2020-06-26 22:13
Dear Colleagues, Today is the last day of the most challenging, most intense school year we have ever experienced. You got tossed into the deep end, and I shaved my mustache. Ev… Read More
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2020-06-26 18:42
This is often a joyous day for UFT members. I'm sure it is for many still. On this day, a friend of mine used to give a party at his home. It was the best day of the year. We had the entire… Read More
2020-06-25 11:27
Tough times for NYC. Tough times for us. The mayor is set to let 22,000 city employees go. We haven't faced a crisis like this since 1975. If this happens, if will be a disaster for city sch… Read More
2020-06-23 16:39
Here's another photo of the hybrid Rav4 I bought from Toyota. It's supposed to run over 500 miles on a tank of gas, but the gas tank will not fill. Toyota says they're working on a fix, but… Read More
2020-06-22 22:40
5:50 Roll Call—6:00 UFT Secretary LeRoy Barr—Thanks us for calling in. Minutes have passed via email. Reminds us to get out and vote tomorrow, that it’s impor… Read More
2020-06-21 22:16
Yesterday Sue Edelman wrote about how three 200K administrators were jumping ship amidst a pandemic. The article characterized them as leaving the Titanic, but I see it very differently.We'r… Read More
2020-06-19 21:09
That bastard Chapter Leader is making a stink again. Of course, of course. That's all he ever does. He lives for this stuff. Now it's all, "Oh, you CAN'T give Mr. Scwartz a program with four… Read More
2020-06-17 22:52
UFT President Michael Mulgrew--4:15--Welcomes us. Speaks of dedicated unionist Louisa Johnson, who passed.Moment of silence.Biggest ask among delegates was longer question period. Asked for… Read More
2020-06-16 18:53
I was pretty surprised to hear we needed to give 7 to 12 comments for each student receiving a grade of NX this semester. According to what I've heard, DOE was originally demanding 40. Of co… Read More
2020-06-15 22:42
5:50 Roll CallUFT Secretary LeRoy Barr--All resolutions and minutes have been passed via email.Reports from Districts Janella HInds--Sterling R. and she just hosted HS committee meeting, ove… Read More
2020-06-13 19:24
Florida has set a new record for new Covid cases. This, evidently, is what happens when you have some MAGA moron in charge whose sole interest is promoting business and commerce at the expen… Read More
2020-06-12 14:28
Remote learning is a big topic these days. I'm always reading about it. Not only that, I've been doing it for three months. WSJ and the Post say it's awful, though I don't remember them ever… Read More
2020-06-10 19:26
Dear Colleagues, I hope you and your families are safe and healthy. At this moment the entire country is in turmoil, and none of us know what to do about it. I don't either, but it's… Read More
2020-06-10 13:05
As pedophiles rallied at Lafayette Park, President Trump today once again derided what he called the fake news. He further demanded the press be fair and balanced in its coverage of st… Read More
2020-06-09 00:03
Roll call--5:53UFT President Michael Mulgrew--6:05--There is good news--For the first time in twelve weeks, there are no passings, and no moment of silence. NYC went into phase one tod… Read More
2020-06-07 14:49
I'm wary of hybrids. About a year ago, I bought the car you see here, a Rav4 hybrid. It's supposed to get over 500 miles to a tank of gas, but for some reason, it registers full at 10 rather… Read More
2020-06-04 16:45
Over at the Washington Post, they've got an epidemiologist to write about schools. It's ironic, because when UFT got 108,000 signatures to close Covid-infested schools, the chancellor said… Read More
2020-06-03 13:27
The other day I read a post on Facebook that asked what our union was doing about the outlandish work/ PD day we have tomorrow. It continued to say something like, "I don't want to hear any… Read More
2020-06-01 23:03
Roll Call 5:50UFT Secretary LeRoy Barr welcomes us. 5:59--Minutes passed, resolution on killing of George Floyd passed, will be an amendment, resolution in support of school librarians passe… Read More
2020-05-30 14:39
Evidently Mayor de Blasio and Chancellor Carranza have determined that teachers now have plenty of time even as we offer remote learning. That's why, just yesterday, after schools like mine… Read More
