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North Carolina Teachers Chatboard

Teacher of Record in Computer based Classes

by just me

Aug 27, 2016

I have a new job in a drop out prevention school. i found out that I was to be the teacher of record of all students in my subject matter even if I never even see them. Is this even legal?

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NoAppleOnTheDesk If you are referring to VPS courses, I think that it is true that students' scores go back to their "home" school and are assigned to the teacher of that subject.

On 8/27/16, just me wrote: > I have a new job in a drop out prevention school. i > found out that I was to be the teacher of record of all > students in my su...See More

Aug 27, 2016

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Literacy

by Organization

Aug 8, 2016

This year we are asked to have reading levels on the books in the classroom. So, Classroom library sorted by author's last name with a lexile, or sorted by Lexile score?

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VOTE

by KarenC

Aug 4, 2016

The best way to improve education and teaching is to vote. Vote for Democrats, because Republicans want to destroy public education in order to privatize it. VOTE!

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Absolutely On 8/04/16, KarenC wrote: > The best way to improve education and teaching is to > vote. Vote for Democrats, because Republicans want to > destroy public education in order to privatize it. VOTE!

Agree 100&37;

Aug 4, 2016

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Longevity

by K99

Jun 28, 2016

Just wondering...When I started teaching 30 years ago, I was promised by the state that I would receive longevity after 10 years of service. How can the state legally take longevity away? Isn't this similar to the tenure issue that the courts had to decide on? I can understand the state making a law about new teachers being hired and not promised l...See More

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KarenC On 6/29/16, A wrote: > Teachers and school staff are the only state people who no > longer get longevity > > I did not know that.

It's all part of the demonization of teachers and the destruction of the public education system.

Jul 18, 2016

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ELA Sure could use my longevity check right about
now...normally it came in early August. I guess I'll make
a list of ways to spend my 100.00 per month raise when
that kicks in -- oh joy! :)

On 7/18/16, KarenC wrote:
> On 6/29/16, A wrote:
>> Teachers and school staff are the only state people who
>> no long...See More

Jul 30, 2016

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retirement and leveling

by Susan

Jul 13, 2016

I am 51 years old and will be eligible for retirement in December of 2016. Any advice on leveling? Should I or shouldn't I? thanks

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A Unless you have some unusual circumstances, leveling probably isn't a good idea. Here's a run-down of why:

You say you'll be 51 and eligible to retire. I'm going to assume you have 30 years and will receive payments of 2500/month -- obviously, this is a guess, and you'll have to do the math for yourself.

If you JUST take the pen...See More

Jul 16, 2016

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Just did A couple of things:

1) Leveling is based on what you would draw at 62 - not 65 2) Everyone is different, but the difference in my retirement was about 200.00 a month. I was willing to live with that because I simply could not keep working under the conditions in this state. I had some other savings and made changes in lifestyle. Don't regr...See MoreA couple of things:

1) Leveling is based on what you would draw at 62 - not 65 2) Everyone is different, but the difference in my retirement was about 200.00 a month. I was willing to live with that because I simply could not keep working under the conditions in this state. I had some other savings and made changes in lifestyle. Don't regret it for one minute.

It works for some - not for others.

On 7/16/16, A wrote: > Unless you have some unusual circumstances, leveling probably > isn't a good idea. Here's a run-down of why: > > You say you'll be 51 and eligible to retire. I'm going to > assume you have 30 years and will receive payments of > 2500/month -- obviously, this is a guess, and you'll have to > do the math for yourself. > > If you JUST take the pension, you'll receive 2500/month for > the rest of your life. Not exactly a cushy retirement. > > On the other hand, if you take leveling, the state retirement > people will look at your SS and will find out -- again, making > a guess -- that you're going to receive 1500/month in SS ... > but not until you're 65 (again, a guess -- so many guesses > here -- again, do the math for yourself). > > So if you take JUST the pension, you'll have 2500/month from > age 51-65 ... and then your SS will kick in, and you'll have > 2500 + 1500, for a total of 4000/month. Not half bad! > > So if you take the leveling option, the state agrees to give > you your 1500/month SS payment out of their coffers ... until > you're 65 and your real SS kicks in. BUT in order to receive > this nice deal, you must agree to take considerably less in > pension FOREVER. To keep our number round, they might say > that instead of 2500/month, you're going to receive only > 1500/month. > > So if you take the leveling option, the state would give you > 1500 pension + 1500 SS each month until you turn 65 ... and > then they'd keep giving you the 1500, and SS would start > giving you 1500 ... so you'd always have 3000/month for the > rest of your life. > > The bottom line: Taking the leveling option gives you more > money RIGHT NOW ... but LESS money for the rest of your life. > > People usually say, "But I can't retire if I don't take the > leveling deal." So may be you can't afford to retire yet. > OR, the best choice: Take your pension now (the full thing, > no leveling) and work somewhere part time or seasonally to > make up the difference UNTIL you're 65 and can begin > collecting SS too.

