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.

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.

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

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."

Of Liars and Puppeteers...

The purpose of my latest stint with Ms.Principal & UFT 'chap' was to review OSI's findings in my case. What a joke. After going over the OSI's "substantiated" findings(fabrications) in my case, UFT chap kicked me under the table to keep my mouth shut. It is not only the findings that are rigged, but anything you say in response to the findings can and will be recorded in writing by the principal and held against you at your next meeting. Mind you, principal will only select statements either good or bad and use them out of context to make you look irrational and unbalanced. Ms. Principal is very good at this. She can twist and turn words till they take on meanings that one never thought they could. My statements have been so convoluted that I don't even recognize them.

I am convinced there is no way to defend yourself against the DOE. They have the whole system rigged in their favor. Right this very moment, while Randi is off on her new venture at the AFT, Klein is gearing up to hire more liers- oops, I mean lawyers and puppeteers- uh I mean principals (who call themselves CEOs). Hey, what's the difference what we call em? They are all part of the plan to kill the public education system and it's only a matter of time before they do.

Today's Accomplishments...

It's All About Nothing.

I am starting to lose my mind. Getting up in the morning isn't like it used to be. In fact I can't even remember what it used to be like. How does one get motivated to wake up, shower, get dressed and get to work on time when there is no work? What is the purpose of sitting in a room where "nothing" gets done and "nothing" is expected of you? Is there such a thing as being motivated to do nothing? "I'm so excited, I have nothing to do today." or "Guess what? I have a lot of "nothing" to do today!"
Imagine the conversations one could have...
"What did you do today?" "Nothing."
"Sorry I can't talk now, but I have to get back to nothing."
"I am so exhausted from doing nothing."
"I'd better get to bed, I have so much "nothing to do tomorrow."
"Yes, you'd better rest up." (Wouldn't this would make for a great Seinfeld episode?)
How many newspapers, books, magazines, prayers and restaurant menus can one read before losing it? Moocher is famous for reading every newspaper that he can get his hands on, but never purchasing a single one. The minute someone dozes off, his paws are on their newspaper. If there is a pile of papers in front of you, he will pick through them without hesitation. You can just feel his prowling eyes scanning the room for his next unknowing victim. He will even do your 'Soduku' without asking for permission. Isn't there a law about that somewhere?
Oh, the insanity of doing nothing.

Blogger proofoflife said...

Your life sounds like Waiting For Godot! What is the UFT doing? NOTHING! Oh I forgot they are arming principals to put more teachers in the RR with the new data reports. Try to hang in there you are not a NOTHING! We are victims of a weak union, and that is the long and short of it!

October 5, 2008 11:31 AM
BTW, I found this great website. It describes exactly what we do all day!

It's Just Another Day...

Another day, another teacher reassigned. 'Cee' arrived this morning in a sport jacket and tie holding a notebook and pen. Appearing somewhat tired and disoriented, Warden brought him to the door and introduced him in the usual way. Barely looking up, the inmates showed little interest in the new arrival. I watched as he chose the 'right' chair, one that wasn't already spoken for. I introduced myself and a few other inmates followed. After the ice was broken, we all knew the school, the district and the reason he was reassigned. Cee displayed the typical behavior of a newbie. Within 45 minutes, Cee was fast asleep with his head in his arms on the table.

The room remained quiet until I heard a high pitched squeal and Princess showed her face at the door. Amazing how just the sight of her causes people to push in their chairs and secure their bags. Anything and everything that could be knocked over was quickly cleared out of the way. Surprisingly, Princess managed to walk to her chair without hitting anyone with one of her many shopping bags. "Woo-woo, it's hot in here..Uh hum, it sure is hot." Before even sitting down, her shopping bags were ripped open and brand new, packaged & tagged blue jeans were being passed around the room. I guess the kids at the shelter won't be getting new jeans this year.

Moocher, like the class clown, is always busy trying to get attention. This time by telling self deprecating, tasteless jewish jokes to a table of mixed company. By 11:30, he had 3 elderly african women saying "schmuck" in unison. "Shhh", he advised. "What's the matter? Why can't I say schmuck?" asked one of the women. "Because it's the jewish word for penis. You can't go around saying penis."
There is no limit to what he will do just to fit in. I never understood the purpose of putting down a religion just to get a laugh and then justifying it by saying that it's "your" religion. So, does that make it okay? In these bare 4 walls, I say not.

The Truth and Nothing But the Truth...

As my fellow bloggers and many others have confirmed, the OSI interview procedure is not designed to uncover the truth when allegations are made against a teacher. (Chaz's article on OSI Double Standards) It is designed to serve its' employer(the DOE), by twisting the truth and conjuring up a slanted version of whatever statements are made by the teacher during the investigation. Thus, serving up a horrendous one sided 'transcript' that barely resembles any of what was said. (Exactly the type of transcript that I have received this week.) Paid by the DOE, it is the investigators job to go to any length-no matter how dishonest, to substantiate the accuser's allegations against teachers.

Prior to my interview, my Union Rep advised me to make eye contact, be clear and consistent. The Investigator will be looking for statements that reveal your 'intent' as to how and when the alledged acts occurred. Now if this were a fair and honest investigation, done by a real investigator (not a DOE Puppet) she may have actually observed some revealing behaviors that would affect her final conclusion. Whether she observed them or not, it is obvious that she chose to ignore them.


Just out of curiosity, I looked up some of the methods that Professional investigators are trained to look for in criminal cases. Body language, speech patterns and consistency in the statements can be very telling during questioning.

"Generally people who are lying will not look you in the eye, although very practiced liars may be able to tell lies and do it with eye contact. People who are lying will usually be very stiff. They may have a stiff body or neck. When someone tells a lie it raises the blood pressure. Their face, chest or neck may become red.
The liar usually keeps their arms and legs closer to themselves. They will wrap their arms and legs to cover their body as if protecting themselves.
Liars will usually touch their face or neck when fibbing. The higher they go up on the face the bigger the lie.
Liars might fake an emotion like happiness or sadness. The expression may be limited to their mouth, but will not reach their eyes. Look for twitches. When someone is lying they may have a physiological reaction such as an eye, lip or cheek twitch.
Other physiological reactions include sweating or fidgeting.
They will not react in the correct emotional way. For instance if they tell you they are sorry, but their lips are turned up."
from eHow Article: How to Detect a Liar Using Body Language

Check out the variety of support resources available to principals who want to get a teacher in trouble...
DOE's corporal punishment reporting form A-421

A-420


ATU-Administrative Trials Unit

TPU-Teacher Performance Unit

http://www.nycsci.org/

Interrogation

I was interrogated by the Office of Special Investigations (OSI) 6 months ago by one female investigator. Actually, I don't really know what her position was because she never formally introduced herself to me. All that I know is, my Union Rep was not pleased to learn that this particular person was handling my case. He made it clear that the two have never gotten along as compared to other OSI investigators that he's had to deal with in the past. Strike One on my side. Ms.OSI was extremely belligerent toward him and he didn't seem to have a real problem with it...but I did. After all, it is not his future on the line here. This is just a routine part of his job and doesn't affect him either way.

Although I can't openly discuss the nature of my case, I do want to say that the events leading up to my reassignment were caused by the administration's failure to follow specific chancellor's regulations. Had these regulations been followed, I would not be in my present position and having to defend myself. I was reassigned without an opportunity to explain what had occurred or caused the incident in question. Given the difficult working conditions that were delivered to me via "El Principal", the events that followed were a challenge that proved to be a recipe for failure.

