Kaya Addresses Teacher & Principal Turnover in DCPS

[Anonymous]

You can't have it two ways...either the hatred for senior teachers is so vile...that they are leaving in droves. Then there's the new teachers are only in it as "something to do' concept while a bigger opportunity comes along. Heck, is betting the odds by being our Chancellor for this period of time. So, talking about a bunch of bologna.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kaya's either full of bologna or so lacking in self-awareness it's shameful.

According to her, "If every year you (principals) are replacing a third of your staff, something is wrong...We look at that, we have conversations. .?.?. ” While I agree with this, she needs to be just as real about the fact that losing so many teachers (many of them new to the District) indicates there's something wrong with DCPS. But she doesn't have the wherewithal to face that conclusion. Instead, she poo-poos the reasons teachers leave. Apparently, too many "romanticize" what it means to work in an innercity. BS. Many have worked in innercities. What they didn't expect was the out of control student behavior that comes with no consequences, threats to their safety, that they wouldn't actually be able to teach because so many students are disruptive and disrespectful--with the blessings of the school leader and Henderson. (Because let's face it, if as a school leader you're not punishing the behavior, to the students it's as if you're condoning it. So it gets worse.) Not to mention unrealistic expectations of what teachers should be able to accomplish in those pipelines to prison they call 'schools'. Then there are administrators who's sole goal it is to keep their jobs and reputations. To hell with actual student achievement or an environment that is conducive to teaching.

She also claims that “Instead of being a district of last resort, we are now a place where teachers want to come."
1. So what? If those teachers come and then leave, who cares that you were the first choice? Now you're the first place they dumped before Sept. 1. (Dunbar, Hardy MS, Roosevelt and Ballou all had to replace English teachers already. More than one in a few of the schools. Two of the schools before the 2nd week of school. Two still have vacancies. That's a key area. These are the schools that I know of. I'm sure there are more.)

2. Many do go into DCPS as a last resort. Trust me. They couldn't find jobs in Va or MD but DC has openings. But even those people leave.

She makes the claim that 92% of the teachers rated "Highly Effective" stay.

1. Yeah, but just how many receive that rating each year. 92% of 10 is not alot when your talking about teacher retention. (I'm sure the number is higher than 10. Just making a point.)
2. Does the $25,000 bonus that comes with the rating require them to return for another year in order to receive it?
3. Aren't the majority of those people in the more selective schools? Or those with more motivated students with fewer discipline problems? It's not hard to be rated "Highly Effective" at Banneker when a portion of your evaluation is based on student scores.
4. It doesn't say much that a "Highly Effective" rating and the perks that come with it couldn't keep almost 10% of the teachers in the District.

She also touches on the fact that fewer AA teachers are choosing to go into or currently exist in the District. I'm all for hiring based on skill over color. But I think Blacks are sick and tired of dealing with the disrespect that some of those kids wouldn't give to Whites in equal measure. (SOME. There are kids who don't respect anybody.) I think many also go in wanting to help "their own" but begin to see it as a lost cause. So why bother? And let's not pretend the non-Black teachers don't flee after a few weeks, months or years either.

Okay, I'll take a gander at this.

1.) DC has the highest paying starting salary in the region and among the highest salaries period in the nation. That goes quite a ways with helping to find teachers. Also the fact that DC is such an exciting place to live helps recruit folks who may not be as content in a more stale location.
2.) Not every teacher is cut out for an urban district (and in many areas "inner city" school system.) As she pointed out, if you were listening, a lot of folks THINK they can handle and have the best of intentions. Some of them are experienced teachers from elsewhere. But not everyone is cut out for the kind of issues that working in a city like DC can bring. Same thing with administrators. Some teachers realize this ahead of time and would never work in DC, others find out after they've "felt the heat in the kitchen."
3.) Around a quarter of teachers are rated "highly effective" under IMPACT. There are more at higher performing schools than at lower performing schools. If you teach at a low poverty school (less than 59% free and reduced lunch) your maximum bonus is $2,000 whereas it can go up to $25,000 if you're at a high poverty school that is among the 40 lowest performing in the district.)
4.) It is 8% that aren't retained. A few things, one, 8% isn't a lot, two, how many of them are retiring? What about moving because of their spouse's job? What about taking leave to raise a family? And lastly, money isn't always the motivator for people--and if you're only getting a $2,000 bonus that isn't a huge incentive to stay.

