2019-04-15 09:29
In college, I took a course in music therapy. I've always been interested in music, and if we could use it to help people, so much the better. I never really followed up on it. I'm now more… Read More
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New York City Schools
2019-04-13 12:25
They'll actually say give yourself a raise, but that's far from what they want for you. They want you to cut your legs out from under yourself so you're at their mercy. If you buy their line… Read More
2019-04-11 11:23
The cynical, morally bankrupt thugs in NYSED face issues far differently than you or I might. For example, there's been a perennial shortage of ESL teachers as far back as I can recall. In f… Read More
2019-04-10 08:54
This is my pass. I don't actually love letting students have it. I'm protective of it. The pattern is this--the same students ask for it all the time, and that leads me to believe they just… Read More
2019-04-09 00:05
6 PM—Secretary Howard Schoor calls us to order. Speaker—Roberta Pixar—Reads a letter from working group of Adult Education. Rosemarie Mills removed as supe—but DOE si… Read More
2019-04-08 11:19
I'm kind of in a bind. My students need to pass the NY State English Regents exam or they won't graduate from high school. While I hate test prep, especially if the test is total crap, I can… Read More
2019-04-05 09:24
That's what a Spanish teacher said to me yesterday. The custodians had done an unanticipated hall cleaning and none of us knew what to make of it.When was the last time that happened?"… Read More
2019-04-04 08:00
My friend teaches with me, and her family goes to a nearby YMCA. They like to swim there. One thing that a lot of us have in common is Francis Lewis branded shirts. For some reason one of ou… Read More
2019-04-02 08:00
I don't know Paul Egan terribly well. I really met him in 2016, when Norm Scott, Jonathan Halabi and I were at the AFT Convention in Minneapolis. We were out for lunch and ran into him in a… Read More
2019-04-01 11:40
Suspension is once again getting a lot of attention. We shouldn't do it, they say. Students who get suspended are less likely to graduate, they say.I have no doubt whatsoever that students w… Read More
2019-03-31 18:03
For the last three years I've been on the UFT Executive Board. We worked very hard to win these seats, and I've been focused on trying to make things better for UFT members. We had a small g… Read More
2019-03-28 08:47
I didn't really have strong feelings about this test one way or another until yesterday, when it took up almost all of my time. I was scheduled to proctor between 8 and 10. I went to the lib… Read More
2019-03-27 13:19
Several of my colleagues have been asking me about Kamala Harris's plan to boost teacher pay by an average of $13,500. I, for one, am delighted to see a candidate pandering to teachers… Read More
2019-03-26 00:26
6 PM—Secretary Howard Schoor welcomes us.SpeakerFrom Forest Hills High SchoolAdam Bergstein—chapter leader—Wants to say what’s happening—A month ago voted no co… Read More
2019-03-24 13:50
Some geniuses in Indiana thought it would be a cool idea, during an "active shooter drill," to actually shoot teachers. They decided to be sports about the whole thing and used non-lethal bu… Read More
2019-03-22 08:35
The more I work with the NY State English Regents exam, the more I hate it. A big part of it is multiple choice questions, which I generally do not like or use on tests I write. From speakin… Read More
2019-03-21 00:37
4:33—UFT President Michael Mulgrew welcomes us.Spring officially starts at 5:58. Moment of silence for founding mother of union, Ray Frankel. Did so many things and continued to work u… Read More
2019-03-20 09:03
No more shall it haunt working teachers day to day.Washed-up newscaster Campbell Brown's final attack on teacher tenure looks like it's dead in the water in Minnesota, after h… Read More
2019-03-19 09:00
Vote for Unity Caucus Slate Keep Francis Lewis on UFT Executive Board… Read More
2019-03-18 22:12
Here's a great piece about what might happen if more teachers were men. You look around, all over the country, and see teachers treated like third-class citizens. The writer cites a particul… Read More
2019-03-17 00:32