The scene was not very different from something one sees on television. '''CSI or La Law', to be more accurate. The tiny room had a table and two chairs. No windows. No pictures. Just bare walls. Ms.OSI was cold, standoffish, and very rude. After asking me to explain my case, she repeatedly cut in and tried to finish my sentences for me. She dismissed several of my statements with rude comments such as, "Well, why do I need to know that?, "I can't see how this is important", "Cut to the chase," and "This is irrelevant." She twisted my statements and tried to trip me up. When I insisted that my statements were truthful and accurate, she rolled her eyes and impatiently tapped her fingers on the table. That this behavior is unprofessional goes without saying. The entire scenario was degrading and frustrating. After I was through being questioned, UFT Rep and Ms. OSI shared a few private moments alone in the room while I waited outside. UFT Rep had very little to say, least of all, anything encouraging. I was instructed not to call him, that he would call me when he had received a response. Mr.UFT rudely dismissed me by letting me know that he had to meet with another reassigned teacher shortly.





Yes, Chaz I agree...Having since been told that my case was SUBSTANTIATED by OSI. The minor infraction that they have judged substantial barely qualifies for a LETTER IN FILE.

Make Way For the Princess!

She makes her grand entrance at 11 am everyday. Physically, she is not pleasant to look at. Her skin is oily and terribly blemished. Her hair is fake. She is very large and smells of way too much cheap cologne. Guaranteed that when she walks by, she will either knock into your chair or knock something of yours over. Instead of, "I'm sorry," you will hear, "Ooh, That shouldn't be theeeere!" or "Who put this here?" or "Why does this have to be here?" Everyone best clear the way for the Princess.
Princess believes that she not like the rest of us. She is convinced that she was sent here because, "Someone is probably jealous of me". And, "They should be watching themselves instead of looking at me!" She is sure that her students and their parents will fight for her return. In her sing-sing voice, she will tell you that "they loooove meeee!".
Princess,(not her real name) is a school aide. She works in the school for three hours a day. She claims that she is very close with the Principal and when he went down, they took her with him. It has been seven months and still no word from all of her fans at her school. She is certain that her students and coworkers are silently plotting her defense at this very moment.
Princess says it doesn't matter if she gets fired because this job means nothing to her. She can get another one just like it anywhere. However, she shows up here everyday with her 'mightier than thou attitude' and collects her full paycheck. If that doesn't annoy you, the awful screeching sounds she makes while listening to her Ipod will. Anyone brave enough to call it to her attention will surely wish they hadn't. Though she will swear that she was not singing, the minute she turns it back on, the howling will begin again.
Princess is a bad actress/drama queen. She can "ooh and ahh" at the drop of a pin. At 87 degrees, Princess puts on a performance that would have 'Oscar' running for the hills. "Ooh-Ooh, it is fa-reeezing in heeere! she squeals upon arrival. I don't know how you people can sit in this icebox. "I should not have to be exposed to this temperature." She claims that she is allergic to air conditioning and that it makes her sick. Princess spends more time out of the room than in. She sweet talks the attention starved Warden into letting her go outside. Heck, she even has her own chair. Hey, that is fine with me. The longer she stays out of this room, the better.

RESPONSES...
JUSTICE not "just us" said...
"it is the same cast of characters in every building only the names change." me

September 20, 2008 5:38 AM


Fidgety said...
Yes isn't it? But I have to vent anyway. I am glad that someone reads my blog. Thanks, obviously you know the deal. Earplugs help tremendously.

September 20, 2008 9:37 AM


ms-teacher said...
I've been reading this blog and it makes me sad. The people in the rubber room should not be treated in such a way, even the "princess" (despite the fact she's not a very likable character).

I wish that more people knew about this.

September 20, 2008 1:21 PM


Fidgety said... It is up to US to tell more people. In a democracy under the constitution, we are Innocent until Proven guilty. This does not coincide with how we are being treated.

proofoflife said...
i DIDN'T KNOW THAT SCHOOL AIDES WENT INTO THE RUBBER ROOM TOO! iS SHE PART OF DC37? OR IS SHE A PARAPROFESSIONAL? SORRY TO HEAR YOU ARE STILL IN TEACHER LIMBO HELL

Fidgety said...Yes, Aides are also sent to the rubber room. We have 2 at the present time that I know of. I know that one is definitely DC37.

"Musical Cars"

Mornings are usually quiet here in the Rubber Room. Most teachers trickle in somewhere between 8am and 8:30. Coffee is made, newpapers are read and passed around the room. At 9:30, the "Moving Of The Cars" begins. There is great comradery in this useless ritual as we drivers politely remind each other of what time it is. "Time to move the car, do you have your car today? Time to move your car." "Oh, is it that time already?" "Nope, I don't have to move my car today...just turned the corner and there was a spot with my name on it." "Don't forget to wake up EZ, I know he has his car up the block. He'll be pissed if you don't wake him." "Should I wake Moocher?" "Do you really think that Moocher would spend the money to drive his car here? He's got his bike chained to the pole". The "Moving of the Cars" requires half of the people in the room to use(waste) their official 15 minutes of allotted break-time to avoid the expensive threat of a parking ticket. For those who don't drive to work, this ritual is foreign, but for the rest of us it's nerve racking!... "Car, car- do you have to move your car?" Keys are jingling, cell phone alarms are ringing, everyone's clearing their throats, stretching- gearing up for the main event. Time to perform the nonsensical task of moving our cars from the perfectly good parking spots we are in to 'double parked' status on the other side of the street. Now we all sit in our cars, waiting for the clock to strike exactly 9:30. Marley gets out to smoke a cigarette. He calls to Newbie for a light. Newbie gets out and the two converse between their cars. 3 Seater is on the phone. EZ takes orders to make a quick run to McDonald's. This is comradery in the Rubber Room. All of this to make way for the City's Sanitation trucks that spend all of 3 minutes noisily riding up the street. Here come their revolving brushes that do nothing more than upset the dust and spread the debris over to the other side of the street. Does it ever really look any cleaner after they have passed? We retreat back to the room. At 11am, musical cars begins again.

"INITIATION"

"Excuse me everyone, Can I have your attention? We have a new 'staff' member here. This is Mr. So and So," Warden announces in his usual demeaning tone. Never without his tacky smirk, Warden humiliates another new DOE prisoner. After reading him the riot act and having him sign it, Warden then calls the entire rooms' attention to this unfortunate being. He then leaves him standing awkwardly at the door while the group sizes him up. Like a 'Fish Out of Water,' this teacher is left to navigate the rigid politics of the Rubber Room. Obviously at this point, So and So is feeling pretty bad. EZ walks over and shakes his hand. "Nice to meet you," he says. 3 Seater barely looks up from her laptop. Instead she casually places her shopping bag on to the chair beside her. (Translation- "Don't even think of sitting your butt down over here!") The only thing 3 Seater has been generous with has been her germs. Not only does she have a persistent hacking cough, but someone failed to teach her how to keep them to herself. Ironically, she'd be the first one to raise hell if someone else were coughing. Lucy, a school aide from Chapel Street takes her feet down from a chair, and then offers it to the newbie- thus sacrificing her only foot rest. Newbie passes on the offer and scans the room for a spot less congested. He finally opts for a chair near the doorway.
Remember what the realtor always stressed? Location, location, location. She was definitely on to something. With the room quickly filling up, the goal here is to position yourself where you are not in the way of traffic, not in earshot of the 'Warden', quiet enough to take a siesta and far away from anyone who does not meet up daily with a bar of soap. I am always amazed by the amount of educated people who fail to recognize the value of a shower and a shave...
In his button down shirt and tie, Newbie is now seated at his table in a state of shock. He is definitely not going to settle in anytime today. He hasn't made eye contact with anyone. He is tapping his fingers on the desk and well as shaking his knee up and down. He is not ready to talk. Moocher offers him the newsapaper which he politely declines with a waving gesture. He is definitely not ready to read. Finally, after about an hour, he lies his head on the table and falls into a deep, much needed sleep.



