Fidgety

July 6, 2009

July 1, 2009

If only for a moment, I can breathe. Anyone who knows me can only imagine how I am feeling at the prospect of spoiled 'Richie Rich' Bloomberg losing control over the school system. What would this mean for me and the other Reassigned teachers? God only knows... Perhaps a real chance to tell our stories and allow the truth to be known. Perhaps a return to a child oriented school system like the one that I was raised in. If only for a moment, I can dream.

June 30, 2009

Melancholy Disgust

Blame it on disgust, loss of hope, depleted energy and denial of my constitutional rights...I haven't been able to post as of lately. The summer has begun and I plan to enjoy it. I'm trying to ignore the black cloud of returning to the Rubber Room in September as it follows me wherever I go. Having to lie about my status to family and friends has robbed me of a great amount of my spirit. I am hoping to regain some sanity over this long awaited summer sabbatical.

June 4, 2009

Emergency Protest in Harlem Against Bloomberg

Emergency Protest in Harlem Against Bloomberg

Thursday, June 4, 2009 - Starting at 5:30 PM
Bethel AME Church
60 West 132nd Street
(Between Lenox & 5th Avenue)
I'm passing this information on for anyone who thinks New York is going in the wrong direction under this mayor. The campaign's website is: http://www.dumpbloombergnow.org/ and the organizers are sending this description around:

Dr. Lenora Fulani, founder of the youth charity “All Stars Project” that has received millions in funding from billionaire Mayor Michael Bloomberg, has set out to once again bamboozle African Americans. Fulani is holding a support Bloomberg Rally in Harlem on June 4th. There are indications the mayor might attend. Incredibly, Fulani claims under Bloomberg, “on the whole, social, economic and cultural life has improved” and that Bloomberg is, “the most powerful choice for the Black community.”

The quality of life for African Americans, Latinos, Asians, immigrants communities, middle income whites and the working class in general have not improved under Bloomberg, it’s just the opposite: Police suppression and murder of Blacks, an increase in the homeless shelter population that tops 36,000 on any given night, mayoral control of public schools that pushes “charter schools”, cuts in educations, transportation fare hikes but reduction in services, cuts in higher education, zoning schemes destroying working class neighborhoods and local businesses, and the demand of the mayor that working families in the shelter system have to pay rent are just a few of the horrors we endure every day under Bloomberg, the richest person in New York City and the 17th richest person in the WORLD.

Join us on June 4th. Bring banners, noise makers and friends. This is a citywide Dump Bloomberg protest. We are all in the same sinking boat under Bloomberg and we cannot afford another four years of this billionaire mayor.
Join the Dump Bloomberg Campaign. Email: dumpbloomberg2009@gmail.com.
For people at my school, I have about 10 buttons ($1 each) which say), but I'm sure there will be more available at the rally.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SECONDLY:

I just received an email about the NYCLU's being "interested in helping teachers with labor/civil rights issues. They are especially interest in the rubber room.
Point person — Angela Jones, 212 607-3388. ajones@nyclu.org

But, they also have taken a position on Bloomberg:

The NYCLU put out a report on May 14th called "Civil Rights, Transparency, Accountability Suffer Under Current Mayoral Control Scheme." Here's what Exec. Director Donna Lieberman said in a recent email to NYCLU members:

"The current regime of absolute, unfettered mayoral control is incompatible with a safe, effective educational environment. For our schools and our children to be as successful as they can be, parents must be a part of the educational process and the core democratic principles of transparency, accountability and public participation in government must be respected. The Legislature must close the loopholes that have given Mayor Bloomberg and the Department of Education unfettered discretion over education policy."

The report documents the NYCLU's "tremendous difficulty in obtaining basic data and records on these issues from the DOE and NYPD through the Freedom of Information Law. The NYCLU’s experiences are not unique. The DOE routinely withholds from parents, the media and elected officials raw data on student performance, student safety and the education budget. . . .
"Under the current mayoral control system, Mayor Bloomberg and the DOE flout state and local statutes intended to assure public oversight of agencies with rulemaking power. For example, new Chancellor’s Regulations – rules that affect the lives and education of New York City’s children – are never subject to the 30-day public notice and comment period required by the City Administrative Procedures Act."

Among the eight changes the NYCLU is calling for are these:

(a) delineate the position of the DOE within the existing structure of city government,
(b) increase public oversight,
(c) strengthen the parental voice in policymaking,
(d) allow for public engagement in the decision-making process,
(e) mandate data transparency, and
(f) create an Inspector General to protect integrity, conduct independent audits and investigations, etc.

These are for starters, to restore the public trust.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

LASTLY:
There's another protest tomorrow, but they made it when no one who's teaching or running schools can go. Here's the details.

EMERGENCY
Rally to Protect
Our Schools!

*** Thursday, June 4, 2009 ***

NOON

City Hall Steps

Mayor Bloomberg’s budget would slash $400 million from education, resulting in increased class sizes, elimination of academic programs, and scarcer books, equipment, and other basic learning necessities.

Join parents, students, educators, and advocates on Thursday in sending a message to Mayor Bloomberg and the City Council:
· Oppose cuts to classroom!
· Raise revenue for education and other essential services!

Crucial budget negotiations are happening this week -- and may be concluded this weekend -- so NOW is the time to speak out in support of our children.

For more information, contact Shana Marks-Odinga
at the Alliance for Quality Education:
smarksodinga@aqeny.org; 718-222-1089, ext. 237

June 2, 2009

Please say it isn't so.

There are no words for this type of betrayal.

June 1, 2009

Principal Sean Keaton Sited...

Wearing sunglasses, a suit,tie and looking rather frail, Principal Sean Keaton was sighted today pacing the perimeter of the District 13 office building at 355 Park Place. His markedly thin and lanky appearance resembled that of a young high school boy, however his demeanor was aloof and disassociated with the goings on around him. It is safe to say that he wanted to remain anonymous, but with front page coverage, that was not happening. The District 13 office building is also the home for one the Department of Education's famous teacher reassignment centers. The big question is, will he be given the "principal red carpet treatment" or will he be joining the DOE's reassigned employees in the rubber room for his assault on chapter leader, Robert Segarra?

Posted by ForeverBrooklyn on May 22, 2009 11:20 AM in response to the Daily News Article published on May 21, 2009:
My daughter is a current student of Mr.Segarra...We love him. He is one of the best things to ever happen to that school. Principle Keaton is one of the most unapproachable, self centered people I have ever met. Although I understand his concern in getting the school grades up..I appreciate that..He has no regard for the parents or teachers..I wasn't too surprised to see that Keaton used street tactics to resolve this issue..I get that from him. He is more concerned about scores(Which I understand BUT), than the kids throwing food at each other in the mornings, the boys beating up on the girls, the kids who curse, scream and tell the few parents that make themselves present "your not my mother, you can't tell me what to do". Safety and discipline is truly lacking..The chaos in the mornings before the kids get to class makes you want to home school your child..The students don't reflect the community..Most of the "new" parents are moving to areas get their kids into PS 11 or Park Slope.
Posted by ForeverBrooklyn on May 22, 2009 11:20 AM in response to the Daily News Article published on May 21, 2009.

P.S. We reserve a special place for Principals in the Rubber Room...
School Principal Busted for Beating Teacher at Corporal Punishment Hearing

May 31, 2009

What Do Teachers Make?

An oldie but goody. It's worth repeating.

WHAT TEACHERS MAKE?

The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life. One

man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education. He argued,

"What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in

life was to become a teacher?" He reminded the other dinner guests what

they say about teachers: "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach.

"To stress his point he said to another guest; "You're a teacher,

Bonnie. Be honest. What do you make?

"Bonnie, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied, "You

want to know what I make? (She paused for a second, then began...)

"Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could. I make

a C+ feel like the Congressional Medal of Honor. I make kids sit through

40 minutes of class time when their parents can't make them sit for 5

without an I Pod, Game Cube or movie rental. You want to know what I

make?" (She paused again and looked at each and every person at the

table.). "I make kids wonder. I make them question. . I make them

apologize and mean it. I make them have respect and take responsibility

for their actions. I teach them to write and then I make them write.

Keyboarding isn't everything. I make them read, read, read. I make

them show all their work in math. They use their God given brain, not

the man-made calculator. I make my students from other countries learn

everything they need to know in English while preserving their unique

cultural identity. I make my classroom a place where all my students

feel safe. I make my students stand, placing their hand over their

heart to say the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, One Nation Under God,

because we live in the United States of America. Finally, I make them

understand that if they use the gifts they were given, work hard, and

follow their hearts, they can succeed in life." (Bonnie paused one last

time and then continued.) "Then, when people try to judge me by what I

make, with me knowing money isn't everything, I can hold my head up high

and pay no attention because they are ignorant... You want to know what

I make?

I MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

What do you make Mr... CEO? His jaw dropped, he went silent.

May 28, 2009

If not through the door, then through the window! --- Russian proverb

I found this written on a facebook group page. It just goes to show you that sooner or later, the truth with be revealed...one way or another.
"Mayor Bloomberg and his incompetent chancellor Joel Klein have destroyed education in New York City. With no-bid contracts, they have implemented flawed curriculums, such as Teachers College, and the woeful Everyday Math, which has been rejected by school systems nationwide. (Everyday Math was selected by former deputy chancellor Diana Lam for personal financial gain.)

