tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post4411665756898852414..comments2023-10-01T06:53:05.812-04:00Comments on The Washington Teacher: DC Teachers: Are You Ready For A Buyout, Early Retirement Or 1 year To Get Another Job ?Candi Petersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12266880795971626269noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-21866701441239722792013-07-20T15:17:29.615-04:002013-07-20T15:17:29.615-04:00Wow, I had no issue teaching in DC was so perilous...Wow, I had no issue teaching in DC was so perilous. Reading this blog and the comments has really opened my eyes.AIDChttp://www.aidcinc.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-25034159515851648672010-07-28T00:19:56.478-04:002010-07-28T00:19:56.478-04:00The Mayor sounds like he's on the way out and ...The Mayor sounds like he's on the way out and Rhee may be as well ? Hang in there !Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-52496374159856216332009-09-13T22:34:12.961-04:002009-09-13T22:34:12.961-04:00Candi,where is the actual evaluation that will be ...Candi,where is the actual evaluation that will be used to score the teachers ?Do you have it to post and see ? Based on what ? 60 points if you're students pass the EOG and you get the next 10 for creativity ? How do teacher's get the 70 points ? Performance based excessing Article 2,2.1.1 ? A reduction in school budget and you're excessed ? That's not getting any points ! We've got a stimulus check for that and then thinking PL 107-110 penalities and mandates to resolve. Where is the criteria and actual evaluation to score 70 points ? How are operations in the building and the resources ? How many years experience does the principle have ? I'd love to see this evaluation the principles are using to score their teachers.20 years teaching inner city gets you 10 points ? No,that gets you a medal called hero and you get into heaven.That should score at least 25 points.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-49462744446689832372009-09-12T21:28:27.882-04:002009-09-12T21:28:27.882-04:00Find an international teaching job fair ? Be ready...Find an international teaching job fair ? Be ready to re-locate ? God never closes a door he doesn't open a fire escape.If the alarms go off,keep going ? Just trying to keep a sense of humor.Washington teachers are on strike and 26,000 students are out of their classrooms.The judge says they will see a fine of $200.00 a day if they're not back to work on Monday.Strikes are illegal in Washington They're standing up for smaller class sizes.<br /><br />Terminated teachers ? See budget and don't take it personally, cause it's happening all over the country. Our national educational bus transportation needs money or guess what ? The kids won't be picked up to be at school.These are scary times to fix and find solutions.Frame your termination papers on behalf of Rhee reform and don't look back.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-44717034141070654132009-09-11T20:31:27.148-04:002009-09-11T20:31:27.148-04:00I was initially excessed on
April 30, 2009. I was...I was initially excessed on<br />April 30, 2009. I was not given<br />any other options other to attend<br />career fairs that my principal was<br />providing me information about. I did not get picked up, however, had<br />several interviews with principals at the career fairs. In addition, when I learned of my excess status, I sent out letters of interest to prospective principals. Over the summer a few<br />principals called me to share they had openings, and would like to interview me. I was not able to schedule interviews because I am a terminated teacher. I was told that<br />I could not attend any interviews<br />by a union representative. According to what I have been reading, and please correct me if I am wrong....Shouldn't I have been given options since I was initially excessed before being terminated? Options like being able to substitute teach at the current pay rate I was making, or<br />filling in for positions that are not filled or being given a year to find another teaching position and being compensated at sametime?<br />I also read that I could bump a<br />new teacher whose been hired. None<br />of this has happened. Perhaps<br />I am misunderstanding something, and if so I would appreciate clarification. I just want to know<br />what rights I have being I was <br />initially excessed before being terminated. I also have proof of <br />being excessed first.<br />Many thanks!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-49244864609981899352009-09-10T22:08:28.426-04:002009-09-10T22:08:28.426-04:00Way to go Candi... now we have the WTU wasting mor...Way to go Candi... now we have the WTU wasting more "negotiation time" writing letters to all of us about you!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-66795962342805533082009-09-08T14:07:40.573-04:002009-09-08T14:07:40.573-04:00To Anon,
Do you remember the last time the WTU la...To Anon,<br /><br />Do you remember the last time the WTU lawyer came to a membership meeting at McKinley? When he was finally given the microphone to speak (two hours after the meeting started) and to answer members' questions, he stumbled around like a lost puppy. He attempted to soft step the relevant points of concern because he did not want to cover-up the real issues. when finally pressed, he admitted that the red/green thing and any loss of tenure and seniority rights including this performance based excessing would undermine worker's rights!!!!!! duh!!!<br /><br />by the way, sources say that the WTU attorney has not been at the table on negotiations and is pretty damn (oops...sorry) perplexed as to why he is not in the loop!lindseynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-79138807748132353662009-09-07T16:50:43.305-04:002009-09-07T16:50:43.305-04:00Is the WTU lawyer a part of negotiations ? I would...Is the WTU lawyer a part of negotiations ? I would like to know what his/her input is regarding this proposal?<br />Will there be a legal opinion of this proposal first ?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-43246866914966186172009-09-05T18:03:26.554-04:002009-09-05T18:03:26.554-04:00"If a teacher fails to perform his or her dut..."If a teacher fails to perform his or her duties, s/he should be terminated."<br /><br />I think that any employees who don't do their jobs shouldn't be allowed to keep them. <br /><br />However, the issue here is fairness. Some teachers have been put on the 90 day plan unfairly - just as a way of driving out vets or punishing squeaky wheels.<br /><br />Teachers are excessed for reasons totally unrelated to performance -- because their school is closed or enrollment goes down or the school is restructured.Kingsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-71180176026313608332009-09-05T12:03:50.371-04:002009-09-05T12:03:50.371-04:00Reply to Veteran Teacher