Blogger JUSTICE not "just us" said...

Look, your rubber room has to stop this! By allowing Warden to do this you give him the upper hand. Let them know you, the inmates, control the institution not the other way around. Form a greeting committee to make every newbie welcomed. I know my people were political prisoners(the real deal) and I have learned that in "prison" it is the prisoners who rule.

They can control so far as you let them control you. You have be united!

Political Prisoner on sabbatical

September 14, 2008 3:07 AM

"Politicians are a lot like diapers."

Custodian -aka "Self Appointed Executor"

Mr. Custodian used to be just a plain old 'building Custodian'. His only job was to clean and maintain the small, forgotten, rundown building that was once a district office. On any given day, one would find him sweeping the floor, replacing a lightbulb or tending to the lawn. But ever since his building began to house reassigned teachers, Mr. Custodian became 'Mr. Bad',"Self Appointed Executor".
As one might expect, the arrival and presence of the Rubber Room teachers(who are Innocent until proven Guilty) confused the existing DOE employees of the building. In justifying the need to house them, the DOE often referred to the reassigned teachers as "disruptive, dangerous, incompetent, pedophiles, trouble makers and thieves who are a danger to children". It is no wonder that their presence might make the average office supply stealer uneasy. Inevitably, as the days passed by uneventfully, the vulnerability, questions and novelty of these teachers also passed.
However, this was not the case for Mr. Custodian who befriended Mr. Warden, hired supervisor of the reassigned and 'keeper of the notebook'. The two grumpy old men were like two peas in a pod, sharing a common trait of making those around them as miserable as they were. Mr. Warden ( reassigned assistant principal with friends in high places) enjoyed inflicting additional discomfort onto the reassigned teachers who inhabited the Rubber Room. Soon enough, Mr. Bad (and obviously bored) Custodian began to practice his own brand of torture on these people.
"Jeeze, it's hot in here," comments Sketcher.
"Yes, Isn't it hot?" agrees Marley. "Who's going to ask the custodian to turn on the air?" Sketcher inquires.
"You ask him. He likes you," Marley answers, remembering the harsh response he received the last time he had asked.
"Uh-uh, I ain't askin' him. First it's hot, then he turns it on and 20 minutes later it's freezing in here. I don't want to be asking him all day long to turn it off and on. He sees one of us outside and he runs to the corner like he's seen the plague."
"We can't help it if it only runs on two temperatures, sweltering and below icebox," EZ chimes in. "He could adjust it a tiny notch, but no, he just wants to freeze us out. Make us sorry we asked for the air in the first place."
"You guys are scared of the big, bad custodian," Ms. Del teases. This comment drives Sketcher right into the hallway and on a custodian hunt. "Sketcher can't resist a dare."
Mr. Bad Custodian(self appointed executor) shuffles his feet in the hall before coming in. He then takes a look around the room and smiles at us as if he's amused. There he stands with his 'all powerful key" in hand as if he's granting us our last breath. "Are you sure you want the air on?" He asks condescendingly.
"Well it is going to be about 90 degrees today. It's already 85 degrees now," EZ answers. All the while I am thinking, of course we want the air on- you big jerk. We didn't go and get you because we like to watch you smirk at us. It is not your job to decide if and when we are allowed to breath. Just put the damn air on and leave.
Mr. Bad slowly fumbles with his keys, opens up the thermostat box and flips the switch. Then, 1-2-3- he slams the metal box cover down and locks it- as if on spite. He looks up, looks around and shakes his head. Well, that took a lot of effort, I think. It won't be long before 3 Seater wakes up and wants it shut off again. Let the games begin.

JUSTICE not "just us" said...
Mr. C is nothing bu a wannabe insect."He's got the Power."

But you know I have met these characters in the schools as well.

September 7, 2008 2:35 AM


Pissed Off said...
If this weren't true, it would be funny.

And, if it was on tv, no one would believe it.

September 7, 2008 7:25 AM


Fidgety said...
Pissed Off, Thank you... Your comment made me laugh:) Yes, it's definitely sitcom worthy!

September 7, 2008 12:41 PM

It's PASS-OVER for the Reassigned...

Now that summer vacation is over, we dues paying members of the UFT are about to embark on the start of a new school year filled with anticipation and underrated ambition. So, why is this September different from all other Septembers? Perhaps it's because as a reassigned teacher, I've been "PASSedOVER"- (some pun intended).
On all other Septembers there were schedules to be triplicated, supplies to scavenge for, PDs to withstand, copy machines to battle with, parent meetings to schedule and several costly trips to 'Staples'. There were student record cards to decipher, teacher's manuals to dig up and lesson plans to formulate.

On this September, there's no shiny new crayons and no colorful border paper to hang... Absent is the sound of noisy kids and arrogant principals over the loudspeaker. There is just a list of the same old ridiculous rules and an empty room filled with tables and uncomfortable chairs. Time stands still in the Rubber Room. Passover comes early. Some reassigned teachers have been returned to their schools... others-like myself, have been ignored. There is no rhyme or reason to the methods used by the DOE. As a reassigned teacher who has still not received charges, there were no reassuring or concerned calls from my chapter leader this summer. Those stopped months ago No calls from the 'all powerful' Union. No one to say, "Rest easy, everything will work out fine".

For a reassigned teacher, the summer doesn't count in a big way; The timetable for receiving charges from a principal is 'supposed to be' six months from the date of reassignment. However, the clock stops ticking in the summer and resumes its' ticking process in September.
The DOE will conveniently use any excuse to extend ones' time spent in the Rubber Room. For some, the Rubber Room is an all too familiar place. In fact, many I have met are returning for their 2nd or 3rd year without any hope of ever returning to the classroom. Some who have already been 'exonerated' of all charges are deemed 'unhireable' by Human Resources and will reluctantly be sent from one failing school to another.

Didn't I loathe those useless PDs anyway? And- Weren't the lines in STAPLES always much too long to combat? By a show of hands, how many tenured teachers along with myself thought that when and if the dreaded day came that a child or parent accused you of the unthinkable, your union would have your back? We can all put our hands down now.

How does one spend months in the Rubber Room, enjoy a beautiful summer of freedom and then prepare themselves to once again sit and do nothing?
I am not about to give advice because the truth is, nothing can make this situation okay...The only moments that are pleasant for me is when I stop beating myself up. Bring your comfy chair from home, soft fleece blanket and neck support pillow. And that book you swore you were going to read over the summer? Bring that one. Heck, bring the other one too. Bring your DVD player, your Ipod and your laptop. And- don't forget your extension cords and adapters. Think LONGEVITY. Being comfortable doesn't hurt either. Sweatpants,running shoes, flip flops and clean white socks. We're talking "long run" here. Think COMFORT. It may sound crazy, but this place ultimately defines "boredom". Without a survival plan, expect to slowly deteriorate. After all, That is the DOE's plan. Fall apart and quit...No, no, no. Not me.

