The Charleston Teacher Alliance's latest survey of Charleston County teachers hits on one of the more demeaning aspects of a classroom teacher's job: lunch duty.
Anyone who has taught full-time in a K through 12 environment knows the frustrations of days spent without opportunities to visit the restroom, much less have a few quiet minutes to himself or herself for mental and emotional rearmament. What other profession requiring a college degree would accept these working conditions?
Superintendent McGinley's response can be summed up as, "Well, now that I know how you feel, maybe CCSD can do something about it."
One more little fire to put out.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
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11 comments:
At least they have jobs. There is something to be said for that. There are thousands of people who would gladly work without a designated lunch break just to earn a paycheck. I am one of them.
Oh, for pete's sake. It's not like they're asking for a taxpayer-funded cruise on the Carnival. The fact that many people are out of work should not be an excuse for employers to treat their employees like dirt.
I agree, Clisby. Some of the more obtuse comments like this have been made by CCSD staffers who monitor the blogs as part of their "public relations" duties. No one should be subjected to adverse working conditions "just so they can keep their jobs." That may explain why so many teachers who are residents of Charleston County choose to teach out of the county.
To "Bluesky:" It's arrogant elitists like yourself who conveniently label anybody who might offer a different opinion from your own as a lackey of CCSD. I resent that. And I resent your insinuations and generalizations. As I stated earlier: I am unemployed. I have NEVER accepted one penny of unemployment benefits. And yes, I would gladly work eight hours, without a break, for a paycheck. And I am convinced there ARE thousands like myself who would accept a similar opportunity. How dare you!!!!
I teach in a neighboring county and several of my friends recently have been laid off while other friends from college can find nothing. "Anonymous" is right. It's very scary for those who are not working. They have bills to pay, student loans, etc. Every one of them would trade places with me right now...lunch break or no lunch break. I feel very fortunate to be working.
Regardless of which side of this argument I might take, we must agree on one thing. In this economy and with so many out of work or facing cut backs, I can't see giving the Superintendent another contract extension much less an increase in salary or benefits. She has 3 years left on her contract as it is. She also pulls in a total salary of just over $200,000 a year AND has an annual transportation allowance for at least an additional $12,000. Until the teachers and other employees can see some stability return to their jobs, the superintendent should share their pain and wait, too.
I worked as an assistant for 2 years at ccsd...never got one break...lunch with kindergartners, recess (while the teacher ate her lunch and had a break), barely had time to go to the bathroom. I made about 20,000 a year. After 2 years I had had enough...I know of some teachers who make upwards of 50,000 and get their lunches covered, it depends on the school you are at and what kind of specials your children have, if you get any break. I think for some employees, this is a valid point.
When CCSD moves principals around as frequently as it does, how can a consistant and professional work environment be sustained? The worst examples of CCSD's lack of sustainability too often applies to the very schools where the students and staff need the most help. It's no wonder failing schools have the greatest staff turnover and a higher percentage of teacher placement in positions outside their qualified fields. Increase, class sizes, take away professional planning periods, require they work through lunch and have no breaks and the results are predictable. Low moral and something far less than victory in the classroom. CCSD needs rebuilding starting with the basics of establishing a good work environment that isn't just about bricks and morter.
I'm sure there are unemployed people who would gladly work 8 hours with no break. That's completely irrelevant. Any non-scumbag employer should at least *try* to provide decent working conditions. The existence of desperate non-working people does not relieve them of that obligation.
Let Bill Lewis fix this concern....
...after all, Bill Lewis seems to know more about academic policies and teacher needs than Doug Gepford(not that any of his knowledge is connected to reality). For that matter, Michael Bobby, the finance director, seems to have a lot to say about academic policies. Next thing will be Gepford will start spouting out seismic opinions. Makes a person wonder who is really running this three ring circus. Sounds like everyone is just memorizing each other's script. Yes, I know, CCSD is where "excellence is our standard". I would just like to know what their definition of "excellence" is and if Janet Rose is the one doing the measuring. Geeze, I bet they are counting five minutes spaces between 6 classes and homeroom as a thirty minute teacher break.
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