According to the DOE all new teachers who want to work in the New York City public schools must write an essay on why they want to teach in the classroom. Therefore, I believe my essay would most certainly qualify for employment by Tweed and those wonderful Leadership Academy principals looking to hire me.
My name is Cleo. I am a 22 year old liberal arts major and have made it through the "Teaching Fellows" program. I am ready to make a difference in the classroom. I have heard about all the negative things about teaching in the New York City public schools and am ready for the challenge.
I'm happy to handle as many students that the school administrators see fit to give me. Thirty-four to a class? No problem, give me more students. Load me up with more non-teaching duties? I just love the idea, I don't need prep or lunch periods. I will even volunteer for after-school and Saturday programs without pay!
I have heard that there is a disrespect of teachers by the DOE. However, I believe if I work hard and respond to my school administrator's call to jump by saying how high? I will be respected. Student discipline? I know that my administrators will always believe me over the student. Everybody knows that kids lie. Right?
I will give that extra effort to interact with my students and be personable and engaging. I'm sure my administrators want me to work closely with my students. I will be a loyal employee to the school and earn my administrator's respect and loyalty in return. I'm sure my administrators will support me against student allegations.
I have such good ideas that my school administrators will just love my lesson plans as they will enhance the curriculum. I refuse to believe that my administrators will require me to "teach to the test". No right thinking educator subscribes to the "one-size-fits-all" approach. Right?
Come to think of it. What teacher would want to put up with teacher disrespect, lack of student discipline, large class sizes, a hostile working environment, and the unbelievable (but believed anyway) accusations of students. On second thought take this job and shove it.
I wish I read this essay before I started teaching in NYC.
ReplyDeleteIf Randi had the chutzpah, she would have said that
ReplyDeletenew teachers already take written exams for their
master' degrees and essay questions on their ATS-W's
and do interviews. Then Principals (who used to be
considered master teachers) have three years of those
teachers "under their guidance and tutelage" to decide
wether or not said new teachers are capable of
becoming NYC teachers.
It always amazes me that "incompetent" teachers make
it through all this, then are blamed for their own
"incompetence". Where was the guidance and the
leadership of the Principal/Master Teacher; or does
"incompetence" only happen after a teacher earns
tenure?
She could at least raise the issue of administrative
incompetence.