2020-05-29 12:38
For months, as the pandemic approached, I worked in the most overcrowded school in the city. We've got 5,000 people walking around in a building designed for closer to 2,000. Getting through… Read More
2020-05-27 15:51
If you've been reading this blog, you know that I've been speculating on what September will look like for some time. And if you've been on Facebook, Twitter, or following other teacher blog… Read More
2020-05-26 20:58
So says Professor Nicholas Tampio, of AP courses, and I couldn't agree more. There is a whole lot involved in college courses that may or may not be covered in AP courses. The fact is these… Read More
2020-05-25 16:41
Chancellor Carranza says the budget it cut "to the bone." There's absolutely nothing left at Tweed to be cut. Otherwise, why would they be cutting so much from the classroom?The city has pro… Read More
2020-05-23 11:56
Some districts are ending the year early so they don't have to actually pay teachers for the seven extra days we worked. Is that a good idea? For Governor Cuomo, it was absolutely unacceptab… Read More
2020-05-22 00:20
by special guest blogger Mindy Rosier-RayburnUFT President Michael Mulgrew greets everyone on the call….Thanks everyone for all that we accomplished. What we've done is so… Read More
2020-05-21 10:12
We're looking at the possibility of opening our building in September. Will that happen? Your guess is as good as mine, but mine is we will not. Nonetheless, everyone's got to plan otherwise… Read More
2020-05-19 12:40
Susan Edelman in the Post writes about how Carranza's claim that nothing can be cut in the DOE budget is a lie. We are talking, of course, about things outside the classroom. I, for one, con… Read More
2020-05-19 00:23
Roll Call 5:50 Secretary LeRoy Barr welcomes us 6:00.Minutes--Passed via emailReports from districts--Tanisha Franks--SI UFT office coordinated with food pantry for drop and go food drive. C… Read More
2020-05-17 10:46
Maybe there's a silver lining in the Covid crises somewhere. The question is whether or not we'll be able to sufficiently organize ourselves to exploit it. Of course, we have to find a… Read More
2020-05-15 17:42
If we want to continue to get care when we’re sick, give our children education, and have police and firefighters to protect us, we’re going to need a federal bailout that devote… Read More
2020-05-13 22:15
UFT President Michael Mulgrew--4:18---Thanks us for coming. Asks for moment of silence for 107 members who've passed from Covid. Says there will be extension of health benefits and welfare f… Read More
2020-05-11 22:57
UFT Secretary LeRoy Barr welcomes us. 6:02 PM.Very long and intense week. DA will be Wednesday. We will be testing voting option tonight so we can do live voting Wednesday. We asked you vote… Read More
2020-05-10 15:31
Andrew Cuomo, in his zeal to approach this crisis in the very worst way possible, has enlisted the assistance of Bill Gates, I'm sure you remember Bill Gates. He's the man behind value-added… Read More
2020-05-08 10:43
Somehow this story in the Post got past me. The headline declares teachers across the city have abandoned live instruction. While it goes into the fact that some students lack the necessary… Read More
2020-05-06 15:47
It doesn't take a genius to know that remote learning is a pale echo of the real thing. I've been trying to reach my kids for six weeks online. I'm getting better at it, but I'd be delusiona… Read More
2020-05-05 20:21
I'm very sad to read that science teacher and blogger Eric Chasanoff has died of Covid. He was 69 years old, older than I thought. Of course that's no consolation at all. I'm not sure how lo… Read More
2020-05-04 22:43
Roll Call 5:52 PMUFT Secretary LeRoy Barr welcomes us. 6 PM.--Reports from Districts: Serbia Silva--Had a virtual poem in pocket April 30. 68 kids read poems, with over 200 people on call. K… Read More
2020-05-04 16:53
You can now get tested at City MD for Covid, or for antibodies. The first test is the nasal swab they apparently stick so far up your nose you'll wish you didn't have one. In case you don't… Read More
2020-04-30 12:52
Mulgrew has a piece in the Daily News that discusses safeguards for returning to work. He's spoken about pretty much all these things at various meetings I've attended.Of course testing for… Read More