You are correct that the...Reply to Veteran Teacher <br />You are correct that the early out will apply to those who have been excessed. Of course according to this contract proposal document it is subject to government approval. <br /><br />There is no early out for anyone else according to the proposal. I suspect that there won't be an early out for anyone else because it would be too costly for the District of Columbia government to fund. I am not even sure if they can afford the proposal and perhaps this is why it is at a standstill as Mr. Parker indicated last week at the WTU B.R. training. Stay tuned.The Washington Teacherhttp://thewashingtonteacher.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-54583282534473180192009-09-05T11:36:39.561-04:002009-09-05T11:36:39.561-04:00"The bad news is that teachers could be subje..."The bad news is that teachers could be subjected to performance based excessing."<br /><br />Maybe I'm dumb, but how is that bad? If a teacher fails to perform his or her duties, s/he should be terminated.<br /><br />(Before you presume I need to be informed about what it's like to be a DCPS teacher, let me add this: I am one.)Shakiranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-92066072205411579842009-09-03T22:04:46.024-04:002009-09-03T22:04:46.024-04:00Anonymous - (sic)is a Latin term used in writing t...Anonymous - (sic)is a Latin term used in writing to indicate an error in the original quote, in this case, your misspelling of "qualify."<br /><br />It wasn't a very nice thing for usereason to do.Kingsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-45572770005628528852009-09-03T19:27:16.515-04:002009-09-03T19:27:16.515-04:00To usereason:
I've applied to teacher stores...To usereason: <br /><br />I've applied to teacher stores,<br />daycare centers, charter schools, seven school systems, private schools, posted flyers for tutoring services, etc. I am offended about the posting you have made onto this blog site by saying "sic." Have you had to hit the pavement in trying to obtain a teaching posiiton or employment? By the way, many of the suggestions you have listed require qualifications that an Early Childhood/Elem. teachers may not have. For example, to become a librarian one must have a Library of Science degree. To work at the college level requires additional endorsements/ certification. It is my strong suggestion that before you place such posting onto a blog site that you "need to do your homework" before casting stones to those of us who are diligently seeking employment opportunities. Did it ever occur to you that perhaps many of us who have been terminated are not able to go back to school due to financial reasons ?<br /><br />In order to obtain the necessary credentials in order to apply for some of the career choice you have posted? In addition, many of us who have been terminated have years of experience as teachers, and are unable to get another teaching position due to being over qualified. I have over 20 years teaching experience. Many schools, <br />school systems are unable to afford to pay those of us who have many years of experience, and<br />won't even bother to contact us once they review the resume and see the qualifications.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-66328377383417749172009-09-03T17:16:24.707-04:002009-09-03T17:16:24.707-04:00I am voting UP!!! I want this contract!!! Don'...I am voting UP!!! I want this contract!!! Don't forget that Candi is only showing you one small part of the proposal... as usual...not the whole picture!!! This blog is designed to go against Rhee in any way, shape or form. Don't do it teachers!! VOTE FOR THE CONTRACT... it is a good one!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-11538551868554884332009-09-03T15:10:17.768-04:002009-09-03T15:10:17.768-04:00I not amazed a the cavalier attitude of self-servi...I not amazed a the cavalier attitude of self-serving teachers who won't stand up to management or for their students but will kick another teacher at the first oppurtunity. Teachers have allowed hundreds maybe thousands of their peers to be fired justly or unjustly and still have not found the courage to take mass action against management. I would tell you to "Go to Hell" but I know some of you are already there working for the insane Michelle Rhee.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-49577575041752062492009-09-03T08:36:09.319-04:002009-09-03T08:36:09.319-04:00How can a teacher qulaify for any other career oth...How can a teacher qulaify for any other career other than teaching? (sic)<br /><br />I don't want to sound uncaring, but I had to answer this question anonymous asked. He/she's the second teacher I've heard ask this question.<br /><br />Teaching is one of the most flexible careers you can go into. Teachers can write books, develop curricula, create educational songs/software/games, become professional speakers/trainers, open tutoring centers, tutor privately, become librarians, teach overseas, produce educational videos, teach in day care centers/private schools/charter schools/colleges, become adjunct professors and spend half of your time doing other activities, and become educational advocates, operate summer camps and educational supply stores, and become career specialists. <br /><br />Those are just the education-related areas I can think of. Probably any position that requires a liberal-arts degree can be adequately filled by a teacher.<br /><br />I'm not trying to get off the topic, but teaching is a flexible careerusereasonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-52610487143839370592009-09-03T08:34:58.154-04:002009-09-03T08:34:58.154-04:00Moderated response to usereason comment (below)