Bloomberg and Klein have wasted millions on the aforementioned no-bid contracts, a legal squad to circumvent tenure laws, AUSSIE consultants, dummy organizations that praise Bloomberg and Klein and take out full-page ads in the Bloomberg-controlled media, , a "truth squad" to surf the internet and counter postings (like this) negative to Bloomberg and Klein, the ARIS computer program, the Teaching Fellows program and the Leadership Academy, which trains non-educators to be principals.

Veteran teachers are being brought up on trumped-up charges in order to drive them out, to be replaced by New Teacher Project "teachers" who have their masters degrees heavily subsidized with taxpayer dollars.

Test scores are rigged. The publishers making the programs that Klein has chosen also make the tests! The big lie is how schools are improving. National tests, such as the SAT's and NAEP show no gains whatsoever!

It's time to end mayoral control of our schools, as well as Bloomberg's tenure".-`anonymous

Tony Avella For Mayor

There is a God

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/28/nyregion/28corporal.html?emc=tnt&tntemail1=y

There is a god and he is watching over Glenn Storman who fought Against Corporal Punishment Charges and a U Rating. Congratulations to Mr. Storman for proving that the charges against him were false and excessive.

Principal From Hell: This is not the first time we are hearing about P.S. 212's Josephine Marsella. She will stop at nothing to hurt her hard working staff. It is not enough that a staff member receives a Letter In their File... Josephine Marsella is out for blood.

Read one parent's review of the school..." I had 2 of my kids go to this school. Now I only have 1. I wish none of my kids go to this school. This school has a lot of problems with teachers and the principal as well. Their safety issues are very questionable. My daughter stills get bullied at this school and I have tried everything to keep her safe. This is sad that the school will not protect our kids from being bullied."

May 24, 2009

Your UFT Dues Hard at Work

The Rubber Room. No one prepares you for this. Most chapter leaders don't know a thing about it. Why should they? The less they know the better. The UFT's ignorance and inaction helps the DOE keep it going. Walking into the rubber room is like nothing you've ever imagined. All I can say is, you're going to need to tap into all of your survival skills. The experience is so surreal that you'll feel like you've entered another dimension.

Since Randy's made your chances of being sent to the rubber room a whole lot likelier in our last contract, the least she could do is to provide some reading material to entertain you during your stay. After all, you will still be paying membership dues. Forget trashy romance novels, the Manual for Reassigned Teachers is where it's at when it comes to garbage. The manual is so vague and inaccurate in comparison to what actually takes place. Instead of negotiating to lessen the odds of being sent, she's created the proverbial bandaid.

After reading the manual, there are several things that the reassignees commented on...
Not one of us received our written charges within the designated six month period.
The DOE does not make good on their handshake agreements or letters concerning the TRCs.
The DOE does not follow time restraints.
Many of the reassignees are NOT placed in a reassignment center in the borough that they teach in.
Not all TRCs are created equal. The rules are different at each TRC. The rules at some TRCs are strictly enforced. Some rules are not enforced at all.
There is no emergency plan or evacuation procedure that we are aware of at our site.
There is no access to a phone or payphone at our site.
We have no access to a copy or fax machine.
Read on below...

Blogger Chaz said...

Do you really believe the union is out to help the reassigned teacher?

Can anybody tell me when the union actually stopped a Principal from filing charges against a teacher they are targeting? Moreover, when was the last time (if ever) that the DOE dropped 3020-a charges against a teacher?The truth is that the union hacks really believe that the reassigned teachers are guilty and will never pressure the DOE to do the right thing.

May 24, 2009 6:32 PM

Dear Chaz, Absolutely not. The Union is there to make sure that the Reassigned teacher stays quiet. Instills a little fear in them so they won't go to the papers...You can't make this sh-- up! Sincerely, Fidgety

Temporary Reassignment Center Manual

May 21, 2009

The Threat of the Rubber Room...

It's real for Chapter Leaders too.
Chapter Leaders and Rubber Rooms

We reserve a special place for Principals in the Rubber Room...
School Principal Busted for Beating Teacher at Corporal Punishment Hearing

May 18, 2009

It's Really Happening...

In my last post, I never got to the part where I describe what's actually 'happening' to the prevailing reassigned teachers in the Rubber Room. Since I've got the insider's view, it is always a challenge not to say anything that may incriminate myself or others and in cases like this- being so careful, totally missing the point altogether.

Today was not much different than any other day. Teachers arrive sporadically in the morning, many arriving much earlier than they would for their regularly appointed/former classroom assignments. No, their eagerness to be here is not what gets them to arrive earlier, but they subscribe to the theory that, "The early birds gets to go home early". The concept is definitely becoming popular. Since this is not an instructional sight and there are no children here, there is no concern about covering classes and keeping anyone waiting. No one is ever looking or waiting for us, except if you include the Site Supervisor who tries to micro manage and control our every move. Aside from 1:00 lunch, and the requirement of fulfilling an 8 hour workday, there are no other time restrictions except to get out of the building by 4 pm. Getting in early to leave early is all the motivation most of us need!

The latest character to be reassigned to our room has got all of us seeing red, even the Site Supervisor. "Raven" (her name definitely fits her personality) is one nasty, vicious, spiteful and paranoid woman. It's only been two weeks and she's just about lashed out at everyone around her. This woman not only has a big mouth, but she is big all around and requires a lot of space. She has already managed to clear her table to the point where she's got the corner three seats all to herself. Her former table mates are all now squeezing in at other tables just to stay out of her firing line. This is insane when we are dealing with an already tight space. The resentment towards this woman is growing by the minute. The latest stunt she has pulled is snapping pictures of other reassigned teachers with her cell phone in which she vehemently denies. When she is not taking pictures, she is pounding away at her laptop, blasting music through her inoperable earphones, unconsciously humming nervously and stomping back and forth intimidating anyone who crosses her path. Thank goodness this woman has never had any children.

Mr. Supervisor has been making many trips up to the main floor to visit our time cards. What he does is compare his illegally kept documentation with the times we have punched in and out for the work day. Some of the drivers find it so hard to get parking that they must run into the building, punch their cards in and then drive around searching for a space to leave their car. Not having a car himself, Mr. Supervisor is not very apathetic to this task. Mr. Supervisor still believes that he will manage to catch someone stealing 'Dept. of Ed. Time' and be responsible for having their pay docked. He swears that the reassignees have been punching in and out for each other but has no actual evidence of his claims. His new harassment technique is clocking out anyone who has been standing outside of the building for longer that five minutes. He has recruited his one and only willing friend,the custodian(aka Self Appointed Executor) to keep a watch on us and report back to him our every move.
There is a never ending battle between our 'evil' Site Supervisor and the Building Security Guard(s). The conflict is that Evil Supervisor is always trying to tell Security Guard how to do his job. Site Supervisor doesn't feel that Security is being evil enough to us and the two of them are constantly writing each other up!!! The sad part again is, nobody cares! Not the head of Security nor the Rubber Room head. The other sad part is, it's only Monday.

May 12, 2009

It's Happening...

While the DOE publicly abuses its' classroom teachers with disrespect, blame, oppressive working conditions, overcrowded classrooms, unnecessary paperwork, constant threats of 'Letter in File', U Ratings, random observations and zero support, it is nothing compared to the secret insanity of what goes on in the Rubber Room.

Twenty five of the approximately 1,100 Department of Education's reassigned teachers report daily to a tiny basement in an obscure location as punishment for alleged and unproven reports of wrongdoing. There was a time when teachers were removed from their school only if they seemed to pose a threat to the well being of their students. One might have heard of a burnt out teacher or of one whom after years of excellence overstepped his bounds. There was maybe one teacher every two years in my district who's time had come to retire and they just needed a nudge out the door. The teacher would spend the next few weeks or months reporting to the district office where they'd help out until the superintendent could figure out what to do with them. By the next school year, these teachers would retire, take a long sabbatical, transfer schools or return to their classrooms.

It is understandable that the DOE would choose to remove a teacher who has been accused of some form of corporal punishment until a competent investigation can be done, but to remove every teacher every time a claim is made is simply ludicrous. Have you noticed that suddenly everyone knows someone who's been sent to the Rubber Room?

If the 'room's' purpose were just to contain teachers who are waiting to work out their cases, then the RR would not be filled with mostly tenured forty somethings and it would not resemble the characteristics of it's nickname, 'Rubber Room'. The location, size and conditions of the room speak for themselves. The RR and its' dreadful conditions are no oversight. It is used to intimidate teachers into silence, detain and isolate tenured teachers/UFT members from their schools, colleagues and possible contact with witnesses. This isolation disables the accused teacher from seeking support from their colleagues, contacting witnesses and building a strong defense.

After months. which turn into years, the cramped basement with tiny unreachable windows and cement bare walls slowly seduces its' daily occupants into a sluggish, dull, state of dementia. The unproductive monotony of staring, sleeping, eating and breathing can sadly reduce one's mental state to mush. While some teachers can find temporary solace in listening to music, reading, watching DVDs, playing cards, surfing the Internet, knitting, drawing and sewing, others are sucked into the porous cinder block walls of nothingness.