2020-04-29 15:40
President Trump faced the press today and announced that he was perfectly ready to release hundreds of billions of aid to beleaguered states if only they'd reform antiquated voting practices… Read More
2020-04-27 22:41
5:51 Roll CallUFT Secretary LeRoy Barr welcomes us 5:59 PM.Minutes--approved via emailUFT President Michael Mulgrew--6:06--More people have passed, though fewer. Does not help anyone d… Read More
2020-04-26 15:25
It's funny. You build something up. You say it's crucial, vital, the most important thing ever. You say it's coming tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, Wednesday, Friday, next week for sure. T… Read More
2020-04-24 11:13
by special guest Mindy Rosier-Rayburn UFT President Michael Mulgrew began with a moment of silence for the 82 in-service and retired members.He thanked all of us for all we have been d… Read More
2020-04-23 21:10
I don't generally do that a lot. Maybe if I'm giving a test, I'm sitting there. Maybe the first few days when I'm taking attendance, and desperately trying to remember student names, frequen… Read More
2020-04-22 22:12
4:18--UFT President Michal Mulgrew wishes us well with various challenges we may be having. Says they are be tough and unprecedented. Thanks us for representing members.Asks for moment of si… Read More
2020-04-22 14:36
At first blush, you look at this and ask yourself, "How is it that Eva Moskowitz is on the cutting edge, while the leaders of public schools are cutting student funding?" After all, the Chal… Read More
2020-04-21 21:14
Dear Colleagues, UFT Executive Board is meeting every Monday night for now, and here are my notes from last night. I notice that Mulgrew seems to be answering some of the same… Read More
2020-04-21 00:06
5:50 Roll Call6:00 UFT Secretary LeRoy Barr welcomes us.Minutes--approved via email. UFT President Michael Mulgrew--There are fewer new names this week than last, but 52 in service, and 25 r… Read More
2020-04-19 15:57
I can't imagine exactly how much money I'd need to have before I became a Republican. Honestly, no matter how much it was, it boggles my mind how anyone could identify with this particular g… Read More
2020-04-17 14:56
Full disclosure--I've never watched Dr. Oz. However, I often leave my TV on channel two while I'm writing, or deep in conversation with my dog. I've seen Dr. Phil. I find him preachy, whiny… Read More
2020-04-16 16:41
From reading this, that seems to be the attitude of Bill de Blasio. Sure, it may be risky leaving schools open. After all, they're old, neglected and overcrowded. We're facing a deadly virus… Read More
2020-04-15 13:23
I just read a piece from a student journalist at Francis Lewis High School. In it, he describes the difficulty of navigating online instruction when there's stiff competition for the use of… Read More
2020-04-14 00:00
5:50 roll call6:00 UFT Secretary LeRoy Barr welcomes us. Speaks of Howard Sandell repping nurses on MSNBC. Says they've been doing great job last few months.UFT President Michael Mulgrew-- R… Read More
2020-04-13 17:47
Someone at UFT asked me to weigh in on a possible grading policy for the remainder of the current apocalypse. I got together with six teachers from Francis Lewis High School, and we wrote th… Read More
2020-04-12 11:18
It's beyond disgraceful that, in a time of crisis, Governor Andrew Cuomo would see fit to bicker with Bill de Blasio over who gets to close the schools. For weeks now, Cuomo has been on TV p… Read More
2020-04-11 16:24
...said Bill de Blasio, minutes ago. Update: Andrew Cuomo just stated, pissing contest style, that this was the mayor's opinion Read More
2020-04-10 13:40
I'm gobsmacked at the reactions to Bernie Sanders dropping out of the race. All over Facebook, I see people saying get with the program, you bunch of losers. They don't use those words exact… Read More
2020-04-09 11:25
I've never seen our country quite in the condition it's in. How can it be, in the richest country in the world, that we have no masks for doctors and nurses? How can it be that hospitals are… Read More
2020-04-08 16:37
It's kind of remarkable that a thing such as "Fair Student Funding" even exists, considering what it entails. One of the very worst features of this program is that school leaders must dip i… Read More
2020-04-06 23:41
