Tuesday, March 13, 2012

contract renewal

The email just went out from out principal stating that we have roughly two weeks to turn in a self-evaluation. We are required to turn it in to her and only her. Electronically.

After spring break, I will have a meeting with her. If my evaluation is not in on time, then I will have no say at the meeting. This is the meeting in which she will inform me whether or not she has decided to keep me for next year. Presumably, she will also inform me of my grade-level assignment, if I am asked to renew my contract. In other words, I will have no say either way.

This situation is another example of how teachers are treated, even within the field. This meeting will not focus on my strengths and areas for growth, leaving me with a firm sense of where to head next in terms of professional development. Instead, I will likely be embarrassed, shamed, and belittled by someone who has not been inside of my classroom since the week after Christmas break. And even if the meeting does go well, I will still leave frustrated by my perceived powerlessness over my own situation.

I thought that the point (and strength) of having "at will" employees at a charter was that principals would be allowed to fire bad teachers. However, based on the very little information I have so far, the only benefit is that if you are a principal you are free to hire on fire based on your personal needs and preferences (whims).

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