Teachers are never the same as they go through a myriad of emotions while navigating through the DOE's maze of injustice. It is a never ending, drawn out process where rules do not apply. While the DOE is a stickler in upholding deadlines and time lines for teacher certification, form submittal and testing, they have no problem ignoring the chancellor's rules and regulations to accommodate their plan to ruin a teacher's career. 'Waiting Lists' are rampant in the world of the DOE as they conveniently create 'Waiting Lists' for every deadline that is not met. There are waiting lists for OSI, grievances, expedited arbitration, pre hearings and hearings, etc. While the DOE creates 'Waiting Lists', teachers are kept from receiving their due process. I have seen firsthand how the DOE continues to ignore timelines and deadlines in the reassignment process, further adding to the reign of abuse in the RR's.

May 10, 2009

Read my lips:"No New Teachers"

There you go again Chancellor K, talking trash as usual...

Are we supposed to jump for joy that you are saving the city money with your sudden curve ball idea of a "New teacher hiring freeze' until all ATRs are placed in positions?
Should we award you the blue ribbon for finally tapping into the valuable 1,400 highly qualified resources you have kept out of positions to serve your selfish political scheme?
Should we praise you for coming to the city's rescue as you suddenly require the inexperienced principal monsrosities that you've created to fill their school's teaching vacancies with the teachers who entered the system long before these principals could walk and talk?

You are just about as believable as George H.W. Bush's 1988 campaign promises. "No new taxes", remember? "No new taxes" if he were elected. It was only 2 years later when taxes were raised to meet the national budget deficit. One thing you can count on Chancellor is that your conscious and selective ignorance is not going to be forgotten anytime soon.

Check out ICE UFT's article on the hiring freeze, click here.

May 6, 2009

SOUTH BRONX SCHOOL: It's Over

SOUTH BRONX SCHOOL: It's Over

Mayor Bloomberg and Joel Klein told to relax on mayor control of schools

Troubled Teachers Spending Longer Time in The Rubber Room Despite...

Blogger summer said...

Interesting article from LA Times, with almost 1,000 comments:

FAILURE GETS A PASS L.A. Unified pays teachers not to teach

May 6, 2009 2:06 PM

May 5, 2009

The Rubber Room is Harmful to Teachers and Other Living Things.

I am sorry for the lack of posts. It is hard to write about something that it is way too painful to even think about. I started this blog as an outlet for my idle frustration and sometimes the frustration comes from the subject itself.

The thought of the Rubber Room makes me sick. I am unable to sleep on Sunday nights. The situation here is truly abominable. The reassignment process is acutely paralyzing to one's career and thought process. Everyday as I sit in my chair, I watch some defenseless, overly educated soul as they open up their their packet of charges sent from their Bully of a principal. More often than not, the charges usually arrive just days after the six month deadline, just around the time when the teacher thinks that there may be some hope that they are of the dark.(Just another abuse of power that the principals use.) It is possible for a principal to have a change of heart and eventually drop the allegations. Somewhere between the date of the actual reassignment to the time they receive formal charges, most teachers have lost all of their drive to fight. Once the charges arrive, their 'umph' is pretty much gone.

The newly reassigned teacher can often be identified by their level of 'spunk'. Some spend their time writing. Writing to the Mayor, the Chancellor, Randi Weingarten and anyone else whom they think will listen. The newly reassigned teacher is sure that he will be able to 'shake things up'. Lawyers are called and thoughts of suing the DOE, the UFT and the principal are entertained. WAKING UP the sleeping public actually seems do-able at this point. There seems to be no retreat in sight for this newly reassigned teacher. He is on a mission. Weeks pass in the Rubber Room and responses are few and far between. He refuses to accept that the public is asleep. Months pass and still... the public is snoring. Lacking acknowledgment, the newly reassigned teacher comes to realize the disturbing imminent truth.

NOBODY CARES. NOT THE MAYOR, NOT THE UFT, NOT THE PUBLIC. NOBODY.
.

Blogger Chaz said...

Fidgity:

You must fight on! This is what Tweed wants for you to give up. Yes, they think of us as bugs. I think of myself as a wasp who will sting anybody who goes after me. Once stung, twice shy about squishing me.

We can only win by staying together and continue to expose the abuse that the dOE does to us.

May 5, 2009 12:59 PM

Blogger Mamacita (Mamacita) said...

It's awful, isn't it. But, you know, people who have been there care. There's nothing we can do, but we can care.

Caring is something, I guess.

It's something we refuse to think about because it could never happen to us, and then it does, and we're in a state of disbelieving shock. Finding out that nobody except those who KNOW, really care, is part of the shock.

Just to let you know: I care.

May 5, 2009 1:21 PM

Blogger Fidgety said...

No guys, I have not given up and as of now I don't plan to. It is just disheartening to watch the spirit of a person die while sitting and waiting to be further condemned.
I and all of the others appreciate your encouraging words.
Yes, caring is something. Thank you.

May 5, 2009 2:11 PM

Blogger A Teacher In The Bronx said...

Don't give up. The squeaky wheel gets oiled every single time. Get on a mountain top and don't stop until you get what you want!!

Email me please.

May 5, 2009 8:03 PM

April 6, 2009

Live from New York, "Oh...Nevermind"...

Are you a high school teacher recently arrested in a sweep with a dime bag of marijuana in your pocket while hanging out in front of your assigned school with your students? The DOE says, "That's okay". In just two weeks, you can return to working with your students as if it never even happened. Your record will be spotless just as long as you stay out of trouble for the next 6-8 months.
Or maybe you're an elementary school teacher who got arrested in a domestic dispute with your husband? Let's just say, (for fun, of course) that your husband is a high school principal and that you have two small children who were home at the time of the incident. Perhaps you spent two whole nights in jail after your husband called the police. "That's okay", says the DOE. You too can return to your school in only two short weeks.

What do thes cases have in common? Well for one, they are both "outside' cases, having occurred outside of the school buildiing. The first however, took place on school grounds. "Oh, nevermind", says the DOE. Both cases were primarily handled by the police, not school principals. In both cases arrests were made. Both teachers were required to sit in the rubber room until their cases were heard in the NYC court system. Both were settled so quickly that one would find it impossible to identify the fracture in their absence from their schools. Regardless of their serious nature and where these incidents took place, both teachers were returned to their school and happily resumed their positions (Not ATR Positions) after spending 2 weeks in the rubber room.

Chaz said...

I brought this up in my May 20, 2008 article on DOE's "drugs not hugs" article.
April 13, 2009 7:40 AM

summer said...

I have been reading your blog and I just want to say to you and the other teachers who are "reassigned" and blog: thank you.

You and others are doing a great service by teaching the general public about these rooms and what is going on there.

So, first of all, know this: you are being heard.

And, as a teacher myself, I am sympathetic.

What I have learned in the twelve years since I first became a certified teacher in Florida is that most other teachers will say and do nothing to help you.

They don't because they think they can't. They are too afraid.

And, IMO, it is this fear that is really adversely impacting public education. Because when teachers are afraid, others can and do seize power -- and then engage in wrongful acts to keep power.

But, what you and the other teachers who blog are doing that is right and just and powerful is blogging. People know more because of you and others. Thank you again.

In a way I hate to say this, but try to remember others who have been held captive and written, and remember them.

Remember them because: They inspired. You inspire. Think Anne Frank.

I noticed that one teacher who was blogging was told to take down his blog if he wanted to return to the classroom (actually I think he was an assistant principal). He did, but he kept posted some of his archived material.

I would suggest the same. Do not ever take down all of your blog, even if they demand it. Your blog is helping you. It is helping you teach, even now. It is a record of their wrongful abuse of power.

It is important that you blog.

Thank you again. You are doing a great job of teaching, right now. Remember that. :)
May 1, 2009 8:12 PM

Blogger Floraine Kay said...

Yeah, I remember knowing a few people, one caught with drugs while driving, who got sent back, "No problem".

The system is insane. Like any insane system it stays inconsistent in order to build fear.

You will get out. It will get better. Don't try to make sense of it and never try to make sense of anything DOE again. Trying to stay alive is hard enough.

May 3, 2009 10:05 PM

Blogger A Teacher In The Bronx said...

Don't give up. The squeaky wheel gets oiled every single time. Get on a mountain top and don't stop until you get what you want!!

Email me please.

May 5, 2009 8:03 PM

March 29, 2009

Memorandum: March 16, 2009

MEMORANDUM
To: All Staff
From: Mr. Martin, APA/Supervisor
Re: The ISC-355 Park Place-Staff Reassignment Room Protocol

Please be advised that the staff assigned to the ISC Reassignment Room(B-1)are not permitted for any reason to visit offices within the building as well as having non UFT representatives visit the reassignment room.

Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
If I can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact me at the above DOE- email address or ext. 288.

