Illinois Teachers Chatboard

Summer 2011 NEH workshops for school teachers

by Allison Violante Program Coordinator

Nov 10, 2010

Crossroads of Empire The NEH Landmarks of American History and Culture Summer Workshop for School Teachers, "Crossroads of Empire: Cultural Contact and Imperial Rivalry at Old Fort Niagara," offers two one-week residential sessions at Old Fort Niagara and Niagara University.

The workshops investigate the interaction between Europeans and N...See More

I need your help - will only take a minute

by Tracie

Nov 10, 2010

Teachers! I need your help to complete my graduate research study. Will you please take a moment to take my survey with Survey Monkey located at the link below. It is quick, interesting and anonymous.

Thank you so much. Your help is greatly appreciated.

[link removed]

Full time positions

by Mary

Nov 10, 2010

sped On 11/10/10, Mary wrote:

> Also at the beginning of the year, there was an open > position that was not filled by a certified teacher instead > the district has a full time substitute teacher in this > position which is not certified in the content area they > are subbing. However, there are certified teachers that are >...See MoreOn 11/10/10, Mary wrote:

> Also at the beginning of the year, there was an open > position that was not filled by a certified teacher instead > the district has a full time substitute teacher in this > position which is not certified in the content area they > are subbing. However, there are certified teachers that are > substituting for the district that are endorsed for the > content areas currently filled by the uncertified, full- > time substitutes.

Well, did the certified teachers in question apply for specific position in question? Not simply have a generic application in with the district, but actually apply to that position?

If so, the teacher's union should have an issue with this. An FTE position is being filled by someone who is not a certified teacher and who cannot become a union member and pay dues. Unless the contract was written by a 5-year-old, there should be language in there to stop the district from using temp employees to fill an FTE position long-term. Why would the district have any full time teachers if they can simply use subs full time and pay them $90 a day with no benefits?

The down-side of this is, if you're not a union member, you can't do anything about it. However, if you know a member of the union, they could bring it up to their rep...

However, while this may violate state requirements, ISBE is very much a paper-tiger these days. Quite frankly, the big, bad, dreaded "State" that could come in and call district administrators on the carpet..., is paper-tiger these days. The state has not been paying districts the money they need to fulfill state mandates. Everyone knows this, so..., ISBE, which has taken some deep staff cuts of it's own, isn't out there cracking the whip. It's laughable to threaten to pull partial funding from a district (largely ISBE's "teeth" in these matters), when you aren't sending them ANY of the money you owe them, and it looks as if that will be status quo for the next couple years. Basically, you're pretty much SOL on the legality side, since the state agency that would enforce such certification law is broke, has very few employees to send out of check up on districts, and couldn't afford to do anything to the district anyways.

Nov 13, 2010

We desperately need teachers!!!

by Tony

Nov 15, 2010

We desperately need teachers.

In these difficult financial times, the solution towards finding jobs may not be within the states. From March until August, I spent most of my financial resources driving around the United States in search for a teaching job. Unfortunately, most school districts were laying workers off. To make matters worse...See MoreWe desperately need teachers.

In these difficult financial times, the solution towards finding jobs may not be within the states. From March until August, I spent most of my financial resources driving around the United States in search for a teaching job. Unfortunately, most school districts were laying workers off. To make matters worse, if they had any openings, they were going to give the jobs to the teachers who were recently fired. The only jobs that were available to me were as a teacher assistant or a substitute teacher. That is all fine and dandy. However, unless I wanted to spend a few years living with my parents, I could not financially afford this.

If you are in the same boat, the solution to the problems is teaching abroad. However, what I found was that most teaching jobs overseas are paying teachers far less than they did a few years ago. Initially, I looked into South Korea because they paid me 30,000 USD a few years ago. Now, the average is around 20,000 USD. China paid around the same amount of money. However, they paid more in Hong Kong. Taiwan was trying to attract teachers with a teaching degree, but I could not get them to agree to anything over 25,000 for the year. Japan was willing to pay me 25,000 USD. However, with the high cost of living, 25,000 USD means you will not be able to save any money in Japan. When I was living in Japan, if I did not go out for the month, I could possibly save around 500 USD. I was also looking to teach in Europe. However, it is difficult to find a way in unless you belong to one of the EU countries. The salaries in relation to the high cost of living were also low.