Jul 17, 2016

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Landing a job with misdemeanors on record

by Curious

Jun 30, 2016

Hi, a person I know was offered a job with a school district in NC. The person had 2 misdemeanors in the past: a DWI (probation successfully completed) and a misdemeanor marijuana possession. Both occurred in states other than NC. Following these incidents, the candidate went through intensive outpatient rehab, private counseling, and successfully ...See More

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anon Oregon has legalized marijuana, but I see no changes in the licensure regulations. You have any kind of criminal conviction, you aren't going to get a job teaching in the state. And yes, Oregon of all places now has a shortage of teachers.

I can't see the person ever getting hired as a teacher in any public school district anywhere in the ...See MoreOregon has legalized marijuana, but I see no changes in the licensure regulations. You have any kind of criminal conviction, you aren't going to get a job teaching in the state. And yes, Oregon of all places now has a shortage of teachers.

I can't see the person ever getting hired as a teacher in any public school district anywhere in the United States even now with real shortages of teachers.

On 7/06/16, sped wrote: > Quite honestly, it is very difficult to imagine anyone > getting a job as a teacher in North Carolina with convictions > for drug and alcohol related offenses. The South, in > general, isn't the most forgiving of these things. > > I have heard that California has a teacher shortage in some > areas and they have laws that prohibit discriminating against > people with older, misdemeanor marijuana convictions. It is > almost as if marijuana criminals are a protected class. I > don't think that will help with the DWI, but it is something > to look into either there or other hippie, progressive states. > > Beyond that, this individual might look at some of the worst > schools that have the most difficulty recruiting. I guess > this individual has a teaching license, so they may take a > shot on him/her. > > On 6/30/16, Curious wrote: >> Hi, a person I know was offered a job with a school district >> in NC. The person had 2 misdemeanors in the past: a DWI >> (probation successfully completed) and a misdemeanor >> marijuana possession. Both occurred in states other than NC. >> Following these incidents, the candidate went through >> intensive outpatient rehab, private counseling, and >> successfully came out of what can be described as a dark >> time, successfully. >> >> The person was honest on the applications when asked about >> prior criminal history, and, in fact, when offered a job, >> the person sent an email to the HR person to prepare for >> what would likely be found, emphasizing that successful >> rehab had been completed; letters from the rehab counselor >> were available, as well as exemplary references from student >> teaching mentors. Sobriety has been maintained for well >> over a year, and the candidate also expressed willingness to >> submit to whatever testing they might require. Candidate >> expressed the desire to be open and honest about past >> mistakes and emphasized that neither incident ever had an >> impact on student teaching/professional interactions. These >> happened prior to the teaching field. >> >> Others in the candidate's life advised the candidate that >> the letter being open and honest about having had a rough >> patch while in grad school was better than waiting for HR to >> come to the candidate. >> >> A week later, the job offer was withdrawn by HR. >> >> My question is: even though job applications state that >> prior legal entanglements-- (and I will remind you that >> these were misdemeanors, not felonies)-- is this candidate >> realistically able to expect the same from most districts in >> NC? >> >> I would appreciate hearing from administrators as well as >> teachers on this topic. >> >> Thank you.

Jul 9, 2016

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sped I assume this person got licensed somehow, someway. I don't now North Carolina's licensure restrictions on DWIs and Marijuana convictions because I don't have those to worry about. It may be possible to get licensed with misdemeanors, but getting a job? Highly unlikely, but you never know what might happen in a really bad district that is poorly ma...See MoreI assume this person got licensed somehow, someway. I don't now North Carolina's licensure restrictions on DWIs and Marijuana convictions because I don't have those to worry about. It may be possible to get licensed with misdemeanors, but getting a job? Highly unlikely, but you never know what might happen in a really bad district that is poorly managed and that is very desperate.