Cc: Mr. Bernard Palmer
Sgt. Meredith
Custodian

Apparently, one of the reassigned teachers was caught conversing with a District 13 employee upstairs from the reassignment center. Obviously when people see each other daily, they will naturally become familiar with each other and often become friends. This makes Mr. Martin very mad. You see, Mr. Martin has only one friend in the building and that is the custodian who sits with Mr. Martin all day rather than do his job. Mr. Martin does not want the reassigned teachers making any contact with the other employees in the building. Mr. Martin's memo has apparently ticked off many of the District 13 employees who would rather converse with the wall than have any contact with him. Note the Cc: at the bottom of the Memo. He's even got the custodian in on his control game.

Blogger Chaz said...

A real sleazeball.

March 30, 2009 2:54 PM

Life Under Mayoral Control

“The way you treat our educators is part and parcel of the way you treat our students — constantly barraging them with narrow, deadening tests and demoralizing them with meaningless scores.”
-Jan Carr, Parent, Salk School of Science, letter to the chancellor

Could any of us foresee the devastating effects that would result from Mayoral Control?
While he hides the truth from the public with his control of the media, Billionaire Michael Bloomberg continues to portray a false "heroic" like image while he tramples on the people of New York. New Yorkers are starving for the truth and they don't even know it. Wake up everyone, please wake up! Nudge the person next to you, scream at the top of your lungs, shout it from the rooftops! Open your eyes. We are in serious trouble! We cannot allow history to repeat itself.

February 15, 2009

The Useless UFT -Rubber Room Squad

Dear Mr.UFT Chap,
Why do you come to the Rubber room if only to yell and insult the reassigned members? Why do you shoot down our questions in mid flight? Could it be that you don't have any definitive answers? We ask, you roll your eyes. We apologize for asking the "wrong" questions. You are condescending and offensive. You jingle your keys and look around the room. You seem preoccupied. You look at your watch as if we are detaining you from something more important, like moving your car as it is parked on the wrong side of the street. Like a soap opera, you leave us void of answers week after week. Unanswered questions. Conflicting explanations. Your lame attempts to counsel are heartless and often cut short by your need to feed the parking meter.
Every situation is different", you say. Well, what about 'this' situation? Would it be so much to ask that you come prepared to respond to the concerns we left you with a week before? We are starving for information. You come here empty handed. You offer us nothing but the same old,"I'll get back to you". Your words are empty and meaningless. You are truly pathetic. Your lack of knowledge is unacceptable.
You are our union. Efficient in collecting our dues but inefficient when it comes to addressing our needs and concerns. Where is the apathy/concern for the deterioration of our physical and mental well being? You arrive void of solutions and leave us feeling worse than before you came. Where is the passion? Where is a union who fights a strong fight for its' members?
We have been reassigned and awaiting a chance for fair justice. It has been an endless wait for most of us. Why does the union allow us to be portrayed in such a poor light? Why does this feel and look like punishment? These strict and confining work conditions seem more like jail everyday. We are cut off from the mainstream. We are feeling stress and anxiety from the effects of isolation. Where is the moral support of our union? Is there such a thing as stress management?
We have served this education system for a majority of our adult lives. We are the education system. Most of us have been raised and educated by this system, a system that few of us can barely recognize now. A system that has betrayed and failed us time and time again.

Disillusion comes only to the illusioned. One cannot be disillusioned of what one never put faith in. -Dorothy Thompson

Chaz said...

Can't agree with you more on the UFT's lack of concern about the reassigned teachers.

February 16, 2009 9:54 AM
Delete
Blogger moriah said...

I suggested once to my district rep that the uft have support groups for teachers who were being targeted by their principals. She said that it would be a "pity party" and would serve no purpose. I don't agree. Cancer patients, alchoholics, divorcees, you name it. They all have support groups.

I understand your reticence inside the rubberroom. You don't know what the person next to you has been charged with--maybe he/she really deserves to be there. Also I wouldn't be surprised if there were a spy or two in there.

Another problem is that each person's case is privileged information between you and your attorney. You give that up if you talk about it.

The blogosphere is a good start. It's not like talking to a group of real people who are going through the same trials and tribulations you are, but it's better than being isolated.

There has to be some way to become proactive in your defense. The waiting game is designed to demoralize you and wear you down so that you'll sign anything just to get out of there.

Only those who have gone through this can understand how painful it is. But we have more to share than our pain. Any ideas?

February 25, 2009 9:56 PM

February 12, 2009

What the World Needs Now is More Neglected Children...

Surprise, surprise, Nadya Suleman already has her own website. For your convenience, monetary donations can be made through Paypal, MasterCard or Visa...
Afterall, it takes a village to raise a village.

http://www.thenadyasulemanfamily.com/

February 10, 2009

Click here: Look Who's Minding the Rubber Room...

Click the title above or copy and paste this link into your browser:
http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/brooklyn/2009/02/08/2009-02-08_exprincipal_teacher_in_si_detention_cent.html

Blogger Long Island Educator said...

Fidgety
I am going thru a 3020a on Long Island. It has been 18 months and counting. I am in a one-person rubber room. I have kept my sense of humor by reading blogs like yours and PO teacher. Yesterday I started my own blog...still working out the bugs but I think you might enjoy it. I am keeping it dry because I tend to be sarcastic and there is much to be sarcastic about.

February 10, 2009 4:46 PM

February 7, 2009

Justice not "just us": "Open Letter" to the veteran staff(the few, the tired and the isolated) of BREC and that other westside school set to be closed.

February 5, 2009

Pray That You Don't Get this Letter at Work...

Dear Employees,

Due to the current financial situation caused by the slowdown in the economy, Management has decided to implement a scheme to put workers of 50 years of age and above on early retirement.

This scheme will be known as RAPE (Retire Aged People Early).

Persons selected to be RAPED can apply to management to be considered for the SHAFT scheme (Special Help After Forced Termination).

Persons who have been RAPED and SHAFTED will be reviewed under the SCREW programme (Scheme Covering Retired-Early Workers).

A person may be RAPED once, SHAFTED twice and SCREWED as many times as Management deems appropriate.

Persons who have been RAPED could get AIDS (Additional Income for Dependants & Spouse) or HERPES (Half Earnings for Retired Personnel Early Severance).

Obviously persons who have AIDS or HERPES will not be SHAFTED or SCREWED any further by Management.

Persons who are not RAPED and are staying on will receive as much SHIT(Special High Intensity Training) as possible. Management has always prided itself on the amount of SHIT it gives employees.

Should you feel that you do not receive enough SHIT, please bring this to the attention of your Supervisor, who has been trained to give you all the SHIT you can handle.

Sincerely,

Management

PS
Due to recent budget cuts and the rising cost of electricity, gas and oil,as well as current market conditions, the Light at the End of the Tunnel has been turned off.
We apologize for the inconvenience

Blogger DAVID PAKTER said...

_________________________________

Fidgety Gets It Right, 4 STARS ****
_________________________________

So well written I was inclined to forward this piece to some friends with the following "Caution notice"
_________________________________
WARNING: Contains Language that may offend people who have never worked for Joel Klein, Esq.'s New York City Dept of Education, a 19 Billion dollar conglomerate that has treated NYC teachers, its own employees, so obscenely for so long that mere four letter words are the least of their problems.
_______________________________

February 5, 2009 8:35 PM

Blogger JUSTICE not "just us" said...
Can I use this one on my blog?
I LOVE IT!!
Also can you let me read your blog?

I am an ally.

February 6, 2009 2:49 AM

Dear Justice, My blog is set for anyone to read. I believe that you must be logged in though.
Sincerely, Fidgety

January 28, 2009

Snowed in with the Moocher...

Days like this only magnify the dysfunctional traits of our most self destructive cellmates. Moocher, the mentally retired math teacher is being his old annoying racial slurring, self depracating, table slamming self. Watch as he moves from seat to seat...table to table...mooching food, newspapers, or whatever he can get his greasy hands on. Catch him doing a little dance every time he scores a free cookie or clips a coupon and hangs it on the wall behind him. Watch him stand over the shoulder of an unsuspecting newcomer- as his beady eyes read personal emails and private documents. Moocher knows not the meaning of boundaries and truly needs to retire for the sanity of the rest of us. I am praying that our mayor will create a retirement incentive especially for him and all of the other useless idiots the DOE is forced to keep on payroll.

January 26, 2009

Blogger NYC Educator said...

Man, I love that cartoon. It says it all. Except all the rest of the stuff that needs to be said.

January 24, 2009

Designed to Depress

Tiny room, 2 stories down below ground level. Bare concrete walls. 3 narrow unreachable windows, 25 feet above. Empty water cooler and no payphone. No visitors allowed. I am a tenured NYC school teacher with allegations made against me by a brand-spanking new Leadership Academy Principal. This is where I must report 5 days a week, 7 hours a day and you say things could be worse?

January 15, 2009

What it Looks like When an Urban Public School Teacher is Fired

Since the link doesn't seem to be working,
http://gothamschools.org/2009/01/12/what-it-looks-like-when-an-urban-public-school-teacher-is-fired/#comment-13205
I have copied the article and comments. Sorry for the empty post!

What it looks like when an urban public school teacher is fired
by Elizabeth Green

Something has happened to the charter school teacher who blogs at Mildly Melancholy that almost never happens at traditional public schools: She has been forced to resign.