Lastly, you make it sound like it's a DC thing. Maybe you're just a naive "grass is always greener on the other side" sort of individual. However, maybe you should read up on school situations in Philadelphia, Baltimore, Newark, Detroit, Los Angeles, etc, to see if DC is an anomaly when it comes to having issues with student behavior/disrespect.

Thanks for those numbers, Kaya! Now how are we going to deal with the other issues?

You're welcome, Satan.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm new. I used to confiscate phones, then I dropped one somewhere around week 3. I mistakenly put another one in my pocket with my keys and the kid said I scratched up her screen. I can't rule it out. We don't have keys for any of the cabinets or desks, so I couldn't lock them up anywhere. The kids have stolen several teachers' phones/iPads/laptops, so I know not to leave them sitting out. Security can't confiscate them due to a liability issue, which I think is BS. The kids sit in class all day with headphones in their ears. The "respectful" ones put their hoods on or collars up to conceal them. The majority sit there in the open during my lessons with them out. The true deviants will play music or videos without headphones in the middle of class and dare you to try to stop them. One of our teachers was punched after confronting a student about it. That student received a few days of suspension and came right back.

UGH! This make me so mad just reading this. Reminds me of the dumbasses in my own inner city middle school. The disrespect, the lost opportunity, the lack of vision from the students for themselves. This kind of behavior, and the backlash over disciplne from the parents and lack of support from admin for the teachers IS why some teachers quit or go to an easier district.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In both cases, my students were aware that I truly valued their experiences and their history. No- I did not teach history; however, the subject matter and the inclusive nature of my teaching empowered them to see relevancy in the content. I was also a member of a team of teachers who viewed themselves as a part of a community. In my observations of young teachers today, I notice that most of them rarely speak to one another in the halls and therefore can barely support one another in difficult situations.

In which cases????

I recently toured a DC high school. The teacher's rules were on the wall. It stated that students who had cell phones would have them confiscated by the teacher until the end of the period/day (can't remember which). Students who refused to give up the phones would be suspended.

Clearly suspensions are a principal's job. It's also clear that is a schoolwide policy. That's the kind of disciplinary support that needs to come from admin. I'm sure those teachers don't have to worry about students saying "No, bitch. Fuck you. I ain't giving up my phone." I've seen and had this situation happen. And admin says that's a Tier 1 issue. Call home. Okay, I called home and spoke to mom twice. I indicated as much on the referral. Still Tier 1. The behavior tech or admin won't even take the phone (that should've been checked in at the door.) And yes this is a high school.

After calls to downtown from parents, out DCPS high school could NO longer confiscate phones as students entered the building - it has been CRAZY ever since. Issues about storage, security, etc... etc...

Gotta love those parents who will call downtown the second they don't like something a school is doing but can't return your call when you want to speak with them about their child's antisocial behavior.

I'm surprised Central Office didn't send out an edict to all DC schools. Most are still confiscating phones.

Did someone lose a cell phone at your school? Is that what prompted the calls?

Cell phones are allowed in many school districts, but they're places that don't have the issues DC does. The phones are not a distraction and kids are pretty good about using them for school use. If they're caught doing otherwise, the phone can be confiscated.

In DC, however, it's an issue of safety. A lot of jumpings, beatings and other violence have been arranged via cell during the school day. I've seen it in schools in which I've worked where the cells were supposed to be checked at the door for that very reason.

I am saddened reading about the amount of time teachers and administration waste on thinking about restricting cell phone use. This strikes me as the wrong thing to focus on. My question is -- if the jumpings are being arranged by cell phone, where are the police? Why are they not involved? Maybe the victim doesn't want to report the crime to the police, but doesn't anyone, teachers? admin? anyone? Why aren't the police getting access to cell phone history and prosecuting?

In fact, this whole thread strikes me as an exercise in what happens when people (not just students) live in an environment where crimes go unprosecuted. My question is not why can't the teachers or administrators better able to control the classroom, my question is why are the police not extending the rule of law to the school environment?

Also, if certain apps are being used to arrange crimes, can geo-fencing be used on school grounds to block certain apps or usage? can wifi be provided but keyword monitored so students who are engaging in crime on campus are caught?

Having a teacher try to enforce cell phone use in the classroom is a ridiculous waste of time in this day and age.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In both cases, my students were aware that I truly valued their experiences and their history. No- I did not teach history; however, the subject matter and the inclusive nature of my teaching empowered them to see relevancy in the content. I was also a member of a team of teachers who viewed themselves as a part of a community. In my observations of young teachers today, I notice that most of them rarely speak to one another in the halls and therefore can barely support one another in difficult situations.

