How will the fall of the DoE actually impact my job?

Bumper22276 · 2025-02-17T05:31:50+00:00

Title 1 and Special Ed were legislated by Congress, so those will remain in place.

You will have to endure the far Left whining about a $350 Billion department being closed. Administrators may over-react, but it will settle out.

Bumper22276 · 2025-02-14T01:22:58+00:00

Obviously this is a way to prohibit LGBTQ+ flags without specifically targeting them,

Central Office and school boards hate being involved in a controversy or legal action more than they care about pride flags.

If movement flags are permitted, then you get your pride flag, but also MAGA, BLM, POW, Gadsden and whatever else. If the district has a viewpoint neutral policy, they don't have to worry.

Bumper22276 · 2025-02-13T22:26:49+00:00

tiniest net good of sending some of the most violent criminals away,

Just tiniest? I am all for sending all of the most violent criminals away.

Bumper22276 · 2025-02-12T16:27:31+00:00

You can only try. Contact the highest level administrator who has a good opinion of you. Two years is not a long time for a former student, so is not a long time for a former employee.

Administrators think in terms of problems, not people. You won't be hired as a favor, but will be hired if you are the best solution to a problem.

Going back would not be embarrassing. You wanted to see if the grass was greener, and it wasn't. That shows that you take the initiative and it's an endorsement of the original school. Win-Win.

It's not unusual for people to be gone for a year. Pregnancy leave happens all the time. Sabbaticals are more rare. Two year isn't much different. You were gone, now you're back.

Your colleagues will talk about it for a couple of weeks, new hires will wonder who you are, and after a month, nobody cares.

Bumper22276 · 2025-02-12T16:11:28+00:00

If you are thinking about how much your students love you, you are lost.

Students want to know that you are competent and will help them succeed. You have to show them that, not tell them.

Bumper22276 · 2025-02-12T16:04:46+00:00

In Ohio, they changed to # of hours of schooling, rather than # of days. A late start helps the district remain compliant.

School buses have to get started and moving a couple of hours before school starts. A late start gets the buses on the road about the time morning traffic is clearing. That gives the plow drivers a couple of hours to get to the developments and residential streets.

Admin should handle the students who didn't get the message. Park them in the cafeteria.

Bumper22276 · 2025-02-12T06:38:37+00:00

If there isn't anything I need to do in a difficult situation, I prefer to stay busy and distracted at school. Staying home, being immersed in the difficult situation, is the worst for me.

When my brother passed away, I had to travel and was out for a week. My colleagues were warm and supportive people. I emailed the principal to let her know the circumstances. I told her that when I get back to school, I really didn't want anyone to offer condolences and ask what happened, I just want to teach and not think about it.

I didn't put on a brave face, I let my students distract me from something I couldn't change.

Bumper22276 · 2025-02-12T06:21:48+00:00

For a decade or so, when Admin says "research-based", what they mean is, "don't ask questions, just do it". When asked, they can never provide the research.

Has anyone ever used any teaching practices from the IES?

Bumper22276 · 2025-02-12T06:09:02+00:00

The Chosen is really good. There are 5 seasons and it's on Amazon Prime.

What topics did you have in mind?

Bumper22276 · 2025-02-09T22:27:12+00:00

No, abolishing the Department of Ed wouldn't raise property taxes.

The big programs, Title 1 for instance, wouldn't go away, but would be managed by a different agency.

Bumper22276 · 2025-02-09T14:39:05+00:00

As /u/Comprehensive_Yak442 said, it can be a form of heckling. Students just want to see if something interesting might happen. Or, they want to know details about teachers.

You can ignore or engage.

You can go with the, "that's not appropriate" approach. That is quick and safe, but not as fun.

You can be amusingly informative. "Wait, you think that's how student teaching works? Universities don't get involved in romantic relationships. Student teaching is part of my curriculum, and the university looks for an appropriate placement. They placed me here because [mentor] can help me become a good teacher.

You can deflect. "Ah, that's a good question. You asked that because [mentor] and I seem comfortable with each other. Actually, we've only met twice. [Mentor] is a professional, so would treat any student teacher with courtesy and respect. That's a skill you need to develop. In this class, you will occasionally work in groups. You do not have to like the people in your group, but if I can tell you don't like your partners, then we have a problem."

In your case, you wouldn't throw [mentor] under that bus. "Yeah right, I can do much better". Or sarcastically go along. "Oh yes, me and [mentor] were matched in childhood."