This teacher has been writing about her tough school year since September (without revealing the school’s name). At a non-charter school, her misery would probably have proceeded apace until June, mainly unchanged. If tensions with the administration escalated, she might have sought help from the union. But as it happened, Mildly Melancholy — who began teaching in September 2004 — got miserable and then was surprised to find she got fired. She plans to quit teaching altogether.

Her account:

I knew something bad was coming, but I didn’t want to think it was real, and I didn’t think it would happen so soon. This week has been really awful in my classroom (and across the entire grade, actually). I haven’t been a happy person at this job, and I haven’t been a very effective teacher. So it’s actually kind of a big relief.

I was pretty shaken by how fast it all happened; within an hour I finished teaching my last class, signed the letter, surrendered my laptop, and was packing up my belongings.

Here you can read her description of her first, much more optimistic days teaching, at a middle school in Queens.
Filed under: Newsroom
Posted at 9:05 am
Tags: Charter Schools, Teachers, tenure
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11 Comments

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1.
Schooldays January 12th, 2009 10:48 am

I found myself reading the descriptions of “her first, much more optimistic days teaching…” and was struck by the “0 comments” posting after posting after posting. One doesn’t have to read the posts carefully to see she is having some problems (3 minutes of teaching in a 45 minute class) yet “0 comments”.

Now that she has been fired, she gets comments. How ironic and sad. And unhelpful.
2.
MildlyMelancholy January 12th, 2009 11:47 am

thanks for the links, Elizabeth. no wonder my archives have been getting so many hits! :)Schooldays, I can’t tell if you’re saying shame on me for being a bad teacher back then, or shame on readers for not trying to help? nobody was reading it back in those days! there weren’t a lot of teacher blogs five years ago; the community has really built up since then. though i’ve never claimed to be an Amazing Super Teacher, my second year (and on) was millions of miles better than my first, which is quite common among teachers. my first year was awful–one of the reasons this year felt so horrible was that it felt just like my first year, which I thought was ancient history–and i don’t try to claim otherwise. the three years after that though, my classroom was, for the most part, a pretty good place to be (for me and the students). when this school told me i had to completely change my teaching style and teacher personality (which had allowed me to become a good teacher with great management), that should have been a clue.
3.
peter January 12th, 2009 12:05 pm

Teaching is an extremely isolating job … unfortunately in too many schools teachers complain to each other but rarely interact on a professional basis … observe a master teacher, are effectively coached by school leadership … I’ve always believed that the principal must be a master teacher, and, teach a class that is open to all staff … schools should provide teachers with constant feedback on teacher progress. That being said teaching is not for everyone … for some the learning curve is sharp, for others slower, and for some filled w/ peaks and valleys.

Leaving on your own is one thing … being fired is another … you will probably feel guilty, sad about your kids … walk along a winter beach, go to the gym … decompress, and move on … and keep writing!
4.
Schooldays January 12th, 2009 12:51 pm

Of course I don’t think Mildly Melancholy is a bad teacher. I found it sad that few would bother to post comments. As for “nobody reading it back in those days”, have you checked blog comments recently? Blog comments on this site?

With all the best wishes for a fine future. I’m sure you will have one.
5.
Chaz January 12th, 2009 3:39 pm

It is a pity that MM did not get due process rights. However, NYC public school teachers can and do get fired. The difference is that for tenured teachers, the DOE must prove their case in front of an independent arbitrator. It is one thing to accuse a teacher of misconduct or incometence, its another thing to prove it.

Many an innocent teacher would be fired just because an insecure or vindictive Principal wants the teacher gone due to ageism, race, religion, or advocacy.

By the way these Charter Schools are known for their high teacher turnover. That is their dirty little secret that fails to reach the media.
6.
Smith January 12th, 2009 9:59 pm

MM, Why not try teaching in a regular public school, with a union. Having a few basic rights and a little more power on the job could make a big difference. I would also suggest trying high school. If you survived middle school this long, you’d probably be a good high school teacher, at least in terms of classroom management.
7.
Socrates January 13th, 2009 9:50 pm

Interesting that she was fired from a school that uses “work hard, be nice,” has extended day and summer school, and exists in Brooklyn, the week before KIPP AMP unionizes. Connection?

I really hope they didn’t unionize because of this teacher. All my sympathies go out to her, but it doesn’t sound like she was doing too great a job.
8.
Jonathan January 14th, 2009 2:43 pm

“almost never happens at traditional public schools” ….. that’s really just not correct …..

Forced resignations occur frequently in the affluent suburbs. Typically, a new teacher will be told a year before the tenure decision that it is already clear that they will not be granted tenure, and is asked to find work elsewhere. Teachers jump at the chance to transfer rather than be fired. This “churns” the workforce, leaving a core of senior teachers at a school, with a pool of first, second, and third year teachers bouncing from district to district.
….. in New York City, the same game gets played with probationers ….. threatened with a U unless the transfer …. the transfer is equivalent to getting fired …. less frequent, but still common, probationers are denied tenure…. and discontinued…. this happened recently at Bronx Science…. (the teacher ended up in Westchester, where I hope she doesn’t get “churned”)
9.
Tillie January 14th, 2009 6:43 pm

Some people become lawyers, open restaurants, work in a corporate environment, whatever for a few years and they just aren’t that great at what they do, and they get fired and move on to other things. Why are people so worried when it happens to a teacher? I DON’T think MM should go work in a public school–why?? why not try something that she might be better at, something that would make her happier? And sure, some teachers get hassled by principals who are ageist, racist, whatever. But WAY more teachers are mediocre (or worse) and allowed to stay in the system because firing them is too cumbersome to principals who are already overwhelmed by the magnitude of their jobs. I think MM’s situation seems to be in the best interest of her and her students.
10.
Schooldays January 15th, 2009 3:48 am

How interesting that some assume MM was a “bad” teacher. The fact that she was asked to change her teaching style may reinforce that assumption.

But is the teacher responsible for student learning? It could be that students are responsible for their own learning. If students have no self motivation nor self reliance then they are the ones who are mediocre (or worse).

Teachers should not have to be “overwhelmed by the magnitude of their jobs” when many parents (and their student children) seem to be underwhelmed by the magnitude of theirs.
11.
Tillie January 18th, 2009 7:46 pm

I didn’t assume MM was bad–she said herself that she wasn’t very effective. I believe her–why would she lie about it? and I think teachers HAVE to be responsible for student learning. It is their job to teach students–if the students don’t learn (for whatever reason), then they’re not doing a great job and they should try something else.

Schooldays, you say that “teachers should not have to be ‘overwhelmed by the magnitude of their jobs’ when many parents (and their student children) seem to be underwhelmed by the magnitude of theirs.” I’m troubled by this–I’m not sure what you mean. Would you say doctors shouldn’t be overwhelmed by the magnitude of their jobs if their patients are underwhelmed by the magnitude of theirs? Would you say that more students with more inspired parents deserve more inspired teachers? I am not sure I’m reading you right on that–just trying to make sense of it.

Definitely there are students in our city schools who are unmotivated and irresponsible. I’ve seen those students really push themselves when they are in the presence of a master teacher. I think they–like all students–deserve to be in the presence of master teachers regularly.

(This story was found at http://gothamschools.org/)

January 12, 2009

Wall to Wall Teachers

What's it like in the Rubber Room? I guess it depends on where you're coming from. For those who didn't really like teaching, were tired of writing lesson plans or never wrote them to begin with, pull up a chair, the rubber room is just the place to put your feet up. For some, it is a great relief from being pushed around by bullying administration and obnoxious students. Working on hobbies, crossword puzzles, reading newspapers and magazines, talking on the phone, catching up on sleep, socializing, eating and getting paid isn't so much of a burden compared to being in a school with an imbalanced, out of control, power crazed leadership Principal. For some teachers, there is little talk about "getting out" and returning to teaching. For many, there is an underlying hope that they never will have to return to teaching- EVER. Not only is it a dream job for the lazy, but it pays well too. Some would prefer to sit out their retirement quietly rather than face the jungle like environment that they left behind. There is a temporary feeling of relief for anyone who has been harrassed, falsely accused, injured on site or U Rated. While others are losing their jobs in this failing economy, getting paid to do nothing seems like a crime in itself.
As I have mentioned in older posts, some of the employees that one must contend with are worse than the students...There is no real way of knowing just who is sitting next to you. Lack of privacy, close quarters, bad manners, poor hygiene, bad habits and a high school mentality are commonplace. It can feel like a bad dream. Many teachers are depressed and scared. While they are going through what seems to be the worst time in their lives, there are others in the room who make the situation worse with their insensitive and callous behavior. Like most office settings, gossip runs cruel and rampant. Some teachers are just plain petty, abusive and narcissistic. There is nowhere to go when one needs refuge. There are wall to wall teachers. Because of the overwhelming atmosphere, many teachers cope by sleeping for hours on end. Others get angry, moody -or withdraw completely. The situation is so emotionally paralyzing that it spills over to their personal lives. Getting up in the morning is hard. Leaving the house, even harder. Many teachers don't even tell their spouses of the absurd situation they have been placed in. Would they even understand it?
I hear that the UFT is considering providing some type of 'stress management' for the reassigned...anyone care to comment?

