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No Substitutes In Loudoun!!

by Someone

Sep 4, 2009

Loudoun County may run out of money to pay substitutes this school year. Perhaps they should reallocate the money they are paying for substitutes for teachers who are forced to observe another teacher teach a math lesson under the new math Investigations model this year.

Let me explain...the math resource teachers are now targeting approx...See More

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Not at my school in Loudoun We do NOT do Math Invest. at my school in Loudoun. My admin dislikes the program. This is not going on at every school. However, our math scores are VERY high EVERY year so we are not FORCED to do it. :)

On 9/05/09, LCPS Teacher wrote: > On 9/04/09, Someone wrote: I believe that happens at EVERY > school, my school will now have to w...See More

Sep 6, 2009

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Money Wasted There are schools where Investigations is "blended," meaning they teach with an actual textbook, but supplement lessons with some Investigations lessons. With this approach, I don't have a problem, and that's the way it should be. In my county, Investigations was studied and found not worthy of usage.

I was also informed that there is the...See MoreThere are schools where Investigations is "blended," meaning they teach with an actual textbook, but supplement lessons with some Investigations lessons. With this approach, I don't have a problem, and that's the way it should be. In my county, Investigations was studied and found not worthy of usage.

I was also informed that there is the possibility that subs won't be used that much this year due to so much money being alloted to subs (and wasted for subs to be in rooms while teachers are in Investigations training). You Loudoun teachers may want to keep an eye on the substitute policy because you have 3 personal days and 10 sick days. With the "swine flu" knocking at the door, teachers may be using many days up, so why no money? Talk to your organization, LEA, I believe.

So, what does all of this mean? There is a huge waste of money in your county. First, principals went to Chicago for a seminar over the summer - why Chicago, and why not somewhere in VA where it was cheaper? The "administrative kingdom" has a new cafeteria that was put in under the radar, and underneath the noses of you teachers, the same teachers who were notified that you may be "Reduced in Force" and the same teachers who had their salary frozen. Did you also know that your admin was supposed to get a ("hidden") raise, but it was brought to public notice, and the teachers went ballistic, causing the raise to be canceled.

To summarize, jumping from one new fad to another (just to compete with Fairfax) costs money. The "new" admin building cafeteria costs money, hiring subs to come in while teachers learn Investigations costs money, sending principals to "out of town seminars" costs money - all in a time of economic crisis? I am happy to teach in another VA county, but I do pity many of my friends and relatives who do teach in Loudoun. No wonder many people are posting things about Loudoun. There are some nice things in Loudoun, but they are overshadowed by the "ugliness" mentioned above and elsewhere. For the sake of my friends and relatives, and those of you who teach in Loudoun, I hope that your county gets things worked out.

>06/09, Not at my school in Loudoun wrote: > We do NOT do Math Invest. at my school in Loudoun. My admin > dislikes the program. This is not going on at every school. > However, our math scores are VERY high EVERY year so we are not > FORCED to do it. :) > > On 9/05/09, LCPS Teacher wrote: >> On 9/04/09, Someone wrote: I believe that happens at EVERY >> school, my school will now have to work with one of them more >> at the request of my principal. I am not looking forward to it >> because the "coach" is awful, rude and never prepared. >>> Loudoun County may run out of money to pay substitutes this >>> school year. Perhaps they should reallocate the money they >>> are paying for substitutes for teachers who are forced to >>> observe another teacher teach a math lesson under the new >>> math Investigations model this year. >>> >>> Let me explain...the math resource teachers are now >>> targeting approx. 7 schools to try to further implement >>> this failed program. The teachers have to give up planning >>> time to "plan" with the resource teacher. They then have to >>> observe another teacher give a lesson. This happens 2x >>> during the school year at these schools. There will be >>> about 5 or 6 substitutes at each site 2x year, over a 3 day >>> or so period. Thats 15 subs x 2 times = 30 subs. $3000 >>> approx. When staff members complained about the sub. cost, >>> they were told that it comes from a different funding >>> source. Who the heck cares!! The bottom line is that subs. >>> are being paid to further pour money into this failed >>> program. >>> >>> Anyone hear anything else about this?

Sep 13, 2009

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Is there ANYTHING that goes right in Loudoun?

by Bulldog

Sep 5, 2009

I keep hearing (for the past 2 1/2 years!) that Loudoun is in such dire straits that I'm beginning to wonder if there is anything in Loudoun worth saving! Are the people really that incompetent? If so, why hasn't this been reported to news outlets and the DOE? Where is the VEA in all of this? I thought they were supposed to help teachers. What is t...See More

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Bulldog LT Subs would probably have a much better chance especially b/c they've been in the school and the Admin is familiar with them. Although LT subbing is not "Disneyland", it can be a means to the end. Just keep plugging away. I'm sure something will pop up at the right time.

On 9/09/09, abc wrote: > Interesting for sure. Good luck, I'm su...See More

Sep 10, 2009

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abc Thanks, Bulldog. I hope you're right!

On 9/10/09, Bulldog wrote: > LT Subs would probably have a much better chance > especially b/c they've been in the school and the Admin is > familiar with them. Although LT subbing is > not "Disneyland", it can be a means to the end. Just keep > plugging away. I'm sure something will pop...See More

Sep 11, 2009

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Sign a Petition to get rid of Math Investigations

by Annonymous

Sep 5, 2009

Is there anyone out there who would like to help get an online petition out to rid Investigations from LCPS? Would like to get teachers and parents together to strategize how to remove this failed program. Too many teachers are being forced to teach something they know is detrimental to the children. They are afraid of losing their jobs if they spe...See More

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People did this Two years ago parents did make a Math Investigation petition in Loudoun . Teachers and parents did sign it. Teachers emailed school board members to share their concerns. I had many school board members contact me. Most sb members agreed the program should not be forced all over the county. Hence, why some schools only do a "blended" approach now. ...See More

Sep 6, 2009

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Is anybody else on here NOT from Loudon

by PWCS teacher

Sep 10, 2009

I feel like this is a Loudon board, not one for the whole state.