I have discovered that the solution is in the Middle East. There are three countries that continue to pay a high salary are as follows: Kuwait, UAE, and Saudi Arabia. If you have a TESOL degree, many years of teaching experience, and are an English major, Kuwait and the UAE would be your best choice. However, if you lack those credentials, it is difficult to find your way in. Saudi Arabia is currently becoming the hot spot for native English speakers. For example, my company over here pays over $25,000 in benefits including the following:

• Base monthly salary, tax-free; paid vacation and holidays • Discretionary bonus based on fulfillment of the full term of the contract and performance • Quality and secure shared housing, with amenities including utilities.

• Fully paid medical benefits, including dental and optical coverage, in accordance with the plan • Transportation to and from home and work locations • Round trip transportation to and from Saudi Arabia from your home country

The greatest thing about the salary is that it is around what the average teacher is making in the United States. However, the teacher’s only cost is food. In addition, not only are your benefits not taxed, but your salary is not taxed either. If a teacher is not saving 80% of their paycheck, they are doing something wrong. The food over in Riyadh is significantly lower than the costs in the United States. The greatest problem most teachers are afraid about when traveling overseas are the cultural differences. There may be differences. Although, when you live in the compound, the culture is similar to the culture in your native country. Saudi Arabia is filled with many different types of foreigners. Every compound is like visiting another country. There is a Latin compound where you can learn how to salsa dance. There is an American compound where you can drink homemade beer. The culture outside of the compound is definitely Saudi. However, the compounds are a home away from home. I have multiple reasons for writing this letter. First of all, I know the great pressure in trying to find a job in the United States. Second, I am trying to recruit for my college called CTI. We desperately need at least 20 new teachers who can come into this program. My college had to turn away 4,500 Saudi students because we lacked available teachers. If you are friendly, have any BS degree, are a native English speaker, and have a passion for teaching, please send me your resume and I will forward it to our HR person at the college. Hopefully we can work together and ride out the financially difficult times in Saudi Arabia. Good luck in your search and I hope that your job search was not as difficult as mine was.

If you have any questions, please feel free to send me an email. [email removed]

Thanks, State of Illinois, for all your support

by mrsd

Nov 15, 2010

As of Oct. 26, the state has paid our district $3000! Yay!!! Looking at HUGE cuts. How are school districts supposed to survive? Karen

sped On 11/15/10, mrsd wrote: > As of Oct. 26, the state has paid our district $3000! > Yay!!!

Hopefully that check actually cleared the bank. I would have more faith in an out-of-state, blood-stained, wrinkled, hand-written check from a bank that's been closed for 5-years and handed to me by a meth-head over a check from the State of Ill...See More

Nov 16, 2010

Just curious is Math still high need in the Chicago area? I endorse this Spring with a Type 09 certification in Math.

I've heard different things, some people say yes, some say no. I know that having Math is much better than some other endorsements, but still.

Curious what everyone thinks is the future, get out those crystal bal...See More

Is Math Still High Need?

by Tom

Dec 3, 2010

sped On 12/03/10, Tom wrote: > Just curious is Math still high need in the Chicago area?

Keep in mind that "high need" usually relates to the number of applicants per job opening, not a larger number of job openings. There are about as many math teachers as there are English teachers in the high school world. In fact, English departments ar...See More

Dec 5, 2010

I have never officially filled out the form/agreed to be a member of the Chicago Teachers Union. However, money has been taken out of every paycheck, deduction labeled "CTU FSHR". I know this is going to the union, but if I am not a member, why am I paying? I assume since I am paying regardless, I may as well become a member. I am a cadre sub not a...See More

CPS union dues

by confused

Dec 13, 2010

(3)

view previous comments

no longer confused thanks for your input!!

