Tenure vs. Non Tenure

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I know that when I am done writing this that many of you are going to feel that I went against my fellow co-workers but sometimes things just need to be said.
I have worked in Sachem as a teacher for the past 6 years and there are times when I cannot believe some of the BS that goes on.
Just recently a teacher friend of mine who works at Sachem was fired. This came as a shock to myself and to the teacher. She was told that she would not be invited back next year. This was her tenure year. Now previously she has never had any issues. She is a young teacher who the kids love and respect. She does extracurricular activities as well as is a mentor for some of the kids. Just recently she received an observation that had some problems. With that she took the advice and constructive criticism and tried to adjust it to what was being asked of her. She met with administration to help her. On Friday she was let go.
Now here is my problem. I can understand letting go of someone who has consistently had problems within the classroom and has done nothing to fix the issue. But to have someone who has worked here for 3 years and never have a bad observation and now suddenly gets one and now she is fired that doesn’t make sense. Wouldn’t it make sense to give that teacher an opportunity to fix what the issue was and then if that teacher still has the same issues you can let them go? It just isn’t fair.
Another issue that seems to be very evident to many people is that there are some teachers (few) but some who have tenure and do not teach and have been called on it and have had horrible observations time and time again but that teacher still has a job. There is a teacher who has received so many negative observations and has been talked with about his teaching performance and nothing has changed for him. Last year was a nightmare for him because ST finally seemed to be on to him but of course because he is tenured he still goes on making believe that he actually teaches. Why is this???

[Guest]

Thank you for a very candid post.
I am a resident in this district. I am also not for tenure. You brought up some interesting points.

I understand what you said about the teacher not being asked back, that they should have given her a chance. Unfortunately, due to the nature of tenure, my guess would be that if she was that close to getting tenure, if they kept her and she did get tenure... they wouldn't be able to get rid of her, if she didn't work out. So in this case tenure works against teachers.

What you said about the teacher who has tenure..that is such a problem. Those of us who have had kids go through the district know as well as the staff who teaches, and who doesn't, and who are there for the "right" reasons. Those types of teachers are the reason people get for "riled up" about teacher salaries and time off. It makes it so bad for the good ones. I would hate to be a hard working teacher painted with the same broad brush as a slacker.

As for that one teaching "pretending" to teach, at least he pretends.



At least that guy "pretends" to teach.

[Guest]

To my observation as an experienced/retired teacher, you are making an asumption that can be erroneous by interpretaion or assumption.

You could be interpreting your friends poor observation as the cause of her release in June. It is not uncommon for the district to summarily notify all or many (determined by department) untenured faculty that they are not being retained because the district is unsure either financially or enrollment-wise how positions may be collapsed. There might be no connection between her observation and her her let go.

Assumption-wise, and I'm not trying to be unpleasant, even BFs don't share every professional problem. Some people don't perceive that they have a problem that needs sharing. Unless you have read every observation of the four or more that your friend has had each year, plus her end of the year evaluations, you really don't know if one bad observation is the cause or the final straw. The Chairperson's input is always sought in terms of timely submission of paperwork, lesson plans,etc. The appropriate AP mays have issues regarding punctuality, performance of assigned duty periods, etc.

Your mention of her being a mentor to students is a double-edged sword. As admirable as it can be, has she been perceived of over-stepping her role? Administrators can have issues with that. Parents can have issues with that either because they don't believe that it is appropriate, they feel their child is becoming too close or too reliant on the teacher, etc. Parents have even complained about a teacher's mentoring or counselling if they fear the teacher is coming too close to discovering a family's dirty little secret. Don't think that administration won't sell an untenured teacher out to shut a parent up.

So, has your friend confided in you every criticism her chair may have had, every parent call or conference that may have been referred farther up the chain of responsibility? Can you be certain? Could there be any denial on her part? I've known many young teachers, and a more than a few older teachers, who never accepted that there was a problem until it exploded in their faces. Their lack of recognition made it impossible to help them until it became too late.

One thing I did learn through the years is that your friend will probably never really know the reason for not being given a contract next year. Personnel never gives a tangible reason. The less said, the better, is the rule. The more they say, the more reason they give, the more likelihood of a lawsuit, discrimination complaint, etc.

BTW,I do understand you feelings about tenure protecting the bums,and I hated the fact that They had a job when I was being excessed years ago in another district. I will say that the percentage of bums who are protected is small compared to the number of good and great teachers who are protected because they've angered somebody influential. Many times, by the sin of having the integrity to report a cheating BMOC/BWOC or have the courage to take an unpopular stand, or dared to teach effectively in a style that is not considered to be "fun" or contemporary enough to suit an agressive parent, or an administrator who is re-inventing the wheel in order to stuff a resume and move on to a higher positon.

Be certain that you truly know all the facts before you are ready to dump tenure, because there may come a day when, despite all your great efforts and good intentions, you need that protecyion yourself.

Those bums are not there because of tenure. Tenure merely means the right to due process. Contrary to public perception, the unions organizations have worked with state ed to streamline 1030A hearings to more easily remove bad teachers providing that districts provide the proper documentation and proof.

Too often, bad teachers are the result of bad administarators who sweep things under the rug, don't follow format in terms of written documentation, play politics, or a variety of other reasons. How many bums get away with their act because they are tight with an administrator or board member? How many don't teach worth a darn, but are coaches, student government advisors, or run clubs that raise tons of money (of which the school/district gets a cut)? To be honest, how many cover their butts by being a union rep? Do you really think that these individuals would get fired as connected as they are? The district's lawyer is on retainer. It is not impossible, it is just technical, and sometimes embarassing to administrators who didn't do their job. Hey, administrators like to be popular too.

There, now people can attack me. You're off the hook. Have a fantastic career. You sound like the type of person in terms of professionalism and personal loyalty that I would have been proud to call a colleague.

Sorry about typos. Multi-tasking tonight.

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Can we hear from the teachers or admin on what the benefits of tenure bring to the children, and the taxpayers of the community they serve.

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I am apalled by what has recently taken place in Sachem. How could the District not give tenure to an Elementary Principal who has had such achievements and has changed the standards to what our children achieve. Politics has no place when it comes to our children. When are people going to wake up and take a stand? As a Sachem resident, who has children in the District, and an employee dedicated to what's near and dear to my heart...I say that credit should be given when it is due. It should not be personal...wake up! What parent would wants a school that his child is attending, to have a new Principal every few years? It's confusing, it's destructive and it's unnecessary! Especially when the one there IS getting the job done!

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