Certainly this is not something I have ever thought about before. Having always been a "good little teacher" who did as I was told, who knew? I was the one who thought it could never happen to me. Hey, at least someone is happy... -the 22 year old who is filling my position.

We Just Got Here.

With a smile, Captain Smile announced: "First I want to welcome you all here today and...Please don't take this personally men but this is about the boys bathroom, so you ladies are off the hook. 'So & So' from upstairs (Gestapo Suit Man) inquired if those teachers (we,the reassigned) downstairs are back yet...
You know, some people just don't understand who you are. I tried to explain to him that you aren't here to make any trouble so please keep it clean. He was complaining about some paper he saw on the floor. So, I assured him that you'd keep the bathroom clean."
It took all of one half hour before the Gestapo Suit Man blamed the 'mess' in the "Boys" bathroom on the men in the Rubber Room.

More Mayoral Control..."It's Good to be King"

Found this article on 'Ed in the Apple' -check it out.

and this...Backers of Mayoral Control See a Tough Education Fight
By ELIZABETH GREEN, Staff Reporter of the Sun |

"They Don't Own Your Soul"

I called the UFT today to inquire about the status of my Reassignment. I want to know if anyone at the DOE has looked at my file as of yet. I want to know if there are any decent, civil human(e) beings working for the DOE who might care that I have been sent to the rubber room due to events that the principal of my school could have easily prevented. I know I should be doing something to help myself in addition to just staring at 4 cement walls, but what? I was reassigned in March of 2007. To say that my life has 'changed' since then would be an understatement. Let's just say it's been an 'eye opener'.

After one month in the rubber room, I was called to report to OSI (the Office of Special Investigations) and told my story to an investigator. I was confident that after hearing the events that led to my reassignment, (which were beyond my control) I would be cleared of all charges and returned to my school immediately. Surely, any person with half a brain would recognize that with good management, these events would have never occurred. I was told that the UFT would be contacted when the investigator has a response. A response? -Should I expect a response? -When?

"Nothing yet", I was told in April. "Don't call us, we'll call you when we know something. All you can do now is wait to hear from us", I was told by the UFT in May. "If you don't hear from us, it's because there is nothing to tell you". That was in June. I'm thinking that maybe they lost my file. It is now the end of August and the idea of returning to the rubber room is haunting me in my sleep.

Sooo, I called the UFT today and after being put on hold and passed around a few times, this nice lady, aka "B" got on the phone. "Sorry, so and so is on vacation. What is this about? Oh, so you had one of Bloomberg's principals. I'm so sorry to hear that. Yes, I understand it's been four months and noone has contacted you. No. Sorry, he is not here either. Let me find out when he is coming in....(silence).... Oh, he should be returning on the 25th of August. Let me see if anyone has heard anything....(silence).... Sorry, I cannot tell you anything about your case. No, I don't have access to those files. So and so is handling it and he is the only one who has access to those records. He is the only one who knows the status. I can give you his voicemail if you'd like."
"Are you referring to the new agreement between the UFT and the DOE? Well, that will take some time to begin and because there is a backlog of people whose cases need to be heard, it will take some time before we will see its' positive effects. Yes, I understand that you want to get back to your school. You know, not everyone does. You're one of the few. Yes, I know, but the UFT is protecting you. You're getting paid aren't you?"
At this point of my frustration, I went on to tell her about the lack of space in the Rubber room and my concerns about rubbing shoulders with some of the questionable characters that I must cohabitate with. "Yes, they should separate the outside arrests from the in-school incidents. Well in the meantime, you can read, study, write. Listen to music. Do whatever you like. They may be able to keep you there, but remember, They Don't Own Your Soul. "No", I said. "They can't take that". Teary eyed, I thanked "B" for her time - and when I hung up, I sat down and had a good cry.


Eric said...
I'm sorry your having problems with your reassignment. However, you are doing exactly what the DOE wants you to feel. Like shit!

Your blog is an example how to fight back. Complain, challenge, and put the DOE on the defensive by showing how they are abusing you.

Be strong and continue blogging. The DOE does not like teachers bloggers because they expose the DOE for what it really is. A self-interest group that cares little of education.


Eventually, the truth will come out and the DOE will be the one having to do the explaining to do.

August 21, 2008 4:08 PM


Fidgety said...
Thanks for your encouragement. Hopefully that day will come.

August 22, 2008 12:30 AM


JUSTICE not "just us" said... "Don't mourn--Organize!!!"

Fight with every fiber of your being. Write or e-mail every pig politician you can. Contact every stinkin rag that calls itself a newspaper in this heartless city. Keep on blogging. Get in the best shape of your life--physically and mentally.

Tell everyone that you know that you are "a political prisoner" in the Rubber Room with the emphasis that you done nothing illegal or immoral. Tell everyone that you know that you do not even have an outstanding parking ticket to your name. Mention that while you sit in the rubber room your students don't have a permanent and stable teacher in front of them.

Remember that in other parts of this sorry planet they imprision and kill educators and that you still live in a country where you can fight back. I AM WITH YOU!

August 23, 2008 9:48 AM


Worst Nightmare said...
Fidgety,
Don't expect any sense from either the DoE or the UFT. Both are colluding to put you in this situation.
Both are sadists. Both will do their utmost to take away your method of earning a living.

Because OSI is investigating you they have 6 months to charge under 3020a laws. The minute your six months expires you must act by filing a grievance and a complaint against both the Union and the DoE in court.
They will be in violation of the law.
Since the arbitrators are biased and corrupt and the union is complicit in this torture, don't expect anything remotely approaching justice in a hearing designed to relieve you of your teaching license.

They don't care whether your guilty or innocent. They want you gone for two novice teachers for your salary.
The union gets two newbies who will pay twice your dues. Since they won't be tenured they won't have to do anything to help them should they end up falsely imprisoned and tortured as you have.

Don't expect anyone with reasonable intelligence or compassion to be helping or adjudicating your case.
This is the same as the nazi show trials. It is a corrupt kangaroo court and a total abuse of your 1,5th,and 14th ammendment rights.
The fact that the union asshole didn't throw in
" your getting your benefits" is a total departure from their usual crap that they mouthe with all of the other meaningless platitudes.
When you really get screwed, such as terminated, suspended without pay, or fined, they will say " I wouldn't want to be in your shoes."
That must be page 256, subsection C in their play book. Another perennial favorite of mine is "this is the climate."
You have entered a surreal kafkesque twighlight zone. Nobody but fellow inmates in the DoE concentration camps will identify with and understand you.
As for the real marginal and criminal types that you are forcibly incarcerated with, this just shows what the UFT and DoE think of you.

Nothing you did for these bastards ever will come to mean anything to them. The countless lives you touched and kids you helped don't mean a thing to them.

You, as I, are anachronisms, dinosaurs to this youth worship culture. The only thing they do is what the eskimo's would do to their elders and infirm. Coldly and callously set them adrift on ice flows.
The only way to go out is swinging. If you settle for nothing now, then you will settle for nothing later!
Your only option is to pick up your axe and fight like a warrior.
Kick the living shit out of them. Let them pay attention after a resounding shot across the bows.
SUE THEM!! Sue anyone who has caused this catastrophe. Make them eat, sleep and breathe this nightmare.

Force them to put down $7,500 initial retainers to attempt to protect themselves and their assets from your onslaught.
They will shrink in the face of you taking their houses and bank accounts. In this era of "accountability" let them hold the bag.
Take heart, you are not the only good human being involved in this war. Show them who you are and why its stupid to mess with you!
The UFT and DoE's worst nightmare:
THE UGLY UNVARNISHED TRUTH!
And To Reich Fuhrer Klein and Randi' horseface Swinegarten, I say
Fuck you very much! Something Wicked This Way Comes!

