[etni] overworked

From: Nathan Singer <nathansinger1181@xxxxxxxxx>
To: etni <etni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Sun, 10 Nov 2013 23:40:04 +0200
Hi all,
I would like to contribute to the ongoing conversation regarding our
workload;
I spoke recently with Dr. Tsur and he confirmed what I already knew:

The whole issue of student dispensations has spiraled out of control making
Israel very high on the list
of countries where students receive many dispensations (needed or not).
The MOE has decided to put a stop to this by changing the terms under which
a student receives dispensations.
Part of the new procedure involves piling on more paperwork on us
overworked teachers so that input can be made
as to whether a said student needs dispensations and of what kind.

I understand the necessity of this but the current way of going about it
(with more paperwork) simply isn't possible
considering our present workload.

Those from the inspectorate who will read this posting might say that
finding the time is all part of being professional.
Maybe that is so, but this has caused many a teacher to "call into
question" their own professionalism and to opt out of the profession.
I personally know of schools that have a serious problem with English
staffing, so much so, that they are combining classes and study groups
during English hours so that all the students will have English.

Surely this issue is not lost on the inspectorate. How much longer can this
go on before the whole system comes crashing down around us ??
No, I am not over dramatizing it! Whenever I happen upon a fellow English
teacher, I always get asked about the opting out procedures.
Do I know their rights regarding early pension and so on....
Is this what the inspectorate envisioned when designing the HOTS program? I
doubt it.

I have been reading with interest the recent posts on this forum. Are all
these teachers lazy, unprofessional chronic complainers???
NO THEY ARE NOT !! These are teachers who are at the top of their
profession ! They have years of experience teaching EFL to our dear
students and
I have the up most respect for all of them !

So, what do we infer (yes, I stole a HOT :)  ) from the recent heartfelt
posts?? I certainly hope that the powers that be infer something soon.

It is easy to bring up problems without offering solutions, so here are
mine:

1.  The MOE should design a smartphone app in which the teacher can input
necessary info regarding a student during his/her "free" time. Obviously
this needs to be for IOS and Android platforms.
An app is much more teacher friendly because it doesn't require sitting
down at ones desk to fill out endless forms.

2. Student dispensation recommendations should be embedded in the Mashov
program where we already input info on a daily basis and this could be
attached as an addendum and transmitted through the MANBAS to the deciding
committee,
    thus saving the teacher the extra paperwork.

3. An email embedded form could be designed (much shorter than the present
form of course) and this will be more convenient for teachers as we deal
with email a lot anyway.

4. Dispensation requests can be submitted as lists and then committee reps
can contact the relevant teachers by phone or email or smartphone app in
order to get their professional input on the student's needs.

So, there are ways to help us manage. It's all about the right people in
the right places wishing to do so.


All the best,

Nathan Singer


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[etni] overworked

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