demoralized in MCPS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The mid level, school-based faculty are the worst. The team leaders and department chairs, the ILT members and the ASAs and SDT types. The ones who want to climb the rungs but are insecure and have no real authority in the building. They will take down anyone who threatens their position or ties to the principal. It's all about currying favor with the principal. The principals typically prioritize these relationships, too, even though those same people are the ones most likely to be trashing the principal behind their back. They also are the same ones who are busy driving out many of the school's best teachers, or the ones with even less authority than they have, anyway. But they kiss up and ** down, so they get away with it. If I were a principal I really would trust no one.

I was an SDT early on in my career, with a principal who didn't micromanage my time. I used PD subs to free up teachers on a rotating basis for planning purposes. Teachers spent all day in computer labs co-planning and integrating reading strategies into lessons. Our reading specialist was amazing. This was at the HS level! I co-taught with teachers and modeled lessons. Early on, the job was fun and worthwhile. Once the county began to micromanage our time, nothing was organic. I left the spot and returned to the classroom b/c I didn't like being sandwiched between admin (We had a new principal.) and teachers.

So yes, I agree, PP. The "mid-level" folks are the worst b/c they use these jobs as steppingstones - NOT as ways to support teachers.

I've been in this field for over 20 years. I trust very few people in my school. I look at teachers who are tormented unfairly, and I think to myself - Anyone of us could be next. This is a miserable existence for many of us.

any one - my mistake!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The mid level, school-based faculty are the worst. The team leaders and department chairs, the ILT members and the ASAs and SDT types. The ones who want to climb the rungs but are insecure and have no real authority in the building. They will take down anyone who threatens their position or ties to the principal. It's all about currying favor with the principal. The principals typically prioritize these relationships, too, even though those same people are the ones most likely to be trashing the principal behind their back. They also are the same ones who are busy driving out many of the school's best teachers, or the ones with even less authority than they have, anyway. But they kiss up and ** down, so they get away with it. If I were a principal I really would trust no one.

I was an SDT early on in my career, with a principal who didn't micromanage my time. I used PD subs to free up teachers on a rotating basis for planning purposes. Teachers spent all day in computer labs co-planning and integrating reading strategies into lessons. Our reading specialist was amazing. This was at the HS level! I co-taught with teachers and modeled lessons. Early on, the job was fun and worthwhile. Once the county began to micromanage our time, nothing was organic. I left the spot and returned to the classroom b/c I didn't like being sandwiched between admin (We had a new principal.) and teachers.

So yes, I agree, PP. The "mid-level" folks are the worst b/c they use these jobs as steppingstones - NOT as ways to support teachers.


I've been in this field for over 20 years. I trust very few people in my school. I look at teachers who are tormented unfairly, and I think to myself - Anyone of us could be next. This is a miserable existence for many of us.

any one - my mistake!

I respect what you did as a SDT, PP. I asked my SDT for a resource ONCE, for some reading material, and she never even got back to me. There's no modeling, no coaching, no teaching. Just canned lessons we all rotate through for one period a couple times a year, as if we all have the exact same needs. The principal seems to collaborate closely with her on goals and such, but there's truly no benefit to those of us on the ground. I'd like to see that position eliminated or changed entirely. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What if the better choice for a student is [b]kirking out[b] in class and filming it for YouTube which is what's known as viral material these days. YouTube "crazy teacher/students". When college and education is so devalued these days getting hits on their YouTube channel might pay off a bit if they can get you to kirk. This type of student behavior is also what teachers have to account for when considering a jerk student can get you fired or labeled ineffective. Don't get me started about the kids hyped up on drugs these days both legal and not.

Is this post from a decade ago? The kids don’t even use that term anymore.

[Anonymous]

Does it really matter what the kids call it, the point is they know that the only consequences for bad behavior is their teacher will be punished and that gives them leverage and teaches them the wrong lessons. If your P has no spine to deal with delinquents or parents but does have a spine to bully teachers it could affect the morale.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does it really matter what the kids call it, the point is they know that the only consequences for bad behavior is their teacher will be punished and that gives them leverage and teaches them the wrong lessons. If your P has no spine to deal with delinquents or parents but does have a spine to bully teachers it could affect the morale.

Sure, we're not going around beating kids with sticks like in your day but that doesn't mean there aren't consequences.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does it really matter what the kids call it, the point is they know that the only consequences for bad behavior is their teacher will be punished and that gives them leverage and teaches them the wrong lessons. If your P has no spine to deal with delinquents or parents but does have a spine to bully teachers it could affect the morale.

I think it says volumes about being out of touch with your students. Decade old sland suggests you checked out a long time ago.

[Anonymous]

Sland what's a sland u idiot. You should get out of teaching if you can't spell jerk. Ok,. this was an example of easy bullying for no good reason. If you pick up a newspaper once in a while you will see the issues. Do a little research before you go teacher bashing.

[Anonymous]

No these days it's not beating its more like anal rape like at Damascus. Zing. Lack of structure and rules run wild. But the supervisors involved have been promoted. So problem solved.

[Anonymous]

You people don't even know each other. This show that the problems of bullying are really there. If teachers can't not bully each other what does that say about everyone else at the school.

[Anonymous]

There's definitely consequences. Do you think teachers who have who began teaching in the last decade are going to stay- it's statistically evident they won't. Do you think rape victims are going to keep playing sports- I'd guess no. Do you think admin and staff who are immune to any consequences for lack of control/planning that leads to rape are going to stay. Yeah, they love this immunity to consequences. Do you think students who see college today as just another scam that ruins lives are going to have respect in education. Interesting Dynamics in "education". Food for thought. The system is not healthy period.

[Anonymous]

Hey teacher with hip young jive. I think it was suppose to be ironic as slang always changes. Get bent! Does anyone still say that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There's definitely consequences. Do you think teachers who have who began teaching in the last decade are going to stay- it's statistically evident they won't. Do you think rape victims are going to keep playing sports- I'd guess no. Do you think admin and staff who are immune to any consequences for lack of control/planning that leads to rape are going to stay. Yeah, they love this immunity to consequences. Do you think students who see college today as just another scam that ruins lives are going to have respect in education. Interesting Dynamics in "education". Food for thought. The system is not healthy period.

Preach it!

[Anonymous]

Uggh... Today I decided I think I might leave my school. One kid is really getting to me. Major learning disabilities. Shouldn't be in my classroom without a para due to outbursts and lack of safety. I don't feel safe with the kid in the room. SpEd seems to refuse to acknowledge the situation.

[Anonymous]

Mark my words, there's going to be a mass exodus of principals this year. Some will try to follow Dr. Williams. Some will go to other counties or private or parochial schools. There's a principal shortage too, so even bad ones will be able to get a non-MCPS principal position. I think the teachers are just the first wave of departures from MCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Uggh... Today I decided I think I might leave my school. One kid is really getting to me. Major learning disabilities. Shouldn't be in my classroom without a para due to outbursts and lack of safety. I don't feel safe with the kid in the room. SpEd seems to refuse to acknowledge the situation.

But even if you had a para, what would you expect him or her to do: master this kid’s learning disabilities and behavior while you focus on just the kids you want to deal with? Share this plan with your principal.