August 23, 2008 6:45 PM


Pissed Off said...
Good luck. I really feel for you. I know from reading blogs like yours that no one is safe anymore. I pity all the young kids starting out. I'm glad I can leave whenever I want.

August 23, 2008 7:17 PM


windhover said...
I agree with worst nightmare--get a lawyer and SUE!!! Then contact your local politicians--many of them hate Bloomberg, and even though most of them are useless, you must make as much noise as possible--something is bound to happen when enough of us complain! Good luck to you--I feel your pain!

windhover

August 24, 2008 2:07 PM

Teacher Advocacy Group NYC (TAGNYC): Advice to 3020a Participants

Teacher Advocacy Group NYC (TAGNYC): Advice to 3020a Participants

What if principals acted like leaders?

A competent leader can get efficient service from poor troops, while on the contrary an incapable leader can demoralize the best of troops.
- General of the Armies John J. Pershing

Leaders encourage others to continue the quest and inspire others through courage and hope. Leaders give heart by visibly recognizing others' contributions to the common vision. With a thank you note, a smile, an award, and public praise, the leader lets others know how much they mean to the organization.
-Kouzes & Posner, The Leadership Challenge

The boss drives people; the leader coaches them. The boss depends on authority; the leader on good will. The boss inspires fear; the leader inspires enthusiasm. The boss says I; The leader says WE. The boss fixes the blame for the breakdown; the leader fixes the breakdown. The boss says, GO; the leader says Lets GO!
-H. Gordon Selfridge

No one asked ME.

If I hear this again I am going to scream!
The majority of the teachers in the Rubber Rooms don't want their cases expedited?!
They don't want the DOE to hire more arbitrators?!
They don't want to speak about their cases or have their day in court?!!
Most teachers prefer staying in the Rubber Room over returning to their schools... They like where they are and want to stay there. It's frightening to think that this is the overall Rubber Room consensus according to some union sources. Hard to believe -but it's true.
Let me take a minute to vent now. Excuse me, but I wasn't asked!!! I may have been in the "little girl's room" or hallucinating from the smothering lack of oxygen, but I don't recall anyone asking me what I would prefer!!!!
I actually overheard a union representative responding to the question of why the union hasn't pushed for the DOE to hire more arbitrators; "There are a 'vast number of opportunities' available to a reassigned teacher in the RR. -Why, there's Bible Study Class at 9, followed by Aerobics at 10, Crocheting for Beginners, The Book of the Month Club and a Meditation Group before lunch. The teachers are educating each other and having fun. Sounds like a retirement home to me. They are safe from the harrassment of administrators. Why would they want to leave and return to their schools?" Well, when you put it this way- it kinda makes sense.
What this is saying is that while I sit day after day in the Rubber Room staring at a concrete wall, there are other reassigned teachers who actually prefer to be here rather than returning to the classroom. Instead of having their day in court and/or the opportunity to clear themselves, they would rather stay put. Why would a teacher want to waste their talents and years of education to sit all day instead of teach?
Everyday that I must spend in the Rubber Room is another day that I am tormented by a feeling of powerlessness. I find myself in a physical and emotional battle that borderlines insanity. It's not the fact that I have been a very active and energetic teacher in the classroom, but the fact that as a human I am restricted to the perimeter of a small room that allows for very little movement and lack of personal space. Have you ever heard of 'bed sores?'
The mere mention of returning to the classroom or being around children has some teachers shaking in their boots. They have been so abused, misused and terrorized that even the Rubber Room is a palatable choice over the possibility of justice. This year alone, I have learned that 5 of my hardworking, experienced colleagues have received letters informing them that in September they will no longer retain their various positions as "Teacher Trainers, Reading Specialists and Clusters." With tears in their eyes, they have described the feeling of shame and embarrassment among their colleagues, friends and families.
This system is so dysfunctional and destructive that it brings experienced professionals to their knees. It damages their self esteem so badly that they feel they must lie to their friends, families and even their spouses. The fear of being misunderstood and judged as incompetent serves the DOE well in that it keeps the public from knowing about the travesties of the Rubber Room. It is so dysfunctional that these experienced professionals are succumbing to the horrendous conditions of their fate without even a fight.
Ask me what I think. Go on, just ask.


JUSTICE not "just us" said...
Very well put. The responses to the rubber room vary among indivivduals as you pointed out. I was sent to the rubber room by a principal who was fired. I was working in a school that was and is totally dysfuntional. My health was was being adversaly affected. In fact a colleague who was being harassed by the Principal drop dead of a heart attack days before the end of the worst year in education that I have ever had in my 20 year tenure with the DOE.

I have documented my harassment on my blog for all to read and it is my contention that I was already in a rubber room being that my students were being questioned everyday, some of the sicker female co-teachers were attempting to set me up on the instructions of the principal and I was being observed everyday for a week.



.

Margaret Spellings- Education Secretary on Colbert

I can go on and on... but have you noticed that how she never mentions the word "teacher?"


Cohort12Fellow said...
I saw that and I noticed it!! I also thought it was kind of ridiculous that NCLB would be considered the high point of the Bush administration!

August 2, 2008 7:05 PM

(TAGNYC): Advice to 3020a Participants

Teacher Advocacy Group NYC (TAGNYC): Advice to 3020a Participants

And It Makes Me Wonder...

Did you ever wonder why you spent thousands of dollars and years of studying when you could have just taken an easier route?
What a great city New York is. Where else in the world can you get a a hot meal and a job teaching without even opening your wallet? Where was the mayor when I was living in a basement apartment & paying back all of those student loans?
Check out this ad in the NY Times for Teaching Fellows- No Experience Required!
http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/276/1519/1600/doenytimesad.jpg.png
Article Found on "An Educational Voyage" http://janetryoung.blogspot.com/2006/09/thanks-randi-online-excessed-staff.html

Update: I just read an ongoing thread on "Chancellor's New Clothes" that debates about the effectiveness of TFA program and the TFA members that has everyone in a tizzy.
Here is the comment made my a Bronx Chapter Leader on July 20, 2008 @ 2:29 pm All of the TFA’s I know, and I know many, have no children at home. They are very young and have the time to plan for school 24/7. They are afraid to “stand up” to idiot administrators and will often allow these administrators to break every article in the contract. Many of them complain to me in tears, but when I hand them a grievance form they are fearful of putting their words into action. Talk about affecting dozens of children’s lives , they leave after two years. In my building dozens of TFA leave after two years. I am not saying that these teachers are not hard workers , but if it were up to the administrators all teachers would be TFA. Teachers would work all day without a prep or a lunch. We would have no summer vacation, no holidays and be expected ( as we are now) to go home and log onto ACUITY and ARIS and check out the data. We would have to hold in our pee-pee till the end of the day. Our classes would go way beyond class caps as per contract. The turn -over of TFA is great for the schools budget because then principals won’t have to pay “steep” salaries, and can spend more money on test prep!!
Please read and join in...the thread...

It's a Bird, It's a Plane, No, It's "Teacher on Summer Vacation!"

