#pftstillstepsup

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PFT Member Steps Up

I have been proudly teaching the children of Philadelphia for more than 20 years. To make sure my children have what they need in order to succeed and so that I can teach properly, I buy copy paper, white-lined paper, pens, pencils, lead for the pencils, pencil sharpeners, erasers, notebooks, pocket folders, construction paper, crayons, markers, colored pencils, glue, tape, poster boards, backpacks, novels, food, and more. I have bought my children winter coats and hoodies. I have bought them dresses and shoes for our end -of-year celebrations. I have paid for class trips. If they need something and I can get it, I do. Most of all, I give them my time and attention. I’m there for them before school, during school, and after school. The PFT STEPS UP!

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It never ends

When I was a teacher of Kindergarten, it was fairly common for me to stay beyond my “contractual hours” waiting with students who hadn’t been picked up.  Now, I’m a school counselor and four out of five days finds me still at work, sometimes until five, waiting with students whose parents don’t seem to understand that we are not a babysitting service and our day ends the same time as our students.  There is no overtime, no compensation for the time lost with my own child.  On half days I have missed my lunch or professional development to sit with students whose parents forgot that school ended early and some of those students still don’t get picked up until after four.  My son used to wonder why I work so late and why I have to get to work so early.  He’s nine and in third grade himself.  I have no problem explaining to him that he has to share his mommy because there are so many students who aren’t as fortunate as him and for the majority of those students school is the one constant in their lives.  I’m just trying to make sure that they have as good a day as he has everyday.  

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I step up everyday!

180 school days, I was present for 178 of them.

I am constantly spending money on my kids. Prizes, constant supplies, and cases of paper to do my job. Last week, I spent $30.00 on Apple iTunes downloads for the school talent show and $40 on freeze pops and cookies for our end of year celebration . I buy school bags throughout the school year because there are always a few that never have one. I have paid for field trips, sneakers, soft pretzels, and so much more in the past 9 years in this district.

Why? Because for 10 months until forever, my students are my kids, and I will always attempt to meet their needs: academically, socially, emotionally, and many times financially.

I don’t want any Kudos; I want the respect of the SRC and the district. And they could show their respect for the phenomenal teachers in Philadelphia by negotiating a FAIR contract, with step raises and benefits, that draw and retain the most talented teachers. My students, their families, and my professional colleagues respect me, why can’t the SRC? (By the way, didn’t the people of Philadelphia vote for the abolishment of the SRC? Yes, we didn’t forget about that.)

OUR children deserve respected and talented teachers and more support staff in schools. For many of our low-income children, they didn’t choose their home situation, but they deserve a shot at creating a future from a very limited past. They are fighting society’s issues of poverty, homelessness, and too many cases of trauma.

Our city could be so great, if we invest in our children.

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Mr. Green let's switch offices for a week!

Mr. Green I see that you have stated that we as educators have not been there for the students we serve. I would love to give you the opportunity to test your theory! Let’s switch offices for a week! I want to make this experience as comfortable as possible for you so I am going to leave you with a few tips .

1. Bring mouse traps. You could request that the the school provide you with this but my request fell on deaf ears so you may want to play it safe and buy your own.

2. I wouldn’t wear your best suit. Let me explain a bit more. Throughout the year there has been multiple bed bug sightings in multiple classrooms. So whatever you wear to work that day really should be immediately washed at high temperatures.

3. Bring ear plugs. If you have the need to attend to paperwork or reports that really require your full attention I would suggest ear plugs. Many of the children at our school have frequent meltdowns in the hallways. I am not sure you fully care about/understand the nature of the problems of some of the children we serve so I won’t bore you with the details of their lives!

4. If you have asthma you may want to consult a doctor before this experiment.  There have been issues with air quality in our building. So if you have any existing respiratory conditions I would get clearance from your primary health care physician. But fortunately for you this experiment will only be for a week so you shouldn’t suffer any long-term consequences.

5. Before you come stop at Staples. If you think you will need paper, pens, paper clips, file folders, ect you will have to purchase these items yourself. Sorry  :(

Ok I think that’s a good start! Let me know when you want to really back up those statements you have been making. I mean at the end of the day everything we do should be evidenced based!

Cheers!

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I've Stepped Up more than you know!