On 7/09/16, anon wrote: > Oregon has legalized marijuana, but I see no changes in the > licensure regulations. You have any kind of criminal > conviction, you aren't going to get a job teaching in the > state. And yes, Oregon of all places now has a shortage of > teachers. > > I can't see the person ever getting hired as a teacher in any > public school district anywhere in the United States even now > with real shortages of teachers. > > > > On 7/06/16, sped wrote: >> Quite honestly, it is very difficult to imagine anyone >> getting a job as a teacher in North Carolina with > convictions >> for drug and alcohol related offenses. The South, in >> general, isn't the most forgiving of these things. >> >> I have heard that California has a teacher shortage in some >> areas and they have laws that prohibit discriminating > against >> people with older, misdemeanor marijuana convictions. It is >> almost as if marijuana criminals are a protected class. I >> don't think that will help with the DWI, but it is > something >> to look into either there or other hippie, progressive > states. >> >> Beyond that, this individual might look at some of the > worst >> schools that have the most difficulty recruiting. I guess >> this individual has a teaching license, so they may take a >> shot on him/her. >> >> On 6/30/16, Curious wrote: >>> Hi, a person I know was offered a job with a school > district >>> in NC. The person had 2 misdemeanors in the past: a DWI >>> (probation successfully completed) and a misdemeanor >>> marijuana possession. Both occurred in states other than > NC. >>> Following these incidents, the candidate went through >>> intensive outpatient rehab, private counseling, and >>> successfully came out of what can be described as a dark >>> time, successfully. >>> >>> The person was honest on the applications when asked about >>> prior criminal history, and, in fact, when offered a job, >>> the person sent an email to the HR person to prepare for >>> what would likely be found, emphasizing that successful >>> rehab had been completed; letters from the rehab counselor >>> were available, as well as exemplary references from > student >>> teaching mentors. Sobriety has been maintained for well >>> over a year, and the candidate also expressed willingness > to >>> submit to whatever testing they might require. Candidate >>> expressed the desire to be open and honest about past >>> mistakes and emphasized that neither incident ever had an >>> impact on student teaching/professional interactions. > These >>> happened prior to the teaching field. >>> >>> Others in the candidate's life advised the candidate that >>> the letter being open and honest about having had a rough >>> patch while in grad school was better than waiting for HR > to >>> come to the candidate. >>> >>> A week later, the job offer was withdrawn by HR. >>> >>> My question is: even though job applications state that >>> prior legal entanglements-- (and I will remind you that >>> these were misdemeanors, not felonies)-- is this candidate >>> realistically able to expect the same from most districts > in >>> NC? >>> >>> I would appreciate hearing from administrators as well as >>> teachers on this topic. >>> >>> Thank you.

Jul 11, 2016

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Bonuses in budget

by hst@yahoo.com

Jul 5, 2016

Did not understand the bonuses for 3rd grade reading teachers and AP/IB teachers in the budget.

Were teachers actually avoiding teaching 3rd grade reading? Would not principals put experienced teachers there? Why not teach 3rd grade and hope the 2nd grade teachers were deficient so there was a better chance for students to show growth? No...See More

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Steve People 25 years and over get $100/mo more. I wrote the NCAE wondering about an age discrimination complaint. The State is obviously discouraging older teachers from staying in the system by removing the future longevity pay and by ending step increases at 25 years. FYI The Senates version had the step increases ending at 15 years beginning 17-18. F...See More

Jul 6, 2016

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hst@yahoo.com On 7/06/16, Steve wrote: > > > Regarding the AP/IB and CTE bonuses. I wonder if teachers > will be fighting over the opportunity to teach these courses? > It's a two year pilot program and the purpose is to improve > student learning and teacher retention. It's strange then that > it begins with the scores from last year, being...See More

Jul 6, 2016

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New Budget Law Passed

by Jan

Jun 28, 2016

I am so confused by the new law being passed for the teacher raises. I just added experience to my NC license from when I worked in another state. I went from M6 to now a Masters Degree with 10 years. I am trying to see what my new pay rate will be with the increase. Can anyone help me figure it out? It looks like 10&37; but 10&37; of what?...See More

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Steve The way I read it, teachers with 10 years get 4025/month. If you get Masters pay, you get an additional 10&37;. So, 10&37; times 4025 is 402.5

On 6/28/16, Jan wrote: > I am so confused by the new law being passed for the > teacher raises. I just added experience to my NC license > from when I worked in another state. I we...See More

Jun 29, 2016

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A I don't think the budget has passed, so I don't think it's time to get upset /be happy just yet.

