MCPS asks for 4 days off so teachers can prepare building for in-person instruction

[Anonymous]

I pray someone from Central office with any authority is reading this thread. For gods sake, you’ve had a YEAR to plan for this and you act like you’re surprised we might actually return to a school building, like ever. I never thought I’d have to beg for the CHOICE to send my kid to school.

[Anonymous]

I am blown away at the nastiness and ignorance on this thread. Is there any profession in the world as disrespected as the teacher. That all of you think you can just look at and judge and think about how much time it takes to do their jobs? The lack of respect and value for teachers is disgraceful. If you think it is such a cushy, easy job than why didn't you become a teacher? If you want your child to learn, it isn't about returning to school in person- it is about respect. If you think this away about their teachers, what attitude do you think they have towards their teachers. I am sure it is challenging to learn when you feel that you already know everything. If you think it is so easy to unpack and set up a classroom, then you should volunteer to go and help your child's teacher. This is really ugly, and this is the problem, not where we are learning, but the community speaking and writing this ugly rehetoric.

[Anonymous]

I would have loved for my kids to have that week off. Distance learning is draining.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am blown away at the nastiness and ignorance on this thread. Is there any profession in the world as disrespected as the teacher. That all of you think you can just look at and judge and think about how much time it takes to do their jobs? The lack of respect and value for teachers is disgraceful. If you think it is such a cushy, easy job than why didn't you become a teacher? If you want your child to learn, it isn't about returning to school in person- it is about respect. If you think this away about their teachers, what attitude do you think they have towards their teachers. I am sure it is challenging to learn when you feel that you already know everything. If you think it is so easy to unpack and set up a classroom, then you should volunteer to go and help your child's teacher. This is really ugly, and this is the problem, not where we are learning, but the community speaking and writing this ugly rehetoric.

Part of the frustration is that it is a "profession" where many of the "professionals" seem unwilling to go beyond the bare minimum required of them, even during a pandemic where kids have lost so much class time and learning. Although it is not the teacher's fault this learning loss has occurred, it would be nice if teachers showed some willingness to do things like get classrooms ready without claiming to need many days away from teaching to do it.

Most other professionals would simply see it as part of their job and get it done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Someone should’ve told me I shouldn’t be working Wednesdays! I’m meeting with groups of students all morning and in meetings all afternoon.

To everyone volunteering my personal, unpaid time to set up classrooms, post your email and I’ll send you the volunteer sign up genius!

I’m getting sick and tired of the teacher trash talk. I love teaching and love watching your children grow and learn but all this vitriol doesn’t make the $25/hr after taxes worth it. You need to realize, this will drive away the really good teachers, the ones that have options. Then you’ll really have something to complain about when the teachers that are left are inexperienced or inept.

I agree 100% with this comment. Wednesdays have been my saving grace this year. As an ES teacher, I have been working every night until 11 or 12 on making our lessons engaging on the virtual platform. I also am a parent with school aged children, between 4 & 8, I am parenting, helping with HW, cooking dinner. I have no breaks during the day. From 11:30-12:30 we have planning meetings daily. Any moment I am not live with students I am either in meetings planning for my students or attending to my own children's needs. The schedule in the building (pre-Covid) afforded me MUCH more time to plan and grade than I have currently. I will not be demeaned by your ignorant comments. I continue to work to make this challenging situation the best it can be for each and every one of your children. Why can't you partner with me instead of name calling and finger pointing? This is trauma for the children. We are the adults, we need to help them as best as we can. Working together is the only way we can make the best of this difficult situation for the the children. Remember, it is about the children. Whether you want them in buildings or home, we are here to work with you to best meet their needs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a teacher Wednesdays are often my most exhausting. Grading, calling parents, lesson planning, meetings, helping students. Just constant grunt work.

Those of you thinking Wednesdays are a day off, have no idea.

Parents have no clue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Someone should’ve told me I shouldn’t be working Wednesdays! I’m meeting with groups of students all morning and in meetings all afternoon.

To everyone volunteering my personal, unpaid time to set up classrooms, post your email and I’ll send you the volunteer sign up genius!

I’m getting sick and tired of the teacher trash talk. I love teaching and love watching your children grow and learn but all this vitriol doesn’t make the $25/hr after taxes worth it. You need to realize, this will drive away the really good teachers, the ones that have options. Then you’ll really have something to complain about when the teachers that are left are inexperienced or inept.

Do you know how many hours I work at home, outside of my pay. I am sure millions of others do the same. It is a SALARIED position. You are not an hourly employee.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am blown away at the nastiness and ignorance on this thread. Is there any profession in the world as disrespected as the teacher. That all of you think you can just look at and judge and think about how much time it takes to do their jobs? The lack of respect and value for teachers is disgraceful. If you think it is such a cushy, easy job than why didn't you become a teacher? If you want your child to learn, it isn't about returning to school in person- it is about respect. If you think this away about their teachers, what attitude do you think they have towards their teachers. I am sure it is challenging to learn when you feel that you already know everything. If you think it is so easy to unpack and set up a classroom, then you should volunteer to go and help your child's teacher. This is really ugly, and this is the problem, not where we are learning, but the community speaking and writing this ugly rehetoric.

