An entire new staff at Ballou High School

[Anonymous]

The reconstitution of F.W. Ballou has been implemented and there's about 51+ new staff members at the school. What's new is relatively old again but a third time just might be the charm.

[Anonymous]

Do you know where they recruited those new teacher from? If they are Fellows then I wish them well. Not surprised at the amount of turn over. Many teachers are leaving DCPS because despite all of the talk of new initiatives and improved this, that, and the other it isn't happening. Not because teachers won't "comply" but because every time DCPS rolls out a new initiative it is half done, then the rug gets pulled out from under the teachers. Once upon a time teachers could teach using their best practices. Now there are so many other factors including having to document every single aspect of the day, that time to teach is not the top priority of administrators. Teachers who try to teach and stay on top of the ridiculous amounts of paperwork required by administrators burn out quickly. Last year a large percentage of new teachers left. It will be interesting to see how many stay past Thanksgiving this year.

[Anonymous]

They are mixture from the various teaching recruitment programs. They will have the normal turnover for this city, which is not alarming.

[Anonymous]

Turnover at schools east of the river is always higher than average--and Ballou is in one of the poorest parts of the city. Don't act surprised if it it is like that.

[Anonymous]

I'm one of the new teachers at Ballou. I can't say what made me choose Ballou over the other schools where I interviewed. My teacher friends think I've lost my mind. Only time will tell.

[Anonymous]

What's your experience?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm one of the new teachers at Ballou. I can't say what made me choose Ballou over the other schools where I interviewed. My teacher friends think I've lost my mind. Only time will tell.

Is it true that all/the majority of the new teachers comes from sort sort of Fellowship program such as TFA, as claimed by a PP?

[Anonymous]

19:25, did you get an extra pay increase for accepting the position?

[Anonymous]

Some were offered incentives but it was more of a supply and demand. The school was reconstituted and therefore with a somewhat new principal and an extremely smaller school population the school can make a significant turnaround.

[Anonymous]

What do you mean by a smaller school population? Is enrollment tanking? After an expensive renovation? Will classes be smaller?

A brand new staff of mostly inexperienced teachers. I hope the new principal is amazing.

My husband worked briefly at Ballou. The TFA/DC Fellows teachers were totally overwhelmed and out of their depth.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:19:25, did you get an extra pay increase for accepting the position?

You don't get paid more. You could be extended day and work more hours for more pay. But you will get the same base salary as all DCPS teachers.
And yes- you've lost your mind new teacher. You sound very green. Our toughest kids needs vets. But I hope you can make good on your commitment.

[Anonymous]

Really?!?! Like the elitist mofos on DCUM really care about Ballou or any child who attends a school EOTR. Now, can we get back to why students at Miner don't need Mandarin?