[etni] Beware The Emperor Has No Clothes

From: "Jennifer Spigelman" <jenspig@xxxxxxxxx>
To: etni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Sat, 10 Nov 2007 22:12:12 +0200
Dear Fellow Teachers

     I have decided to share my story with you and sign my name, even
though in the light of recent postings I know I will be opening myself
up to insults and criticisms. Yes, I am one of those elementary
teachers who actually signed the reform. Before you judge me, please
know I understood what I was doing. First I fought against it for all
the reasons that are true: no real change in salary, same class sizes,
no gmulim for subject teachers, etc... I am not a fool I knew that the
reform was not in my favor. But when the teachers of my school decided
to join (who knows why) I felt that I had to join too. I didn't want
to be one of the only teachers not paid for parent –teachers night and
school meetings while others were being paid. I even specifically told
my principal that I didn't want my English classes to be the only ones
without small group hours and I saw before me the eyes of the lost
pupils that I wanted to help.
    Imagine my surprise when I found out that my frontal hours will
not be reduced in favor of small group hours, Only homeroom teachers
will have small group hours (they say this year only, but I no longer
believe them). When earlier on I tried to ask how this was going to
work for part-time teachers or in relation to "shaot teken" for
subject teachers, I was told not to worry. I signed as a teacher with
a  50% position to have my 15 hours raised to 18 hours and with the
understanding that those hours were to be divided as 13 frontal, 2
small group and 3 work at school/meeting hours.  I have had the wool
pulled over my eyes and I am furious to say the least. I have been
told just to accept it and that there is nothing to be done.
   I also asked if those going to small group lessons would be pulled
from my classes and was told not to worry, there were creative ways to
solve these problems. In reality I am the one who will have to be
creative and figure out what to do when my classes become a revolving
door for pupils needing help or enrichment in math or other subjects
(just not English).
    For all of you out there striking stand strong, learn from my
mistake.  To elementary school teachers don't sign ("the emperor is
naked" and no one will admit it) the reform. If you live up north and
are demonstrating, the crazy woman who beeps a loud tune at the
intersections is probably me. It is my last hurrah as I think about
leaving the system that disappoints both me and my pupils.

Jennifer Spigelman
-----------------------------------------------
** Etni homepage - www.etni.org **
** for help - ask@xxxxxxxx **
** to post to this list - etni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx **
-----------------------------------------------
[etni] Beware The Emperor Has No Clothes

Other related posts:
