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by Ellen Chambers
Nov 19, 2010
I am a Massachusetts special education advocate. I have worked throughout Massachusetts in this capacity since 1997. Currently I am a special education advocate for the law firm of Margolis & Bloom, LLP (Boston). I am also the founder of the statewide special education watchdog group, SPEDWatch.
In my work I have discovered that teache...See MoreI am a Massachusetts special education advocate. I have worked throughout Massachusetts in this capacity since 1997. Currently I am a special education advocate for the law firm of Margolis & Bloom, LLP (Boston). I am also the founder of the statewide special education watchdog group, SPEDWatch.
In my work I have discovered that teachers and related support staff seem to have little accurate information about children's special education rights. Teachers are often caught between a rock and a hard place: judged on the performance of their students yet unable to openly advocate for a student with special needs who may need more, or different, services in order to succeed.
I ocassionally do presentations for graduate education students at Lesley University and, to a one, they have not been taught what a district's legal obligations are to students with disabilities; what FAPE, Least Restrictive Environment, and Effective Progress really mean; how the stay put provision of the law works, etc., etc. They have no understanding of how the special education system really works, that schools routinely violate special education laws, and that children are failing in huge numbers as a result.
I am designing a seminar tentatively titled "Special Education: Rights, Realities, and Recourse". I will offer this to schools of education around Massachusetts (initially). I need to begin by surveying teachers to learn just what content would be most helpful to them. Are there any listservs or organizations through which I can connect with large numbers of Massachusetts teachers?
Ellen Chambers
by Bill T. NC 6th science and social studies
Dec 28, 2010
There is a great deal of discussion about tenure for public school teachers. What say you?
by Cyndy Bradfield
Oct 7, 2011
I was so upset for the Art Teacher at the school for the deaf. In Nashville metro schools the specialists are being targeted because most principals are literally very left- brained and don't understand anything about teaching right brain skills. They are either coaches or math teachers it's all about crunching the numbers. Children are scores to t...See MoreI was so upset for the Art Teacher at the school for the deaf. In Nashville metro schools the specialists are being targeted because most principals are literally very left- brained and don't understand anything about teaching right brain skills. They are either coaches or math teachers it's all about crunching the numbers. Children are scores to these administrators not people. Now while the specials teachers are being bullied,all the office people at our school are "reporting every little inconsequential remark or incident. I used to think our old principal was harsh but she was just strict and kind of a perfectionist the one we have now listens to every negative thing anyone wants to say about someone else. They take themselves to seriously and as she said it used to be a joy to teach Art they have taken all the fun out of work. Backstabbing is rife. The Art Teacher at the deaf school should take a sabbatical and go to Vanderbilt the Special Ed. Deparment is respected nationwide. She should use her experience to better our profession write a book about the mistreatment. I've noticed a lot of women principals are that way. They're so insecure in what has traditionally been a man's job. To top it off we have a band teacher who has manipulated every adminastrator we've ever had. That in itself makes them look inefficient because they can't see through her. in their defense they are blinded by the glare from all the trophys the band has won. There is a lot of money and parental support where the band is concerned. Then they squeezed 3 areas under one board office person, she was an English Teacher and I guess music and took away the Art Person we had. The message is clear they don't understand what we teach therefore it must not be important. My principal told me we were speaking a different language all because I didn't tell the kids this is standard 2 where Art is integrated with other disciplines in this case it was a Science Mat on hand signing. She had complained that my 36 6th graders were to loud so I was being creative giving them a silent activity that would get them in the right brain. It was totally over their heads. Not the kids the administrators, I'm still getting kids not even in my class asking me for a copy. Now that is worthwhile feedback. Just keep your chin up and remember we work for the kids not he administrators or the parents. They think they're running a business and scores are the product. They don't realize the children are our customers. You make the difference not them. 3 principals rode our backs to the board all they care about is that they look good. Your just a means to their end it's all about power and importance. Just remember you are the way the love comes in that keeps these children learning. When they move on you are the ones the children remember. We moved a lot and I can only remmber one principl from high school and none from any other years. The teachers I can remember they saw me, principals think we're all the same.
hi.. I'm kris, from Philippines, what are the requirements for being a math teacher in Canada? I'll be graduating next year and planning to work there and also to take up my master's degree. Thanks :)
by Hit between the Eyes!
Jan 5, 2012
I really do not know where to submit this, but really just needed to say it I guess? The end of 2011 was strained, and now the first 2 days back at school of 2012 are steadily becoming even worse. There were 3 parents within a 4 week period that didn't call me or write me or anything but called the principal first and the principal only referred on...See MoreI really do not know where to submit this, but really just needed to say it I guess? The end of 2011 was strained, and now the first 2 days back at school of 2012 are steadily becoming even worse. There were 3 parents within a 4 week period that didn't call me or write me or anything but called the principal first and the principal only referred one of the parents to me for a conference? I questioned this in my mind. I met with the parents, the student and the principal on the first incident and the principal tells me, "well, that was just silly" ? She said I don't know why they needed to call a meeting for that? The child and her sister had gone home and said I was mean, I yelled at them and they were scared to death of me, (their words)? When the principal asked for specific times this had happened the students could not recall a single time this had happened? Student #2 Was to meet with the mom, mom and dad come. A long email had been sent to the principal about me, which the principal did not let me read? Principal said, many of the same complaints as student #1, but this one said I'm rude, sarcastic, and disrespectful and do not let them talk and I always said no! When the parents came to speak with me they never once mentioned any of those comments only that their son thought I didn't like him and that I was negative about doing things, the principal again talked with the student but they student could not give any instances of when he felt this way or when this had happened? Student #3 2 days before winter break, Step dad calls, to principal, not to me? I want you to take care of this, that teacher is rude and I want my daughter out of the class. I've only seen this man 2 times since Aug. 1 time when I met him and all I said was hello it is nice to meet you, second time, He was holding sandwiches for a party, I was on the other end of my hall, I said, "hold on just a min. my door is locked, I'll be right there, the student was with him and said where do I put this, and I said, just on your desk for right now? Today, student #3 was switched out of my class, there was not talk with the parents, not talking to the student by the principal, nothing. With all this being said, I have 2 class sections. I have 32 students. All the complaints are in one class and nothing from the other class? I love both my classes this year, some of the best students I have in 20 years of teaching. I have no idea what is going on and why this is happening. I have to meet with the principal again about this and a comment was made that I need to work on all my relationships overall? I have worked at this school for 5 years and other than the occasional strange situation with a problem student I've never had anything like this happen before. I don't want anyone to fix the situation but I feel as though for some reason I'm being blackballed, and I don't know who would want to do something so horrible at this time in my teaching career????
by Former Teacher
Mar 10, 2012
Has anyone had any success getting their name off ratemyteachers.com? I have not been a teacher for a few years and am looking for a job in a new field. Any ideas, short of getting a lawyer?
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I was supervising my own classroom and the hallway just outside, as I was assigned to do, early one morning. We permitted our students to go to their lockers in staggered groups, bottom lockers, then top. It was our standard ...See More