Re: Reading and SUM Teachers in FCPS Elementary Schools
Posted by:
Been there too long
()
Date: December 01, 2012 10:34AM
These jobs also justify someone's job (maybe even more than one person) at Gatehouse (to oversee them, hold meetings for them to be "staff developed", etc.). These are the kinds of people who drive the "regular" teachers nuts in the school. They cause tension and low morale among the teachers who are really working. I understand what the OP is saying. If people don't really work with the students (and some of these folks have not done that in years) and they then try to tell the teachers what to do, there is resentment (especially among teachers with years of experience who probably know more than the "specialist" knows). The "specialist" usually got the job because they "know" someone or because they were looking for the cake job. This usually means that they are not respected by other teachers (which, unfortunately can also cause the specialist to steer clear of the "regular" teachers and hang out in an office somewhere because these people have no real power over other teachers---they do not evaluate them). I'm sorry to hear about this in your school, but I am not surprised at all. This is a poorly designed method of "helping kids". The better method would be to have everyone teaching and responsible for kids, but have one teacher who is already respected take a lighter load in order to learn whatever needs to be learned to keep up. In my opinion, EVERYONE in a building should have some direct responsibility for kids (I mean a real class where you have to give grades) for at least a couple of periods a day. No exceptions. There is only mutual respect when you know someone is walking in your shoes and has been walking there quite recently (at least in this business). Principals are an exception. We know how hard they work. That's a ridiculous job. This is just my two cents. FCPS has to put more people on the front lines and have fewer generals (or people who think they are generals---you wouldn't believe how these jobs go to people's heads). Many teachers simply tune these people out. Until FCPS makes teachers important (and right now they hardly feel that way), there will be a lot of unhappiness and low morale. They talk about "pushing down" initiatives. That is hardly a recipe for teacher happiness. It's going to get worse before it gets better. WAY TOO MANY CHEFS AND NOT ENOUGH COOKS IN THE KITCHEN.