5:51 Roll Call6:01 UFT Secretary LeRoy Barr thanks us for coming on call. Minutes—approved via email. UFT President Michael Mulgrew—Mentions growing number of UFT members who hav… Read More
2020-04-06 14:21
A whole lot of teachers have spent the last week freaking out. I'm one of them, and it's tough to imagine a more appropriate reaction to the barrage of bad news, first from Albany and then f… Read More
De Blasio Kills Multiple Birds With One Stone, Sabotaging Teachers, Students, And Organized Religion
2020-04-05 13:59
Let's be clear. Though we may have been a little rough on the mayor this week, the epidemic is not his fault. All he did was neglect it and allow it to spread like wildfire. And it's n… Read More
2020-04-04 14:51
It's pretty hard to take things one day at a time, actually. Yesterday Mayor de Blasio, in his infinite wisdom, withdrew the two previously agreed upon Christian/ Jewish holidays from us and… Read More
2020-04-04 11:30
Dear Mr. Chancellor:I cannot find words to express my disappointment. It is outrageous that anyone would do this concurrently with pulling Zoom as a tool. While there are good reasons to… Read More
2020-04-04 02:42
That's what Bill de Blasio decided a few weeks back. Rich people were important, but a million kids and a hundred thousand UFT members could all drop dead as far as he was concerned. Alas, B… Read More
2020-04-03 16:11
I've never done online instruction before. I've been trying different things almost every day, kind of throwing darts to see what sticks.The lesson I spent the most time on was a song… Read More
2020-04-02 00:47
By special guest blogger Mindy Rosier-RayburnFor those of you who were unable to get on the UFT call on Wednesday afternoon, here's the skinny...Cuomo made the executive decision to can… Read More
2020-04-01 19:39
Mulgrew just told the Town Hall that he will be negotiating compensation for Easter Week with the chancellor. Could be days, money, or something, but it will be negotiated. We will NOT be wo… Read More
2020-04-01 12:24
Dear colleagues:This last week or two has gone by in a blur for me. Without actually leaving my home and going to work, it feels like one day just blends into another. Last night I was think… Read More
2020-03-30 23:45
5:50 Roll Call6 PM Secretary LeRoy Barr welcomes us. Minutes—approved via email.Michael Mulgrew, UFT President—Update on DOE—Trying to finalize attendance policy for studen… Read More
2020-03-30 17:32
Today I completed part two of my lesson on Morning Has Broken, and while part one went well, part two did truly badly. During the first part of my lesson, I introduced Cat Stevens and discus… Read More
2020-03-29 18:39
I'm not sure exactly what prompted me to go back for that last week with my colleagues. I think it had a lot to do with my being chapter leader. I felt I had to. Looking back, I don't think… Read More
2020-03-28 10:02
Yesterday I marked a student present who had not shown up to class all week. How does that happen? Lately it happens when the DOE puts out guidelines without consulting with the union. It tu… Read More
2020-03-27 01:05
A few days ago, Bill de Blasio said he didn't think NYC schools would reopen this year. Today, he said he hoped to have them open by April 20th. It sounds like he's been listening to Donald… Read More
2020-03-26 19:45
Today was my worst day as a remote teacher. I had an interesting lesson, or at least I thought so. I picked the song, Morning Has Broken, by Cat Stevens. For my money, it's one of the most l… Read More
2020-03-25 13:30
I have a lot of questions about doing this online. Who's paying attention, for one? Most of my students have pictures up where their faces should be. Sometimes I call on them and they show t… Read More
2020-03-23 22:58
6:02: Secretary LeRoy Barr calls us to order. Minutes approved via emailBarr—Today was first day of this new process. Trying to make this as good an experience for members as possible… Read More
2020-03-22 15:17
Yes, I know. Toby's a little young and he hasn't got a certification yet. But I assure you he'll only be my assistant while I lead the class. Meanwhile, I've been getting an awful lot… Read More
2020-03-20 23:07
You gotta love dogsI may be off for a day or two while I organize for next week. Meanwhile, I'm featured in this piece on NY1. My first virtual interview ever. Have a great we… Read More
