What is the disciplinary process like for teachers in MCPS?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I asked my retired teacher mom about this and she said she was probably sent to training to correct the problem.

I think your mom is really old. This doesn't happen in MCPS.

NP. Really? Do they just either fire them or do nothing? It seems like retraining would be a good thing for questionable/inappropriate behavior that falls short of being a fireable offense.

It'll be a confidential personnel matter. DCUM won't be in a position to know about the details. (Sorry, DCUM)

[Anonymous]

Really, nobody is going to explain the process? Okay, here it is.

For actual, but small, screw-ups, the teacher can get a Disciplinary Letter, which outlines what they did and what part of the code of conduct they violated. It's all official and they have to sign it acknowledging receipt and it goes in their personnel file, and could be used as part of a justification to force the teacher to make some move they don't want to (change grade levels, change subjects, etc).

For general sucking as a teacher, the teacher can be placed on a professional growth plan, which means extra supervision and they have to do some extra stuff like pre-submitting lesson plans, meeting with the staff developer and/or other content leaders (reading specialist, math coach), depending on their area of need. At the end of the year, they have to show growth or meet the standards of the PGP, or they will be placed on PAR for the next year (Peer Assistance Review).

All MCPS teachers are on PAR for their first year. They have a mentor within the school with whom they meet regularly, and they have a consulting teacher, who conducts observations and then meets with the teacher, and also reports in with the principal. Teachers who suck can also be placed on PAR. At the end of the year, if they haven't met standards, the teacher is fired and cannot work in MCPS again. Yes, it happens.

For OP's case, if the teacher really does have mental illness, they may be taking extended leave, which they can do if they have enough sick leave saved. Or they could be on unpaid leave. If there's an issue with substance abuse, the teacher is given a choice to ask for help or resign. If they ask for help, they can take unpaid or paid leave (paid if they have it, unpaid if they don't) to attempt treatment without losing their employment.

If the teacher is just terrible at management and inappropriately mean to the students, that would probably be a PGP option, which not every teacher appreciates. It could be that the teacher got that option and is taking leave to get away and figure out next steps.

It was really fun to read all the "I heard..." and "I think..." and "Someone at my kid's school said..." responses with no evidence to back it up. And, of course, gotta have that teachers' union bashing or is it even a thread?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The one thing MCPS does respond to is bad press. You should post about it on social media or contact local reporters.

They haven’t responded to yesterday’s bad press on Fox News, about the math teacher at NBMS. It’s Fox garbage, but also her real posts on SM. It’s a complicated story and I’m undecided on whether MCPS should respond.

[Anonymous]

What did she post? What I saw was just paraphrased but even so didn't seem worthy of the reaction.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What did she post? What I saw was just paraphrased but even so didn't seem worthy of the reaction.

Most of it is personal beliefs on some controversial topics. Some is just weird and maybe twisted by Fox (all boys should get vasectomies at birth?). Claims of indoctrinating students is probably what deserves a response from the school - saying it’s not true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When a poor teacher was confronted by the principal at DC's school after a tsunami of parent complaints she disappeared for a while and I was told it was due to some union advice like a mini-strike type thing.

We heard she still got paid and it wasn't an administrative leave. I think it's how the union operates. It's like terrorism. They can't replace the teacher and the class doesn't have a teacher which creates a huge problem for the school.

Funny, there is this other thread about "why you parents believe your kid's lies", and here we have folks saying crazy stuff and other's believing.

There is no such thing as a mini strike: if the teacher doesn't show, it's a breach of contract. End of story.

Also, it's the union's legal duty to represent the teacher, no matter how egregious the issue. Just like it's any lawyer's duty to defend their client, no matter how egregious the crime.

It's a long slow process to get rid of a teacher; but then it's easier to get rid of a bad teacher than a bad cop! Talk about crazy employee rights based on union contracts!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Really, nobody is going to explain the process? Okay, here it is.

For actual, but small, screw-ups, the teacher can get a Disciplinary Letter, which outlines what they did and what part of the code of conduct they violated. It's all official and they have to sign it acknowledging receipt and it goes in their personnel file, and could be used as part of a justification to force the teacher to make some move they don't want to (change grade levels, change subjects, etc).