I...Moderated response to usereason comment (below)<br /><br />If you are going to criticize me then get it right. I did not object to "Rhee making information about her contract proposal public" as you state. First of all it is not Rhee's contract proposal. It is The Washington Teachers Union contract proposal that was negotiated on behalf of our union members. <br /><br />I objected to Rhee being invited to our union meeting to discuss the details of our contract proposal. I also stated that our members should have had the opportunity to review the WTU contract proposal in its entirety and not just the presentation of the financial components of the proposal. Members had the right to ask questions about what had been negotiated without the intrusion and influence of management being present. Union meetings are not open to management and the general public.<br /><br />It's unfortunate that you are so quick to jump to attack mode while twisting the facts regarding what happened last summer and arriving at conclusions that are inaccurate and misleading. You do not know of what you speak. For this reason- I have moderated your inaccurate comment.<br /><br />The Washington Teacher <br />Blog moderator<br /><br />Usereason stated:<br /><br />"Candi, last summer you objected to Rhee making information about her contract proposal public. You said the union was wrong to present this information to teachers while negotiations were still underway. Then why are you sharing this information with everyone now? Isn't this information part of the "negotiations" - even if Parker is preparing to declare an impasse? Looks like a double srandard exists here."The Wash. Teacher responds to usereasonhttp://theashingtonteacher.blogpot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-46783073272629747042009-09-02T18:09:14.092-04:002009-09-02T18:09:14.092-04:00So this looks like the early out will not be gener...So this looks like the early out will not be general, but only for excessed teachers, am I correct? If so, will there also be an early out proposed on the contract for non-excessed DCPS with 20 years in the system, but too young to retire?Veteran Teachernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-15012288869121780832009-09-02T17:39:28.877-04:002009-09-02T17:39:28.877-04:00The following sentence--pertaining to the proposed...The following sentence--pertaining to the proposed Options--says it all:<br /><br />"This provision shall be subject to necessary government approvals."<br /><br />We all know the devil is in the details and this one, in particular, is loaded. So, let's say a teacher chooses one of the options. His/Her paperwork is processed to exit from the system. Then, a notice is sent saying the government DID NOT approve the provision (i.e., buyout, early retirement, etc.) Guess what? Joke's on you now. You have effectively left the system--on your own accord--and have nothing to show for it. FentRhee then laughs and calls you a sucker. <br /><br />Is this what you want in a contract, colleagues? I, for one, am not falling for the okie doke. I vote NO!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-58217603388320222522009-09-02T15:36:00.547-04:002009-09-02T15:36:00.547-04:00"Where or where has our union help gone? Oh, ..."Where or where has our union help gone? Oh, where, oh where have they gone?????"<br /><br />(sung to the tune of Oh where, oh where has my little dog gone....)Lindseynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-72742089709391458092009-09-02T15:05:54.838-04:002009-09-02T15:05:54.838-04:00Anonymous responding to Kings:
Well, perhaps Cand...Anonymous responding to Kings:<br /><br />Well, perhaps Candi may want to<br />consider sending Rhee and Fenty<br />teacher comments as to how they have affected DCPS teachers who they have terminated unjustly.<br />I was asked to submit a letter to Chancellor Rhee if I wanted to be reconsidered. I followed through on this. I received word that my termination was being upheld.<br />Like I shared, I was never on <br />a 90 day plan, was initially<br />excessed on April 30, 2009,<br />and then terminated on June 17th.<br />My due process rights were clearly<br />violated as well as other rights according to the contract.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-18934612885225404212009-09-02T13:53:00.474-04:002009-09-02T13:53:00.474-04:00Why of why does Rhee has a 74% approval rating? Yo...Why of why does Rhee has a 74% approval rating? You know why? B/c the Post LOVES Rhee, so nobody knows. She has made no gains in the system, only enemies. Fired teachers, and the Union has cowtowed to her, for whatever unknown reason. Maybe we need to make the Post see the light?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-86910766329392340602009-09-02T13:48:50.595-04:002009-09-02T13:48:50.595-04:00I can tell you now, Candi, without even seeing the...I can tell you now, Candi, without even seeing the rest of the proposal, I'd vote this one DOWN. Suppose you don't want Options 1 and 3 and are not eligible for Option 2? This negotiation process has gone ridicuously long and we need to move on to something right away. Speaking of options, what, legally, are ours (WTU members) for demanding something to vote on immediately so we can go to the next step, if necessary? <br /><br />Please let your blog readers know the count on those who would vote the contract up or down based on the proposed options.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-75900524486728001972009-09-02T09:44:16.784-04:002009-09-02T09:44:16.784-04:00I recently came accross your blog and have been re...I recently came accross your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I dont know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.Abagalenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7097158142844550473.post-58799941440664766502009-09-02T08:47:25.782-04:002009-09-02T08:47:25.782-04:00Dear Anonymous terminated teacher -
Rhee and Fent...Dear Anonymous terminated teacher - <br />Rhee and Fenty are different from you and me. They have no trouble sleeping over their gross mistreatment of DC teachers.Kingsnoreply@blogger.com