2020-03-20 11:47
It's eerie to wake up on a school day and not go in. It's 7:17 AM as I write this, and even my dog is sleeping. One of the great things about being a dog when I'm home is you get to sleep as… Read More
2020-03-19 09:00
I often think of the apocryphal Chinese curse, "May you live in interesting times." It crossed my mind quite a bit when Mike Bloomberg was mayor. But the times seem to get more and more inte… Read More
2020-03-17 13:45
Not in a boat, not by remote, Not here or there, not anywhere,Not with a ham, not on a yam.No PT conference, Sam I am Read More
2020-03-16 13:45
How can the mayor and chancellor continue to show their indifference to the health of UFT families? There's always a new way, and the chancellor's email this morning didn't disappoint.I'd ar… Read More
2020-03-15 22:17
Sometime early this week.Update--tomorrow. We then go in Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday to learn, from people who've likely never given remote classes, how to give remote classes Read More
2020-03-15 16:29
I have spent a few years defending Richard Carranza to friends and colleagues. I was willing to overlook it when he walked out of a meeting with parents, even though it seemed a very short-s… Read More
2020-03-15 10:11
I'm sharing a message I sent out to members at my building below. The elite MORE Caucus, which tossed out all the people who committed the egregious offense of doing the work to make t… Read More
2020-03-14 20:18
At some point Friday the DOE declared that students would be held harmless for attendance. That's a remarkable thing, even for them. For one thing, they've persisted in saying teachers who t… Read More
2020-03-13 09:21
Broadway is dark. The city has restricted gatherings of 500 people or more. We are now holding parent teacher conferences remotely because the DOE has deemed it too risky for parents t… Read More
2020-03-11 21:58
UFT President Michael Mulgrew welcomes us. 4:20Mulgrew speaks of people watching online due to emergency resolution. Says we will work our way through this. In the end, we are UFT and work o… Read More
2020-03-11 11:38
This morning I drove to work. I left my home at 6 AM as per usual. I was thinking a lot about the proposed parent-teacher night, the one in which no parents are coming to school. I'm also ge… Read More
2020-03-10 00:38
6 PM—Secretary LeRoy Barr welcomes us. Open mike—Georgia Ligno—UFT Chapter Leader WC Bryant High School—Has brought several teachers. Principal is Namita Dwarka, cont… Read More
2020-03-08 11:37
I'm very sad at the direction the Democratic nomination is taking, and that works on multiple levels. The first is I know we need universal health care. Joe Biden takes money from insurance… Read More
2020-03-06 15:14
The district rep was sitting in the office when the call came."You have to come right away," said the voice on the telephone."What's this about?" he asked."There's no time. I can't explain o… Read More
2020-03-05 09:56
The President of the United States regularly indulges in juvenile insults. "Crooked Hillary." "Sleepy Joe." "Crazy Bernie." African-American Congresswoman Maxine Waters gets labeled "low IQ… Read More
2020-03-02 19:51
I received a request from AFT to write about which candidate I supported. Here's what I sent them. I don't know what they plan to do with it, if anything. I'll share it with you here… Read More
2020-02-28 15:36
I'm still at the NABE conference in Vegas. Yesterday was a little different for us . There was a meeting where people came and spoke of their work in bilingual education and on the panel was… Read More
2020-02-27 17:40
I'm in Las Vegas for the National Association of Bilingual Educators conference. I'm her at the invitation of AFT Executive Vice President Evelyn de Jesus, who's kind enough to think of me w… Read More
2020-02-24 09:43
I almost never watch cable news, but given the presidential primaries I'm tuning in every now and then. I am absolutely flabbergasted by what I saw in the few minutes I watched Chris Matthew… Read More
2020-02-22 12:05
I received the following letter in my DOE email:Hi Arthur,My name is Emma with the Elizabeth Crowley Campaign. Elizabeth is running for Queens Borough President in the March 24th Specia… Read More
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