At the Education Town Hall U.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy and Florida House candidate Anna Eskamani heard from a variety of OCPS school teachers who spoke of their day-to-day concerns and problems. There were common themes most teachers shared, including the loss of autonomy, unrealistic expectations, emphasis on data, testing madness, a subjective teacher evaluation system, and a grueling and burdensome workload. There were also concerns specific to those individuals who spoke. Almost every speaker expressed that while teaching began as a passion, few recognize the profession today. Many are seeking a way out from the current top-down, micromanaged system that has been forced upon teachers and students in classrooms across the district.
To paraphrase some of the speakers’ concerns and remarks:
Leave: Alyssa spoke passionately about her battle with oral cancer. She did not have enough days to qualify for the sick bank. Although there were coworkers who were willing to donate sick days, OCPS does not allow employees to donate their sick leave days to other employees. Alyssa is currently undergoing chemotherapy and has no income while she is on FMLA leave. She needs help in paying her medical bills. Please consider donating at her Go Fund Me Page at this link.She also spoke about the lack of any bereavement leave. Her brother died of cancer last year, and she had to use personal days. These issues have been brought up at bargaining numerous times, and will be again this year.
Lack of autonomy: All agreed that the district-mandated system of requiring teachers to teach the same lesson on the same day was counter to all best practices. Assigning all students, including those who do not speak English, the same intervention impedes or prevents progress. A primary reason that one teacher resigned in October was because she was not allowed to use her professional expertise and authentic strategies to ensure student success. Another teacher said she was scolded for allowing students to write poems, because it wasn’t in the lesson her team’s uniform lesson.
Mental health: Teachers discussed being asked to pay for more than just classroom supplies. “We’re asked to pay with our mental health.” Teachers are leaving because the job has become too stressful to bear. There is so much stress, we start to think, “What’s the point?”
Morale: The district has become so focused on data collection and test scores that job satisfaction is dying or dead. One teacher said her grandfather and father were teachers and she was inspired to be a teacher. For many years she loved her job. She used to encourage her high school students to become teachers. No longer. She used to believe her encouragement would put them on a train to educate the world. Now she discourages them, believing encouragement would be feeding them to a fire.
Low salary: Another teacher stated that the cost of living has increased and teachers are making less money now than 10 or 20 years ago. The reality is that many cannot afford to keep a job that earns them so little. Too many have to have multiple jobs to pay their bills. One teacher said she cannot afford a vacation and she needs one desperately.
Lack of planning time: How teachers are mandated to spend their time is a major concern. The district has increasingly stolen more and more planning time over the years. One teacher said, “We can no longer spend our time preparing lessons to help students. Now we have to post data, update common board configurations, prepare for district or state visitors. The real work is done after hours on our time without pay.”
Data Obsession: Another teacher who moved to Orange County two years ago said there are vast differences between counties. She said that OCPS kids are only data points. The district doesn’t consider what a student is going through in her life. There is an over-emphasis on iReady. Kids call it iReady jail because free time was taken to ensure students were getting minutes finished. Teachers feel like they have to sneak in “fun” activities.
Testing and Quantifying: There is a constant need to test and quantify everything. Things that are not quantifiable are deemed unimportant, but really those are the most important. A child’s self-esteem, love of learning, and character are not quantifiable or tested, so they are treated as unimportant. It’s all about the test.
Disrespect: Teachers expressed that they are not treated as professionals or respected. They are being bullied, manipulated, and micromanaged. Some are returning to college to get another degree to go into another career. Another said she “would leave tomorrow if I could afford it.”
Bonus schemes: The evaluation system is considered unfair and subjective. Merit pay is a scheme not seen in other professions. Regarding the Best and Brightest Scholarship scheme, there was consensus that a teacher’s SAT and ACT score should not have any bearing on a teacher’s pay. Teachers are pitted against teachers for illegitimate rankings. Teachers should be getting that money regardless. Testing companies make money off of the Best and Brightest scheme, as teachers who are desperate to earn more, retake the tests.
Special Needs: There are not enough classrooms for special needs. Too many students with special needs that aren’t receiving proper services. Teachers are frustrated with the uneven distribution of ELL and ESE students among grade levels or subject areas.
Lack of discipline: Teachers agree the OCPS discipline system is failing. Many are still being told they must prove they used a checklist of interventions before they can use the discipline referral forms. Teachers believe the district is attempting to hide discipline problems. One speaker stated that three teachers at one school have left already this year because students are attacking each other and nothing is being done.
What will it take to force change? The district's response is to deny, not listen; to stay the course, not chart a better one.
We also want to know what you consider the top three issues you would like to see discussed at the bargaining table. Please continue to send any concerns, including contract violations to orangecta@gmail.com.
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