Comments on: Is Anyone Listening? An Open Letter From An Excessed E.L.A. Teacher Who Is Now An ATR http://www.edwize.org/is-anyone-listening-an-open-letter-from-an-excessed-ela-teacher Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:46:25 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Anna http://www.edwize.org/is-anyone-listening-an-open-letter-from-an-excessed-ela-teacher/comment-page-1#comment-66434 Anna Sat, 02 May 2009 03:52:28 +0000 http://edwize.org/?p=2087#comment-66434 Michael, This article sounds interesting.....contact me at the above email ....I recieved your 5/1/2009 email.....Hope to hear from you.. Michael,

This article sounds interesting…..contact me at the above email ….I recieved your 5/1/2009 email…..Hope to hear from you..

]]> By: Defending ATRs and RTRs « JD2718 http://www.edwize.org/is-anyone-listening-an-open-letter-from-an-excessed-ela-teacher/comment-page-1#comment-66139 Defending ATRs and RTRs « JD2718 Tue, 04 Nov 2008 14:21:03 +0000 http://edwize.org/?p=2087#comment-66139 [...] (Attendance Teacher Reserve) are mainly teachers whose schools closed and were not picked up by a new school. Many of them have decades of experience. They keep a job, [...] [...] (Attendance Teacher Reserve) are mainly teachers whose schools closed and were not picked up by a new school. Many of them have decades of experience. They keep a job, [...]

]]> By: jasonblons http://www.edwize.org/is-anyone-listening-an-open-letter-from-an-excessed-ela-teacher/comment-page-1#comment-66103 jasonblons Mon, 20 Oct 2008 18:55:13 +0000 http://edwize.org/?p=2087#comment-66103 First, to ATRs looking for a position, I may have a spot for you. I am trying to find out whether or not the DOE will assign their excessed teachers to CBOs that work with children and young adults. Can you help me find somebody to talk to about filling these urgently needed teaching positions? I can be reached at jb185@nyu.edu. Next, I applaud your tenacity and dedication, Mr. Thyfault. Over thirty years ago, during NYC's financial crisis, I was excessed with 6 years experience (and the school's Teacher of the Year award)and lucky to land in a wonderful school with a full time job. You will find your way back as well; develop your network of colleagues by attending DOE and university sponsored workshops when you can. Finally, the practice of replacing experienced teachers with less expensive rookies is a reflection of the change in how allocations to schools are determined. You may know that it is a rather recent phenomenon, facilitated by the change from allocation by units (where all teachers cost the same)to the present system. Along with the present emphasis on management (rather than on developmental supervision) of school personnel, the limited mentoring and collaborative practice opportunities provided in many schools may account for the huge turnover of new staff every year. Why should they, or we, be surprised when lose so many talented people? I must praise the UFT for taking leadership in the recent past, initiating the ideas of school based options, school leadership teams, shared leadership and decision-making, all steps toward genuine professionalization of public school teachers, and genuine improvement of public schools. As the pendulum may start to swing back (careful, I've never actually seen it!)toward more progressive notions of school and governance, we may see still more innovations gain traction in this huge system. We all have a lot to learn about helping kids learn and lead. First, to ATRs looking for a position, I may have a spot for you. I am trying to find out whether or not the DOE will assign their excessed teachers to CBOs that work with children and young adults. Can you help me find somebody to talk to about filling these urgently needed teaching positions? I can be reached at jb185@nyu.edu.
Next, I applaud your tenacity and dedication, Mr. Thyfault. Over thirty years ago, during NYC’s financial crisis, I was excessed with 6 years experience (and the school’s Teacher of the Year award)and lucky to land in a wonderful school with a full time job. You will find your way back as well; develop your network of colleagues by attending DOE and university sponsored workshops when you can.
Finally, the practice of replacing experienced teachers with less expensive rookies is a reflection of the change in how allocations to schools are determined. You may know that it is a rather recent phenomenon, facilitated by the change from allocation by units (where all teachers cost the same)to the present system. Along with the present emphasis on management (rather than on developmental supervision) of school personnel, the limited mentoring and collaborative practice opportunities provided in many schools may account for the huge turnover of new staff every year. Why should they, or we, be surprised when lose so many talented people? I must praise the UFT for taking leadership in the recent past, initiating the ideas of school based options, school leadership teams, shared leadership and decision-making, all steps toward genuine professionalization of public school teachers, and genuine improvement of public schools. As the pendulum may start to swing back (careful, I’ve never actually seen it!)toward more progressive notions of school and governance, we may see still more innovations gain traction in this huge system. We all have a lot to learn about helping kids learn and lead.

]]> By: Teaching Fellows - late October notes « JD2718 http://www.edwize.org/is-anyone-listening-an-open-letter-from-an-excessed-ela-teacher/comment-page-1#comment-66097 Teaching Fellows - late October notes « JD2718 Sun, 19 Oct 2008 21:17:25 +0000 http://edwize.org/?p=2087#comment-66097 [...] EdWize (UFT blog) - open letter by a 4th year teacher/ATR [...] [...] EdWize (UFT blog) – open letter by a 4th year teacher/ATR [...]

]]> By: Sunday links. « Fred Klonsky’s PREA Prez Blog http://www.edwize.org/is-anyone-listening-an-open-letter-from-an-excessed-ela-teacher/comment-page-1#comment-66033 Sunday links. « Fred Klonsky’s PREA Prez Blog Sun, 28 Sep 2008 15:48:08 +0000 http://edwize.org/?p=2087#comment-66033 [...] I am a third generation educator who entered the teaching profession at age 37.  I have been teaching at Canarsie High School for the last four years.  I am now working under my 4th principal and third assistant principal of English. Last June I was excessed as the school was beginning the process of being phased out.  This year I am an ATR, Active Teacher in Reserve.  I teach one class a day and work as a substitute when needed.  Regardless of my assignment I work four periods a day, tutoring in the library when I am not covering classes. I run a chess club and have been teaching Regents and SAT preparation classes after school. I am deeply disturbed when ATR teachers are labeled as burden on the system.  I am making a difference in many young lives, regardless of my label. That is why I teach. EdWize [...] [...] I am a third generation educator who entered the teaching profession at age 37.  I have been teaching at Canarsie High School for the last four years.  I am now working under my 4th principal and third assistant principal of English. Last June I was excessed as the school was beginning the process of being phased out.  This year I am an ATR, Active Teacher in Reserve.  I teach one class a day and work as a substitute when needed.  Regardless of my assignment I work four periods a day, tutoring in the library when I am not covering classes. I run a chess club and have been teaching Regents and SAT preparation classes after school. I am deeply disturbed when ATR teachers are labeled as burden on the system.  I am making a difference in many young lives, regardless of my label. That is why I teach. EdWize [...]

]]> By: Love to Teach http://www.edwize.org/is-anyone-listening-an-open-letter-from-an-excessed-ela-teacher/comment-page-1#comment-66032 Love to Teach Sun, 28 Sep 2008 10:29:15 +0000 http://edwize.org/?p=2087#comment-66032 I listened and heard. It is truly sad that our children are being denied the abilities and commitment of Michael Thyfault. I only wish that more NYC DOE administrators and educators shared his concerns and passion. I listened and heard. It is truly sad that our children are being denied the abilities and commitment of Michael Thyfault.
I only wish that more NYC DOE administrators and educators shared his concerns and passion.

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