Anonymous wrote:Dcps teacher here. I could never work to the clock. My allegiance is to the kids, not dcps and that means doing what's right for them. Not looking for any pats on the back..I just don't know how people do it. I envy the teachers who manage to get out of the building at 3;30. Can't for the life of me figure out how they do it and manage to get their work done.

Working to the clock is a form of protest -- it isn't normal. It's a way of visibly and tangibly demonstrating what most teachers do each day and what happens if they do not.

Anonymous wrote:Here's a dirty little secret. If you factor in the benefits (I.e. Pension, healthcare, etc.), on an hourly basis DC teachers make as much as many law fir junior partners in DC.

So what?

Their salaries won't rise as much, and you can argue that their work is more beneficial to society.

Dcps teacher here. I could never work to the clock. My allegiance is to the kids, not dcps and that means doing what's right for them. Not looking for any pats on the back..I just don't know how people do it. I envy the teachers who manage to get out of the building at 3;30. Can't for the life of me figure out how they do it and manage to get their work done.

Anonymous wrote:Yes, ask for less. That's usually a good strategy. Smh. I'm so tired of people using fear and guilt as strategies against teacher's reasonable demands. Really doubt you'd hear "Be careful, firefighters!"

And, one more time, summer is unpaid. Closer to seasonal work than vacation. Ask a teacher and you'll find that many of us are working, coaching, and taking classes in addition to -- yes -- resting and recharging.

Yes, if summer was paid, and you were on a 12 month contract, you would likely be getting $2,000 + per year more - BA, with 1 year exp + step 1 gets paid $51.4 ($5,100/month) a 12 month contract would put a brand new teacher at $61/year. If the argue about summer unpaid is continually made, at least recognize that that annualized salaries probably put teachers at a higher compensation level than many other professionals, especially just starting out. The benefits, including a pension and housing allowance for new home buyers is something unheard in most non union professions these days.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Add to that money being siphoned away for vouchers/private/religious/charter schools. There will certainly be less in the pot to go around.

DCPS does not lack for funds. It's how poorly they manage those funds that is it real issue.

Then why do schools not have paper or toner, and teachers have to buy their own basic supplies: toner, hand sanitizer, paper, pencils, pens, etc...

That actually has a lot to do with the principal and business manager. At my school we NEVER got supplies. EVER. We were told that is what the $200 gift card was for. You'd walk by the supply room when it was open and it was like being at Tiffanys. Paper, pencils, markers, sanitizer, Lysol wipes, manipulatives etc stacked to the ceiling. You couldn't touch or have a thing. We got a new business manager two years ago and suddenly all you had to do was put in a request and voila they gave you supplies.

I'm more mad about LEAP and how highly effective is doled out to a chosen few no matter what you do than the contract. But let's not pretend DCPS doesn't have any money.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Add to that money being siphoned away for vouchers/private/religious/charter schools. There will certainly be less in the pot to go around.

DCPS does not lack for funds. It's how poorly they manage those funds that is it real issue.

Then why do schools not have paper or toner, and teachers have to buy their own basic supplies: toner, hand sanitizer, paper, pencils, pens, etc...

I find this to be a strange thread. I have worked in several DCPS schools and have children in DCPS. I have never heard any teacher talk about working to the clock. Teachers put in the work required to be successful at their job and so that students improve and progress. If you don't then than the days are long and difficult. Why would you do that to yourself? All teachers work long hours planning in the evenings, attending meetings outside of the workday, and are expected to be responsive to parents around the clock. I have met very few teachers that are guided by contract negotiations. WTU and DCPS are under this continual relationship of negotiation.

Why is there a problem with teachers working the clock?

They're teaching, which is what they are paid to do. Does only working paid hours mean students aren't being educated?

Anonymous wrote:Here's a dirty little secret. If you factor in the benefits (I.e. Pension, healthcare, etc.), on an hourly basis DC teachers make as much as many law fir junior partners in DC.

You have got to be kidding. Please break down your math for us.

Here's a dirty little secret. If you factor in the benefits (I.e. Pension, healthcare, etc.), on an hourly basis DC teachers make as much as many law fir junior partners in DC.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Point being many comparable professions earn the same salaries and work 12 not 10 months. Nobody is proposing asking for less. Just be aware of the optics of your demands amongst the massive cuts coming from the Trump Administration. There is going to be a lot of suffering. Know that the Mayor and the Council will have less funds for vital city services like meals on wheels etc. So - it is not quite so simple to meet your demands.

Can you list the professions you are thinking of as comparable?

Yes please - comparable in terms of pay and hours. Not talking about law firm associates please.

One example is a Librarian. Their salary is less than a teacher's salary for full-time, year round work. You also need a master's degree plus you work weekends and nights.

Ok. I'm not as familiar with this profession. Do librarians regularly work 10 hour days beyond their stated hours, bring work home and pay for things out of their own pocket?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Point being many comparable professions earn the same salaries and work 12 not 10 months. Nobody is proposing asking for less. Just be aware of the optics of your demands amongst the massive cuts coming from the Trump Administration. There is going to be a lot of suffering. Know that the Mayor and the Council will have less funds for vital city services like meals on wheels etc. So - it is not quite so simple to meet your demands.

Can you list the professions you are thinking of as comparable?

Yes please - comparable in terms of pay and hours. Not talking about law firm associates please.

One example is a Librarian. Their salary is less than a teacher's salary for full-time, year round work. You also need a master's degree plus you work weekends and nights.

Btw- the analogy to a law firm would be this: you bust your ass all year billing 2000 hours, volunteering for a time consuming business development project for a partner, and also participate in on campus recruiting at your alma mater. You also agree to serve on the pro bono steering committee and take on a summer associate mentee. Bonus time rolls around and the executive committee decides that times are tough and there will be no bonuses or COLA this year. Meanwhile partners are making $1M+.
Next year: do you still volunteer for business development, recruiting, mentoring? Or do you put in your billable minimum and go home to your family?

Work the Clock!!!

Anonymous wrote:New poster here: Weren't you aware when you entered the teaching field that your pay would not be the same as someone in finance, business, law, medicine, engineering etc? I do not understand the discussion comparing one field to another.

Teachers are not the ones making those comparisons. It's other posters who are saying that teachers should be happy with anything DCPS sends their way while routinely working 10 hour days