Part of the frustration is that it is a "profession" where many of the "professionals" seem unwilling to go beyond the bare minimum required of them, even during a pandemic where kids have lost so much class time and learning. Although it is not the teacher's fault this learning loss has occurred, it would be nice if teachers showed some willingness to do things like get classrooms ready without claiming to need many days away from teaching to do it.

Most other professionals would simply see it as part of their job and get it done.

This!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am blown away at the nastiness and ignorance on this thread. Is there any profession in the world as disrespected as the teacher. That all of you think you can just look at and judge and think about how much time it takes to do their jobs? The lack of respect and value for teachers is disgraceful. If you think it is such a cushy, easy job than why didn't you become a teacher? If you want your child to learn, it isn't about returning to school in person- it is about respect. If you think this away about their teachers, what attitude do you think they have towards their teachers. I am sure it is challenging to learn when you feel that you already know everything. If you think it is so easy to unpack and set up a classroom, then you should volunteer to go and help your child's teacher. This is really ugly, and this is the problem, not where we are learning, but the community speaking and writing this ugly rehetoric.

Part of the frustration is that it is a "profession" where many of the "professionals" seem unwilling to go beyond the bare minimum required of them, even during a pandemic where kids have lost so much class time and learning. Although it is not the teacher's fault this learning loss has occurred, it would be nice if teachers showed some willingness to do things like get classrooms ready without claiming to need many days away from teaching to do it.

Most other professionals would simply see it as part of their job and get it done.

Unfortunately a few voices don’t equal all. I, for one, would love to see a post that didn’t lump every poor action, every dumb post off Twitter or Facebook to ALL teachers. Part of the frustration is the lack of respect is extended to all in a blanket statement. This is the first time I’m reading about this request for days and yet DCUM claims all teachers want this. It’s the same crap and different day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So while the US is leading the world in COVID deaths they want to reopen schools? I guess they didn't read the latest studies that proved that asymptomatic children are superspreaders.

You must be new here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a teacher Wednesdays are often my most exhausting. Grading, calling parents, lesson planning, meetings, helping students. Just constant grunt work.

Those of you thinking Wednesdays are a day off, have no idea.

Parents have no clue.

Really? Good one. A year ago I would have agreed with you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I guess they cannot walk and chew gum at the same time either.

But, but, but..... it's toooooo hard!!! LOL

Fine. I'll set up my classroom while simultaneously teaching your kid. I hope they can hear me while I drag the desks into position and don't mind me getting up to put name tags, hand sanitizer and tissues on the desks in the middle of them asking a question.

Trust me, teachers already do a lot of multi-tasking while teaching. Wanting them to set up a physical classroom while simultaneously teaching virtually is an idiotic idea.

THIS is classic. I could physically set up a classroom during lunch and before/after my work day, which is extended because I’m helping my kids with distance learning. But never mind. I could still do it without extra days.

You know what you whiny teacher. You get breaks, days off, and Summers off every year and still get paid of 60+K a year. You have had massive amount of time off this year alone. Wednesdays are now off. You work at home and 40 hours a week is a joke at best. If you want 4 days off to decorate your classroom, than you work 4 more days at the end of the year. The kids come first, right?!?!? The kids and struggling families have suffered enough because of you, the teacher's union, and the MCPS board. Check yourself with the "drag the desks" comments. Millions of workers are dragging themselves outside of their homes to work hard labor, front line workers, drivers, cashiers, etc.... Leaving their kids at home ALONE to provide for them and also risk getting Covid. No one gives two sheets of empathy about you having to re-arrange your freaking classroom. You are embarrassing your occupation.

So many lies, it’s not worth addressing this nonsense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am blown away at the nastiness and ignorance on this thread. Is there any profession in the world as disrespected as the teacher. That all of you think you can just look at and judge and think about how much time it takes to do their jobs? The lack of respect and value for teachers is disgraceful. If you think it is such a cushy, easy job than why didn't you become a teacher? If you want your child to learn, it isn't about returning to school in person- it is about respect. If you think this away about their teachers, what attitude do you think they have towards their teachers. I am sure it is challenging to learn when you feel that you already know everything. If you think it is so easy to unpack and set up a classroom, then you should volunteer to go and help your child's teacher. This is really ugly, and this is the problem, not where we are learning, but the community speaking and writing this ugly rehetoric.

