Post by EmilieMadison on Aug 7, 2014 15:39:06 GMT -5
meganew, would it be inappropriate to take pictures of the "room" and post? This might not be ok, I dont know. I just want to see this horror. Totally nosey request on my part.
meganew, would it be inappropriate to take pictures of the "room" and post? This might not be ok, I dont know. I just want to see this horror. Totally nosey request on my part.
I was totally going to ask this but didn't know if it was appropriate. I need to see this shoebox.
Eek. If this is the case, don't call the FD meganew. If your admin are the assholes you make them sound like in your OP, they will pass this story around and hurt your chances at other districts in your area. I have seen this happen many times. They close ranks when they feel offended/insulted.
FWIW, I would just try to do what I could to improve the room and then refer all the parents to the principal. He/she created this mess, he/she can fix it. As a parent, I personally would not be that upset about the room. I would be much more upset about not meeting the teacher who is going to be working with my child all year.
Better to call than have a potentially dangerous situation. She can probably do so anonymously.
I agree with that. What happens if, god forbid, there's a fire and children -- overcrowded in a windowless room, with just one door -- can't escape? There will be a lawsuit if that happens, and she may be indemnified by the school but she will still be named personally. Worse, she will have to carry that guilt.
I am catching references that this may be an underprivileged school and that the administration thinks they can get away with it because the parents won't advocate for their children. For me, that would up the stakes and make it even more likely I would report the situation. I understand waiting if she thinks parents will call, but if she thinks they won't know that they can, or won't have the resources to do it, then I think not calling herself raises a huge ethical dilemma, and is exactly, exactly, exactly why she should be looking for a school with a union to teach at in the future.
Post by EmilieMadison on Aug 7, 2014 16:08:18 GMT -5
If you're worried about the school suspecting you for reporting this, megachoo, just wait until after the parents see it. Then they'll just (rightly) assume it could have been any and EVERY person who saw the hallroom.
The OP is in a tough spot here. Realistically, the parents will complain to the principal which will force him to realize this classroom is too small and either order the wall to be taken down or reassign kids to other rooms so the class roster is smaller. I would definitely hesitate to call the FD on someone who you will need for a reference later though.
So, anecdotes, but this happened to my mother two years ago. They literally put her in a closet. No window. ETA: There were two doors, which just complicated the "room" layout more. There was no room for a desk, just a place for a table and she had to scrounge to even find chairs. She was the gifted teacher, so even though there were 10-12 students in there at a time, it was only for an hour or two a day (For them. For her it was all day.) and it was legal.
This occurred in a "Gold Star" public elementary school, where she was represented by a union. She had been a teacher for more than 35 years and was very well-respected. (At one point, she led the gifted programs for the entire district.) It happened anyway. She cried, then made the classroom the best she could.
And as far as leaving stuff for other teachers - my mom did that, when she RETIRED the next year. Over her decades of teaching, I don't doubt that she spent thousands upon thousands of dollars of her own money equipping classrooms. The idea that you would leave anything "unattended" that you wanted to EVER see again in an elementary school is crazy town.
No one wants to see sad kindergartners or be the parent that has to rage at the principal but this is a situation the administration created and the administration will have to deal with.
I feel like, time and time again, teachers are expected to sacrifice a lot to do what's best for the kids, but that that same expectation is not extended to school leadership. Why should megachoo's hands be tied by her crap-ass administration? I mean, yeah, this is a shit situation for the kids, and I think at least something should be done, but being here myself, it is not easy or even feasible to work against a system so much that you lose out on personal and professional goals.
Better to call than have a potentially dangerous situation. She can probably do so anonymously.
I agree with that. What happens if, god forbid, there's a fire and children -- overcrowded in a windowless room, with just one door -- can't escape? There will be a lawsuit if that happens, and she may be indemnified by the school but she will still be named personally. Worse, she will have to carry that guilt.
I am catching references that this may be an underprivileged school and that the administration thinks they can get away with it because the parents won't advocate for their children. For me, that would up the stakes and make it even more likely I would report the situation. I understand waiting if she thinks parents will call, but if she thinks they won't know that they can, or won't have the resources to do it, then I think not calling herself raises a huge ethical dilemma, and is exactly, exactly, exactly why she should be looking for a school with a union to teach at in the future.