I've been chapter leader of a large school for almost ten years now. It's changed my life in many ways, mostly for the better. I did not actually want the job. Someone I respected greatly to… Read More
2019-03-15 08:00
That's my dog Toby in the picture. Sometimes he frustrates me. I want to let him loose in the park to play with his friends, but he'll stick his nose in the grass and eat something gross. I… Read More
2019-03-14 08:00
A colleague tells me she has mastered Danielson. I was kind of surprised to hear this talk, as opposed to the litany of complaints to which I'm accustomed. She says that she uses the same me… Read More
2019-03-12 00:38
6:00 Secretary Howard Schoor welcomes us.Speaker—Maurice Blackman—Essex St. Academy—Inspired that early UFT leaders were pacifists. I too am against violence. This is why I… Read More
2019-03-10 11:41
Now that mayoral control is an issue, the NY Post is on a rampage standing up for us poor teachers and the terrible discipline issues we have.“If I had a dime for every time I was told… Read More
2019-03-09 12:39
Today we're going to cover doors. Doors are important. Every school leader should have an open door policy. That means that anyone who wants to come see you can do so at any time. This way e… Read More
2019-03-08 17:51
I've found a few videos online that have pretty good instructions on how to pass the lamentable waste of time and effort known as the NY State English Regents. Clearly the teacher who prepar… Read More
2019-03-07 09:00
OK, not really. But they did a big feature on how better teachers make better mentors. I'd agree with that, of course. The methodology with which they aim to prove it is something else altog… Read More
2019-03-06 09:00
I've seen a lot of talk about the mayor and the recent snow day, the one in which it barely snowed. It's pretty easy to point fingers at the mayor and say he made an error. In a way, he did… Read More
2019-03-05 11:56
A colleague of mine happens to be a lawyer. He doesn't work as a lawyer. He works as a teacher. He also has a doctorate, but you'd never know it. He doesn't use the title.Like a lot of peopl… Read More
2019-03-04 12:46
Sure, I sometimes give Mayor Bill de Blasio a hard time. I mean, he left all those fanatical ideologues Bloomberg hired in place, and my job is just that much more difficult. He's done nothi… Read More
2019-03-02 15:05
Superintendent Juan Mendez and principal Ben Sherman toured the school yesterday in an elaborate apology project. Evidently, they've been reading the mounting bad press. There is going to be… Read More
2019-03-01 10:57
I'm doing one of my least favorite things this year--preparing students to take a standardized test. They don't graduate unless they pass it, so I don't feel like I have a choice. One proble… Read More
2019-02-28 10:07
I just spoke to a colleague who's working in the trailers. She was telling me how awful they are. I was reminded of this column, which tells me that no matter how many times you repair… Read More
2019-02-27 09:00
Someone put the bat signal on my Cory Booker post and I've gotten a few status quo questions. I've responded to them, but I really hate answering questions like that.What would you do about… Read More
2019-02-26 02:23
6 PM Secretary Howard Schoor welcomes us. Minutes—approvedPresident is not here.Staff Director’s Report—LeRoy Barr—CL training this weekend. Following weekend i… Read More
2019-02-25 12:42
The Post today reported that Mayor Bill de Blasio, to his credit, took a completely different approach than the DOE spokesperson who replied to Sue Edelman's story. The spokesperson seemed t… Read More
2019-02-23 23:12
At least, that's the clear implication I see here:Principal Ben Sherman, who joined Forest Hills in 2017, shrugs off the pot-puffing — saying “it’s going to be legal&rdquo&hell…Read More
2019-02-23 17:49
I teach in half a classroom. If I get out of it next year, someone else will teach in it. Elsewhere in our building, teachers work in classrooms with no windows. The principal spent a bunch… Read More
2019-02-22 14:56
The pic to the left is a preview of the upcoming GOP presidential campaign, though it's already underway. If they have their way, we won't be discussing whether Americans need the health car… Read More
2019-02-21 14:01
I remembers a Shakespeare teacher I had in college. He told us, "Once someone says but, you may ignore everything that preceded it." When your boyfriend or girlfriend says, "I really l… Read More
