legally required with a specific set of procedures about who needs to attend and timing, and how a team member can be excused. So you’d think WTU would want to give some input about protecting the time these meetings happen and even obtaining more time for them.

Have you been in the bargaining meetings? You’re making some pretty serious claims based on nothing. Of course the WTU is bargaining for more planning time. That is what I posted along with the WAPO article.
Your “nope” towards empathy is sad to me. I attend the meetings as is my legal requirement. There is no legal requirement that I have to sit in for x amount of minutes or for all of the sections.

The meeting is the meeting. The regulations say you actually have to be excused in writing with the consent of the parents. I have empathy, but not for the disregard of IDEA that is rampant at DCPS. It all flows together- if teachers believe they can leave IEP meetings at will, then they also believe they can do whatever they want with IEP implementation.

I would love to know how IEP time is being discussed during bargaining. Let me know if you have any insight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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"?

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.

Why are you blaming the WTU for this? The lengths some parents go. I’m sure they have tried but again, water from a stone.

Because IEP meetings are not “water from a stone.” They are legally required with a specific set of procedures about who needs to attend and timing, and how a team member can be excused. So you’d think WTU would want to give some input about protecting the time these meetings happen and even obtaining more time for them.

Have you been in the bargaining meetings? You’re making some pretty serious claims based on nothing. Of course the WTU is bargaining for more planning time. That is what I posted along with the WAPO article.
Your “nope” towards empathy is sad to me. I attend the meetings as is my legal requirement. There is no legal requirement that I have to sit in for x amount of minutes or for all of the sections.

The meeting is the meeting. The regulations say you actually have to be excused in writing with the consent of the parents. I have empathy, but not for the disregard of IDEA that is rampant at DCPS. It all flows together- if teachers believe they can leave IEP meetings at will, then they also believe they can do whatever they want with IEP implementation.

I would love to know how IEP time is being discussed during bargaining. Let me know if you have any insight.

Just because you say something such as the bolded doesn’t make it true. I can be very engaged in a students IEP implementation without hearing the 15-20 minutes of the report being discussed about the child’s performance in a subject I do not teach. 15-20 minutes may seem small to you but in reality that is 50% of my planning time during that day.

I dont think I’ll convince you and it sounds like you’ve had a bad experience so I’m sorry for that. I just don’t believe for a second that I would do a better job implementing your child’s IEP by sitting and pretending to listen to something that has nothing to do with what I actually need to do. I can read the report anytime I need that refresher

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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"?

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.

Why are you blaming the WTU for this? The lengths some parents go. I’m sure they have tried but again, water from a stone.

Because IEP meetings are not “water from a stone.” They are legally required with a specific set of procedures about who needs to attend and timing, and how a team member can be excused. So you’d think WTU would want to give some input about protecting the time these meetings happen and even obtaining more time for them.

Have you been in the bargaining meetings? You’re making some pretty serious claims based on nothing. Of course the WTU is bargaining for more planning time. That is what I posted along with the WAPO article.
Your “nope” towards empathy is sad to me. I attend the meetings as is my legal requirement. There is no legal requirement that I have to sit in for x amount of minutes or for all of the sections.

The meeting is the meeting. The regulations say you actually have to be excused in writing with the consent of the parents. I have empathy, but not for the disregard of IDEA that is rampant at DCPS. It all flows together- if teachers believe they can leave IEP meetings at will, then they also believe they can do whatever they want with IEP implementation.

I would love to know how IEP time is being discussed during bargaining. Let me know if you have any insight.

Just because you say something such as the bolded doesn’t make it true. I can be very engaged in a students IEP implementation without hearing the 15-20 minutes of the report being discussed about the child’s performance in a subject I do not teach. 15-20 minutes may seem small to you but in reality that is 50% of my planning time during that day.

I dont think I’ll convince you and it sounds like you’ve had a bad experience so I’m sorry for that. I just don’t believe for a second that I would do a better job implementing your child’s IEP by sitting and pretending to listen to something that has nothing to do with what I actually need to do. I can read the report anytime I need that refresher

That might be fine, but it’s supposed to be decided in advance, in writing. IEP meetings are supposed to be planned and coordinated, not chaotic with people randomly coming in and out. And the IEP meeting is where the team - the whole team - is supposed to discuss the child and the supports needed. It’s not supposed to be fractured. You need to hear if a technique one professional is using may be needed for you as well. I’m not against having an agenda where this kind of collaboration happens up front then teachers can be excused after their section, but it should be planned- and that’s what the regs require too.

I’m sure WTU will be very legalistic about protecting every aspect of the contract wrt teacher time, so I don’t find it at all inappropriate to want the letter of federal regs to be followed as well.

[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"?

My school ALWAYS schedules them when the teacher is supposed to be in class teaching. Sometimes the SPED coordinator doesn't include the teacher in coordinating the meeting with the family. Sometimes I get the feeling that this is on purpose because she would rather not have the teachers there. Anyways, If there is no sub (and there aren't) what is the teacher supposed to do?