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Bulldog For reasons of anonymity, I don't reveal certain things. I will say that I am in the Danville area. There is a good ol' boy network in the region and I don't feel comfortable revealing too much.

That being said, many of the counties around here are good to work in. The pay is quite low, but the kids are decent. If you want more info, you ...See More

Oct 11, 2009

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Annoyn. No. I am a tech teacher that is back in the clsrm because I haven't found tech position yet.

Oct 12, 2009

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No Substitutes in Loudoun

by Geeeez

Sep 17, 2009

rincipals are told to tell their staff that they are likely not to get a substitute when they are absent. Thus, the students will be divided up amongst other classrooms, further disrupting the learning process.

Why don't they use the substitute days that are being allocated for Math Investigations training to help with this substitute dea...See More

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Other Counties Too? I am wondering if the same policy is also taking place in the other counties, especially in NoVA, or is this just a "Loudoun thing?"

It figures Loudoun, because of the money shortage due to wasted expenditures in the post below (subs for the controversial "Investigations," the new cafeteria for the admin building, sending principals to a ...See More

Sep 20, 2009

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instructours On 9/17/09, Geeeez wrote: > Principals are told to tell their staff that they are > likely not to get a substitute when they are absent. Thus, > the students will be divided up amongst other classrooms, > further disrupting the learning process. > > Why don't they use the substitute days that are being > allocated for Math Inve...See More

Sep 21, 2009

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Math Investigations

by Somewhere over the rainbow

Sep 26, 2009

The county adopted Math Investigations and has been phasing it into the different grades over the last few years. My school did not make AYP because of our math scores. The principal charted our math SOL scores for the last couple of years and the scores have been steadily going down. Nearby schools with similar demographics have had their scores g...See More

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Not only Loudoun .......... Sadly, it is not only Loudoun. It is PWC too. And teachers are being threatened with their jobs if they stray from MI. And if they don't individually meet the AYP/NCLB goals, regardless of class make-up.

It's a scary time to be a teacher in PWC.

On 9/27/09, Only in Loudoun! wrote: > On 9/26/09, Somewhere over the rainbow wrote:...See More

Oct 18, 2009

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Right to work? That's the problem with teaching in a "right to work state." Certain counties, especially in Northern VA, find all kinds of ways to manipulate the system to their advantage and make life a living "heck" for the teachers. Meanwhile certain administrators and the companies are making the big bucks. Does PWC have an organization? I am glad that I don'...See More

Oct 18, 2009

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Math/Science Teacher - Career Changer

by Career Changer

Sep 28, 2009

Hello Folks,

I am an engineer considering a career change. I signed up for the Virginia "Career Changer Program" which allows one to switch from a professional to a teaching career in a short time. My interest is in teaching math and science. I passed the Praxis II secondary math (0061), Praxis II secondary physics (0265) tests and plan on...See More

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Career Changer On 10/18/09, Mom to Three wrote: > Given these tough economic times, I do think that school > divisions may well be applying closer scrutiny to a career > changer so be sure you know yourself well before trying to sell > yourself. While you may have a full-time job and not be able > to sub, could you try your hand at tutoring one or ...See More

Oct 18, 2009

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Career Changer Hello Mom to Three.....

Thank you for all the advice.

There ares so many laid off teachers willing to substitute in our area in Northern California that it is difficult to get substitute without experience. However, there are tutoring opportunities. I will pursue them.

In Virginia there is a "Career Switcher" program, an ...See More

Oct 18, 2009

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NOVA Career Switcher program

by Patty

Sep 30, 2009

I'm considering the NOVA career switcher program and I'm wondering if anyone can let me know if they've been hired once they finished the program? In fact, any feedback would be welcome! Does NOVA help with job hunting? Is the program OK? Thanks.

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Jean/sub Hi Patty, I don't know anything about the NOVA Career Switcher program, but I just want to congratulate you on going back to college to try a different career. I was a secretary for most of my life (am now in my 50's), before I finally realized (after beginning subbing) how much I enjoy the kids and that I want to finish my undergrad. to become a t...See More

Oct 4, 2009

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Angela On 9/30/09, Patty wrote: > I'm considering the NOVA career switcher program and I'm > wondering if anyone can let me know if they've been hired > once they finished the program? In fact, any feedback would > be welcome! Does NOVA help with job hunting? Is the program > OK? Thanks.

Did you ever hear from anyone offline about ...See More

Nov 1, 2010

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Sub Pay

by Tch4Ever

Sep 30, 2009

Does the sub pay rate vary from district to district in Virginia? Thanks for your help.

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Michelle On 9/30/09, oldnew wrote: > On 9/30/09, Tch4Ever wrote: >> Does the sub pay rate vary from district to district in >> Virginia? Thanks for your help. > Yes - depends on the district (County). Loudoun is at > $108/day.

Yes Shenandoah is 60.00 for non degree and 75.00 for a degree!

Oct 22, 2009

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Hmmm Looks like another area where Loudoun can cut on expenses!

On 10/22/09, Michelle wrote: > On 9/30/09, oldnew wrote: >> On 9/30/09, Tch4Ever wrote: >>> Does the sub pay rate vary from district to district in >>> Virginia? Thanks for your help. >> Yes - depends on the district (County). Loudoun is at >>...See More

Oct 22, 2009

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