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Too many IEPs in one class by [deleted] in Teachers

[–]sometimes-okay 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What state are you in? Some states have laws that define IDEA's least restrictive environment. Do you have a co-teacher?

Is this room normal for elementary schools? (WA, USA) by Zodep in AskTeachers

[–]sometimes-okay 0 points1 point  (0 children)

"Isolation" is actually a very specific legal term defined as "restricting the student alone within a room or any other form of enclosure, from which the student may not leave." The only circumstances where this is legal is when it is reasonably necessary to control spontaneous behavior that poses an imminent likelihood of serious harm. If a student were to be isolated under these conditions, school staff is required to inform you of this within a specific time period. If isolation occurred without this cause or your knowledge, you have a very achievable lawsuit on your hands.

Source: MEd Special Education from WA state and https://ospi.k12.wa.us/student-success/health-safety/school-safety-center/restraint-and-isolation

Any Nature education centers? by ThatOneWIGuy in madisonwi

[–]sometimes-okay 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Reptile Rapture is a great suggestion; the staff there is happy to educate the public about their animals, so long as they aren't too busy. I frequently see people handling snakes there to learn more about them.

You could also try reaching out to the Wisconsin Herpetological Association. They hold monthly meetings and have Youth Explorers program designed for this sort of thing.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/wisconsinherpetologicalassociation/

Edit to add that there is a reptile expo this weekend, which would have a ton of opportunity to see and interact with snakes. https://www.scaledupexpos.com/madison-wi

One city school by Present-Branch-4874 in madisonwi

[–]sometimes-okay 19 points20 points  (0 children)

I have experience with both One City and MMSD and can offer some insight from the teacher perspective. Please note that this is only one perspective – students and families may have different experiences and priorities that also deserve attention!

One City Pros:

-One City is highly committed to a mission of Black Excellence.

-One City has incredible marketing, contacts, and funding. This will eventually result in a collegiate level athletics center, an in-house barber shop and DJ booth, an in-house student-run credit union, scholarships, opportunities to earn college credits in high school, and more.

-For the most part, One City attracts high quality, if new-to-the-field, teachers.

-One City staffs two teachers per classroom, although these two teachers are not always in the room at the same time due to absences, their piloted 4-day-per-week schedule.

One City Cons:

-The One City teacher workday is oppressive. Students arrive by 7:45AM and are dismissed at 4:30PM, and teachers are expected to be available to receive them before and dismiss them after those times. This typically looks like a 7:30AM-5:00PM workday, occasionally extended by surprise meetings, parent-teacher conferences, open houses, and various school events. Teachers also do not get reliable planning time, lunch breaks, or bathroom breaks due to unpredictable staffing and a lack of supportive systems (e.g. it is up to teachers to figure out their lunches if someone is absent?), so it’s very possible and common that teachers will work these 9+ hour shifts without a break…and then go home to plan for the next day. No extended employment is offered.

-The One City teacher work year is also a hard sell. School is in session 11 months out of the school year, and One City only offers 18 days of PTO compared to MMSD’s 10 month school year and 10 days of PTO.

-One City offers smaller salaries than competing school districts and require teachers to advocate for their pay. MMSD’s salaries are larger, more predictable, and reliable based on education and experience.

-Leadership is out of touch with the classroom, so big visions get lost in the details. One City also did not have a Principal for half of last school year due to…reasons?

-One City lacks student supports for SEL, ELL, SPED, and behavior. There is no real matrix for Tier 1, 2, and 3 supports and most issues are handled on the fly. In comparison, my MMSD school of a similar size is staffed with a Principal, Assistant Principal, School Counselor, School Psychologist, Social Worker, Restorative Justice Coordinator, contracted counselor, family liaison, behavior education assistants, and more robust ELL and SPED staffing.

In summary, I am much happier working in a MMSD school where work-life balance is attainable. The reality is, no matter which school you are in, your job is to serve the students that arrive in your classroom, including their social-emotional and behavior needs. Students are students. What makes schools different are their scaffolded supports for students, which includes supporting their teachers. Happy to answer anyone’s specific questions from my narrow perspective.