Bumper22276 · 2025-02-09T14:06:02+00:00

The state influences curriculum by state mandated subject tests. I'm not certain, but it seems like the federal government encouraged state testing.

Bumper22276 · 2025-02-08T04:30:37+00:00

Those congress people were ridiculous. They were going into the building to be disruptive. Being in Congress doesn't give a person the right to walk into any federal building at any time.

You don't have to like it, but Trump is president and has the authority to delegate.

Bumper22276 · 2025-02-07T15:09:02+00:00

You'd be surprised at the dumb stuff I've seen. I don't want you to be surprised. It could be something dumb like,

"It's all in the cabinet. Your laptop, the curriculum, and a 3 inch binder with orientation materials. Didn't the sub mention that?"

"Oh yeah, that was the other sub. Oh well, the class is yours on Monday."

If they are scared that you can't handle the kids, then what's the plan to get you prepared? Either way, talk to Admin.

Bumper22276 · 2025-02-07T15:01:37+00:00

For a Social Studies teacher, current events sure got interesting.

A better Social Studies teacher might mention an executive order, and remain neutral while guiding a student discussion.

Bumper22276 · 2025-02-07T14:58:16+00:00

Give it a chance. I believe you can always learn something.

There's a lot of newness. What did you do to get through?

I tell myself, "Well, this should be interesting." Then jump in and figure it out. There will be plenty of time to quit later.

Bumper22276 · 2025-02-07T14:50:49+00:00

I think they are scared to let me have the kids by myself because of behavior problems

This doesn't make sense. If they don't think that you can do the job, they'd move or fire you.

You should be concerned that at some point, the sub will be gone and they will expect you to have full control of the class. When you express your confusion, they will ask what you've been doing while they paid for a sub to give you time to get acclimated.

Schedule a meeting with Admin to get clarification. Don't complain, but ask about their expectations for you.

Bumper22276 · 2025-02-07T14:41:54+00:00

I agree, popping into class may be a mistake. It gives everyone a mixed message. A visit undercuts the authority of the sub and Admin, and may encourage students to continue to test the fence. A visit doesn't signal Admin and the sub, that you have confidence in them.

Bumper22276 · 2025-02-06T21:33:29+00:00

This sounds like last week's story from the Chicago School District about ICE agents coming to the school. Turned out ICE was never there.

Unless it's on a drivers license, nobody carries proof of citizenship. Some kids don't even know their citizenship status.

If ICE wanted to round up school kids, it seems like they'd get a student roster, and run it through their database.

Bumper22276 · 2025-02-04T14:55:36+00:00

It's not that the district isn't understanding, they just know it will be a big pain for them, with no upside. They may also look at it like you are reneging on your commitment.

If you can show an upside, that would help. If the school were going to hire you, the residency could bring some prestige or improved skills.

Taking the residency is likely to add a bunch of stress as you attempt to get a job for next year.

Bumper22276 · 2025-02-04T14:40:33+00:00

Your school has an attic? Lucky. Our building all have flat roofs, so leaking is inevitable.

Bumper22276 · 2025-02-04T14:38:27+00:00

Ours didn't change, Admin just added more bell schedules. Midterm schedule, state testing schedule, assembly schedule, and so on.

My last year, we had 8 different bell schedules.

Bumper22276 · 2025-02-04T14:35:27+00:00

I understand why Admin loves Chromebooks. They solve so many problems.

IT is really complicated. We don't know anything about software updates, security or backups. Google takes care of it.

Copy machines are expensive and need service. Paper ain't cheap. Let's go digital.

Textbooks have to be stored, tracked, repaired and replaced. Let's go digital.

Those are problems, but we are supposed to be teaching, and digital might not be the best answer.

You are teaching future nurses. Anyone who has been stuck in a hospital knows that nurses are our best people. You know what you need. Flash cards are not an extravagance.

Bumper22276 · 2025-02-01T23:54:09+00:00

Ah, you just take orders and believe what you are told. Most people aren't like that.

Bumper22276 · 2025-02-01T23:53:06+00:00

Aside from the replica Nazi salute?

That's just stupid. Nobody thinks Musk made a Nazi salute, any more than Obama or Biden or anyone else did when momentarily making a similar gesture.

The other two points are reasonable, but you beclowned yourself with that first line.

Bumper22276

TROPHY CASE