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Illinois Teachers Chatboard

Pension Reform...Again

by Vote No

Jan 6, 2013

Illinois Pension Reform Bill Representative Elaine Nekritz filed a House Amendment (No. 9) to Senate Bill 1673 (Senate Sponsor: Kwame Raoul; House Sponsors: Michael Madigan, Elaine Nekritz, and Barbara Flynn Currie). Its content is similar to House Bill 6258 (House Sponsors: Elaine Nekritz, Daniel Biss, Linda Chapa LaVia, et al.)

The legis...See More

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ACCESS for ELLd

by massesl

Jan 8, 2013

this seems like an active group and I know Illinois has a lot of ELLs and uses ACCESS to assess them. My state is using ACCESS for the first time this year and one thing that struck me is that it is timed. Our previous ELL assessment was untimed. So, I am wondering, do they really give students enough time to complete the test? Do you need to compl...See More

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An Inquiry Science Lesson:Are Mittens Warm? Intermed grades

by Teachers.Net Gazette

Jan 10, 2013

An Inquiry Science Lesson: Are Mittens Warm? By Selina Smith

Here is an inquiry science experiment you can try with your intermediate students. [Hyperlink to the lesson is below.]

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not be rehired or resign

by LDS

Mar 2, 2013

I need some advice. After 4 years as a non tenured Illinois Elementary teacher the new principal of 2 years has not recommended me for rehire. He is giving me the opportunity to resign. Unfortunately he has not been nice to me all year, always being critical and non supportive, unlike his first year as principal. I could see this coming all year. N...See More

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Curious utting on my union rep hat.. A few things… A teacher cannot grieve the evaluation, but they can file a grievance if the process was not followed by administration. With Danielson and PERA, there is a learning curve. Double check the information for the evaluation plan for your district. An” unsatisfactory” evaluation is a problem and will lea...See Moreutting on my union rep hat.. A few things… A teacher cannot grieve the evaluation, but they can file a grievance if the process was not followed by administration. With Danielson and PERA, there is a learning curve. Double check the information for the evaluation plan for your district. An” unsatisfactory” evaluation is a problem and will lead to termination. “Needs Improvement” can lead to a remediation plan. Under Danielson, there are four areas in the evaluation. What did you get in each area? When you were observed this year, were you given areas of concern that the administration noted in your post observation meeting? Did you attempt to address the concerns? How did your drop- in observation go? If I were your union rep, I would ask you some of these questions as we tried to process the reasons you were not rehired. Before you place the blame squarely on budget cuts or the principal, consider the evaluation. If you are able to get future interviews, you will need to address those areas.

On 3/06/13, Merrillv2 wrote: > I think the key here is the performance review/summative > evaluation, as the previous poster mentioned. If your assessment > was unsatisfactory, you have some hard decisions to make. It could > be career ending, which is not the end of the world--there are > plenty of other things to do in life. > > Now if the assessment is satisfactory, that is a different story. > I think you then have a few options: > > 1. Wait until you are not renewed, and in the meantime, build > professional references and start interviewing. Indicate on all > new applications that you were laid off for budgetary reasons. > > 2. Make a deal with the principal: if he will agree to write you a > favorable review, a professional reference, AND indicate in the > letter that you were not renewed because of budget issues, then > you will agree to resign, not file a grievance with the union, > etc. This is a bit risky, but it may pay off. > > 3. Go to the parents: if you are well-like teacher, with the > support of parents, let it be known that you are being fired > ostensibly for performance, but in reality, because of budget. > 10-20 angry letters to the principal could change his mind. You > have nothing to lose here. > > My philosophy is always start as the nice guy, but make it known > that it will get nasty quickly if nice isn't going to work. If the > bridges are already in flames, go nuclear. > > But again, this all depends on how well you did during the year. > > > On 3/05/13, Curious wrote: >> What you have not mentioned is the rating you received on your >> summative evaluation. Under Senate Bill 7 and PERA, evaluations >> and ratings: •By September 1, 2012, principals, assistant >> principals, teachers in contractual continued service (i.e., >> tenured teachers) and probationary teachers (i.e., nontenured >> teachers) be evaluated using a four rating category system >> (Excellent, Proficient, Needs Improvement, and Unsatisfactory). >> Evaluations "travel" with the teacher now in IL. >> >> On 3/02/13, LDS wrote: >>> I need some advice. After 4 years as a non tenured Illinois >>> Elementary teacher the new principal of 2 years has not >>> recommended me for rehire. He is giving me the opportunity >>> to resign. Unfortunately he has not been nice to me all >>> year, always being critical and non supportive, unlike his >>> first year as principal. I could see this coming all year. >>> No one will admit to me but budget concerns may be >>> prompting my termination as the district has voted to >>> eliminate 14 teaching positions for the next school year. >>> My previous principal, for my first two years of >>> employment, has provided me a wonderful letter of >>> recommendation and will allow me to list her as a recent >>> professional reference. I want to continue my career in >>> teaching but would like the unemployment benefits if I need >>> them. The union reps have not been very helpful, as they >>> are slow to getting back to me, perhaps because the other >>> 14 are taking their time as well. He has only given me two >>> days to resign! He said he wants to get the decision before >>> the next board meeting in 2 weeks. I am feeling pressured. >>> Since it seems I am out no matter what, what is the best >>> way to list this on future teaching applications? Not >>> rehired or resigned?

Mar 6, 2013

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sped Obviously this is a bit late, but for anyone else reading, don't resign. While it is not impossible to get unemployment benefits if you resign, it is a lot harder. There is no benefit to you if you resign. Administrators aren't stupid. You resigned, but didn't have another job? They know what's going on there so there is no benefit to you.