Part of the frustration is that it is a "profession" where many of the "professionals" seem unwilling to go beyond the bare minimum required of them, even during a pandemic where kids have lost so much class time and learning. Although it is not the teacher's fault this learning loss has occurred, it would be nice if teachers showed some willingness to do things like get classrooms ready without claiming to need many days away from teaching to do it.

Most other professionals would simply see it as part of their job and get it done.

Unfortunately a few voices don’t equal all. I, for one, would love to see a post that didn’t lump every poor action, every dumb post off Twitter or Facebook to ALL teachers. Part of the frustration is the lack of respect is extended to all in a blanket statement. This is the first time I’m reading about this request for days and yet DCUM claims all teachers want this. It’s the same crap and different day.

Please don't break your neck falling off your high horse. No one is saying every teacher is like that. We've had some great teachers who actually have gotten reprimanded for going above and beyond what was allowed.

But, let's not pretend its an isolated few. If it were, you wouldn't have the BOE asking the state to forgo four days of education to provide time for classroom prep. Nor would you have teachers' unions fighting efforts to come back. (While I haven't seen an official union statement regarding the request for time away from classes for preparation, I would have to assume they support it and may very well have had a hand in the request being made in the first place.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I guess they cannot walk and chew gum at the same time either.

But, but, but..... it's toooooo hard!!! LOL

Fine. I'll set up my classroom while simultaneously teaching your kid. I hope they can hear me while I drag the desks into position and don't mind me getting up to put name tags, hand sanitizer and tissues on the desks in the middle of them asking a question.

Trust me, teachers already do a lot of multi-tasking while teaching. Wanting them to set up a physical classroom while simultaneously teaching virtually is an idiotic idea.

THIS is classic. I could physically set up a classroom during lunch and before/after my work day, which is extended because I’m helping my kids with distance learning. But never mind. I could still do it without extra days.

You know what you whiny teacher. You get breaks, days off, and Summers off every year and still get paid of 60+K a year. You have had massive amount of time off this year alone. Wednesdays are now off. You work at home and 40 hours a week is a joke at best. If you want 4 days off to decorate your classroom, than you work 4 more days at the end of the year. The kids come first, right?!?!? The kids and struggling families have suffered enough because of you, the teacher's union, and the MCPS board. Check yourself with the "drag the desks" comments. Millions of workers are dragging themselves outside of their homes to work hard labor, front line workers, drivers, cashiers, etc.... Leaving their kids at home ALONE to provide for them and also risk getting Covid. No one gives two sheets of empathy about you having to re-arrange your freaking classroom. You are embarrassing your occupation.

So many lies, it’s not worth addressing this nonsense.

PP did say $60k+. I wouldn't call it a lie because the "+" could theoretical go up to any amount, but I do agree it is misleading. It would have been better to say at least $80k+, maybe a little higher, to more accurately convey the point being made.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am blown away at the nastiness and ignorance on this thread. Is there any profession in the world as disrespected as the teacher. That all of you think you can just look at and judge and think about how much time it takes to do their jobs? The lack of respect and value for teachers is disgraceful. If you think it is such a cushy, easy job than why didn't you become a teacher? If you want your child to learn, it isn't about returning to school in person- it is about respect. If you think this away about their teachers, what attitude do you think they have towards their teachers. I am sure it is challenging to learn when you feel that you already know everything. If you think it is so easy to unpack and set up a classroom, then you should volunteer to go and help your child's teacher. This is really ugly, and this is the problem, not where we are learning, but the community speaking and writing this ugly rehetoric.

Part of the frustration is that it is a "profession" where many of the "professionals" seem unwilling to go beyond the bare minimum required of them, even during a pandemic where kids have lost so much class time and learning. Although it is not the teacher's fault this learning loss has occurred, it would be nice if teachers showed some willingness to do things like get classrooms ready without claiming to need many days away from teaching to do it.

Most other professionals would simply see it as part of their job and get it done.

Unfortunately a few voices don’t equal all. I, for one, would love to see a post that didn’t lump every poor action, every dumb post off Twitter or Facebook to ALL teachers. Part of the frustration is the lack of respect is extended to all in a blanket statement. This is the first time I’m reading about this request for days and yet DCUM claims all teachers want this. It’s the same crap and different day.

Please don't break your neck falling off your high horse. No one is saying every teacher is like that. We've had some great teachers who actually have gotten reprimanded for going above and beyond what was allowed.

But, let's not pretend its an isolated few. If it were, you wouldn't have the BOE asking the state to forgo four days of education to provide time for classroom prep. Nor would you have teachers' unions fighting efforts to come back. (While I haven't seen an official union statement regarding the request for time away from classes for preparation, I would have to assume they support it and may very well have had a hand in the request being made in the first place.)

Again, you are using “you” as if I’m a teacher and are keenly aware that you are blaming you preconceived notions in strangers in the internet. Good luck with that.