Current parent and I must ask -- does your child have SN that may include behavioral issues? If so, show me a school in DC better than CMI at including that child? Great for those who have options elsewhere but for those of us who don't, CMI has offered a respite and is serving a need. Also, there are no issues in preschool except underappreciated and overworked teachers.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To current CMI parents- do any of you advocate for teachers to get higher salaries?

Of course not. All the money goes to the playground. Or the middle school. Or whatever Golnar and her parent posse tells them to fundraise for.

I figured. I knew nothing about the CMI pay scale before I entered this thread. I find it interesting current parents rave about the school and the teachers but aren't asking admin why the teachers aren't paid more. Things that make you go hmmmmmm

The money being raised this year is being used for a variety of purposes from library book, chrome books for all middle school students, musical instruments and more. Parents advocate for teachers and make every effort to show appreciation. If you do not attend the school, I am not sure what the point of speculating or commenting on teachers satisfaction.

If you ARE a current parent, and not doing anything about an issue you think needs addressing than much will not change. If you are a current parent, and you aren't happy with CMI, play the lottery and move on.

There are two sides to every story and I am not sure the folks posting DCUM represents all sides.

Anonymous wrote:Sock puppet much?

What does this mean? Can you be more specific?

Sock puppet much?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To current CMI parents- do any of you advocate for teachers to get higher salaries?

Of course not. All the money goes to the playground. Or the middle school. Or whatever Golnar and her parent posse tells them to fundraise for.

I figured. I knew nothing about the CMI pay scale before I entered this thread. I find it interesting current parents rave about the school and the teachers but aren't asking admin why the teachers aren't paid more. Things that make you go hmmmmmm

Anonymous wrote:To current CMI parents- do any of you advocate for teachers to get higher salaries?

Of course not. All the money goes to the playground. Or the middle school. Or whatever Golnar and her parent posse tells them to fundraise for.

To current CMI parents- do any of you advocate for teachers to get higher salaries?

As a current parent of a CMI student (who has attended for quite a few years), I want to add my two cents. My child's experience has been extremely positive, with engaged educators at every grade (PK3 and up).

Is CMI a perfect school? No, it isn't and from reading the DCUM message boards, most schools are not. But, the administration is passionate about education, and wants the best for the students, even as it experiences these growing pains of a rapidly expanding school.

As in any organization, you do not always know why staff leaves. It could be any number of reasons, from being unhappy, relocating to a new area, or finding a new position that is a better fit. Speculating why teachers are leaving on a message board is probably not the most productive activity. If you are a current family, and unhappy with CMI, there are many avenues to discuss your concerns. Get involved, join the parent association, or schedule a meeting with the head of school. Luckily, we live in an area that promotes school choice, if you aren't feeling CMI there are other choices you can make for you and your family.

If you are a new family considering putting CMI on your lottery list, I say go for it. It is a wonderful place, with caring teachers, dedicated parents and a warm community. My child has had an extremely positive experience and so have I.

I hate to say it but burning out is a trend in education. It happened to me. I taught for almost 12 years. The amount of data I had to take, things I had to grade (elementary teacher, 28 kids in my class 18 grades each quarter per kid per subject I taught: reading, writing, math, science and social studies), meetings I had to attend, etc was utterly exhausting. It’s happening everywhere.

Right. I’m just saying the pattern at CMI isn’t 24 year olds staying for a couple years and then leaving for higher paid jobs - it’s all ages and stages of life teachers, including very experienced ones, burning out very quickly and leaving, sometimes mid year. It’s not that salary isn’t a super important issue, just that the pattern indicates it isn’t the ONLY issue. If the leadership can’t figure out a way to value people and make their jobs manageable, including supporting on behavior issues, they won’t be able to stabilize the staff at CMI.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think pay is part of the issue but not all of it- teachers are attracted to the school knowing what the pay scale is but believing in the mission and excited to be a part of something . Really strong leadership is about keeping that momentum and commitment going and making teachers feel valued in other ways as well. The school is lacking in that area- and higher pay for teachers would be great but I think with the current leadership there would still be a lot of turnover.

Maybe young 24 year old teachers are attracted to the school for that reason, but best believe that 24 year old will be 29-30 and realize they can make almost double working somewhere else. They will leave. I promise.

Yup. When I got my first job this salary would feel amazing to me. And then 8 years down the road when I was married and trying to buy and house and start a family? I'd go where the pay is higher.

Anonymous wrote:I think pay is part of the issue but not all of it- teachers are attracted to the school knowing what the pay scale is but believing in the mission and excited to be a part of something . Really strong leadership is about keeping that momentum and commitment going and making teachers feel valued in other ways as well. The school is lacking in that area- and higher pay for teachers would be great but I think with the current leadership there would still be a lot of turnover.

Maybe young 24 year old teachers are attracted to the school for that reason, but best believe that 24 year old will be 29-30 and realize they can make almost double working somewhere else. They will leave. I promise.

CMI family here. The ECE space during the day is bright and sunny. The preschool is excellent and we have had nothing but great teachers in early elementary as well.
The parents fund teacher appreciation including training and meals during teacher work days.
We can afford private school and chose CMI.

I think pay is part of the issue but not all of it- teachers are attracted to the school knowing what the pay scale is but believing in the mission and excited to be a part of something . Really strong leadership is about keeping that momentum and commitment going and making teachers feel valued in other ways as well. The school is lacking in that area- and higher pay for teachers would be great but I think with the current leadership there would still be a lot of turnover.

Current parents should be advocating for higher pay.