As many of you are probably aware, the city is facing severe budget cuts which could result in 5,000 or more teacher layoffs. Layoffs are determined by certification area and seniority. District 7 in the Bronx (my district) could lose 21% of its teachers.
The budget crisis will undoubtedly devastate my school and my students. My school could lose some of the most dynamic, dedicated, hard-working, creative, inventive, intelligent, competent teachers it has. This thought is extremely upsetting for me.
My principal delivered some bad news to the staff a week ago- layoffs are coming and we must brace ourselves for the worst. No after school activities next year. No tutoring. Possibly no AP or honors classes. All second year teachers could go. Even fourth year teachers should worry.
After receiving this news, last week was particularly difficult for me. Until that point, I figured my principal could pull strings and keep my job (as she said she'd try to do). I've been worried about finding a job if I lose mine, but what's more upsetting is the prospect of leaving my kids and my school. I've known about 50 of my students for two years now--I've seen them grow up, mature and improve drastically.
Last Thursday, I graduated from Lehman College. What a relief! Finally. No more traveling to Lehman twice a week for class.
On Friday morning, I received a letter in my mailbox from my principal. She wanted me to go to the conference room 4th period to discuss "something positive." I was thinking perhaps she found a way to save my job!
At the beginning of 4th period, I made my way to the conference room and saw Peter (another TFA teacher who teaches my students Global) waiting there. We wondered what was up.
As we entered the room, 15 of our sophomores sat around the table and all cheered and clapped for us, yelling "Happy graduation! Congratulations!" I could have cried. They presented us with homemade cards signed by everyone in the room and a cake. We sat in the room for the period eating cake, laughing, joking, smiling. We enjoyed every minute.
I left school that day feeling valued and cherished as a teacher.
In three days, my principal will let me know if I've been laid off. (Although that could, of course, change throughout the summer, as the budget has not been signed.)
The budget crisis will undoubtedly devastate my school and my students. My school could lose some of the most dynamic, dedicated, hard-working, creative, inventive, intelligent, competent teachers it has. This thought is extremely upsetting for me.
My principal delivered some bad news to the staff a week ago- layoffs are coming and we must brace ourselves for the worst. No after school activities next year. No tutoring. Possibly no AP or honors classes. All second year teachers could go. Even fourth year teachers should worry.
After receiving this news, last week was particularly difficult for me. Until that point, I figured my principal could pull strings and keep my job (as she said she'd try to do). I've been worried about finding a job if I lose mine, but what's more upsetting is the prospect of leaving my kids and my school. I've known about 50 of my students for two years now--I've seen them grow up, mature and improve drastically.
Last Thursday, I graduated from Lehman College. What a relief! Finally. No more traveling to Lehman twice a week for class.
On Friday morning, I received a letter in my mailbox from my principal. She wanted me to go to the conference room 4th period to discuss "something positive." I was thinking perhaps she found a way to save my job!
At the beginning of 4th period, I made my way to the conference room and saw Peter (another TFA teacher who teaches my students Global) waiting there. We wondered what was up.
As we entered the room, 15 of our sophomores sat around the table and all cheered and clapped for us, yelling "Happy graduation! Congratulations!" I could have cried. They presented us with homemade cards signed by everyone in the room and a cake. We sat in the room for the period eating cake, laughing, joking, smiling. We enjoyed every minute.
I left school that day feeling valued and cherished as a teacher.
In three days, my principal will let me know if I've been laid off. (Although that could, of course, change throughout the summer, as the budget has not been signed.)