On 12/13/10, sped wrote: > On 12/13/10, confused wrote: >> I have never officially filled out the form/agreed to be a >> member of the Chicago Teachers Union. However, money has >> been taken out of every paycheck, deduction labeled "CTU >> FSHR". I know this is going to the union, but if...See More

Dec 14, 2010

Laura My son had an AP social studies teacher in Florida who was always badmouthing unions. It irritated me because he benefited from the union contract, even though Florida has much, much weaker labor protection than Illinois. Some states, like South Carolina, do not allow teachers to unionize, yet they have some of the worst schools in the country (acc...See MoreMy son had an AP social studies teacher in Florida who was always badmouthing unions. It irritated me because he benefited from the union contract, even though Florida has much, much weaker labor protection than Illinois. Some states, like South Carolina, do not allow teachers to unionize, yet they have some of the worst schools in the country (according to realtor org Neighborhood Scout). Join the CTU, not just because youre paying anyways, but because there is power in unity. The CORE caucus staffed our union with some very dedicated teachers.

On 12/14/10, no longer confused wrote: > thanks for your input!! > > > On 12/13/10, sped wrote: >> On 12/13/10, confused wrote: >>> I have never officially filled out the form/agreed to be a >>> member of the Chicago Teachers Union. However, money has >>> been taken out of every paycheck, deduction labeled "CTU >>> FSHR". I know this is going to the union, but if I am not a >>> member, why am I paying? >> >> This FSHR stands for "fair share." Illinois is a "closed-shop" >> state. This means that if your workplace is union, you must >> contribute to the union because they are required by law to >> negotiate for you in collective bargaining. >> >> You have the option of joining the union, but you do NOT have >> the option of paying the dues. You only sacrifice certain >> benefits by not joining, such as on-the-job representation, >> voting rights, and liability insurance, and you gain nothing by >> not being a member. If you don't want to pay the dues..., >> don't work there. >> >> I assume since I am paying >>> regardless, I may as well become a member. I am a cadre sub >>> not a regular teacher. >> >> Yep, that's exactly right. >> >> I think you will find that "right-to-work" states, where you >> are allowed to opt out of the union, have very poor benefits >> and salaries for teachers across the board. While you may not >> like it, this does help teachers, and I'm an administrator who >> doesn't belong to a union anymore. I still recognize that my >> salary is so high because of the salaries won for teachers by >> their union. After all, hard to attract administrators when >> they make less than their teachers.

Dec 14, 2010

I have heard conflicting reports as to if portfolios are necessary to bring to an interview. I assume it'd be a good idea, but should I have a physical one that can only be viewed during the interview or bring a digital one on a CD so it can be viewed at the convenience of the committee? Also, as a first year teacher, what should I put in my portfo...See More

Teacher Portfolio

by 1st year teacher

Dec 17, 2010

(3)

view previous comments

sped On 12/17/10, Michael wrote:

> Student work is what you need though. Afaik, toss the plans of > the teacher and teach a stand alone to get some good student > work examples. Not exactly ethical, but a teacher looking for > work has to do what a teacher looking for work has to do.

If you're suggesting that be done whil...See More

Dec 19, 2010

Ellie If you're suggesting that be done while subbing, it's a good way > to never, ever get a sub job again in that district as well as > turning one's name to mud when/if it comes time to hire.

----I agree. I go to a great deal of trouble to leave appropriate lesson plans for my subs. They intergrate directly into what we're learning and ...See More

Jan 12, 2011

My position was cut at the end of last school year due to declining enrollment. I am without a position this year. I have two and a half years left on my certification. With only unemployment benefits, I can't afford to enroll in college classes or attend workshops. I've visited the ISBE website on ways to obtain CPDUs but need clarification.
<...See More

Ways To Earn CPDUs

by Alcindor

Dec 19, 2010

sped This won't get you an actual CPDU form, but ISBE might count it, as that they do accept out-of-state continuing ed. It's free. I would check with ISBE though before investing the time:

[link removed]

Dec 19, 2010