In which cases????

I recently toured a DC high school. The teacher's rules were on the wall. It stated that students who had cell phones would have them confiscated by the teacher until the end of the period/day (can't remember which). Students who refused to give up the phones would be suspended.

Clearly suspensions are a principal's job. It's also clear that is a schoolwide policy. That's the kind of disciplinary support that needs to come from admin. I'm sure those teachers don't have to worry about students saying "No, bitch. Fuck you. I ain't giving up my phone." I've seen and had this situation happen. And admin says that's a Tier 1 issue. Call home. Okay, I called home and spoke to mom twice. I indicated as much on the referral. Still Tier 1. The behavior tech or admin won't even take the phone (that should've been checked in at the door.) And yes this is a high school.

After calls to downtown from parents, out DCPS high school could NO longer confiscate phones as students entered the building - it has been CRAZY ever since. Issues about storage, security, etc... etc...

Gotta love those parents who will call downtown the second they don't like something a school is doing but can't return your call when you want to speak with them about their child's antisocial behavior.

I'm surprised Central Office didn't send out an edict to all DC schools. Most are still confiscating phones.

Did someone lose a cell phone at your school? Is that what prompted the calls?

Cell phones are allowed in many school districts, but they're places that don't have the issues DC does. The phones are not a distraction and kids are pretty good about using them for school use. If they're caught doing otherwise, the phone can be confiscated.

In DC, however, it's an issue of safety. A lot of jumpings, beatings and other violence have been arranged via cell during the school day. I've seen it in schools in which I've worked where the cells were supposed to be checked at the door for that very reason.

I am saddened reading about the amount of time teachers and administration waste on thinking about restricting cell phone use. This strikes me as the wrong thing to focus on. My question is -- if the jumpings are being arranged by cell phone, where are the police? Why are they not involved? Maybe the victim doesn't want to report the crime to the police, but doesn't anyone, teachers? admin? anyone? Why aren't the police getting access to cell phone history and prosecuting?

In fact, this whole thread strikes me as an exercise in what happens when people (not just students) live in an environment where crimes go unprosecuted. My question is not why can't the teachers or administrators better able to control the classroom, my question is why are the police not extending the rule of law to the school environment?

Also, if certain apps are being used to arrange crimes, can geo-fencing be used on school grounds to block certain apps or usage? can wifi be provided but keyword monitored so students who are engaging in crime on campus are caught?

Having a teacher try to enforce cell phone use in the classroom is a ridiculous waste of time in this day and age.

I don't know of any apps that allow you to organize beatings. What I've seen is a student getting mad at someone & using her cell phone to call her brothers to beat up the kid. After school, the brothers are there...

In another case a guy called his friends who all showed up after school with guns. The school was on lockdown for nearly an hour. Imagine being holed up in a classroom with kids after school hours. Especially when you have no idea why you're locked down at the time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kaya's either full of bologna or so lacking in self-awareness it's shameful.

According to her, "If every year you (principals) are replacing a third of your staff, something is wrong...We look at that, we have conversations. .?.?. ” While I agree with this, she needs to be just as real about the fact that losing so many teachers (many of them new to the District) indicates there's something wrong with DCPS. But she doesn't have the wherewithal to face that conclusion. Instead, she poo-poos the reasons teachers leave. Apparently, too many "romanticize" what it means to work in an innercity. BS. Many have worked in innercities. What they didn't expect was the out of control student behavior that comes with no consequences, threats to their safety, that they wouldn't actually be able to teach because so many students are disruptive and disrespectful--with the blessings of the school leader and Henderson. (Because let's face it, if as a school leader you're not punishing the behavior, to the students it's as if you're condoning it. So it gets worse.) Not to mention unrealistic expectations of what teachers should be able to accomplish in those pipelines to prison they call 'schools'. Then there are administrators who's sole goal it is to keep their jobs and reputations. To hell with actual student achievement or an environment that is conducive to teaching.

She also claims that “Instead of being a district of last resort, we are now a place where teachers want to come."
1. So what? If those teachers come and then leave, who cares that you were the first choice? Now you're the first place they dumped before Sept. 1. (Dunbar, Hardy MS, Roosevelt and Ballou all had to replace English teachers already. More than one in a few of the schools. Two of the schools before the 2nd week of school. Two still have vacancies. That's a key area. These are the schools that I know of. I'm sure there are more.)

