E Bulletin #29 2010-11

Good day.

Boston Foundation says: Boston teachers earn too much while working too little.

Last week, we awoke to yet another story in the Boston Globe featuring Paul Grogan, head of the Boston Foundation, attacking Boston teachers. This story claims that we earn too much money for the little work that we do.

The article was based on a new Boston Foundation report entitled "The Real Cost of the Contract: An Analysis of Salary & Benefits of Boston Public School Teachers". The report laid out its case that Boston teachers work fewer hours and make more in salary than teachers in surrounding communities, i.e., our hours are short and our pay is long. The report presented a series of convenient half-truths and distortions  to make its case.

Let's examine the overall premise first: a teacher's work day is defined from bell to bell.

 "BPS teachers contractually have a shorter school day than their counterparts around the country. An elementary teacher is required to be at school six hours and 30 minutes, of which four hours and 42 minutes is direct instructional time. A secondary teacher is required to be at school six hours and 40 minutes, of which five hours and 7 minutes is direct instructional time."

Really?
The teacher workday is not measured from bell to bell.

It is disingenuous for Grogan to say that teachers work only 6:30 or 6:40 per day. The 'work' day spans more than opening bell to dismissal bell. There isn't a teacher in Boston who works only 6:30 or 6:40 per day. Teachers arrive before the opening bell, leave after the dismissal bell, and do work in between and at home. Between parent conferences and phone calls, grading papers, planning and preparation, the typical teacher probably spends 15-20 or so additional hours per week.

Anyone connected to our schools, even peripherally, knows that. Anyone who knows a teacher knows that. Anyone whose brother-in-law knows a teacher knows that. Even Grogan from his lofty perch knows that. But for him — and others like him -- our true work day is not a convenient truth.

It is also disturbing that the report implies that time not spent in direct instruction is somehow not valuable time. Again, anyone in education knows the importance of lesson planning and thorough review of student work. Yet the implication is that somehow teachers are not earning their pay when they engage in such activities.

Now let's look at his second premise: that Boston teachers are overpaid.
Really?

Teachers are not overpaid when compared to other professionals with similar credentials in the Boston area. The typical Boston teacher earns $71,830. This is a decent — but not a great salary — certainly not enough to be comfortable given the high cost of living in Boston. Considering that it takes a Masters degree to get fully licensed, and up to three more courses or so every five years to continue licensure, our salary is not out of line with other similarly-educated professionals.

What's more, most of us spend an additional $500-$700 every year to bail out the school department for its lack of supplies and resources. In our world this is a significant amount of money. In Grogan's world, it may not be. When all is said and done, we are hardly overpaid.

Look who's talking:
Grogan earned $570,000. in salary and benefits in 2009!

According to IRS tax filings (form 990 filings) reported in the Boston Herald (11/30/09, 12/22/08), Grogan earned $570,000 in salary and benefits in 2009. That wasn't a particularly good year for him. He earned $600,000 in 2008, $553,434 in 2007, and $442,747 in 2006. Incidentally, the average charitable CEO earns $150,000.

And Grogan says we make too much money? Figure that one out.

Grogan's world is a world that many of our critics inhabit. They claim to speak for the taxpayer and the families of the Boston schools. But as we saw in the recent push for school closings, their "education reform" proposals are less about school improvement and more about driving down the costs of public education. Insofar as teachers and their union and parents of BPS students stand in the way, teachers will be demonized by Grogan and BPS parents will be marginalized.

Education in the News

Last week blogger Valerie Strauss -- in her excellent column in the Washington Post —  talked about how teacher effectiveness is now being measured by economists, not educators:

"It is astonishing to realize the extent to which education debates are now framed and dominated by economists, not by educators or sociologists or cognitive psychologists or anyone else who actually spends time in classrooms. My bookshelves are chock full of books that analyze the teaching of reading, science, history, and other subjects; books that examine the lives of children; books that discuss the art and craft of teaching; books about the history of educational philosophy and practice; books about how children learn.
 
Now such considerations seem antique. Now we are in an age of data-based decision-making, where economists rule. They tell us that nothing matters but performance, and performance can be quantified, and those who do the quantification need never enter a classroom or think about how children learn.

So the issue of our day is: How do we measure teacher effectiveness?..."

Union News and Events

BTU to Sponsor Community Engagement Meeting

There will be a Community Engagement Committee meeting at the BTU on February 8th, 4-6 PM. Any one who is interested in becoming involved with community organizations of all types, including faith-based, are welcome to attend.

Questions? Email Brenda Chaney or call her at 617-288-2000.

SPED Faculty Senate News

Last week the SPED Faculty Senate held a long-awaited and long-advertised meeting with John Verre,  the BPS Assistant Superintendent for Special Education. But Mr. Verre didn't show up.

At the last minute the school department apparently told him not to go. Dozens of teachers and paraprofessionals showed up anyway, only to find an empty seat.

We hope in the near future to reconvene a meeting with Mr. Verre. In the meantime SPED department chiefs continue to hide, hoping all problems disappear.

Memo to the School Department: if you don't talk to us who are in the field, you'll never know what's working and what isn't working. Or maybe that's the way you want it.