For general sucking as a teacher, the teacher can be placed on a professional growth plan, which means extra supervision and they have to do some extra stuff like pre-submitting lesson plans, meeting with the staff developer and/or other content leaders (reading specialist, math coach), depending on their area of need. At the end of the year, they have to show growth or meet the standards of the PGP, or they will be placed on PAR for the next year (Peer Assistance Review).

All MCPS teachers are on PAR for their first year. They have a mentor within the school with whom they meet regularly, and they have a consulting teacher, who conducts observations and then meets with the teacher, and also reports in with the principal. Teachers who suck can also be placed on PAR. At the end of the year, if they haven't met standards, the teacher is fired and cannot work in MCPS again. Yes, it happens.

For OP's case, if the teacher really does have mental illness, they may be taking extended leave, which they can do if they have enough sick leave saved. Or they could be on unpaid leave. If there's an issue with substance abuse, the teacher is given a choice to ask for help or resign. If they ask for help, they can take unpaid or paid leave (paid if they have it, unpaid if they don't) to attempt treatment without losing their employment.

If the teacher is just terrible at management and inappropriately mean to the students, that would probably be a PGP option, which not every teacher appreciates. It could be that the teacher got that option and is taking leave to get away and figure out next steps.

It was really fun to read all the "I heard..." and "I think..." and "Someone at my kid's school said..." responses with no evidence to back it up. And, of course, gotta have that teachers' union bashing or is it even a thread?

No justification is needed to do that. A principal can switch your grade level or make you swap between subjects you’re certified in without needing a disciplinary infraction to hold over your head.

It could be used to deny you a non-admin leadership position like team leader or department head.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Really, nobody is going to explain the process? Okay, here it is.

For actual, but small, screw-ups, the teacher can get a Disciplinary Letter, which outlines what they did and what part of the code of conduct they violated. It's all official and they have to sign it acknowledging receipt and it goes in their personnel file, and could be used as part of a justification to force the teacher to make some move they don't want to (change grade levels, change subjects, etc).

For general sucking as a teacher, the teacher can be placed on a professional growth plan, which means extra supervision and they have to do some extra stuff like pre-submitting lesson plans, meeting with the staff developer and/or other content leaders (reading specialist, math coach), depending on their area of need. At the end of the year, they have to show growth or meet the standards of the PGP, or they will be placed on PAR for the next year (Peer Assistance Review).

All MCPS teachers are on PAR for their first year. They have a mentor within the school with whom they meet regularly, and they have a consulting teacher, who conducts observations and then meets with the teacher, and also reports in with the principal. Teachers who suck can also be placed on PAR. At the end of the year, if they haven't met standards, the teacher is fired and cannot work in MCPS again. Yes, it happens.

For OP's case, if the teacher really does have mental illness, they may be taking extended leave, which they can do if they have enough sick leave saved. Or they could be on unpaid leave. If there's an issue with substance abuse, the teacher is given a choice to ask for help or resign. If they ask for help, they can take unpaid or paid leave (paid if they have it, unpaid if they don't) to attempt treatment without losing their employment.

If the teacher is just terrible at management and inappropriately mean to the students, that would probably be a PGP option, which not every teacher appreciates. It could be that the teacher got that option and is taking leave to get away and figure out next steps.

It was really fun to read all the "I heard..." and "I think..." and "Someone at my kid's school said..." responses with no evidence to back it up. And, of course, gotta have that teachers' union bashing or is it even a thread?

No justification is needed to do that. A principal can switch your grade level or make you swap between subjects you’re certified in without needing a disciplinary infraction to hold over your head.

It could be used to deny you a non-admin leadership position like team leader or department head.

This is correct. Schools are run like a kingdom and the principals have a large amount of power to basically do whatever they want. I have seen this happen again and again. They can easily get rid of someone by making their life miserable. It’s not that hard. Give them a new grade level, new subject AND put all the disruptive kids or all the kids who are academically struggling in their class. Or put all the Sped or ELL students in their class and pretend it’s being done for convenience of service deliveries. Sit back and wait for them to hand in their transfer request. This technique is a very simple way to make those teachers leave.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Really, nobody is going to explain the process? Okay, here it is.