Blogger Chaz said...

Fidgity:

I couldn't have said it better about the rubber room. I suggest you and your fellow teachers do worshops that are teacher directed. Waiting for the UFT to do this is worthless.

By the way you look like you are coping better. Keep your blog going and report your experiences. Other teachers must know how the UFT has abandoned the reassigned teacher.

January 13, 2009 1:43 PM

January 8, 2009

The UFT-Always Changing Their Tune

When you are in your school, your UFT rep will give you 101 reasons why you need to attend meetings & maintain a united front to your principal. They will lead you to believe that as a dues paying member of the UFT, you are protected. Your job is secure. You are untouchable. Should you have any questions, the Union will answer them for you, guide you, advise you. You show your loyalty by showing up early for meetings. You help set up the bagels and even volunteer to make the coffee. The UFT rep will assure you that knowledge is power. Stay informed. Know the regulations. Read the contract. All that lip service is nice, until the unimaginable happens...
One thing the Union Reps never talk about is what can happen if you are accused of corporal punishment, neglect of duty, insubordination, whistle blowing or incompetence. The won't tell you how they are powerless in defending and supporting their members. They never talk about who is being targeted or bullied by the administration in your own school. They don't tell you that one day you are a teacher and the next you can be sent to the Rubber Room. They never talk about what is happening to teachers just like yourself, teachers in the NYC DOE throughout the city, every day.
Some union reps know all too well what can happen to an accused teacher. Inexcusably, there are many union reps who really don't. Others know, they just never came close enough to experience it firsthand. This new breed of principal will fix that in no time. (Many of the District reps are retired Tier 1 teachers who have no idea what it's like to work in a climate of abuse and intimidation.) Why the lack of information? Why the secrecy? Does it matter to you that your chapter leader may be so naive or ignorant about the process? It should. Especially when you are the teacher being accused and/or targeted. When you are the teacher who has false allegations made against you. When you are the teacher who has been removed from your school and deemed ineligible to teach. When you are the one who is humiliated, embarrassed, shamed and shunned by your colleagues. When you are the one who has to sit idly in the rubber room day after day with no end in sight. Don't you think that it is time we woke up and demanded answers?
The UFT is guilty of of doing nothing while our colleagues are brought up on bogus charges. They are guilty of barely objecting to the inhumane conditions at the reassignment centers. They stand by idly by while teachers are herded like cattle and treated like common criminals. By saying and doing nothing, our Union reps are doing us the greatest injustice of all. .
Once you are removed from your school and thrown into the land of, "Anything Goes", who do you turn to? There is no UFT meeting or Graduate course that could ever prepare you for what comes next. The UFT never talks about the City's Best Kept Secret, the Rubber Rooms.

Blogger Chaz said...

You hit it on the head. The UFT leaders really don't care about the reassigned teachers.

The UFT just wants those teachers to slowly die away and leave their careers behind.

January 10, 2009 11:52 AM

The Wall of Silence

Please read this...http://ednotesonline.blogspot.com/2009/01/wall-of-silence-about-nycs-rubber-rooms.html

January 4, 2009

Teacher Abuse Stories-ANOTHER WHISTLE-BLOWER SENT TO RUBBER ROOM (click here)

January 2, 2009

Christmas, Under the Covers.

The Countdown to Christmas in the Rubber room was rather disturbing. Here was a group of reassigned teachers in desperate need of a holiday break and all they could do was make each other miserable. How does the true spirit of the holiday prevail over people who are mean and outright hurtful to one another? These are grown adults who claim to love their children, spouses and families but cannot find a way to allow the others around them to exist in peace? It is an understatement when I say that the drama of the holiday countdown had left me mentally and spiritually depleted.
I wasn't able to spend this holiday with my family. Instead I pulled the covers over my head and remained in bed. Two days before the holiday I received 'formal charges' from my principal via certified mail. A befitting Christmas present from an institution that I have grown to despise and fear. It had taken eight months and 3 days after I had been reassigned. I had to go to the post office to pick up the envelope on the following day. When I arrived home, another certified mail notice was waiting for me at my door. For the next three days, certified mail notices filled my mailbox. A Department of Education form of harrassment? Each document had been duplicated and sent to me four separate times, each on a consecutive day requiring another trip to the post office. By the third day, the notices for the 3020 hearing began to arrive. It was now the 26th of December. Can you believe that my principal is actually a parent? A human? I don't know whether to laugh or cry each time I open up my mailbox. Today, January 2, I received a letter from my principal's lawyer. I am still trying to work up the energy to return to the Rubber room on Monday.

Blogger Eric said...

This is what the DOE does best, send the charges during the holidays. For many of the male teachers that are accused of sexual misconduct. They receive their "probable cause" letters during December. That is when the DOE takes them offline for 60 to 90 days for a very merry Christmas.

Stay the cause and fight your charges. Don't fret. You will end up alright.

January 3, 2009 8:47 PM

Blogger Pissed Off said...

Good luck. My prayers are with you.

January 4, 2009 5:21 PM

Blogger The Bus Driver said...

jeez.. merry f-n christmas to you... hugs and stay strong!

January 12, 2009 3:49 PM

December 25, 2008

The DOE -Where Anything Goes...

In a short time, I have seen many teachers, principals, APs and school aides come and go from the Rubber Room. The funny thing is that when they leave, the chances of hearing from them again are close to none. The last teacher who was returned to her school was given a half a day's notice and then, Poof! She was gone. We never heard from her again.
"I am happy to be going back but I feel so bad for you all." she said.
"It's ok", I say, "Hey, you did your time."
Going back to the school environment can be a mixed blessing. It's like being on parole. All of the same threats are still out there. No teacher is safe. For a teacher bearing the scars of the rubber room, the chances of getting a U rating and being reassigned again are even higher the second time around. Life never goes back to the way it was before. A teacher rarely returns to the school or position from whence they came. In fact, a teacher rarely returns to a teaching 'position'. Their 'position' has either been eliminated or they will be replaced by a younger, newer, low-cost teacher. Although the UFT chaps will never admit it, most experienced teachers will return as ATRs and be thrown into the land of 'Anything goes'.
So here we still are, left to continue staring at each other from 8 to 3...waiting for a ship that hasn't even left the shore...

Blogger Chaz said...

I think for many long term RR's just being back in a school environment is uncomfortable. Furthermore, I believe that many Principals will give you a second chance if they accept you in their school.

December 25, 2008 10:52 AM

December 7, 2008

...there but for the grace of God go I."

As three of my fellow rubber-roommates were making their way out of the building for lunch, one of them had the 'audacity' to innocently chuckle at the other's joke. There was an exchange of silliness and the three broke into laughter in the stairwell. By the time that they reached the front desk, the eyes of a male and female office worker were staring them down. Realizing that they had been heard, the 3 reassigned teachers quietly headed toward the exit smiling.
As the door had just about closed, the female office worker turned to the male and said, "They forget why they're here." Hearing this stopped the three teachers in their tracks. "Excuse me?", asked Teacher 1. I couldn't help overhearing. Since you seem to know so much about WHY WE ARE HERE and how we should behave, perhaps you can tell us WHY WE'RE HERE... After spending the last 4 months away from my classroom in a crowded basement, I still haven't been given a valid reason." Shocked by the teacher's response, the woman who was so quick to pass judgement just shook her head and turned her back toward the teachers. The man uncomfortably averted his eyes to the ground.

Blogger Chaz said...

good for them. Keep fighting back.

December 10, 2008 3:39 PM

December 4, 2008

Meet the Cast: The Angry Young Man..

"In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move.”~ Douglas Adams

As I have stated in previous posts, the players in the rubber room are a very diverse and sometimes strange group of people- often too strange to go without mention. Meet Marley.

"Marley," is on a one man crusade. He is bitter and angry at the world. No matter the topic of conversation, it will always end in a heated dispute about the oppression, deprivation and suffering of those he calls, "his people". No matter what the topic, Marley and 'his people' have had it bigger, badder and far worse. When Marley is not making a point or arguing, Marley is reading and nodding in agreement with his books. Marley acquires his fighting fuel from the books he reads and the ideas that he captures from reading them...After gearing up, bystanders beware of crossing the undefined firing line and setting off a land mine.
Once Marley finds his unknowing victim, he will ignite his mission by quoting a freshly consumed passage and giving it a life of its' own. When his victim takes the bait by entering into an agreeable dialogue, Marley will 'flip' on his own position. This will cause his victim to become confused and vulnerable. His anger will slowly emerge and then spiral into a turbulent windfall disrupting everything within a ten foot radius. There is that one split second where all of his rationale ceases to exist.
Marley can hold a great debate, if he could just control his temper. When he runs low on venom, he will perhaps...throw in the kitchen sink. There is just no winning because he is always right. As a walking encyclopedia of facts and dates, Marley feeds on the ripe newcomer. He will devour his victim with relentless self righteousness and victimhood. I can speak from experience when I say that Marley always has the last word and when he reaches that involuntary conclusion, he is usually standing alone.

