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As I prepare to say goodbye to Central Valley after 37 years in education I need to share some of my thoughts about things I have seen and things that I believe. Even though it might sound trite, I would like to thank all of you for your hard work and extreme dedication to our students, their families and our community. As I moved around the district, going into buildings and talking to staff at all levels, I was impressed to see the energy and expertise on display. You are doing amazing work under some very difficult and stressful conditions. These are tough times and it is now very important to focus on your.....
PRIORITIES.I was in a discussion with an administrator not long ago and he believed that there are two groups of teachers, those who think of themselves as teachers first and those who don’t. When you place teaching first on your list you would naturally want to do what is expected of you by your principal even when it means working late nights and working through your prep periods. The other group must have different priorities. They are serious teachers as well but would be more likely to hesitate and question before doing something that conflicts with the contract.
I think priorities are very important. They provide an anchor to throw out when things get stormy and the pressure starts to increase. How often have we been advised to revisit our priorities when we start feeling stressed? Priorities have helped me retain my mental health in my most trying times. Here are mine. #1 is family. They are the reason behind everything I do. #2 is ME. Yes as selfish as that sounds I learned early that if I were not physically and mentally healthy, I would be of little good to those around me. #3 is my job as a teacher. I have spent an enormous amount of time working with and for students and have enjoyed what most would consider a successful career.
In these difficult times it is important that we strive for balance in everything we do. Working late nights are things we all do, but only when they fit into your priorities, which brings us to…..
UNION BASHING
Our society today spends an enormous amount of time and energy trying to find fault and blame others. Success in the political arena is all about seeing to it that the other side fails. The whole notion of collaboration is at risk. We are quick to divide and take sides rather than trying to work together.
The schools are failing they say, and it has to be the fault of the teachers. We need to fire the teachers, close the schools and everything will get better. The unions are the real problem because they protect the bad teachers by offering up tenure. Nothing could be farther from the truth. What unions have done over many years of work with the districts, is to provide protection via due process. Poor teachers can be removed but today, the district must show just cause to do so. If you teach in Arizona, your job exists at the whim of the administration. You can be let go by the principal if he/she decides you are no longer needed. No reason need be given and there are no avenues for recourse. Our negotiated agreement with our District is just that, an agreement. It is in place to provide guidance to both sides and remind us that we are working together as a team. The Collective Bargaining Agreement provides the rules we have agreed to play by. When anyone tries to ignore the agreement bad things are bound to happen. When someone asks teachers to do something that is not in agreement with contract language they immediately place teachers against teachers. Sides will be taken, divisions will occur and morale will suffer. It is always better to follow the road map we have worked so hard to agree on. It is not acceptable to justify ignoring the agreement by saying it is……
WHAT IS BEST FOR KIDS
Really? I have yet to hear any debate over this popular phrase. I seem to remember that there was a time when they said that smoking was “Good for your health.” In today’s sound bite world, information comes in quick easily digested pieces. Talk radio and flashy newscasts spew forth opinions presented as facts. We are accustomed to integrating this into our belief systems without questioning. If you carry the “What is best for Kids” concept to its logical end, we would agree that coming in an hour earlier each day and staying two hours later would really be good for kids.
I would question how adding time and additional requirements to the teacher’s workload can be good for kids. How will stressing our teachers and taking time away from them and their families be a good thing for kids? Not trusting them to use their professional judgment and removing them from their students so that they can attend an increasing number of meetings can’t be good for kids.
What is best for kids is for them to have teachers who are free to teach and care for them. You have proven, time and time again that you can do amazing things when given the chance. You encourage, motivate and lead. Through your efforts, your classrooms provide support and comfort, safety and inspiration. The focus has always been on the student, the whole student and not just on a test score. You have done an exceptional job of combining the art of teaching with the science of teaching. Please work to continue that balance and when you are feeling stressed, remember to revisit your priorities.
Stay healthy, stay happy.
We have reached a tentative agreement with the CVSD for a new two-year contract. There will be a general meeting called sometime in the last week of May with a ratification vote in the first week of June. Everyone will have access to a summary of changes as well as the actual new contract language. It is important that you study this, discuss it with your colleagues and/or attend the general meeting. Stay tuned for more information coming your way.
You are allowed to carry over a maximum of 2 personal days each year. You are front loaded three days at the beginning of each year but you can have no more than 5 at any one time. If you currently have more that 2 you will need to either use the excess or claim them at the substitute rate of pay. To claim any or all of the days, fill out a time sheet, write on it that you want to claim X number of personal leave days. Return it to the building secretary and she will see to it that it gets to the payroll office.
CVEA OFFICERS
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