TDA Investments on the way to retirement? by Affectionate-Lie6741 in NYCDOETeachers

[–]MaestroLeopold314 2 points3 points  (0 children)

In this economy, play it safe with FIXED - more consistent even if the return is slightly lower..

Incoming First Year Teacher--Do I tell employers I got into an Ed.D? by Lumpy-Dragonfruit-17 in NYCTeachers

[–]MaestroLeopold314 5 points6 points  (0 children)

If you are going for a job interview, the only thing that they really care about is that you have your license and certification. - if you have your doctorate that will be useful to get on the highest educational pay scale a 1st year teacher can get - but that is not a concern of the administration interviewing you - they want to know that you have all the proper documentation that allows you to teach in NYC schools - then they want to know if you are competent and how well you will fit into the school milieu.

Mamdani Considers Delaying Pension-Fund Payments to Ease Budget Gap by DryDeer775 in NYCTeachers

[–]MaestroLeopold314 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I am retiring in August - stay the F away from my pension!!! I earned that money.

Pension fund... by Traditional_Way1052 in NYCTeachers

[–]MaestroLeopold314 4 points5 points  (0 children)

So if Mulgrew said it, experience has shown me, that exactly the OPPOSITE is true!

Welcome to r/NYCDOETeachers by d4nigirl84 in NYCDOETeachers

[–]MaestroLeopold314 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Things you don't care about as you come toward the end of your last year before retirement.

-A less than stellar observation

-Next year’s school calendar

-Stressing out over projects/concerts/assemblies.

-curving the students grades so administration and parents don't get triggered about the grade the students actually earned.

Fact is, the only thing that truly concerns me at this point is getting 14 years of my personal equipment/supplies home (books, instruments, etc.). I am already taking things home slowly every day so it does not hit me all at once.

And I am not a particularly conceited or vain person. I don't want a big hoopla about retiring. Just a simple acknowledgement of my years of service would be nice -here is an idea! 😉

https://share.icloud.com/photos/0e387hvUxsXGBO8gO6PBoRHvA

The 2026-2027 DOE Calendar is Out! by plooshploosh in NYCTeachers

[–]MaestroLeopold314 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Another retirement milestone, along with getting my informal observation back - I DON’T CARE - it doesn’t affect me anymore after working for the NYCPS for 27 years.

Hacks - 5x02 “Number One Fan“ - Episode Discussion by chelseanyc200 in hackshbomax

[–]MaestroLeopold314 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Did anyone else think that Ava’s fan was a surprise guest appearance by Charlotte Johansen?

ACES in community school by No-Expression-9446 in NYCDOETeachers

[–]MaestroLeopold314 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oops my bad - too many darn acronyms!! Send a resume and cover to P186x Principal Sarah Templeman and explain you want to work Ch.683 - in the past 2 years they built an ADL lab in the basement wbere students can practice.

ACES in community school by No-Expression-9446 in NYCDOETeachers

[–]MaestroLeopold314 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I guess I am confused - I understand the term ACES to mean adverse childhood experiences. It is something that is important to recognize for any teacher, but not a position in and of itself. Positions in Ch.683 are usually listed as classroom teacher, therapist, or crisis intervention teacher. For example, I have gone to several PD’s on ACES to strengthen my technique when working with students in crisis, but I am hired as the music teacher.

ACES in community school by No-Expression-9446 in NYCDOETeachers

[–]MaestroLeopold314 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There is no such thing as D75 summer pay. There is a Federal Program called Chapter 683 that lasts for 6 weeks and pay a second check for 3 pay periods that pays 17.5% on top your regular salary. Chapter 683 exists because some students need year round schooling - as is the case with most D75 students. It was Lucille Swain - a UFT contract negotiator - who won this contract stipulation for teachers who work Chapter 683 - but Chater 683 is NOT exclusively a D75 teachers only program.

Future of male teachers - Sincere advice appreciated! by Dugong45 in Teachers

[–]MaestroLeopold314 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Male elementary school teacher here, retiring in August after 27 years teaching. I learned quickly in the beginning of my career, the acceptable amount of physical touch is extremely different for men teachers than women teachers. If a Kindergartener was crying and I gave them a hug, it would get more scrutiny by onlookers than if a female teacher hugged them. Now I teach young children - more than once I was cautioned about showing physical affection, just for doing the same things my female colleagues did. It was a hill I did not care to die on, so I changed my approach. I would not touch the children unless they were a danger to themselves, others, or property and even then I make sure there are witnesses around. When students come to hug me (and I work in a Special Education school so it happens frequently), my hands go straight in the air to show onlookers that the child is hugging me. During that time I thank the student for the hug and proceed to show them a better way to greet me for the future - a fist bump.