2. Many do go into DCPS as a last resort. Trust me. They couldn't find jobs in Va or MD but DC has openings. But even those people leave.

She makes the claim that 92% of the teachers rated "Highly Effective" stay.

1. Yeah, but just how many receive that rating each year. 92% of 10 is not alot when your talking about teacher retention. (I'm sure the number is higher than 10. Just making a point.)
2. Does the $25,000 bonus that comes with the rating require them to return for another year in order to receive it?
3. Aren't the majority of those people in the more selective schools? Or those with more motivated students with fewer discipline problems? It's not hard to be rated "Highly Effective" at Banneker when a portion of your evaluation is based on student scores.
4. It doesn't say much that a "Highly Effective" rating and the perks that come with it couldn't keep almost 10% of the teachers in the District.

She also touches on the fact that fewer AA teachers are choosing to go into or currently exist in the District. I'm all for hiring based on skill over color. But I think Blacks are sick and tired of dealing with the disrespect that some of those kids wouldn't give to Whites in equal measure. (SOME. There are kids who don't respect anybody.) I think many also go in wanting to help "their own" but begin to see it as a lost cause. So why bother? And let's not pretend the non-Black teachers don't flee after a few weeks, months or years either.

Okay, I'll take a gander at this.

1.) DC has the highest paying starting salary in the region and among the highest salaries period in the nation. That goes quite a ways with helping to find teachers. Also the fact that DC is such an exciting place to live helps recruit folks who may not be as content in a more stale location.
2.) Not every teacher is cut out for an urban district (and in many areas "inner city" school system.) As she pointed out, if you were listening, a lot of folks THINK they can handle and have the best of intentions. Some of them are experienced teachers from elsewhere. But not everyone is cut out for the kind of issues that working in a city like DC can bring. Same thing with administrators. Some teachers realize this ahead of time and would never work in DC, others find out after they've "felt the heat in the kitchen."
3.) Around a quarter of teachers are rated "highly effective" under IMPACT. There are more at higher performing schools than at lower performing schools. If you teach at a low poverty school (less than 59% free and reduced lunch) your maximum bonus is $2,000 whereas it can go up to $25,000 if you're at a high poverty school that is among the 40 lowest performing in the district.)
4.) It is 8% that aren't retained. A few things, one, 8% isn't a lot, two, how many of them are retiring? What about moving because of their spouse's job? What about taking leave to raise a family? And lastly, money isn't always the motivator for people--and if you're only getting a $2,000 bonus that isn't a huge incentive to stay.

Lastly, you make it sound like it's a DC thing. Maybe you're just a naive "grass is always greener on the other side" sort of individual. However, maybe you should read up on school situations in Philadelphia, Baltimore, Newark, Detroit, Los Angeles, etc, to see if DC is an anomaly when it comes to having issues with student behavior/disrespect.

Thanks for those numbers, Kaya! Now how are we going to deal with the other issues?

You're welcome, Satan.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm new. I used to confiscate phones, then I dropped one somewhere around week 3. I mistakenly put another one in my pocket with my keys and the kid said I scratched up her screen. I can't rule it out. We don't have keys for any of the cabinets or desks, so I couldn't lock them up anywhere. The kids have stolen several teachers' phones/iPads/laptops, so I know not to leave them sitting out. Security can't confiscate them due to a liability issue, which I think is BS. The kids sit in class all day with headphones in their ears. The "respectful" ones put their hoods on or collars up to conceal them. The majority sit there in the open during my lessons with them out. The true deviants will play music or videos without headphones in the middle of class and dare you to try to stop them. One of our teachers was punched after confronting a student about it. That student received a few days of suspension and came right back.

As an aside, you do know that is a union contract violation? You are suppose to have somewhere to lock up items. Quite a few school are in violation in this area.

Union Violation!!! Don't make me laugh, like the teacher's job is to be demanding cell phones from students and locking them in a locked storage area in the first place. Please, that's not her responsibility that is security or admin, but not in the teacher's hand-book, like principal's care. If kids have out their phones, loose some IMPACT points right there, never mind the fact the child just walked down the hallway in front of the Assistant principal and principal with an iPad recording a video!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm new. I used to confiscate phones, then I dropped one somewhere around week 3. I mistakenly put another one in my pocket with my keys and the kid said I scratched up her screen. I can't rule it out. We don't have keys for any of the cabinets or desks, so I couldn't lock them up anywhere. The kids have stolen several teachers' phones/iPads/laptops, so I know not to leave them sitting out. Security can't confiscate them due to a liability issue, which I think is BS. The kids sit in class all day with headphones in their ears. The "respectful" ones put their hoods on or collars up to conceal them. The majority sit there in the open during my lessons with them out. The true deviants will play music or videos without headphones in the middle of class and dare you to try to stop them. One of our teachers was punched after confronting a student about it. That student received a few days of suspension and came right back.