Theres a place in the world for the angry young man
With his working class ties and his radical plans
He refuses to bend, he refuses to crawl,
Hes always at home with his back to the wall.
And hes proud of his scars and the battles hes lost,
And he struggles and bleeds as he hangs on the cross-
And he likes to be known as the angry young man.

Give a moment or two to the angry young man,
With his foot in his mouth and his heart in his hand.
Hes been stabbed in the back, hes been misunderstood,
Its a comfort to know his intentions are good.
And he sits in a room with a lock on the door,
With his maps and his medals laid out on the floor-
And he likes to be known as the angry young man.

I believe Ive passed the age of consciousness and righteous rage
I found that just surviving was a noble fight.
I once believed in causes too,
I had my pointless point of view,
And life went on no matter who was wrong or right.

And theres always a place for the angry young man,
With his fist in the air and his head in the sand.
And hes never been able to learn from mistakes,
So he cant understand why his heart always breaks.
But his honor is pure and his courage as well,
And hes fair and hes true and hes boring as hell-
And hell go to the grave as an angry old man.

~Billy Joel

December 3, 2008

Does it help to 'Know your Rights?'

After more than a decade of teaching and attendance at hundreds of Union Meetings, keeping informed of my rights as a teacher has always been a priority. "Know your rights," is what my chapter leader always preached, and I agreed. "Attend Union Meetings"... and I did..."Become familiar with the chancellor's Regs,"(Regulations)...I did that too. You too can become informed. You can find the 'Know Your Rights' portion of the UFT website by clicking here... You too can know your rights and stand by powerlessly as they are being violated and no one is doing a damn thing about it.
I knew my rights. I knew my rights so WELL... IN FACT- that when Robo Principal violated three of them, I knew that without a doubt that I had been disabled from correctly performing my duties. Oh yes, I knew my rights- alright. I knew it when they were being violated. I knew it at that very moment when it was happening. I knew it when it wasn't corrected. I knew it when it wasn't treated or handled as an emergency situation. I knew it when I informed my chapter leader and waited faithfully while she did nothing. I knew it when I informed my principal and asked him why no measures were being taken to correct the potential safety hazard that it posed. I knew it when he was making excuses and failing to provide sufficient support. I knew it the entire day leading up to the very moment when it handicapped me from doing my job to the best of my ability. I knew that at that moment that I was SCREWED.

Sure it's good to know your rights... that way you can recognize them when they're going down the drain...
Having rights and having them Enforced are meant to go hand in hand. Laws are created to protect THE INNOCENT, but if they are not enforced, who do they protect and what good are they?

Blogger jonathan said...

It's part of my pitch to new teachers: the contract names your rights; the chapter enforces them.

Getting the chapter to fight can be hard. Sometimes it is barely breathing.

In that light, I ask all teachers to attend chapter meetings. I don't even care if you say anything, the act of meeting itself, even if it is to eat birthday cake, is the beginning of gaining or regaining strength. And if there are not meetings, if you could ask, even one time in a year... that would help.

And new folks, untenured, can't really do much more than that. But helping is helping, in whatever way we are individually capable.

Jonathan
jd2718

December 7, 2008 10:43 AM
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Blogger Fidgety said...

Well then you answered the question as I already knew the answer.. I took all of those suggestions and became well informed. I am now more informed than my own chapter leader who knew nothing about the rubber room until I was reassigned. I am now keeping her informed. She has admitted to me that the union is 'powerless in protecting its' teachers.'

December 7, 2008 11:12 AM
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Blogger jonathan said...

True, though it depends somewhat on the chapter (only somewhat, of course). The rebuilding needs to start from the ground up.

Jonathan
jd2718

December 7, 2008 7:47 PM
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Blogger Fidgety said...

As a chapter leader you are limited to what happens in the school...except for rallies, protests, etc. Matters of reassignment become the district leader's responsibility.

December 8, 2008 9:10 PM

November 28, 2008

ATR Rally

November 15, 2008

Audience in Captivity

All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players:
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts...  -Shakespeare

Before my reassignment, an ordinary teaching day was active and productive. Along with my colleagues, I yearned for the Pre-Kleinberg, Pre-"Robo-Principal " days when my school was like a second home. I knew the ins and outs of the school and I knew what to expect. When my principal was having a bad day, we too, had to be in a bad mood. When my principal was happy, in turn we had to act ecstatic. It may not have been perfect, but we knew how to survive. My principal wore her moods on her sleeve and we monitored them like the weather. When her mood changed, warning signals were transmitted throughout the building in a flash.
The arrival of Robo-Principal changed everything. There were no changing facial expressions or moods to read. There was only one stone face and one mood and no one knew what that was. Fear permeated throughout the building, almost as if someone had died. He didn't like laughter or noise and reminded us to keep it down. In discussion, he never made eye contact and wrote everything down. He responded only through email. Communication as we once knew it had died. Everyday we mourned the loss of human contact. Teachers walked around saying, "I don't know." We were in the dark about everything. That is why it came as such a surprise when I was 'served' my rubber room invitation.
For many teachers like myself, the first few days in the rubber room were a turbulent and surreal experience. I was nervous, scared, disoriented and confused. From the moment I was reassigned & banished from my school building, to my first week in the rubber room, most of it is a blur. Although I was extremely restless at first, I knew that my task at hand was to slow down. God's way of saying, "Time to learn another lesson." What the lesson was, I did not know. Reassignment is a very humbling experience.
For the most part, the people that I've met in the rubber room are quiet, amicable and bright professionals who have fallen victim to our dysfunctional school system. Amongst the group are teachers, school aides, principals(yes- principals!), social workers, nurses and secretaries who want to maintain a low profile and a peaceful existence.
On the other hand, there are those individuals who require lots of attention and drama. For them, quiet complacency is foreign idea and the walls of the rubber room are a stage; A perfect channel in which to act out their neuroses. Whether it be their loud, incessant talking, whining and complaining or just plain ignorance, the show is and always was about 'them'. Their lack of respect for themselves and others is disturbing. Let us not forget that we are grown adults who represent the field of teaching. Regardless of allegations, we are still innocent until proven guilty and it is important to maintain a sense of professionalism. Try as I may, the unscripted drama, the characters and the storyline in the rubber room are all too bizarre to ignore.
Some of the behaviors that I alone have witnessed are; broadcasting loud ring tones and inappropriate phone conversations. Random calling out, 'hooting and hollering' and pounding on & smacking the tables. Also, unnecessary outbursts of laughter and cursing, insulting remarks about religion and racism and comments about the human anatomy- as well as pornographic images via the Internet.
Sad and depressed? These characters can never be sensitive to your needs. These actors are not in tune with any one's boundaries but their own. They will sneeze, cough, blow their nose and clear their throat without any regard for those around them. There is no escaping the dysfunctional daily performances . The rubber room comes equipped with a 'captive' audience or dare I say, "audience in captivity". These 'actors' will drain the life out of you. As the rubber room imitates life, these "Teachers Behaving Badly" are what perpetuates the negative stigma attached to the rubber room further increasing the already stressful and oppressive process for all who are reassigned.

Chaz said...

You should talk to your liaison and union rep and they need to talk to the site supervisor who should be senting these disruptive people to medical and isolate them if necessary.

November 15, 2008 3:55 PM

November 11, 2008

How do these guys sleep at night?

November 8, 2008

November 6, 2008

"The Insanity"

Is there really a need to discipline a teacher further after sending them to the rubber room? Everyday in the rubber room is a punishment in itself. Loud, isolating, stigmatizing, claustrophobic and completely dysfunctional, there is no escaping its' damaging effects. Arguments among teachers, bickering and verbal attacks are a regular part of the day. Mental and physical personal boundaries are constantly being crossed. There is a slow deterioration of faith, hope and self esteem. Add an undeserved "U" Rating, falsified documents, an OSI investigation, trumped up charges or suspension without pay into the mix and you've got a recipe for insanity.
It is appalling the way the DOE ignores its' own laws on a regular basis. Obviously the 'zero tolerance' rule does not apply to their own. My own reassignment resulted from my robo-principal breaking 3 of the DOE's Chancellor's regulations while the almighty union sits idly on the sidelines. Tell me please, what are they waiting for?
UFT Chap says, "It's the DOE. They do it all the time." My own chapter leader is so in the dark and poorly versed on reassignment that his only reality are my desperate calls for intervention. Perhaps he should spend a week in the rubber room and educate himself. You can imagine my dismay when he says things like, "I hate to say this but, the Union no longer has any clout." and "This is the first I'm hearing of this!" and "I didn't know," & "I had no idea!"
Unless there is some revamping of the reassignment and investigation protocol, I can tell you now that we are all doomed. The Union is so overwhelmed with cases that they can't give you a straight answer even on minor issues. The insanity of this place has been a test in tolerance, patience and futility. Since my last required "playdate" with my principal, I have completely lost faith in the UFT's lip service. The principal's written follow up was biased and full of lies. I am tired of fighting against this relentless robo principal who won't stop until she destroys my career.

The total centralization of control of the school system has created a new culture of lackey behavior. . . . The system does not have the checks and balances to protect whistleblowers, nor even to tolerate a word of dissent. This is a symptom of a sick organizational culture.
- Diane Ravitch, research professor of education at New York University, author of The Great School Wars, the definitive history of New York's schools, New York Post, March 10

Blogger Chaz said...

