While we are all faced with horrible budget issues (that are out of our control) and our colleagues being affected by RIF notices and devastation to their livelihoods, our staff continues to bravely serve our students. Given what the state of California has passed on to us and every other school district we continue to look for all options to resolve these issues while recognizing that we need to remain financially solvent.
In a time of great difficulty and distress we can be encouraged and know what is right in Riverside. As only one great example of the kind of teaching and instructional support from all staff members was the 25 Remarkable Teens presentation last night at City Hall. I know of no other city that takes city council time to genuinely review and appreciate our teens. Though many of these students are fairly “unassuming,” we definitely have remarkable teens. Each one with an incredible story of achievement and perseverance. Beyond that they are supported by their teachers, school staff, and parents to help them achieve and overcome at the levels that they do (as was stated by the students themselves). Of the 25 students:
- One student was from Arlington HS
- One student was from Chemawa Middle School
- Two students were from King HS
- Eight students were from J.W. North HS
- Two students were from Poly HS
- Three students were from Ramona HS, including the Most Remarkable Riverside Teen
Note: Last years 25 Remarkable Teens are noted on the left-hand side of our District website. We will have the newest version up to replace last year's in the very near future.
Saying the situation is "out of our control" is not the truth. Parts of this situation were/are in your control and RUSD and RCTA have not acted. Teachers now suffer the consequences of your inability to act. Much of the RIF crisis could have been dealt with much earlier.
ReplyDeleteThe budget issues may be out of your control, but how we deal with these budgetary issues is completely within our control. And, we are not doing a very good job at all.
ReplyDeleteIn reading this blog, I'm reminded of a current student of mine who lives in tremendous poverty with ten siblings. Most mornings he comes to school without breakfast and he wears shoes that are at least two sizes too big. He sleeps on the floor of his living room with four of his brothers and his dog. He is being raised by a single mom and never completes his homework. To top it off, his primary language is not English. By your reasoning, I should just write this student off. All of these issues are HUGE and completely out of my control. Your example leads me to believe that I should just blame his failure on the situation that has nothing to do with me.
As this child's teacher, failure is not an option. While his home situation is out of my control, his school situation is 100% within my control. I am the adult who is going to stand up in this child's life and do whatever I can to teach him to read, write and compute. I will research strategies and take the extra time to ensure his success. I WILL NOT allow myself to rely on an excuse that I cannot control to excuse myself from the task at hand.
The budget crisis in the state and the under-funding of education is monumental. This is out of our control. How we work through this situation is not only within our control, but our obligation. Every single surrounding district has found a much less damaging and productive way through this situation. Why can't we? If we spent the time trying to develop a plan to see us through this situation instead of constantly coming up with excuses (It's the state's fault, it's the union's fault, it's the district's fault), I know we would be as successful as all the other surrounding districts. As long as we continue to play the blame game and refuse to do what we can in spite of overwhelming circumstances, we will fail our students and teachers. This cannot happen.
I am finding it difficult to celebrate the Day of the Teacher knowing that myself and 374 of my fine colleagues will be going home this week to open our mailboxes and find final layoff notices from RUSD instead of any actual celebration of our teaching service. While yes, the state has made cuts that are devastating to education, how is it possible that every surrounding district has found a way to remain financially solvent while retaining teachers? How is it possible that Riverside is unable to do the same?
ReplyDeleteI am ashamed of the Riverside Unified School Board and our RCTA bargaining team! Neither side has negotiated anything that actually puts the best interests of STUDENTS first! The actions of those negotiating on both sides will certainly be remembered as election time rapidly approaches. New leadership is absolutely necessary in Riverside.
So today may be the Day of the Teacher, but it is far from a celebration. It is, instead, a sorrowful day of mourning for what Riverside Unified School District used to be - a place where teaching and learning were actually at the forefront of education and not a fiscal bottom line. Today, I am truly disheartened and I wish my 374 colleagues the absolute best as we head out to seek alternate employment. Perhaps there will be districts and organizations that will appreciate our personal talents rather than see us solely as bargaining chips...
I am so dreadfully tired of RUSD using the excuse that the situation we face in our district is out of their control. How about celebrating the DAY OF THE TEACHER by saving 370+ teaching jobs? I am so ashamed to be an employee of RUSD.
ReplyDeletePlease respect the blog rules: "Everyone is strongly encouraged to comment but please follow the proper form. No personal attacks, no foul language, and IT MUST BE APPROPRIATE TO THE POSTING'S SUBJECT."
ReplyDeleteThis post was intended to celebrate students and the teachers that have helped them succeed.
Do the leaders of RUSD know what it is like to walk in the staff room on the "Day of the Teacher" and see staff members crying because they are devasted by the realization that they will not be in the classroom next year. I would hardly call that a celebration.
ReplyDeleteThe budget issues may be out of our control, but how we deal with these budgetary issues is completely within our control. And, we are not doing a very good job at all.
ReplyDeleteIn reading this blog, I'm reminded of students of ours who live in tremendous poverty. Many don’t speak English and have less than ideal home situations. Several don’t have beds to sleep in or a place to complete their homework. By your reasoning, I should just write these students off. All of these issues are HUGE and completely out of my control. Your example leads me to believe that I should just blame these students’ failures on the situation that has nothing to do with me (home, poverty, language, etc.).
As a conscientious teacher, failure is not an option. While home situations are out of my control, the school situation is 100% within my control. I am the adult who is going to stand up in these children’s lives and do whatever I can to teach them to read, write and compute. I will research strategies and take the extra time to ensure their success. I WILL NOT allow myself to rely on an excuse that I cannot control to excuse myself from the task at hand.
