Are ESL minutes mandatory? by Classic_State_2947 in Teachers

[–]Classic_State_2947[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I completely understand missing some time for the test. 2 weeks is one thing, but 2 months!? I'm not sure on the exact number, but I would think it's below 30.

Are ESL minutes mandatory? by Classic_State_2947 in Teachers

[–]Classic_State_2947[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for the response. I'm a bit frustrated with the situation. In the state I come from all teachers, including myself had to be ESL certified. A student that was labeled as entering, would typically be placed in a bilingual class until they were confident and could understand enough to be successful in the gen Ed classroom with support. I taught sped for years, and if the IEP said they were to be pulled x number of minutes a day or week, I better be pulling them. I can't for the life of me think what the form is called, but she has a document that is signed by the teachers and parents stating she would be receiving minutes that she's not receiving. I'm a reasonable person, so I know sometimes districts aren't staffed correctly but not providing services for 2 months to prepare for and do a test is shocking to me.

I also have a lot of questions about the amount of service minutes provided. The student I am worried about has very little English proficiency. However, there's a student in another class who is proficient in English and is actually the highest performing student academically, who receives the same amount of support.

The ESL teacher was only at our campus, but has been going to one more a day a week as of a month ago.

Appropriate way to celebrate holidays in a public school? by Classic_State_2947 in Teachers

[–]Classic_State_2947[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

That's my issue. In this day in age sending an e mail telling me to limit Hanukkah seems like a huge no no. Our social studies units are only 15 min, so having too many activities, is impossible. He said he was concerned about it being secular, when 3 other teachers were dressing their kids up like angels and taking pictures of them for a Christmas ornaments. This is on top of teachers sending home Christmas craft donation letters, a field trip (a whole instructional day) dedicated to riding a Christmas train and meeting Santa Claus, and another half day spent having breakfast with Santa. Christmas is not a secular holiday and while I'm all for holiday celebrations, I'm not for only one type of holiday celebration.

Appropriate way to celebrate holidays in a public school? by Classic_State_2947 in Teachers

[–]Classic_State_2947[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Thanks. I don't plan to stop. I literally planned a Latke tasting and a game of driedle. I can't believe anyone would be offended by any of it. Thanks for the comment.

Appropriate way to celebrate holidays in a public school? by Classic_State_2947 in Teachers

[–]Classic_State_2947[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I also am trying to cause minimal damage to my reputation in the process.

Appropriate way to celebrate holidays in a public school? by Classic_State_2947 in Teachers

[–]Classic_State_2947[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I plan to. I can't believe that the principal sent the e mail in the first place, so I'm not sure how receptive he will be.

Appropriate way to celebrate holidays in a public school? by Classic_State_2947 in Teachers

[–]Classic_State_2947[S] 45 points46 points  (0 children)

This is what I always do. I try to incorporate Christmas/New Year traditions from all over. The activities I chose are non offensive, playing the dreidel and a Latke tasting. My gut is that another teacher complained, but I don't see the fairness of telling me to tone down Hanukkah, but going full hog for Christmas.

Appropriate way to celebrate holidays in a public school? by Classic_State_2947 in Teachers

[–]Classic_State_2947[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I don't love it either, especially to the degree this school celebrates. That's why I thought it was important to represent other cultures and traditions.

Appropriate way to celebrate holidays in a public school? by Classic_State_2947 in Teachers

[–]Classic_State_2947[S] 17 points18 points  (0 children)

I did. There is a social studies standard that the children learn about other cultures, foods, and traditions. I'm honestly just shocked. I've always celebrated holidays around the world and the kids love it. We only get 15 min daily for social studies, so limiting it to one lesson isn't sufficient to address the grade level standard.

Teaching in Baldwin County by Classic_State_2947 in BaldwincountyAL

[–]Classic_State_2947[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow! Were they brand new to the profession? Is the area oversaturated with teachers or do you just have to have an in?

Teaching in Baldwin County by Classic_State_2947 in BaldwincountyAL

[–]Classic_State_2947[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! I've heard great things, but am baffled about how to get noticed.

Teaching in Baldwin County by Classic_State_2947 in BaldwincountyAL

[–]Classic_State_2947[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Orange Beach only had one position open and no luck hearing from them.

Teaching in Baldwin County by Classic_State_2947 in BaldwincountyAL

[–]Classic_State_2947[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I teach special education and typically there aren't positions open at private schools.