Fidigty:

I feel your frustration. The UFT does not care about reassigned teachers. Their job is to keep you calm and provide you with NYSUT representation at the 3020-a hearing. To them it does not matter if the teacher committed a felony or just pissed off an insecure principal. All reassigned teachers are treated the same by the unio. Begnined neglect.

The DOE knows that the majority of 3020-a charges will not result in the teacher's termination. However, they can use the 3020-a process to get teachers to resign or retire and to get significant fines. Furthermore, it is a way for Principals to get senior teachers off their payroll.

Just think of the up side. No lesson plans, no paperwork, no student disrespect or parent aggrivation and most of all a time to catch up on reading good books, watching DVD's and making new friends with teachers just like you. Unfairly, charged for frivilous or minor infractions.

November 8, 2008 11:19 AM

Blogger The Bus Driver said...

I'm sorry there is no due justice for folks like you who have to deal with being "reassigned". I hope you are able to find some form of resolution soon.

November 11, 2008 8:23 PM

November 5, 2008

Teachers Against Bloomberg...

November 4, 2008

Bad Apple Bullies

Last night I stumbled upon this very interesting website....http://www.badapplebullies.com/ - I checked the location of Queensland - (a state in Australia) because the bullying that this Australian teacher/blogger speaks of sounds identical to the events faced by a typically harrassed- NYC teacher. She speaks of age discrimination, intimidation, threats, prolonged investigations, corrupt investigators, falsified documents and lost files. Is it me, or does all of this sound peculiarly familiar? Are you sure there isn't a Queensland somewhere here in NYC?

"It's a talent flight.

The best and brightest are driven out.

The slugs, the slow-minded, dimwitted sycophants are the bully's allies."

* Gary Namie, co-founder of the Workplace Bullying and trauma Institute in Bellingham, Wash., quoted in: Companies must deal with workplace bullies or lose brightest employees; expert, Camille Bains, CBC News: Business, May 8, 2006

(Click on the title above to read this teacher's disturbing account of her dealings with the Queensland Education System in Australia.)

November 2, 2008

Rubberroommovie.com Update

Be sure to watch the trailer!!!!
The following update is from the rubberroommovie.com website.

Randi Weingarten Goes On The Record
10/22/08

On October 22, 2008, Five Boroughs Productions sat down for an interview with Randi Weingarten, president of both the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT).
Ms. Weingarten addressed such issues as the physical conditions inside Rubber Rooms, age discrimination, the rising number of reassigned teachers, and the potential for the reassignment process to be used (or abused) as a political tool. She also discussed a recent agreement, signed by both the UFT and the Department of Education (DOE), that was created to help reduce some of the inefficiencies involved in the teacher reassignment process.

Five Boroughs would like to thank Ms. Weingarten and her staff for taking time out of a very busy schedule to answer our questions. Thanks again, Randi!

October 26, 2008

No Newcomer

Our quiet Friday morning was interrupted when WD, aka 'Walking Disaster' reported to our room for the first time. "Attention everyone, we have a new room member. This is WD." We looked up from our papers momentarily when Miss WD blurted out, "Okay, where am I going to sit?" Before anyone could answer, she added, "I know the drill. This is not my first day you know," She scanned the room. "Well, I guess no one's offering, so if you all just want to ignore me, then that's fine." She dropped her coat and bag on an empty seat by the door. We all looked around and then rolled our eyes at each other. Essie offered Miss WD a seat next to her at the head of her table. Miss WD looked at the seat, paused and turned back to the group, ignoring Essie's offer. "It's ok. If nobody's going to move, I'll just sit on the floor. That corner looks empty. Is that okay with you? Would it bother any of you if I just sat on the floor in the corner?" "You can sit here," said Mr. M, generously offering his own seat, next to 3 Seater's chair. "No, she is not going to sit here." 3 Seater warned. "Sit down, sit down, please. I will sit on the other side," Mr. M insisted. WD accepted and sat herself down, legs crossed and arms folded." "Thank you, Is this this an incohesive group or what? You know, we're all in this together," she rambled to herself. "Oh, is that coffee for everyone or do I have to ask someone's permission to drink it? I'll have to bring in my mug. I am going on my third year reassigned. This is my third room. You'd think that you would have a procedure to welcome newcomers." I tried to ignore her but I had to cover my face to muffle the laughter. WD couldn't sit still for a minute. She walked around the room, looking here, there and under all of the tables. "I really need a seat against the wall and a desk for my laptop, near an outlet and room to plug in my phone," Miss So demanded out loud. "I don't have my laptop today but I bring it about once a week, you know, to get my stuff in order." At that point, I noticed WD eyeing my surge protector.
She then disappeared into the hallway and we sighed with relief. Her incessant talking was giving us all a headache. Cane had both of his ears covered with his hands. "Wow, what was that?" asked Sketcher. "I don't know but I think she should go back to wherever she came from," responded Marley. "Yeah, but they probably kicked her out of the other place." Sketcher shook his head and put his earphones on. "I'm going to sleep."
We could all hear WD in the hallway, rambling on to herself. "This group needs to be more cohesive. We're all on the same side you know. Them, against us."
Elsie addressed her as soon as she stepped back in the room. "You may have forgotten, but you were offered a seat when you came in. Why didn't you just sit down? You put your coat on an empty seat. Isn't that an available seat over there where you put your coat?" Elsie's volume accelerated along with her annoyance.
Now angry at Mr. M for giving WD the seat next to her, 3 seater began to roar at WD.
"And, I am letting you know now, you are not staying at this table. This is a quiet table. Go sit back over there", 3 Seater pointed across the room. "Tell me something, why do you have to displace someone just to have a seat? That is his seat and you should respect that. "Well, noone was showing me where to sit," she responded with a whine. "And who are you!? You should know the deal. You've been around enough! We don't have to accommodate you. You need to fit in with us." 3 Seater stated her piece, but it wasn't over there. It seemed like everyone wanted a piece of the action. Trap stood up and had a few authoritative things to say to WD. "Ok, it's my turn to tell you what the deal is. First of all, you had no right to take to this man's seat. He offered it to you out of kindness, but there were empty seats available to you. You came in here with an attitude and some expectations and now you need to get those out of your head. We are going to start this whole thing over. You will get up, give this man back his seat and sit by the door." "Can I say something?" asked WD. "No!" answered Trap. "But I just want to respond to..." Trap gave WD another loud,"No! You you said enough. I think you owe everyone an apology." "Well, I'm sorry but..." "There is no 'but.' You can give Mr. M his seat back now." WD got out of the seat and made her way to the one by the door. "Thank the lord," 3 Seater whispered under her breath. She turned to Mr. M and said, "You I'll talk to later." "What did I do?" he asked. "I was just trying to be nice." "Like I said, we'll talk about it later." And with that, we all soaked in the next few moments of silence.

October 23, 2008

I've Been Setting Mousetraps...

I have been out of the loop for the past few days. Writing rebuttals is very draining. My best advice to anyone that is meeting with their principal to discuss allegations is,"Keep your Mouth Shut." There is nothing you can say or do that will help when allegations are made against you. Speaking to a principal is just as helpful as helping them hold a loaded gun to your head. The principal will ignore what you say and write only what they want to see written on their report. If it makes them look good, they will write it. If it makes you seem imcompetent, they will write it. "How can they do that and get away with it?", you may ask. Very easily. They lie, distort the truth, twist and turn the facts and scramble your words until you barely recognize who and what the report is about. There are so many holes in my principal's report that I have set traps to keep the mice away.

October 13, 2008

Under Assault: Teaching in NYC: A shout out to TAGNYC

Damned if you do Anything.

It's almost six months from my original date of reassignment. The UFT's "Don't call us, We'll call you" attitude" is really getting to me now. In spite of their rules, I went ahead and called them from the Rubber Room.
"Oh you're case? Let me check. What school are you in again? I'm so sorry. He, she, they are away from their desk. Do you want me to put you through to their voicemail? What district is that again?"
I called back four times. I left a message with every "he, she and they" that the receptionist would connect me to. I finally set an appointment to meet with my UFT chap.
"What is it exactly that you want to meet about? UFT chap asked.
"Teachers in my room are going back to their schools. I want out." I said. "What's going on?" Are you just going to let me rot in here?
"Your case is somewhat complicated. It's been almost six months and you are sitting there with no formal charges. The regulations say that they can't hold you any longer than six months without charges. After six months, they(your school) will have to take you back. When the six month point comes and they don't send you back, you can file a grievance on the grounds that you haven't been charged and that will probably piss them off. You need to sit tight and not push the envelope. If you do, she(Ms. Principal) will probably get angry and retaliate by making up charges against you. If she makes up charges, you will have to go through the whole 3020a process.
"You mean they have six months to charge me and when the six months are up, they can first decide to charge me with anything they want?"
"Yes."

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December 25, 2008

December 7, 2008

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November 28, 2008

November 15, 2008

Audience in Captivity

November 11, 2008

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November 6, 2008

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October 26, 2008

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October 13, 2008

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