The budget crisis in the state and the under-funding of education is monumental. This is out of our control. How we work through this situation is not only within our control, but our obligation. Every single surrounding district has found a much less damaging and productive way through this situation. Why can't we? If we spent the time trying to develop a plan to see us through this situation instead of constantly coming up with excuses (It's the state's fault, it's the union's fault, it's the district's fault), I know we would be as successful as all the other surrounding districts. As long as we continue to play the blame game and refuse to do what we can in spite of overwhelming circumstances, we will fail our students and teachers. This cannot happen, and Dr. Miller, this is completely within our control.
I am a RUSD teacher that is being given the final notice. I'm heartbroken. I'm a veteran teacher who changed school districts before the economy meltdown. I'm sad not only for myself but for the future children that are entering school and will be stuck in huge classes. The standards are so much higher than 15 years ago before class size reduction was implemented. It's going to be very challenging for primary teachers to meet the needs of every student yet alone make sure they are meeting the standards in the primary grades.
ReplyDeleteI am sick to my stomach that RUSD's union has not fought as hard as other surrounding school unions. How come other districts have been able to save most of the teaching jobs? Why can't we?
I do find it funny, when Classified employees have been cut year over year for the last 4 years, I never saw a teacher complain... oh, except when they didn't get immediate response for discomfort in their classroom by 2 degrees, or their trash can being full for more than an hour, or a light out, or a non-working device in their room! NOW, they're finally getting their share of the cuts, it's a huge inequitity! Welcome to the club and quit acting like an untouchable, unsatisfied, unreasonable,holier than thou, I'm immune to lay off twitt!!! It is what it is !
ReplyDeleteWe celebrate teaching and the many successes of our students. For most of us, teaching is a passion and something that we love dearly. But for pink-slipped teachers and their colleagues, "The Day of the Teacher" is analagous to celebrating your mother's birthday after her death. It is bittersweet. The celebration reminds us of all that we have lost...
ReplyDeleteTo Anonymous May 12, 2010 2:53 PM
ReplyDeleteYour email is 100% out of line. Our job is to teach. Other people's jobs are to do all the things you listed. Educating kids today is difficult enough without some of the minor inconveniences you listed. I guess we're supposed to be quiet and let all the little things or problems that might go wrong go unnoticed? Why do we want these things fixed or taken care of? We want them taken care of for the kids and so that we can give these kids the safe and clean environment they may not enjoy at home. How dare you complain about teachers expecting others to do their job! I guess the kids can teach themselves, right? And change light bulbs, and empty the trash, and fix the AC. And you threw in some name calling too. Nice.
Actions speak louder than words. It is time for RUSD to show that teachers are valued. Rescind the RIFF notices.
ReplyDeleteShow your thanks for our passion and dedication by taking care of us and saving our jobs.
ReplyDeleteI am so excited! I am getting a Thank You card from the district via certified mail on May 15th. Clearly they have seen what a difference my teaching has made in the lives of my students, especially in these tough times. I am glad I 'stayed the course' and worked so hard. To be recognized is truly an honor...
ReplyDeleteTo Anonymous 5/12/10 6:05pm, all the people you speak of have already had their jobs cut! Why hasn't the problems in your room been fixed? Because the people who used to fix them have ALREADY been layed off! without those people, the students suffer because the work doesn't get done! what's the rcta motto.. "teachers affect eternity"??? NO, only Jesus affects eternity! Welcome to the unemployment line with the rest of us! Cry me a river....
ReplyDeleteGet on board with the rest of our surrounding districts! The economy is suffering...furloghs are a must! What happened to RUSD being the leader and the pioneers in education? get your heads out of the clouds and figure it out! Or else...good luck with busting at the seams class sizes and meeting proficiency standards!
ReplyDeleteI am not a teacher in the district, I am a parent of two students. I must say that I agree with the comments from More than just a Pink Slipped Teacher. If they wanted to save jobs, they have had ample opportunity. What are you teaching our kids? That it's ok to just blame the situation and not take personal responsibility? Where are the cuts to the administration at the District? Where are the Board Members salary cuts? Closing down for 4 weeks only impacts your hourly employees. Those on salary still receive the same amount of money. Let's be real about what and who you are impacting.
ReplyDeleteI too am tired of this District making poor decisions and then failing to take the responsibility for them. The next fiasco? Their proposed shutdown for 4 weeks which will severely impact the fund raising efforts of sports teams, band, choir, theater, ROTC and other groups from their 5 high schools. Last year they told us to fundraise. This year they throw up road block after road block and the Board is either unwilling or afraid to question these moves.
What is happening to this "District of Choice"?
To anonymously BITTER (May 12 @9:08pm), hurling insults and bickering will not help anyone at this point. There is no certificated vs classified war going on here. I am a non-pink slipped teacher, however, I would gladly take a pay cut AND furlough days if it means seeing both classified and certificated jobs saved. I don't want to see more foreclosure signs in my city. I have always been of the mind....if I have it and you need it...you've got it. I adore the classified staff at my site and would shed tears if they had to walk out the door just as I would my teacher friends. Shame on you for trying to create this imaginary line of hostility. The bottomline is this...the state of California is broke and we'll all be crying in that same river soon. We can either try to be each other's raft or we can all drown, you decide.
ReplyDeleteLet's continue to be the TEAM that made us RUSD, together we can do so much, and divided we fall. If more of us get involved and go to the union meetings each and every month (just try) we can move mountains! I thank the few that are really involved!
ReplyDelete