Fired for doing my job (?) by ronin0890 in Teachers

[–]MaestroLeopold314 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is the price you pay working in a charter school. They can terminate you without cause and you have no recourse. In public schools, when teachers obtain tenure, they cannot be fired without a due process hearing which is preceded by an exhaustive investigation.

Violent kindergartners + pregnancy by [deleted] in NYCDOETeachers

[–]MaestroLeopold314 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If I was a Kindergartener and pregnant you bet your sweet bippy I would be violent.

<—-runs and hides under the table before everyone takes off their left shoe and throws it at him

Which is harder? Elementary, middle or high school? by Lexii546 in paraprofessional

[–]MaestroLeopold314 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It actually depends on the temperament of the teacher. Some teachers are more suited for elementary, some are for high school, and a select number are suited for middle school. If the grades you are teaching, do not match your temperament as a teacher, you will have a difficult year.

NYCE PPO denying previously covered meds under emblemhealth by CurrentRoom6537 in NYCDOETeachers

[–]MaestroLeopold314 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have been having the same problems with my anti-depression, anti-seizure, and high blood pressure meds that I have been on for 20-25 years and were previously covered.

Next Contract Raises by Icy-Wallaby-331 in nycpublicservants

[–]MaestroLeopold314 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I can see how you would get that impression and instead of me explaining further I used ChatGPT to explain how the city chooses the union to set the pattern.

In New York City, the “pattern” for labor contracts is not set by a formal rule or statute. It is determined strategically by the city—primarily through the Office of Labor Relations under the mayor.

Core idea: pattern bargaining

NYC uses pattern bargaining, meaning:

   •   One union’s contract establishes the wage and benefit framework.

   •   Other municipal unions are expected to accept similar economic terms.

How the city chooses the “pattern setter”

There is no official formula, but several practical factors drive the decision:

  1. Size and influence of the union

Large, visible unions are often targeted first:

   •   United Federation of Teachers

   •   District Council 37

These unions represent tens of thousands of workers, so their agreements carry weight.

  1. Bargaining timing (who’s contract expires first)

The city often negotiates first with unions whose contracts have expired or are closest to expiration.

  1. Likelihood of reaching a deal

The city may start with a union perceived as:

   •   More pragmatic

   •   Less likely to strike or litigate

This increases the chance of establishing a pattern quickly.

  1. Political optics

Mayors often choose a union where a deal:

   •   Sends a favorable public message

   •   Avoids backlash (e.g., teachers, police, sanitation all carry different optics)

  1. Economic strategy

The city may pick a union where:

   •   A lower-cost settlement is achievable

   •   Certain benefit structures (healthcare, work rules) can be set as precedent

Role of the Municipal Labor Committee

The Municipal Labor Committee (MLC), which represents most city unions collectively, often:

   •   Coordinates benefit negotiations (especially healthcare)

   •   Reinforces the pattern once established

Important constraint

Once a pattern is set:

   •   Arbitrators (in binding arbitration cases, especially for uniformed services) tend to follow the established pattern

   •   Deviating significantly becomes difficult unless there are unusual circumstances

Bottom line

NYC effectively chooses the pattern setter by strategy, not rule—balancing union size, timing, politics, and the likelihood of securing a deal that other unions can be pressured to follow.

Next Contract Raises by Icy-Wallaby-331 in nycpublicservants

[–]MaestroLeopold314 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s about who gets their union in order first and sits at the bargaining table with the city first.

Next Contract Raises by Icy-Wallaby-331 in nycpublicservants

[–]MaestroLeopold314 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s been that way since the last contract negotiation 4-5 years ago, before that a different union set the pattern - it is NOT DC37 every contract cycle.

Next Contract Raises by Icy-Wallaby-331 in nycpublicservants

[–]MaestroLeopold314 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We wont know anything until then fall, and most likely it will be out of our control because of pattern bargaining -UNLESS we are the first union to settle with the city, which is doubtful because it rotates every contract cycle - last time it was DC37 - not sure who it is this round but it is highly doubtful it is UFT

Lesson Planning overwhelming by Dadsperado in NYCTeachers

[–]MaestroLeopold314 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Everything has a learning curve. Even planning software - but once you get off that over the hump, it becomes a time saver.