2019-02-20 15:44
Over the last few days I'm seeing a resurgence of the old stereotype about Bernie Bros. I'm always disappointed when people roll out stereotypes. I learned about them when I was very young… Read More
2019-02-19 03:26
It's tough being in a leadership position. You have to really gauge what you should and should not do. My position is chapter leader, and I'm acutely aware I have to act in the interests of… Read More
2019-02-18 12:40
I'm gonna go out on a limb and say no, not necessarily. Unless there's something vital this story failed to catch, its subject, a now-fired young teacher playing online Xbox games with… Read More
2019-02-15 12:51
Breaking--The MORE Caucus, after having dumped its elected UFT Executive Board members (though only the ones who still regularly attend), has decided it was time to make this policy universa… Read More
2019-02-14 01:45
4:24—Michael Mulgrew asks for moment of silence for departed staffer Denise Costa.Candy distributed for Valentine’s Day, but Mulgrew says there will be no beer in March. Strike i… Read More
2019-02-12 11:06
Howard Schoor welcomes us. 6 PMSpeakers—Bob Mc Cue—35 year teacher—CTE celebration Friday, more than 600 people. While applauding participants mind drifted toward Walter Mo… Read More
2019-02-10 01:16
Sometimes people tell me I'm too rough on the President. It's not his fault that all that Fake Bake tanning lotion turns his skin orange. If you covered your body with that crap you'd be ora… Read More
2019-02-08 19:43
This year I'm teaching a supposedly advanced class of ELLs. I say "supposedly" because a whole lot of them have either tested advanced on the NYSESLAT or tested out of ESL altogether. Some o… Read More
2019-02-07 15:46
Last year for a while I was reading about Buddhism. I had a couple of short books on it loaded into my phone and I read them on the subway. There was a lot about it that I found appealing. I… Read More
2019-02-06 12:57
There are so many things wrong with this metric that I don't know where to begin. The logical spot, as far as I'm concerned, is these kids don't speak English. I'm not sure exactly how many… Read More
2019-02-05 14:16
That's an interesting expression. I first saw it in the ashes of Hillary Clinton's spectacular defeat at the tiny hands of Donald Trump. We ought not to be so critical, people said. How coul… Read More
2019-02-03 14:06
I'm kind of amazed at all the crap I read in the papers. Actually it's not so much what I read as what I don't. Presidential candidate Cory Booker supports absolutely everything DeVos does… Read More
2019-02-01 12:30
It's kind of incredible to imagine that we're giving billions to Amazon and it won't agree to remain neutral on unionization. As always, in deals like this one, there are big promises to cre… Read More
2019-01-31 12:47
You have to hand it to Tevye the milkman. Every time Michael Bloomberg, or Donald Trump, or Howard Schultz opens one of their overprivileged mouths I remember what he sang in If I Were a Ric… Read More
2019-01-30 11:47
Sometimes it's hard to be optimistic, What makes it particularly difficult is the certain knowledge we're traipsing around with targets on our backs. This is nothing new. Democrats and Repub… Read More
2019-01-29 09:00
On the left, you see an ESL teacher. On the right, of course, is the State of New York, which knows everything. How do I know that? Because they say so, and that ought to be good enough for… Read More
2019-01-28 09:56
Denver teachers were set to strike today, but it looks like they may be delayed for a while. But don't worry. The people who staff the schools are gonna take care of everything. They p… Read More
2019-01-27 16:45
That's Toby. He's my best buddy and closest confidante. I don't write everything here, but I tell him everything. He knows all my darkest secrets, but so far he's not talking. You never know… Read More
2019-01-25 11:51
Last night we did an additional parent-teacher conference for ELLs only. I'll tell you the truth--I didn't expect much of a turnout and brought a book. I was all set to sit around reading cr… Read More
2019-01-24 10:30
It's hard to say, actually. I'm assuming readers of this blog know the APPR regulation passed yesterday in both the Assembly and the newly-blue Senate of New York State. Cuomo will certainly… Read More
