Letter to South Jordan City Council

If you haven't heard, South Jordan is considering breaking off Jordan District to start their own school district.  Those of us who have been around for more than 5 years know what happened at the Jordan/Canyons split.  I sent this letter to South Jordan elected officials today.

Dear Mayor Osborne and South Jordan City Council Members,

I am unable to attend the council meeting tonight where Council member Newton will propose that South Jordan form its own school district as noted in this newscast.  I am against this for many reasons including costs, quality of education, and employee morale. 

In the story, Mr. Newton said, "Because South Jordan only needs one high school, one middle school and two elementary schools, that we'll be able to cut costs.”  Currently within the district boundaries are Bingham High, South Jordan and Elk Ridge Middle Schools, along with seven elementary schools, six of which are already on year-round schedules: South Jordan, Monte Vista, Jordan Ridge, Elk Meadows, Welby, Daybreak, and Eastlake.  There are students living in South Jordan City boundaries who attend Herriman or Copper Hills High.  Bingham is not large enough to hold all the high school students living in South Jordan City. 

It cost $33 million just to split Jordan and Canyons Districts back in 2009.  This was after months of negotiations and mediation with transition teams from both sides.  See this article.    In addition to the $33 million to pay for the split, Jordan District had to cut $17 million in the 2010-2011 budget.  See this article.  These cuts hurt students.  One example is the money for aides in Special Education classes was reduced leaving those students who are the most needy without the support to help them be successful. 

The quality of education students receive will suffer.  Jordan School District has an excellent curriculum department that provides many resources for teachers at all levels.  See Jordan District. The new district would likely be unable to hire those types of specialists, leaving teachers on their own to create curriculum.  As an elementary teacher, I appreciate having those specialists who can align curriculum to the Utah Core, provide quality assessments, and give curriculum maps for pacing subjects taught throughout the year.  If my time had to be spent doing those types of activities for all the subjects I’m required to teach, there would be less time for me to work with students and provide them with the feedback they need to improve.

Many employees on both sides of the Jordan/Canyons split felt like they were just assets assigned to buildings back in 2009.  We weren’t treated as individuals.  The morale is just now, five years later, beginning to improve.  Employees have not received their step increases three of the last five years.  While this is a different pay system than in other industries, when people are hired, the District explains the pay system, so there is an expectation that has not been met.  If South Jordan were to break off to form their own district, employee salary increases on both sides would likely be nonexistent. At the time of the Jordan/Canyons split, I felt discouraged and frustrated with my career.  I have become more optimistic as I have utilized the tools provided by Jordan District.  I am proud to have been teaching in Jordan District for 22 years.  I teach sixth grade at Elk Meadows Elementary, and I love my job! 

Please stop the discussion on breaking away from Jordan District now.

 

 

"American Teacher"

The film "American Teacher" is a rebuttal to "Waiting for Superman", and we have an opportunity to see it.  A screening of "American Teacher" will take place Thursday, February 9 at 6:30 p.m. at the University of Utah Film and Media Arts Auditorium, Campus Building #36. A panel discussion will follow.  Please share this information with those would be interested.

Education Nation Summary

The first section asked teachers about the baggage students bring to school.

The next portion was on technology use in the classroom.  One teacher said he is not high tech, but still uses innovative teaching methods including role-playing and simulations.  Another teacher used Skype to reach a girl who was in the hospital battling leukemia.

Melinda Gates was on talking about what makes a great teacher.  She said multiple measures need to be used including value-added, observations, specific behaviors like helping students who do not understand a concept.  She said we need to update the education system to the information age.  She commented, as many have, that education is necessary, because it is the great equalizer.

75% of teachers surveyed believe that higher salaries would help retain great teachers.  Others commented they would like more respect, support, or to not be the center of political reforms.

The next discussion was about professionalism, salaries, and evaluations.  Comparing teachers to other professions would elevate the teaching profession as a whole.  One teacher said we need to convince legislators we need higher salaries, because we do not work 9-5.  Evaluations should include value-added data, peer-to-peer observations, administrative observations, teachers giving back to the school, what students and parents think of the teachers.  "Just because we love our kids, doesn't mean we aren't professionals." 

Tenure does not mean you have a job for life.  Best person to evaluate is the person teaching across or down the hall.  "We need to get serious about peer evaluation."  Some concerned about this leading to a popularity contest.

Online educator talked about site-based management and not having to answer to a district office, though they do meet state standards.  Online essay winner talked about Superman and Wonder Woman being the students that come to school with the baggage from home.  "People in the classroom everyday know what students need."  "It is a shame we have to rely on philanthropy to fund education in areas across country."

Common Core State Standards help the future of education look more optimistic.  "Imperative that we are treated as professionals."  One wants performance pay based on evaluations.  Children within each classroom who differ, and we need digital tools to help with differentiation.

More funding for resources, collaboration, and excellent teachers make for a great school.  School reform needs parent and community involvement.  Senior teachers want to teach next to another great teacher.

Overall, the town hall was interesting.  My editorial comment is that the host, Brian Williams, needed to stop trying to be funny during his interim comments.  MSNBC will host additional programs throughout the week.

UVU For the Love of Reading Literacy Conference

Utah Valley University is hosting a literacy conference at Zermatt Resort in Midway on March 11-12.  See Engaged Reading website for more information.  Guest speakers include Christopher Paul Curtis, author of "The Watson's go to Burmingham", Patricia Rilley Giff, author of "Lily's Crossing", and Nadine Wimmer from KSL news.