...See MoreObviously this is a bit late, but for anyone else reading, don't resign. While it is not impossible to get unemployment benefits if you resign, it is a lot harder. There is no benefit to you if you resign. Administrators aren't stupid. You resigned, but didn't have another job? They know what's going on there so there is no benefit to you.

You stated the district cut 14 positions. You could be one of those positions. Some districts don't RIF non-tenured. You're simply not renewed and the reason could be budget, performance, you dress bad, whatever. If I were you, your position RIF'ed, and that's that.

Observation... eh. Doesn't really matter for non-tenured believe it or not. You can have excellent observations, and not be renewed. Likely poor observations will mean non-renewal, and actually that would take some of the "why" out of the situation, but many people are non-renewed with good observations. Keep in mind, as non-tenured, you have a contract that runs until the end of the school year. You are entitled to nothing else. You basically work from year to year. You have the right to leave at the end, and they have the right to not bring you back. They can decline to bring you back for any or no reason. Again, your job essentially terminates at the end of each year.

On 3/02/13, LDS wrote: > I need some advice. After 4 years as a non tenured Illinois > Elementary teacher the new principal of 2 years has not > recommended me for rehire. He is giving me the opportunity > to resign. Unfortunately he has not been nice to me all > year, always being critical and non supportive, unlike his > first year as principal. I could see this coming all year. > No one will admit to me but budget concerns may be > prompting my termination as the district has voted to > eliminate 14 teaching positions for the next school year. > My previous principal, for my first two years of > employment, has provided me a wonderful letter of > recommendation and will allow me to list her as a recent > professional reference. I want to continue my career in > teaching but would like the unemployment benefits if I need > them. The union reps have not been very helpful, as they > are slow to getting back to me, perhaps because the other > 14 are taking their time as well. He has only given me two > days to resign! He said he wants to get the decision before > the next board meeting in 2 weeks. I am feeling pressured. > Since it seems I am out no matter what, what is the best > way to list this on future teaching applications? Not > rehired or resigned?

Mar 20, 2013

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Add an ELL approval to my Type 09 certificate

by 2112

Mar 7, 2013

Hello, all.

I have an ELL approval. Can I add this approval to my Type 09 as an endorsement, and if so, what steps do I need to take?

Thanks!

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Meeting Near My Winter Home

by Allan F. Levine

Mar 11, 2013

I was walking around in my neighborhood and stopped into the Westin Diplomat located in beautiful, sunny Hollywood, Florida and I noticed the following on the hotels' meetings board for the day. The Illinois Teachers had a meeting posted for today, March 11. How wonderful that this organization can have some of their meetings at this location. Must...See More

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Jules On 3/11/13, Allan F. Levine wrote: > I was walking around in my neighborhood and stopped into > the Westin Diplomat located in beautiful, sunny Hollywood, > Florida and I noticed the following on the hotels' meetings > board for the day. The Illinois Teachers had a meeting > posted for today, March 11. How wonderful that this > or...See More

Mar 21, 2013

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Can you help me with the name of this place and location?

by Reuse

Apr 2, 2013

Hi, A few years ago as I was getting my teaching certification and ELL/bilingual certification through National-Louis and the IRC, I remember one of my professors told us about a place in the western or northwestern suburbs where you can donate materials (books, school supplies, any odds and ends for classroom use) AND you can also go there to sear...See More

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Betty Ann On 4/02/13, Reuse wrote: > Hi, > A few years ago as I was getting my teaching certification > and ELL/bilingual certification through National-Louis and > the IRC, I remember one of my professors told us about a > place in the western or northwestern suburbs where you can > donate materials (books, school supplies, any odds and en...See More

Apr 2, 2013

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Reuse On 4/02/13, Betty Ann wrote: > On 4/02/13, Reuse wrote: >> Hi, >> A few years ago as I was getting my teaching certification >> and ELL/bilingual certification through National-Louis and >> the IRC, I remember one of my professors told us about a >> place in the western or northwestern suburbs where you can >>...See More

Apr 3, 2013

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unemployment for para summer

by Jillie

Apr 7, 2013

In the state of Illinois can a para apply for unemployment for the summer?

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anon On 4/07/13, Jillie wrote: > In the state of Illinois can a para apply for unemployment > for the summer?

Why don't you call the state UI agency?

If you are employed during the rest of the year in most if not all other states, you aren't eligible.

Apr 7, 2013

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ESL/Bilingual endorsement 100 clock hours

by Joe

Apr 16, 2013

I'm going to take ESL/Bilingual Endorsement courses through online. I was told that I need to get 100 clock hours in Bilingual/ESL setting for the clinical experience. Then, do I need to go to only school ESL or Bilingual classes to get the clock hours? Can I go to any informal or community sites to observe and interact with ESL students such as Su...See More

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sped On 4/16/13, Joe wrote: > I'm going to take ESL/Bilingual Endorsement courses through > online. I was told that I need to get 100 clock hours in > Bilingual/ESL setting for the clinical experience. Then, do > I need to go to only school ESL or Bilingual classes to get > the clock hours? Can I go to any informal or community sites >...See More

May 10, 2013

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resume

by jan

Apr 19, 2013

I've taught for a total of 7 years within a couple of districts; resigned due to many personal/family issues. As these issues resolved I took a para position for the remainder of this current school year. Should I included this para position or omit it on my resumes and applications if I am trying for a teaching position?

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