"So, How are you enjoying your summer?". As a teacher, we hear this question all of the time. This question usually follows with the inevitable, "You are so lucky to have off". "Yes", I think to myself. It is one of the reasons that I became a teacher. In the summer, I am, "Teacher On Summer Vacation" or "T.O.S.V."... (Not "Rubber Room Inmate Enjoying Time-Off") -what an empowering feeling. For most teachers, this means a relief from writing lesson plans, grading tests, freedom from the harassment of inexperienced administration, rotten kids(not all) and their rotten parents who are in extreme denial. For an inmate like me, summer is a time when I get to be a 'real' teacher- doing what 'real' teachers do.

Teachers need summer like fish need water. The summer recharges and breathes new life to the impoverished spirit of a 'June' teacher. In the past, I have enjoyed many free and liberating months while others continue to trudge miserably to and from their more prestigious, higher paying jobs.

This summer, however, has brought new meaning to 'free time and liberation'. For me, it means, not having to report to the Rubber Room until 'school' as most of us know it, resumes at the end of August. I am "T.O.S.V!". I have to keep reminding myself of this. When you have been confined to sitting still all day in a crowded room with the daily task of doing nothing particular except punching the clock on time, the arrival of summer is *(^_^)* freeing beyond comprehension. For two whole months I get to experience what it feels to be ungoverned. I get to do what real teachers do. I get to sleep late, go to the beach, soak up the sun, drink iced coffee, tend to my garden, shop in empty stores, speak loudly on my cell phone and drive on traffic-free roads. I can loiter as long as I want in a restaurant, in a bathroom(not that I want to)or anywhere that I choose to be, undocumented and untimed.

As I reap the benefits of summer, I can almost pretend that everything else in my life is "status quo". I can freely mingle and interact with children in my neighborhood. I can go to a playground and observe the untainted innocence of children at play. I can enjoy the beauty of the day as god designed it. Afterall, I am, "Teacher On Summer Vacation." That's all I really need to be right now.

Teacher Remover

I just read the following article that was published on Crain's new york Business.com written by Susan Lee Schwartz.

I began teaching in 1963,; Ba and BS in Education -Brooklyn College. I have the equivalent of 2 additional Master's, mainly in Literacy Studies and Graphic Design. I was the only seventh grade teacher of English from 1990 -1999 at East Side Middle School, which opened in 1990. My students placed amongst the highest reading and (eventually, when the ELA tests were instituted) writing scores in NYC. This attracted Harvard, looking for teachers who could be matched to "The Eight Principles of Learning", the thesis by Harvard's Lauren Resnick, that powered the Standards project, funded by Pew. 

In 1998, based on the assessment of my teacher-practice by the Learning & Research Development Center, at the University of Pittsburgh, which studied my teacher-practice after I was chosen to participate in THE Standards project , I was awarded the NYSEC (New York State English Council)) "Educator of Excellence of Award," a much coveted and PRESTIGIOUS award. I have been included five times, in "Who's Who Among American Educators". Now that I am "googleable" as former students tell me, I get scores of letters from former students describing the enormous impact that I had on their life.

Currently I am a freelance travel writer and photographer, but I also write widely, about real education reform in order to change the national conversation to where it needs to be -- ABOUT LEARNING, and what makes genuine learning possible, or impossible, rather on the bogus subject of poor teachers and teacher standards. Learning how to learn--critical thinking--not rote memorization-- is the object of the PRACTICE OF PEDAGORY for which teacher who wish to PRACTICE THIS PROFESSION get a degree and a license.
I write because people with loud voices and personal agendas have destroyed the practice of pedagogy, and silenced the voice of the only ones who can set the record straight, the grunt on the line -- the teacher-practitioner--a genuine professional trained to know exactly what is needed to facilitate learning in each particular classroom.
I speak as a teacher and write because:

* those who have the national stage, are pushing tests, and pointing to bad teaching, as the reasons schools fail, but that is pointing in the wrong direction and thus a genuine solution and real reform eludes the people of this country..

* the national conversation has been usurped by businessmen and pundits with no understanding of the emergent learner, or the actual classroom practices that enable creative and critical thought. (Everyone who went to school believes they know what is needed "to teach".)

* What is REALLY NECESSARY for children to LEARN in school, is pre-school literacy, parent involvement in shaping attitudes and monitoring home activities, and classrooms where the teacher-practitioner sets the agenda based on curriculum objectives and the knowledge of pedagogy, rather than AN AGENDA SET BY some administrator who never taught, and who promotes the scripts and tests that enrich privateers who thrive on failing schools.

I speak as a teacher and write because:
* corrupt administrators, use a process that targets senior teacher-practitioners, despite exceptional dedication and huge success in their career, for harassment and egregious, criminal deprivation of due process.

* there is a hidden and scandalous deprivation of due process -- allowed and empowered by unions which do not fulfill their obligation and contract for immediate investigation and fair, promt, grievance procedures, thus permitting a "waiting game" which prevents due process.

* the national assumption expressed in the media is that the unions protect teachers BUT the truth is the unions have looked away from the breaking of tenure, and THUS, as they are the legal arm that protects teachers, teachers have lost their civil rights, and have no genuine access to the courts.
I speak as a teacher and write because:

www.speakingasateacher.com

OpEdNews Member for 380 week(s) and 0 day(s)

Been There?

The experiences we share as humans are quite common to differing degrees. Most of us have known the jittery feeling of taking a road test, the regret of crashing a first car, losing a job, rejection, separation, divorce, the pressures of raising children,illness and the unavoidable pain of losing a loved one. We grieve, we slow down, we heal and in time, we get through it. By helping each other, we gain hope and understanding from those who have "been there". The dreaded 'event' or excitement inevitably passes. The hurt subsides, the pain lessens, life moves on and so do we. When we look back on these life changing events in search of meaning, we are presented with a choice. We can choose to look at the experience as one that will help us to grow stronger, or we to ignore the lesson and shoulder the pain. The lessons weaved into our experiences can help us to become more humble, and more patient human beings.
In time of crisis, my mother will often say something that goes like this; "Talk to Aunt Adele. She went through the same thing when she was first married and take a look at her now. She survived." Strangely, knowing that someone else struggled and suffered in a similar way helps us to feel 'normal' again. Ironically, it does. Hey, if 'Crazy' Aunt Adele survived, I will survive, too. Now, let me ask Aunt Adele a question. "Have you ever been sent to the Rubber Room?"
How many times have you thought to yourself or heard someone say, "Now I've heard everything!", or... "Nothing shocks me anymore." Unless you have been living inside a box, these words and thoughts are triggered frequently when dealing with the real world. And,just when you think that you have seen and heard everything, there is a place and an experience that is so unlike real life, that few will ever openly talk about it. The shame and degradation associated with this place is literally crippling to those who have been inside its' walls. This unreal and futile experience can be found deeply embedded within the DOE's operating structure.

For those who have been reassigned, the emotional experience is embarrassing, humiliating, demeaning and merciless. The unfortunate people that I have met in the RR are the only people who can or will ever truly understand what it's like to be there. Other people- OP (ie; Anyone who has not spent time in the Rubber Room) do not have the capacity to fully imagine this exceedingly damaging psychological experience. Because this experience is so atypical and absurd, I find it categorically difficult to fully identify with anyone I knew in my "Pre" Rubber Room Days. This includes anyone with whom I have formerly worked with, continues to work in my assigned school or for the DOE in its' full capacity.

