I’m an admin at an ES and the staff leaving picked closer school districts to where they live. They are no longer willing to do an hour commute. The pandemic made them rethink their choices. Another reason is that for those that live in Fairfax County - they want their vacation schedule to match up with their kids.

Anonymous wrote:
I'm sure all of the above reasons are factors, but it's interesting that no one here on DCUM is owning up to the poor treatment of teachers by Arlington parents this past year. Many teachers were dumped on for things that were not their fault. It's no surprise that some are retiring early or going to other districts.



Were teachers actually being treated poorly by parents in real life or are we talking about internet message board cowboys? Not sure how anonymous comments by disgruntled parents could be worse the administration doing things like informing parents that they weren't going to get their promised summer school because of the teachers (vs poor planning by the admin).



The other AEM thread discusses how actual names were used by some crazy parents in a forum where many APS teachers view comments.



Also there were board meetings where APS School level staff were called out by not name, but when you're the singular person of your title at one school, it might a well have been. Horrible people

Yes. And yes.
And on the second one, since you seem to think that online abuse is perfectly okay, ask yourself how you would feel if you constantly read that all ___________(insert your profession here) were stupid, lazy, and should be fired. Over and over and over again, for 1.5 years, while you were doing your best to do an impossible job.

Anonymous wrote:APS administration treated teachers terribly. Everything from ongoing whiplash messages about when they'd go back, no answers from HR on who had to go back in person, no confidence in safety measures or what was or wasn't allowed, lack of IT support or guidance, shoddy teacher vaccine roll out, and on and on. It was a hot mess. From my conversations with teacher friends, there was more APS teacher angst over APS administration indecision, poor communication and lack of leadership than from any parents. Not to mention that a ton of parent angst was completely the fault of APS leadership. Let's put the blame on those with actual accountability.

Teacher here. In my opinion the group "Smart Restart" made the teachers situation a lot worse. They started to speak on behalf of all teachers, but they didn't understand that they were only talking to a small cadre of staff who were understandably scared about returning to school. For most of us though, we were tired of virtual education and were ready to go back once we were vaccinated. I wish APS would have waited until the second shot was in our arms, but I think parent pressure from the other side APE prevented that. I loved meeting and seeing my kids even twice a week. It's the virtual students I always felt bad for. I don't think I gave them a good education this year. Even to the ones who excelled at home. If there was anything you should have fought for all year, it was to make concurrent education not even a consideration.

I agree that APS treated us horribly too, but we're used to it. Prepandemic, APS was a lousy employer, and we're used to keeping our heads low and switching things up quickly. It just got worse. A lot of my relationships with parents were irreparably ruined, and I hope this summer I can regroup so that I can trust you again next year.

None of the other districts are that great either, except for salary. I love my school and teaching your children, and that's the only reason I'm staying.

Anonymous wrote:APS has shit on teachers for too long and not prioritized their pay. Bridget Loft is also terrible and there are no signs of her (terrible) influence waning under Duran. But sure, blame parents complaining on the internet as if APS is the only district where that happens.

¿Por qué no los dos?
(your comment is whataboutism)

APS has shit on teachers for too long and not prioritized their pay. Bridget Loft is also terrible and there are no signs of her (terrible) influence waning under Duran. But sure, blame parents complaining on the internet as if APS is the only district where that happens.

APS administration treated teachers terribly. Everything from ongoing whiplash messages about when they'd go back, no answers from HR on who had to go back in person, no confidence in safety measures or what was or wasn't allowed, lack of IT support or guidance, shoddy teacher vaccine roll out, and on and on. It was a hot mess. From my conversations with teacher friends, there was more APS teacher angst over APS administration indecision, poor communication and lack of leadership than from any parents. Not to mention that a ton of parent angst was completely the fault of APS leadership. Let's put the blame on those with actual accountability.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm sure all of the above reasons are factors, but it's interesting that no one here on DCUM is owning up to the poor treatment of teachers by Arlington parents this past year. Many teachers were dumped on for things that were not their fault. It's no surprise that some are retiring early or going to other districts.

Were teachers actually being treated poorly by parents in real life or are we talking about internet message board cowboys? Not sure how anonymous comments by disgruntled parents could be worse the administration doing things like informing parents that they weren't going to get their promised summer school because of the teachers (vs poor planning by the admin).

The other AEM thread discusses how actual names were used by some crazy parents in a forum where many APS teachers view comments.

Also there were board meetings where APS School level staff were called out by not name, but when you're the singular person of your title at one school, it might a well have been. Horrible people

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm sure all of the above reasons are factors, but it's interesting that no one here on DCUM is owning up to the poor treatment of teachers by Arlington parents this past year. Many teachers were dumped on for things that were not their fault. It's no surprise that some are retiring early or going to other districts.

Were teachers actually being treated poorly by parents in real life or are we talking about internet message board cowboys? Not sure how anonymous comments by disgruntled parents could be worse the administration doing things like informing parents that they weren't going to get their promised summer school because of the teachers (vs poor planning by the admin).

The other AEM thread discusses how actual names were used by some crazy parents in a forum where many APS teachers view comments.

Anonymous wrote:I'm sure all of the above reasons are factors, but it's interesting that no one here on DCUM is owning up to the poor treatment of teachers by Arlington parents this past year. Many teachers were dumped on for things that were not their fault. It's no surprise that some are retiring early or going to other districts.

Were teachers actually being treated poorly by parents in real life or are we talking about internet message board cowboys? Not sure how anonymous comments by disgruntled parents could be worse the administration doing things like informing parents that they weren't going to get their promised summer school because of the teachers (vs poor planning by the admin).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm sure all of the above reasons are factors, but it's interesting that no one here on DCUM is owning up to the poor treatment of teachers by Arlington parents this past year. Many teachers were dumped on for things that were not their fault. It's no surprise that some are retiring early or going to other districts.

That's because APE hangs out and dominates DCUM. They will never own up to their role in anything. What me? Not my fault!

I’m not sure why anyone would think parents are better in neighboring districts.

This. Did you read any of the non-APS posts before they moved FCPS to its own forum?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm sure all of the above reasons are factors, but it's interesting that no one here on DCUM is owning up to the poor treatment of teachers by Arlington parents this past year. Many teachers were dumped on for things that were not their fault. It's no surprise that some are retiring early or going to other districts.

That's because APE hangs out and dominates DCUM. They will never own up to their role in anything. What me? Not my fault!

I’m not sure why anyone would think parents are better in neighboring districts.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm sure all of the above reasons are factors, but it's interesting that no one here on DCUM is owning up to the poor treatment of teachers by Arlington parents this past year. Many teachers were dumped on for things that were not their fault. It's no surprise that some are retiring early or going to other districts.

That's because APE hangs out and dominates DCUM. They will never own up to their role in anything. What me? Not my fault!

How can it be APEs fault when it was teacher's fault. Check mate teachers!

Anonymous wrote:I'm sure all of the above reasons are factors, but it's interesting that no one here on DCUM is owning up to the poor treatment of teachers by Arlington parents this past year. Many teachers were dumped on for things that were not their fault. It's no surprise that some are retiring early or going to other districts.

That's because APE hangs out and dominates DCUM. They will never own up to their role in anything. What me? Not my fault!

If teachers, like other professionals, are reevaluating their longer commutes what does that mean for APS? Is it doable to
Live here comfortably on a teacher’s salary or will
APS need to raise salaries to
Compete for the best? And how will the district pay for that with the ballooning of central office staff under Dr Duran?

Resignations for the last meeting in June almost doubled from last year. That's probably a pretty good indication since there is a June 15 deadline to be hired in a neighboring county.