Teacher of the Year Awards

Several JEA Members have been recognized as Teacher of the Year in their area of expertise.  Lee Dillon was name Art Teacher of the Year, and Matt Lund was names MESA Advisor of the Year.  Both Lee and Matt teach at Copper Hills.  Kathy Byerline at Oquirrh Hills was named Biology Teacher of the Year.  JEA is proud to represent and have the support of such accomplished teachers.

Secondary Math and Science Teacher Salary Supplement Program

Rep. Marie Poulson is trying to create an appeals process for those teachers who are currently not eligible for the Teacher Salary Supplement Program (TSSP) for secondary math and science teachers but think they should be. She has requested the names of some math and science teachers that may be willing to give her details or even be willing to go up to the Capitol if her bill goes before committee.


If you are not currently eligible but think you should be, send your contact information along with a short description of why you do not qualify for the money by Tuesday morning to Melissa Brown at melissa.brown@jordan.k12.ut.us or Rep. Poulson directly at mariepoulson@utah.gov.

Western Region Leadership Conference

JEA VP Kevin Ball, JEA Executive Board Members Lauren Flygare and Karl McKenzie, and I attended the NEA Western Region Leadership Conference from last Friday evening through last Sunday at the Hilton downtown.  The theme was "Turning Hope into Action, Action into Power".  We met as a state caucus then listened to NEA President Dennis Van Roekel speak at the opening dinner. 

Saturday was spent learning about and then discussing a particular element about the Association.  Political Action, Member Concerns & Representation, Funding Public Education in a Difficult Economy, Education Policy and Membership Organizing were the focus areas.  After focusing on one area all day, we met together to make a plan.  We did this as the Jordan UniServ.  We decided that funding is a huge issue, and we need to get the TEF message out, educate members, and work with legislators to help increase funding for public education in Utah.  One part of this is looking at each work site or building as its own education association with the AR leading the members at that site.  This is an interesting concept we will be looking at further.

Lily Eskelsen was the speaker at lunch on Saturday.  She talked about her visit to Honduras.  While there, she visited with local villagers about how they were working their way out of poverty.  The lessons she learned from them are:

• focus on assets
• empower the powerless
• answers come from within - not from "experts"
• build a culture of cooperation and support from the bottom up

Watch Lily's video explaining some of her thoughts from Honduras.

She also spoke about the PISA Report that ranks the U.S. 10th in reading, 17th in math, and 12th in science out of 65 nations.  The countries that are outperforming the U.S. are doing exactly the opposite of what we are seeing as part of "education reform".  In other nations, they have equity, no high-stakes tests, no ability grouping, local authority, better teacher preparation, and pre-school. 

Lily is a local, having been Granite Education Association President and UEA President.  You may want to start following her blog, Lily's Blackboard.

Matt Lund, National Board Certified Teacher

Congratulations to Matt Lund, Physics Teacher at Copper Hills High School, on earning National Board Certification!  He said it only took a year to complete.

UEA President on National Panel

This press release from NEA is dated December 13, 2010.

 

UEA president and former second-grade teacher Sharon Gallagher-Fishbaugh is one of 21 educators nationwide selected to participate on an independent commission to study the teaching profession and make recommendations on maximizing teacher and teaching effectiveness.

 

The National Education Association (NEA) announced that the national Commission on Effective Teachers and Teaching (CETT) will draw on the wisdom and experience of accomplished teachers—supported by researchers, policymakers and academicians—who will examine the policies and practices governing the teaching profession and craft a new teacher-centered vision of teaching and the teaching profession. NEA President Dennis Van Roekel first announced plans for this Commission during his keynote address at the NEA's 2010 Representative Assembly in New Orleans.

 

“There is a fundamental need to shake up the nation’s collective thinking on quality teaching,” said Van Roekel, “and we believe the best way to do that is to get the perspective of professional educators who are recognized for their innovation and accomplishments in the classroom. Our hope is that this Commission will not only focus on the professional practices that make a difference in student learning but also address the critical issues facing the future of the profession. NEA is dedicating significant resources and staff to support the Commission’s work because we recognize the significance of this task.”

 

Chaired by Madaline “Maddie” Fennel, 2007 Nebraska Teacher of the Year and fourth-grade teacher from Omaha, Neb., the Commission on Effective Teachers and Teaching is charged with accomplishing work in four areas:

• Analyzing existing standards, definitions, policies and practices related to teacher effectiveness and effective teaching and developing a teachers’ definition of an effective teacher and effective teaching.
• Crafting a new vision of a teaching profession that is led by teachers and ensures teacher and teaching effectiveness.
• Developing a comprehensive set of recommendations for the National Education Association about the union’s role in advancing and promoting teacher effectiveness and the teaching profession.
• Developing a comprehensive set of recommendations for education leaders and policymakers about the future of the teaching profession and the role of teachers in governing it.

 The Commission will meet four to six times over the next year and conduct public hearings to gather input on topics of interest to the panel. Individual members of the Commission will work on various committees and activities in order to accomplish the goal of delivering preliminary recommendations to the 2011 NEA Representative Assembly in Chicago. Commission members will solicit feedback from NEA members and deliver a final report to the public in the fall of 2011. NEA will use the recommendations to examine the Association’s policies and long-term vision for teaching.

 

“The current policies and processes that govern our profession do little to support teachers or students today,” said Van Roekel. “Those with little understanding about student learning or the teaching profession have been allowed to establish programs, set standards and shape policies that impact teaching and learning. Absent a new approach to teacher policy, it is unrealistic to expect schools and teachers to prepare all students with the skills and knowledge necessary for the 21st century and beyond. Supporting the work of the Commission is one of many steps the NEA is taking to help transform the profession and give teachers greater authority over their profession, the quality of teaching and quality of public schools.”