SRC Chairman Bill Green needs to speak about facts and not try to inflame people! What I've given up in the last 26 years, but more importantly the last 4 without a contract! When I was teaching of course I spent an inordinate amount of money on supplies such as paper, pencils, and basics. I bought rewards for kids and snacks. Every time I was out shopping for myself I bought something for my "kids/students " ! I begged family and friends to help subsidize education. I bought presents and even healthy snacks to supplement the nutritional program. I have given kids bus fare if they needed and found ways to supply what was lacking. I've gone to churches that had back to school drives and received donations on behalf of my students. Every year I would buy extra supplies to donate to schoolchildren. Then there's time invested that wasn't paid. Early mornings, late afternoons, nights doing work from home, and of course my weekend ended after church on Sunday, because I had to finish lesson plans that were due by Thursday but I had no time to complete. I've endured evaluation that only looked at my effectiveness through test scores. I've been threatened by parents and students, ignored by administrators, not you Ms. Deidre Bennett. But I've been made to feel as though I'm teaching in a war zone and yet expected to remain professional! All with no contract! Most of all I suffered burnout, stress, anxiety, and depression and retired not on my own terms! Mr. Green can you figure out the cost of these things and send me my money??? Oh yeah and where's my termination pay??? It's been almost 52 weeks!!!

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My life as a Philly teacher

I have been teaching in Philadelphia for 24 years.  I am a dedicated teacher to the students, parents, and communities I have worked in.  I love the students that I teach, and I have always done what it takes to to my job to the best of my abilities.  I have always given my students 100%, and thus my own children and family have suffered.  I typically exhaust myself at work, and when I come home my family gets what is left of me, if anything.  I am not asking for pity, but I am asking for respect and honor for the sacrifices that I have made.  Just to explain a bit, I would like you to know that I have worked in conditions with no air conditioning, asbestos, mold, mildew, peeling and chipped paint, and I use sinks that are labeled "please do not drink". I have been robbed and my car has been vandalized. I have been assaulted, hit, spit on, slapped, and cursed at. I am forced to accept this as normal; this is, and has been my reality day in and day out.  I have been afraid for my safety and that of my students, as we practice lockdowns and then experience true lockdowns, not knowing if I would be to return home to my family.  I visit the restroom on a schedule, and sometimes work for over 3 hours without a bathroom break.  I work countless hours at night and on the weekends.  I go in early and stay late, preparing for today, and then preparing for tomorrow.  I meet parents on my lunch and prep. I buy crayons, markers, pencils, paper, copy books, folders, glue, and copy paper each year to get my class up and running in September.  I have purchased schoolbags, coats, toiletries, clothing, and even belts for my students when I saw a need.  I frequent the school supply stores to buy fadeless paper and decorations to create a happy learning environment.  I buy printers, computers, and ink.  I have bought food items for cooking activities, as well as supplied the necessary items for the activity.  I buy art supplies for enrichment activities to motivate and excite the students.  I buy snacks and treats for the students when they do not have a snack.  Every time I go shopping, there is always something in the cart for school.  I have supplied lunch and money for students when we go on field trips.  The list goes on and on.  I do these things as part of my job. I see needs and I meet them.  I treat the students as my own children.   I accept this as my choice, since I have chosen this life path. However, it would be appreciated to get pay raises that I deserve, and to receive just a little bit of respect and honor for my service to the children and parents of Philadelphia.   Again, I do what it takes, and that is what career teachers do in Philadelphia.  

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Mr. Green, You have no idea! When was the last yime you had to buy toilet paper, hand sanitizer, soap, paper, and pens to do your job? How about food, so the people you are working with aren’t working on an empty stomach? I can go on and on, but I know this will fall on deaf ears! Take some time out of your schedule and visit a school that is lacking textbooks and computers that work, students, who are hungry and worried about what is going on in their lives outside of school. Don’t judge me before you try and walk in my shoes! I come to school everyday prepared, ready to teach and care for my students!

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Para-Professional

Hello I’m an para for the Sch Dist of Phila.. I’m known to the Staff & Students as Ms Cc.. Some of the children call me CMom ..!! An name that was given to me from my Granz..!! Long Story Short I’ve been with the dist since 2001..& have been volunteering since my oldest child was knee high.. I’ve decided to join the dist .. Just following my heart.!! & Always lived by Treating others .. As I wished to be treated ..!! One day I received an call from an Students Mom.. I ddnt reconize the # but answered answered anyway .. She introduced herself..& my heart sank .. Me bracing myself for the worse..because I could hear her moms voice cracking.. She asked me would it be ok for her to read me an letter from her daughter as she read.. The tears rolled down my face.. We were both crying.. Her child wrote an Letter of Dedication To Me..!! She called me her Shero..!! They gave me an Copy..& Still to this day..!! I smile !! & before we hung up.. I felt as Tall as the Empire State Bldg… With that being said I know I speak for myself & my fellow educators..As we get up each & every day..and Push Foward for All of Our Children..!! Thanks for taking time out & reading our Letters..!! Mrs. Simmons-Tugwell..