How does one explain to OP that the DOE is nothing more than a discriminatory, self serving, corrupt money making institution? How does one describe the morally inept thinking and practices that Mayor Bloomberg and Joel Klein subscribe to?
How does one explain to an outsider or even a loved one that after 10 or more wonderful years at the same job, that they have been removed from their school for an allegation that they haven't been made aware of? How does one explain that they have suddenly been denied the priviledge to teach the students they have bonded with and loved, due to an anonymous person who has made an anonymous(possibly false) accusation against them? How do I explain to others What I- myself, do not understand? How does one accept that they have been labelled "a danger to children" -the very same children that they would throw themselves in front of a train to protect?
How does one accept all of this when being around children is their life's work? How does one accept that they cannot return to their workplace to gather their belongings or meet with their principal without prior consent? How does one maintain their level of sanity, dignity and well-earned respect when they have been victimized by a system that does everything in their power to disable their teachers from doing their jobs and then claims, "See? This teacher is incompetent!"

If you are still reading to this point then you might me interested in knowing that at this point I have isolated myself from life as I once knew it. It has been too painful for me to constantly question who I am and define myself as a teacher who has been relegated to the RR. I am no longer the productive, optimistic and happy person that I was before. I have lost weight, become depressed and unable to function normally. I am a parent who has had to lie to my children on a daily basis and present a false facade to others. I feel frustrated and helpless that I am not able(really, not allowed) to take any action to improve my situation for fear of retaliation and abandonment from my own Union. I believed like most of us do that my Union was supposed to protect me. I believed that once I was reassigned that I would have the opportunity to state my case and return to my job. I have been told to sit and wait. Sit and wait until you are contacted. Sit and wait until you rot.

Anyone who knows me can tell you that I am not a 'sit and wait' type of person. If noone is willing or able to help me, then I will do whatever it takes to help myself. I don't want pity or empathy. I just want to be heard by anyone who cares. I have not been formally charged with anything. The situation that got me into the RR(I cannot discuss for fear of retaliation by the DOE and my Union) was one that left me with no options. I can't look back on how I could have changed a situation that I did not create. I am tired of waiting and would like to get to the truth. Does the truth count for anything anymore? I conclude my post with the following thought. Next time you find yourself believing that you've heard everything, just read this post again and COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS.

Rubber Room Journal - Last Day Before Vacation

While the teachers were celebrating their last day of school, it was nothing compared to the relief we felt in the Rubber Room.
We were all enjoying the bagels that Yeoj brought when Moocher practically stuck his nose in the plate. "Oh, who brought bagels? I should have brought them." Who are you kidding? You haven't offered anyone a peanut since you've been here, I think. Moocher quickly grabs two bagels. "Now I have lunch and breakfast", he says. "You are disgusting", says Sec. Moocher walks away as if he didn't hear a thing.
We had all received an envelope in the mail requesting our summer contact numbers just a few days earlier. "They are going to send us a letter telling us where to report in September", Sketcher told the group. "Will you be back here in September?", he asked. " Where else would I be? Nothing is going to change over the summer", answered Mac. "Looks that way", Moocher said as he sat there scoffing down his bagel. "Well, I just got my charges. I'm looking at six months to a year at least", said Sketcher. When Moocher arrived to the Rubber Room (this is his second stint) he had the whole "mightier than thou" attitude. He was a complete narcissist. "Not me", he would say. "My principal told me he wants me back". Every comment he would make sounded more ignorant than the last. "Do you think that I could work summer school?", He added. "I have retention rights". Annoyed, Sec answered, "You are a criminal. You have no rights! Nothing is as it was before." Moocher sounded like a seven year old who asked the same questions over and over expecting a different answer. "It's pensionable if you work in the summer." He just keeps on pushing.

"So where we goin' for lunch girl? We gots to cel-e-brate!" Flea sings out. "I got to get me some su-shi." This girl requires huge doses of attention when she isn't sleeping. She is loud and irritating which upsets a lot of people. "I got to get me out of this joint. Come on. Where we eatin? Wake me up when it's time for lunch."

Princess makes her entrance at about 10:00. In her high heels and her high pitched voice she says, "Ooh, It's so cold in here. It's freezing! Aren't you cold? It's like an icebox!" No, we're not, I am thinking. It's 89 degrees outside and 75 in here. The air is barely breathable. You come here everyday in shorts and a skimpy blouse. If you're always so cold, why don't you wear a sweater? -"Why don't you wear a sweater?", comments Sketcher. Princess rolls her eyes at him. This is an act that Princess puts on everyday so that she gets out of sitting down here like the rest of us. There is nothing 'real' about Princess. She is a very large woman who dresses up everyday as if she is 'going out with the girls.' Just then her phone rings and she speaks as if none of us can hear. "These people are freezing me out of here!", she tells her phone mate. "I am allergic to the cold". Before she even puts her bag down, she turns around and leaves.

Mr. Warden is in full attire on this last day before the summer. He is wearing a tank top with a suit jacket thrown over the chair. Whenever he wears anything sleeveless, the odor is unbearable. "I have to hold my breath whenever I walk by him. The odor lingers if you don't hold your breath", says Sec.
At lunch time, everyone cuts out to the restaurant except for a few of us. We just go out for a walk to the park. We find Princess outside flirting with the custodian. You can hear her laugh all the way up the block. After lunch, Mr. Warden tells us that we have to stay the full day- unlike our colleagues who usually are granted early departure. Regardless, some people punch out early.
So, there it is. Another day of life in the Rubber Room... Until we return.
Have a Safe and Peaceful Summer.

A Tribute to my Teachers...

Before we all get back to our ranting about Public Education in its' present state, wouldn't it be nice if we could all say thank you to at least one or more of our teachers whose loving gestures would qualify in todays's world as sexual harrassment or corporal punishment and make them eligible for a paid vacation in the Rubber Room?

We all remember those teachers who committed at least one passionate crime of nurturing us with the obscene gesture of a hug, a squeeze of the hand, or a supportive pat on the shoulder. Perhaps they even 'yelled', detained or threatened us in the hopes that we might change for the better.

As a product of the NYC Public Schools of the 70's, I want to take this opportunity to say, "Thank you" to this group of dedicated individuals who've had an incredibly positive impact on my life. They were my public school teachers. In order to protect their anonymity from the likes of 'Kleinberg', OSI and other DOE administrators, I have chosen to refer to them by their first initials only.

Mrs. M, my kindergarten teacher, who played a mean piano, may she rest in peace. Never once did she allow us to put pencil to paper or torture us with "Open Court", thus depriving us of early exposure to the the three R's.

Mrs. B, my 2nd grade teacher who encouraged and applauded my artistic ability even when I couldn't add or subtract to save the life of me.

Mrs. D, who embarrassed me in front of my class by comparing me to my older brother who spent most of his time in the principal's office. The distress and public humiliation she put me through inspired me to want to be a teacher.

Mr. W, my 5th grade teacher, who always punished the whole class for the actions of one student.(Perhaps a lesson in how our actions can affect others?) He spent most of his time shushing us while flirting with Mrs. R outside of our room. The flirting eventually resulted in Mrs. R's divorce and their inevitable marriage. I ran into this beloved man recently and I am happy to report that they are still married!

Mr. D, the most popular and sought after 6th grade teacher. He'd often invite students and their families to his home on weekends and vacations. He made us put our chewed gum in our pocket or on our nose. He taught us the proper way to behave in the halls by making us walk up and down the stairs repeatedly until we either passed out or got it right.

These 'teachers' often raised their voices, used homework as a punishment and made us write, "I will not talk in class." 500 times over. They cared enough to spend their lunch period in the room 'alone with us' so that we couldn't go to recess, called our mothers, used red "x's to correct our papers, and even made us write them over! As a result of their 'ridiculous' demands and expectations, I strived to listen more, write neater and come to school prepared to do work. I walked in a straight line, ate lunch quietly and never talked back to my teacher. I learned that hard work was rewarded with better grades, mistakes made me stronger and respect was something to be earned. The nerve of those teachers for taking the time (which could have been used more productively for 'testing') out of their busy schedules to teach us some valuable lessons about life. Thank you.