For actual, but small, screw-ups, the teacher can get a Disciplinary Letter, which outlines what they did and what part of the code of conduct they violated. It's all official and they have to sign it acknowledging receipt and it goes in their personnel file, and could be used as part of a justification to force the teacher to make some move they don't want to (change grade levels, change subjects, etc).

For general sucking as a teacher, the teacher can be placed on a professional growth plan, which means extra supervision and they have to do some extra stuff like pre-submitting lesson plans, meeting with the staff developer and/or other content leaders (reading specialist, math coach), depending on their area of need. At the end of the year, they have to show growth or meet the standards of the PGP, or they will be placed on PAR for the next year (Peer Assistance Review).

All MCPS teachers are on PAR for their first year. They have a mentor within the school with whom they meet regularly, and they have a consulting teacher, who conducts observations and then meets with the teacher, and also reports in with the principal. Teachers who suck can also be placed on PAR. At the end of the year, if they haven't met standards, the teacher is fired and cannot work in MCPS again. Yes, it happens.

For OP's case, if the teacher really does have mental illness, they may be taking extended leave, which they can do if they have enough sick leave saved. Or they could be on unpaid leave. If there's an issue with substance abuse, the teacher is given a choice to ask for help or resign. If they ask for help, they can take unpaid or paid leave (paid if they have it, unpaid if they don't) to attempt treatment without losing their employment.

If the teacher is just terrible at management and inappropriately mean to the students, that would probably be a PGP option, which not every teacher appreciates. It could be that the teacher got that option and is taking leave to get away and figure out next steps.

It was really fun to read all the "I heard..." and "I think..." and "Someone at my kid's school said..." responses with no evidence to back it up. And, of course, gotta have that teachers' union bashing or is it even a thread?

Thank you. This is OP and I appreciate you laying out the process. That is what I wanted to know - not specific information about a person, just how the disciplinary process works at this workplace. Apparently the admin has been supporting the teacher and are well aware of the issues. I suspect mental health and I hope they get better. I wish though that all the kids didn't have to waste an entire year of learning in that class. There has to be a better way.

[Anonymous]

PAR stands for Principals Are Retaliating. It's an easy way to get those grades and grad rates up regardless of learning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child has a teacher this year who is a. a terrible person/or mentally ill and b. obviously under strict scrutiny by the school. The teacher has had some recent incidents involving potentially discriminatory verbal outbursts towards students. They are currently out for the next month. I assume it is related to their conduct but I'm curious how this all works with the union. I have professional experience working with a small union but nothing like MCPS. How hard is it to actually fire a teacher who deserves to be fired?

I heard the new process uses RJ for teachers. It's supposed to be great at rehabilitation and prevention.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child has a teacher this year who is a. a terrible person/or mentally ill and b. obviously under strict scrutiny by the school. The teacher has had some recent incidents involving potentially discriminatory verbal outbursts towards students. They are currently out for the next month. I assume it is related to their conduct but I'm curious how this all works with the union. I have professional experience working with a small union but nothing like MCPS. How hard is it to actually fire a teacher who deserves to be fired?

I heard the new process uses RJ for teachers. It's supposed to be great at rehabilitation and prevention.

Does it work for wellness center counselors? Asking for a friend.

[Anonymous]

Inflate the grades and stay gag hushed about the behavior or a teacher will be punished. That is education in a nutshell. It's all top down and teachers are voiceless.

[Anonymous]

I’ve noticed that at my high school, many of the bad teachers get by because they are very easy with grades. Hardly anyone fails and most students get As and Bs even for minimal work. This keeps the students, parents and administrators happy and no one complains.

[Anonymous]

Discipline. Students not really because their sre no standards for what is expected for behavior. Teachers might get disciplined by losing their jobs if they don't make the grades high enough. It's the only way to keep admin from harassing you.