2019-01-23 01:35
6 PM--Secretary Howard Schoor calls us to order.Speaker—Mike Loeb—CL 371—Low voter turnout for leadership—Worries that members will continue to pay dues if they&rsquo&hell…Read More
2019-01-21 09:00
By Mike SchirtzerThree years ago, I asked for your vote when I ran for UFT Executive Board, a 101 member group that meets every two weeks to set policies for our union, negotiate the c… Read More
2019-01-20 12:22
It looks like the Senate and the Assembly will pass a bill that got stalled in the Senate last year. This bill will mean that state tests will no longer be required to assess teachers in NY… Read More
2019-01-18 10:08
I'm running for UFT Executive Board again, and this time I am running on the Unity Caucus line. I have not joined the caucus, but they approached Mike Schirtzer and me and specifically asked… Read More
2019-01-17 01:55
Mulgrew speaks of weekend snowstorm, says too early in year to use our one snow day.Welcomes us to first DA of 2019National—Speaks of shutdown, how it affects country, working with adv… Read More
2019-01-15 13:04
Today I'm going to a grievance hearing in Manhattan. It's not my favorite thing to do, but I love taking the train in. It's a great luxury for me to sit and read for a while. I rarely get to… Read More
2019-01-14 09:00
One day last week I forgot to bring a book and some copies I needed to class. During my first class, I was giving a test. I guess I was preoccupied with that and forgot to bring what I neede… Read More
2019-01-10 09:00
I frequently wonder why, when UFT is flexible enough to allow the chancellor the Bronx Plan he so wants immediately, that the DOE can't grant teachers fewer observations immediately. I have… Read More
2019-01-09 11:04
The other day I heard about someone who wants to quit because of team teaching. You don't hear that every day. I mean, I get complaints about team teachers fairly regularly. This one's crazy… Read More
2019-01-08 12:12
Secretary Howard Schoor welcomes us..Speakers—Betty Godfried—retired Adult ed. CL—After 7 years, Rose Marie Mills has been removed (applause) and is being reassigned. Third… Read More
2019-01-06 11:42
The existence of Donors Choose is a blight on the landscape, a national disgrace. This is an organization that exists solely so we, teachers, can beg for things we need in our classrooms. My… Read More
2019-01-05 11:08
Could you ever have imagined such a thing? Here it is, America 2019, and just a few short months ago no one could eat salad. In some circles, that might be cause for celebration. After all… Read More
2019-01-03 09:00
I'm absolutely flabbergasted reading Leonie Haimson's account of an office called "District Planning." I mean, I'm pro-district and pro-planning, so at first blush, it seems like a good idea… Read More
2019-01-02 09:00
There's a whole lot of back and forth online about how it's sacrosanct to criticize Beto O'Rourke. Though Beto himself says he isn't running for President in 2020, he's been drafted by a who… Read More
2019-01-01 05:00
I wish you a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year. I hope we move forward, and push our enemies just a little closer to the primordial ooze to which they belong. Once again, I share Woody… Read More
2018-12-30 17:39
That was the response, by one of my colleagues, when I asked, "How are you?" That makes me sad. She's not the only one, though. Sometimes, I get responses like, "Living the dream." This is e… Read More
2018-12-29 21:09
I'm friends with several people born in Puerto Rico, and the stories they tell will break your heart. Despite Donald Trump gamely tossing paper towels at people, the island has still not ful… Read More
2018-12-27 17:30
Poor Donald Trump. He sits in the White House, all alone, bitching about how those awful Democrats won't give him his precious wall. And he's magnanimous about it. He says they can call it a… Read More
2018-12-25 16:28
I wish you a joyous holiday. I'm in between various family visits. More inclined to go to ones that allow me to bring my dog, but don't tell anyone. Leaving you with my favorite Christmas so… Read More
2018-12-24 14:03
On this Christmas Eve I'm thinking about my students and wondering if they're a microcosm of society. I'm focused particularly on my beginning class, and seeing them as reflective of much la… Read More