The Day the Comedy Died...

In America, anyone can become president. That’s the problem. -George Carlin


I was eleven years old when I first discovered George Carlin, the great comic icon. He was the first performer to ever "host" Saturday Night Live. The year, 1975. My older brother and I had to beg my parents to let us stay up and watch it. We were hooked. George's outlook on life was so refreshingly warped. He said what everyone else was thinking. Filtered through the mind of an eleven year old, it was harmless humor. Of course, most of the political talk went right over our heads, but we loved his spoof on 'dogs and cats'. His comparison of 'football and baseball'. His timing, his voice, his face and his posture. We and the rest of the world couldn't get enough.

It wasn't until I was older that I could fully appreciate the genius of George Carlin. One could always rely on George to comment on the state of things "as they really were" and it never left him at a loss for material. He was in touch with America and its' clear imbalances and inequities. He put his finger on obvious issues and twisted them like silly putty. He got it. We knew he got it. It was comforting to hear the truth. He was one of 'us' and never claimed to be anything but.

I'm always relieved when someone is delivering a eulogy and I realize I'm listening to it.- George Carlin


George, We hope you're still listening. You will be sorely missed.

Packing it All Up

As the school year draws to a close, my elementary school colleagues are busy sweating out their end of the school year rituals. No other job offers the yearly benefit of closure and paid vacation; Time to regroup and then to begin anew. Before the joys and freedom of summer can happen, however, a teacher must digest their final helping of last minute demands(abuses), pressure(threats) and anxiety(fear of imperfection). Meeting deadlines(rushing), planning graduations(grin and bear it), budget meetings(more cuts and layoffs), attending award ceremonies(keep smiling), teacher luncheons(not another one), retirement collections(I don't even know her!), reorganization(favoritism at is' best), rating sheets(the final blow), shuffling articulation cards(those poor kids) and the honorary passing of the file cans(whew, you made it).

It is a time to ponder many questions- Should I extend a kindness to the next teacher and complete the file cards or leave the cards for her to fill out in September? Should I run away? Should I turn in my real classroom keys, or -uh just the ones that are useless to me and anyone else who finds them? Should I leave up the backing or rip it down? Should I run away? Should I pack it up or just cover it? Will I have to move my classroom? Will I have a classroom? Will my stuff still be here in September? What should I do with these?( We may never be able to get 'these' again.)-And in the end, nothing ever gets thrown out. The senior teachers have been packing it up since the beginning of March and the newbies are scrambling for closet space while learning the true value of a clean empty carton (They never take advice). Pack Rats we are, always will be. Let's not forget the dreadful thought of having your classroom used for summer school...The thought of unknowns granted free reign of your room and the opportunity to take, use and destroy everything you've worked so hard to maintain.
The trials of teaching. I can't say that I miss them. Although I do miss some of my colleagues, my present situation has taught me who my real friends are. I am grateful to be away from the toxicity of an unfair administration and the daily injustices I've beared witness to. I am grateful to have removed the rose colored glasses and clearly see through the facade that our country calls Public Education.

Is anyone listening?

Does anyone really care what the teachers have to say? I wonder what would happen if just once someone listened.

"The Notebook"

Poor Mr. Warden. He has nothing to do all day. No one to talk to. For this reassigned A.P. who has made a deal with the devil, loneliness is his well earned sentence. There he sits all day in the hallway - alone. This is a man who not only belongs in the Rubber Room, but is recognized by the non-RR-residents of the building as a severely strange and troubled man. Mr. Warden takes his job very seriously. In fact, he takes his job to a level that can only result in his own self affliction. His obsessive need for control and nasty disposition is sure to keep anyone out of his occupied space.

Poor, poor Mr. Warden. His job is to sit in the hallway outside of the rubber room and 'supervise'. Now he can only 'supervise' if there is someone or something to supervise. Since we still have the 'privilege' of choosing whether or not to open and close the door to the room he sits outside of, naturally, we keep it closed. It is only when we leave the room that he has a purpose- or let's say he has created a purpose for himself. In his "Notebook", Mr. Warden has documented each and every time that I have gone to the Little Girl's Room since the end of March. He just sits there all day long and waits for someone to go to the bathroom. Scary, isn't it??? He not only writes down the time that I leave, but also the time that I return. Mr. Warden lives for the moment that he can take pen to paper and document that someone has left the room. Have to clean your coffee cup? Another entry into the notebook. Please someone tell me, what is the purpose of this!? Does this qualify as a form of corporal punishment? I dare to think (Do we still have that right?) that the amount of time that I spend in the bathroom is a personal and private matter. As a woman I feel that his actions are a sick and perverted way of passing the time. This man is really hurting. Can someone just give this man a job?!!

Joel Klein and His Ego

The big joke of the day in our Rubber Room was the arrival of the "Joel Klein" Evaluation Surveys. Apparently, they were sent from Randi W and brought to us via Mr. UFT Rep of RR's. Mr. UFT Rep explained that the survey's purpose is to measure the level of support we feel Joel Klein has provided to the schools during his reign as Chancellor. As we know, Mr. Klein is doing a thorough clean up and feels that we should applaud him. Mr. UFT Rep informed us that these findings will be published in the UFT paper or somewhere in Journalism Land...We did not get a clear answer. You can be sure that it won't be "The NY Times".

There were about a dozen questions pertaining to the level of support Klein has given to several areas such as parent participation, teacher/principal collaboration, class size, communication among staff etc. etc. UFT Rep assured us that our surveys would remain anonymous, BUT our names had to be checked off as they were distributed and the envelope would indicate our RR location. The questions were very general and we were to indicate our level of agreement with each example given. Naturally, without a second thought, I gave Mr. Klein and his ego an F straight down the board.

If you are not part of the solution...

Lying is done with words and also with silence. -Adrienne Rich

"The Battle of the Air Conditioning"

It's funny how the air conditioner worked 2 months ago in the middle of March. The room was freezing. The custodian-(if you want to call him that)tells us that there are only 2 settings; ON and OFF. After literally begging, he comes in here with his "POWER" key to the thermostat box and pretends to adjust the air. He disappears and the air does not kick in. When confronted, he pretends not to speak english so he doesn't have to give you an answer. He came in three times this morning and I know that he never even touched the settings. He's got a nasty disposition and is on a power trip with his "KEY"- just like the warden is with his "NOTEBOOK" that he won't go anywhere without. The lack of air in here is stifling. This Rubber Room is in a basement and one would hope that the hot air would rise like it's supposed to- but it's sedentary just like its' inhabitants who are gasping for air. My cellmates are cranky and irritable. To add insult to injury, there are two women in here who claim they are "allergic" to air conditioning. Allergic? Ms.3 Seater rants,"Ain't nobody gonna make me feel uncomfortable. I ain't too hot and I ain't too cold." Okay, GoldiLocks. There are 25 others in here who are sweltering. It's 103 degrees and you need to shut up. Did I mention why we call her "3-Seater"? At a table big enough for six chairs, only 3 can sit because she won't move her things. I think that she is also breathing for 3. For tomorrow, I've been eyeing this big fan in my bedroom. For tomorrow- that nice, big fan won't be leaving my side. That'll show you Ms. 3-Seater.