Jun 29, 2016

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Principal's Hit List

by Blindsided

Mar 7, 2016

I have been teaching in NC for close to 24 years. I have a master's degree, National Board certification, and have always been given high rankings (for classroom observations). I have even won some awards and been selected to have teams visit my classroom to see effective instruction.

One-and-a-half years ago I took a job at a highly rate...See MoreI have been teaching in NC for close to 24 years. I have a master's degree, National Board certification, and have always been given high rankings (for classroom observations). I have even won some awards and been selected to have teams visit my classroom to see effective instruction.

One-and-a-half years ago I took a job at a highly rated high school in an affluent area. This school is super- competitive and the administration focuses on its being "the best," "number one," etc. I have worked 50-to-60 hour weeks and have created high-level learning activities. However, I can do no right. When students are working in groups, I am told I am not teaching. When I present information, I am told students should be working in groups. Has anyone every had this experience? I am told there have been quite a few accomplished teachers who have worked at the school where I am employed who have been on this type of "hit list." They were basically run off (although they are now successfully employed at other highly-ranked high schools,in terms of academic achievement).

I recently decided to retire early and pursue another career, as this experience has been the last straw for me regarding working in the public schools in North Carolina. Maybe I will do some part-time tutoring when I get over being met with a barrage of criticism and even a "counseling letter" containing three pages of harsh criticism. This letter also outlines a plant requiring me to read chapters of books and write reflections on them, turn in detailed lesson plans, observe other teachers and write reflections, meet with the principal every Friday afternoon after school, etc. People who have worked with me in the past are shocked, as I am quite conscientious and always focus on critical thinking, while revamping my instruction to meet student needs. Anyway, this experience caused me to lose sleep and experience an almost obsessive questioning of my practices, my competence in the classroom. Has anyone heard of this practice, when the criticism is aimed at a teacher who is working so hard and whose students routinely exceed expected growth on state exams?

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FormerWCPSSteacher On 6/24/16, Steve wrote:

> If you are sexually being harassed, can't you file a federal > complaint?

There's a time limit on filing those. Frankly, I wonder how effective those would be if harassment is so widespread as I think it is. In my case, I can say that I was so drained from reaching out inside the organization. I fi...See More

Jun 26, 2016

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This is common in NC I have seen a lot of this in North Carolina. It is common.

On 6/24/16, Former WCPSS teacher wrote: > >> I'm sorry to hear your story. I've experienced similar, >> as have many others. I left teaching last year, I miss >> certain aspects, but would never teach in NC public >> schools again. I was a comprehensive l...See MoreI have seen a lot of this in North Carolina. It is common.

On 6/24/16, Former WCPSS teacher wrote: > >> I'm sorry to hear your story. I've experienced similar, >> as have many others. I left teaching last year, I miss >> certain aspects, but would never teach in NC public >> schools again. I was a comprehensive licensed high school >> science teacher, National Board Cetified, and over a >> decade of experince with a proven track record- aren't I >> one of the types they are most desperate to recruit and >> retain?? Hmmmm. Sure didn't feel that way. I would love >> to have participated in a class action lawsuit. >> >> There is one thing that I should also like to make >> crystal clear to anyone reading this...many school >> administrators are absolutely toxic and incompetent, and >> are a massive contributing factor in teachers leaving NC >> schools, and the teaching profession. This needs to be >> much more frequently discussed and thoroughly >> investigated. > > I agree it does need to be discussed. The problem is that > unscrupulous principals can use the lack of interest in HR > as a green light. There was another employee at my school > who was being harassed at same time I was. She had been > working for WCPSS for 16 years. She reached out to some of > her former bosses and asked them for advice. They told her > not to report him. They told her if she did, they would > start blaming her. The NCAE rep told me that there was > another principal who had inappropriately touched a > teacher and that nothing was going to happen to him. He > was simply transferred to another school. When I later > sought unemployment benefits, I got the impression that > WCPSS is not known as a responsive employer and that my > situation was not unusual. If this is common, then why is > there no trace of it online? If you google WCPSS and > sexual harassment, there is nothing. > > It reminds me of the Bill Cosby scandal. I wondered how it > was possible that someone in the limelight could > repeatedly get away with assaulting dozens of women and it > comes to light only when someone makes a joke about it. I > don't know what has to happen to change things around > here.

Jun 27, 2016

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