2018-12-21 12:33
This may have been the slowest week of the year, but take heart, because next week will be the fastest. Before you can say, "Wow, I have a week off," you'll be moving your time card and sayi… Read More
2018-12-20 10:06
That's how I'd describe US Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. Oddly, in her zeal to prevent gun atrocity, she doesn't even consider that guns are a factor. She doesn't consider that these epis… Read More
2018-12-19 09:00
About a week ago I got the results of our last "Student Perception Survey." I'm not exactly sure how that was supposed to help us. given the results came from students we don't even see anym… Read More
2018-12-18 01:20
6 PM—Secretary Howard Schoor welcomes us. Four speakers—Dave Jensen—Per-diem subs—speaking on part of colleague. Many per-diem have had deductions for union, expectin… Read More
2018-12-16 13:55
I met a friend who now lives in Florida yesterday. I hadn't seen her in 25 years, at least. We used to work together at John Adams High School where she taught Spanish and I taught English t… Read More
2018-12-14 12:25
Michael Bloomberg has decided he wants to be President. However, he doesn't want to be bothered with all that freedom of the press nonsense, and has therefore instructed his news organizatio… Read More
UFT Delegate Assembly December 12, 2018--We Resolve To Support OT/ PT Chapter, Oppose Toxic Politics
2018-12-13 01:31
Michael Mulgrew—Welcomes us to last DA of 2018. National—Speaks of craziness yesterday, says DeVos asked for same things she wanted last year, and they are horrendous. May be gov… Read More
2018-12-11 16:20
It's hard for me to learn Chinese names, and I have to learn a lot of them. They're the largest group in our school's ELL population, and by far. It doesn't matter how long I do this. I'm to… Read More
2018-12-10 10:22
I hear a lot about how Amazon will create jobs. This, evidently, is why we need to give Jeff Bezos, the richest man in the world, another 3 billion dollars. You see, money makes money. For e… Read More
2018-12-06 09:48
I had an experience the other day that I may or may not blog here one of these days, but it reminded me of something that happened a few years back. The thing that happened the other d… Read More
2018-12-05 09:00
For the last few months we've been grappling with an online attendance program called CAASS. It's been an interesting journey. Last year we started it, and found there were a lot of redundan… Read More
2018-12-04 01:54
6:02—Secretary Howard Schoor calls us to order.Minutes—Approved. LeRoy Barr, along with all officers, is not here—Schoor reports 300 CLs were trained at Rye Hilton, includi… Read More
2018-12-02 11:31
I'm still waiting to get my car back, and it looks like I won't see it until Tuesday. I had a Nissan Versa that I liked pretty well, but the tire inflation light came on the day after I got… Read More
2018-12-01 21:31
An issue dear to my heart is universal health care. I've been close to people who've died as a result of our unconscionable system. This has shaped much of my political thought, and has made… Read More
2018-11-30 23:49
I was talking with some young teachers today about what they were learning in school. They're both taking master's programs. The impression I got was they weren't getting a whole lot of prac… Read More
2018-11-29 10:11
At the risk of being repetitious, I'm kind of reeling from what's happened over the last year. My brother Mike Schirtzer was able to take a fundamental role in enabling parental leave for UF… Read More
2018-11-27 09:00
Education news is fun, but surely a lot of people check this space to learn about cars. I'm in another rented car this week. This one is a Nissan Versa. It's actually smaller than the Sentra… Read More
2018-11-26 09:00
Week before last was very tough on me. I had two accidents in two days. I asked myself, "Why did this happen?" I thought about all the detective shows I've watched over the years. What would… Read More
2018-11-23 18:35
This is a play on something I saw on the MORE blog, which said something like "UFT loses 100% of the fights it doesn't take on."MORE has decided not to run with New Action, with whom they wo… Read More
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