Come now, this is exactly like pages' suggestion that women simply not accept jobs with benefits not to their liking. There are many areas of the country where teachers look for jobs for YEARS, jumping through every hoop. Megachoo is in an area like this, I believe. It's not as simple as just not teaching at a charter school; she may not be able to find a job at a regular school where she'll be represented by a union.
I agree with that. What happens if, god forbid, there's a fire and children -- overcrowded in a windowless room, with just one door -- can't escape? There will be a lawsuit if that happens, and she may be indemnified by the school but she will still be named personally. Worse, she will have to carry that guilt.
I am catching references that this may be an underprivileged school and that the administration thinks they can get away with it because the parents won't advocate for their children. For me, that would up the stakes and make it even more likely I would report the situation. I understand waiting if she thinks parents will call, but if she thinks they won't know that they can, or won't have the resources to do it, then I think not calling herself raises a huge ethical dilemma, and is exactly, exactly, exactly why she should be looking for a school with a union to teach at in the future.
Come now, this is exactly like pages' suggestion that women simply not accept jobs with benefits not to their liking. There are many areas of the country where teachers look for jobs for YEARS, jumping through every hoop. Megachoo is in an area like this, I believe. It's not as simple as just not teaching at a charter school; she may not be able to find a job at a regular school where she'll be represented by a union.
It is actually almost impossible for Megachoo to get a district job in her same city, given the $93 million deficit in its budget at this time. She could try to find one in the suburbs, but there are hundreds of applicants for every open slot. Teaching in this part of PA is competitive as fuck.
Well, it was a long day and I haven't had a chance to read all that's gone on here. I got out a little early from PD and was able to get the room looking somewhat presentable- not decoration wise, but furniture wise. I put in different tables- still 7 to each, but they're better spaced. I got my rug down, but it's half covered by a bookshelf and another table. The picture honestly makes it look bigger than it is. It looks almost doable when it's empty, but even with a few changes there's still no way this room will work with 25 bodies in it. The chairs are fine when they're pushed in, but they'll be on top of each other when they're all sitting.
I took my person read alouds home, but I left all my leveled readers for the new teacher. And all my library books. I couldnt bring myself to leave them with no books.
As for tonight, not one parent commented on the size of the room. Not one. I don't know if they don't realize how small it is, what 25 kids looks like, or that they're allowed to complain, but I couldn't believe it. This means that I'm bringing up to my principal again the idea of giving me one of the 4th grade rooms to split with this one (I have an assistant and we could work out a schedule), or I'm taking measurements and calling it in anonymously. My H even said he would do it because he's so pissed about the whole thing.
I hate to post and run, but I'm actually headed out for the night. Thanks for being outraged for me : )
Damn this makes me sad. I remember my kindergarten room vividly. There was the teacher's deck, the storytime rug, the art area with the sinks, the cubby area, the bathroom, etc. It was like a castle compared to this room.
That pic is actually worse than I imagined. Maybe the parents were too embarrassed to mention it to you? Can you send out an email to all the parents? Maybe open the door to honest communication?
Dear parents Thank you for your attendance at our open house. I look forward to getting to know your children better. This year is going to be so great! My plans include xyz. I am so excited to begin the new year! If you have any questions or concerns please know I am available any time. My goal is to help your child have a great transition into the educational world. All input is welcome, your opinion matters. Thank you, Megachoo Personal email: Megachoo@yahoo.com.
Our ISS PORTABLE is at least twice the size of this "room."
Meg, it's clear that you're really trying your best to be fair both to the kids and to yourself. There is no winning here, which is the truly frustrating part. Call in the fire code violation, talk to your colleagues about trying to get some of them to advocate for a better situation for your kids and sub when you're gone, and document the hell out of everything you've done to fix this problem before the school year begins. Then have your baby and try not to stress about the stuff you weren't able to change before you had to go on leave.
Are there any other dedicated "classrooms" that could feasibly use a space this small?
I'm wondering if they really will swap it for a study hall or special ed. class and give the K group a proper class. I mean, is there any chance they are sticking you here to force you to quit?