As an aside, you do know that is a union contract violation? You are suppose to have somewhere to lock up items. Quite a few school are in violation in this area.

Union Violation!!! Don't make me laugh, like the teacher's job is to be demanding cell phones from students and locking them in a locked storage area in the first place. Please, that's not her responsibility that is security or admin, but not in the teacher's hand-book, like principal's care. If kids have out their phones, loose some IMPACT points right there, never mind the fact the child just walked down the hallway in front of the Assistant principal and principal with an iPad recording a video!!!

You missed the point. Teachers in some schools have NOWHERE to lock ANYTHING up. It is in the contract. Personal laptops and other items are at risk but when they go missing a police report is filed and that is it. Admin. couldn't care less.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm new. I used to confiscate phones, then I dropped one somewhere around week 3. I mistakenly put another one in my pocket with my keys and the kid said I scratched up her screen. I can't rule it out. We don't have keys for any of the cabinets or desks, so I couldn't lock them up anywhere. The kids have stolen several teachers' phones/iPads/laptops, so I know not to leave them sitting out. Security can't confiscate them due to a liability issue, which I think is BS. The kids sit in class all day with headphones in their ears. The "respectful" ones put their hoods on or collars up to conceal them. The majority sit there in the open during my lessons with them out. The true deviants will play music or videos without headphones in the middle of class and dare you to try to stop them. One of our teachers was punched after confronting a student about it. That student received a few days of suspension and came right back.

As an aside, you do know that is a union contract violation? You are suppose to have somewhere to lock up items. Quite a few school are in violation in this area.

I wasn't aware of this, but I honestly don't think anyone would do anything about it. The majority of us don't have a place to lock things up. I was also told I'd be paid for staying late for tutoring or giving up my planning period for meetings. That hasn't happened.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm new. I used to confiscate phones, then I dropped one somewhere around week 3. I mistakenly put another one in my pocket with my keys and the kid said I scratched up her screen. I can't rule it out. We don't have keys for any of the cabinets or desks, so I couldn't lock them up anywhere. The kids have stolen several teachers' phones/iPads/laptops, so I know not to leave them sitting out. Security can't confiscate them due to a liability issue, which I think is BS. The kids sit in class all day with headphones in their ears. The "respectful" ones put their hoods on or collars up to conceal them. The majority sit there in the open during my lessons with them out. The true deviants will play music or videos without headphones in the middle of class and dare you to try to stop them. One of our teachers was punched after confronting a student about it. That student received a few days of suspension and came right back.

UGH! This make me so mad just reading this. Reminds me of the dumbasses in my own inner city middle school. The disrespect, the lost opportunity, the lack of vision from the students for themselves. This kind of behavior, and the backlash over disciplne from the parents and lack of support from admin for the teachers IS why some teachers quit or go to an easier district.

Yeah, I feel terrible for becoming the teacher I said I'd never be, but I don't have the energy anymore to fight over this. A student told me today that she wished she could transfer in order to learn something. I felt offended, but then apologetic because I know that it falls on me. No, I can't control them. Putting them out does nothing, and I've yet to find any way to intrinsically motivate them. I apologized to her, and the saddest/sweetest thing happened: she cut me off. She told me it wasn't my fault. She was used to not learning anything in school because she went to middle and elementary school with the same kids. "It's always been like this." She told me about her mom trying to get her into Banneker and SWW but being told she didn't have the grades to get in. Around that time, a student walked up to her with his hands inside his pants and asked her to suck his ****. She didn't seem fazed by it, but I lost it. The whole class found it funny. I couldn't find a security guard and no one else saw it as a big deal. I lose hope more and more in this place.

[Anonymous]

PP, I'm so sorry you (and many of our students who want to learn) have to deal with this type of thing. I can also empathize as I deal with the same struggles. I too have given up a lot of the fights. Why bother when there's no administrative support with discipline? Then lame ass principals will try to say it's your fault, knowing full well these kids have been out of control and disrespectful their entire school careers. AND they'll expect you to perform academic miracles on top of it. (Actually they're trying to bully you into passing kids so their numbers look good.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm new. I used to confiscate phones, then I dropped one somewhere around week 3. I mistakenly put another one in my pocket with my keys and the kid said I scratched up her screen. I can't rule it out. We don't have keys for any of the cabinets or desks, so I couldn't lock them up anywhere. The kids have stolen several teachers' phones/iPads/laptops, so I know not to leave them sitting out. Security can't confiscate them due to a liability issue, which I think is BS. The kids sit in class all day with headphones in their ears. The "respectful" ones put their hoods on or collars up to conceal them. The majority sit there in the open during my lessons with them out. The true deviants will play music or videos without headphones in the middle of class and dare you to try to stop them. One of our teachers was punched after confronting a student about it. That student received a few days of suspension and came right back.

As an aside, you do know that is a union contract violation? You are suppose to have somewhere to lock up items. Quite a few school are in violation in this area.

I wasn't aware of this, but I honestly don't think anyone would do anything about it. The majority of us don't have a place to lock things up. I was also told I'd be paid for staying late for tutoring or giving up my planning period for meetings. That hasn't happened.

Uhhhh that is completely unacceptable. You need to contact your building rep ASAP and let them know.

[Anonymous]

Where is LouAnne Johnson when you need her?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm new. I used to confiscate phones, then I dropped one somewhere around week 3. I mistakenly put another one in my pocket with my keys and the kid said I scratched up her screen. I can't rule it out. We don't have keys for any of the cabinets or desks, so I couldn't lock them up anywhere. The kids have stolen several teachers' phones/iPads/laptops, so I know not to leave them sitting out. Security can't confiscate them due to a liability issue, which I think is BS. The kids sit in class all day with headphones in their ears. The "respectful" ones put their hoods on or collars up to conceal them. The majority sit there in the open during my lessons with them out. The true deviants will play music or videos without headphones in the middle of class and dare you to try to stop them. One of our teachers was punched after confronting a student about it. That student received a few days of suspension and came right back.

As an aside, you do know that is a union contract violation? You are suppose to have somewhere to lock up items. Quite a few school are in violation in this area.

I wasn't aware of this, but I honestly don't think anyone would do anything about it. The majority of us don't have a place to lock things up. I was also told I'd be paid for staying late for tutoring or giving up my planning period for meetings. That hasn't happened.

Not surprised. You should file a grievance with other coworkers. It does make a difference even thought it seems like doesn't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm new. I used to confiscate phones, then I dropped one somewhere around week 3. I mistakenly put another one in my pocket with my keys and the kid said I scratched up her screen. I can't rule it out. We don't have keys for any of the cabinets or desks, so I couldn't lock them up anywhere. The kids have stolen several teachers' phones/iPads/laptops, so I know not to leave them sitting out. Security can't confiscate them due to a liability issue, which I think is BS. The kids sit in class all day with headphones in their ears. The "respectful" ones put their hoods on or collars up to conceal them. The majority sit there in the open during my lessons with them out. The true deviants will play music or videos without headphones in the middle of class and dare you to try to stop them. One of our teachers was punched after confronting a student about it. That student received a few days of suspension and came right back.

UGH! This make me so mad just reading this. Reminds me of the dumbasses in my own inner city middle school. The disrespect, the lost opportunity, the lack of vision from the students for themselves. This kind of behavior, and the backlash over disciplne from the parents and lack of support from admin for the teachers IS why some teachers quit or go to an easier district.

Yeah, I feel terrible for becoming the teacher I said I'd never be, but I don't have the energy anymore to fight over this. A student told me today that she wished she could transfer in order to learn something. I felt offended, but then apologetic because I know that it falls on me. No, I can't control them. Putting them out does nothing, and I've yet to find any way to intrinsically motivate them. I apologized to her, and the saddest/sweetest thing happened: she cut me off. She told me it wasn't my fault. She was used to not learning anything in school because she went to middle and elementary school with the same kids. "It's always been like this." She told me about her mom trying to get her into Banneker and SWW but being told she didn't have the grades to get in. Around that time, a student walked up to her with his hands inside his pants and asked her to suck his ****. She didn't seem fazed by it, but I lost it. The whole class found it funny. I couldn't find a security guard and no one else saw it as a big deal. I lose hope more and more in this place.

Let me guess, Ballou?