Seminar on BTU Benefits

The seminar will be held on Thursday, February 3, from 4-6. Learn about the BTU contract's sponsored benefits with Richard Stutman, BTU President, including:

• Tax-Sheltered Annuities (403B),
• The Deferred Compensation (457) Plan
• The Health and Welfare Fund
• Sick Leave
• Sick Leave Bank
• Leaves of Absences
• Health Insurance
• Life Insurance, Disability Insurance
•  Retirement Planning
• Flexible Spending Plan

Please RSVP here so we can get a reasonable count. Thank you. Refreshments will be served.

BTU Elections Committee Notice: Biennial Elections Timeline

• January: Nomination Papers available in BTU office
• February: Nomination of Election Committee at membership meeting  (Anyone running for full-time office or Executive Board may not serve on the Election Committee.)
• March: Election Committee receives nomination papers from candidates for all positions at March membership meeting
• March: Nomination papers are validated by Election Committee
• May: 1st Wednesday - Preliminary Election (if necessary)
• June: 1st Wednesday - Final Election

Positions on Ballot:
Full-time:
President; Executive Vice-President; Secretary Treasurer; Political Director;Paraprofessional/Substitute Field Rep; Elementary Field Rep; Secondary Field Rep.

Other:
Executive Board
Delegate to AFL-CIO, AFT, AFT Massachusetts and Greater Boston Labor Council

Partnership with the BTU and the New Teacher Development Program Promotes Sharing of Best Practices

Through a partnership with the Boston Teachers Union, the New Teacher Development Program provides new (first year) teachers the opportunity to observe exemplary classroom instruction.

During the winter and spring, all new teachers will have the opportunity to go out into the field with a full-time New Teacher Developer as part of small grade-level groups, to observe practice in exemplary teacher classrooms. The morning will be devoted to observations and the afternoon to debriefing and application of new thoughts and ideas for instruction. The New Teacher Development Program will be responsible for substitute coverage.
 
In order to qualify to participate you must:

•  Be a first year teacher
•  Complete the registration before February 1st

Once registered, a beginning teacher will be contacted shortly thereafter by a New Teacher Developer. Questions?

Career & Training Opportunities

Pathway Program for Moderate Disabilities & ESL Licensure and Professional Practice

Information sessions for the winter/spring Moderate Disabilities Pathway Program will be held on Wednesday, January 26 and Monday, January 31. Registration is required and must be made on My Learning Plan. Information sessions for the winter/spring ESL Pathway Program will be held on Tuesday, January 25 and Thursday, January 27. Registration is required and must be made on My Learning Plan.

Both programs are intensive, 90-hour programs of professional development leading to licensure. The spring cohort will start in March and end in June. In addition to the information sessions, more details can be found in the program brochure on MyBPS-->Central Admin-->HR - Licensure and Certification page. For more information concerning the program, please email.

The National Writing Project's Annual Urban Sites National Conference

April 29 and 30, 2011
The Colonnade Hotel, Boston, Massachusetts

Conference Highlights
Friday
Choose from:

• Writing marathon through downtown Boston.
• Tour and workshop in the African American Meeting House and the Abiel Smith School.
• A Workshop at the JFK Presidential Library exploring Ernest Hemingway's manuscripts.

Evening reception featuring BPS Superintendent, Dr. Johnson.
Dinner and student performances. After-hours entertainment. 

Saturday

• Breakfast buffet.
• Keynote Speaker: Ernest Morrell, writer, teacher, researcher, media producer.
• Multiple rounds of interactive workshop sessions.
• Lunch buffet.
• Annual Urban Sites Town Hall Meeting.

The conference is open to all teachers from childhood to post secondary who, regardless of his or her discipline, believe writing must be an integral part of any successful curriculum.

Visit here to register, get prices and for other information.

International Trips

If any teacher would like support planning an international trip for students for this school year or the next (it is not too early to begin planning for next year!), please contact Bethany Wood.

Celebrating Teachers

The Department of Teacher Development and Advancement would like to celebrate teachers. Please send us the name and contact information for a teacher who you would like celebrated and we will contact them. In addition, if any of you have received recognition for your work or know a colleague who has, please let us know.  We want to recognize them too! Contact: Bethany Wood.

Professional Development Opportunity from the Health & Wellness Department

Basic Skills for Working with Smokers is a free 2-day course held on March 22 & March 29, 9am - 4pm and taught by  University of Massachusetts Medical school staff. The course provides an introduction to the basic concepts needed by professionals working with tobacco users. Components of the course include exploring barriers and facilitators to change, talking with clients about their tobacco use, brief & moderate level interventions and more.

Nurses, social workers, health educators, guidance counselors and other social service providers are encouraged to sign up. CEUs will be available RNs, Social Workers, Licensed Mental Health Counselors, Registered Dental Hygienists & Certified Substance Abuse Counselors (CADAC/CAC).

Space is limited and will fill up fast. Registration is due by February 22, 2011. Please register. For additional information about tobacco prevention efforts in the Boston Public Schools, please contact Jaime Lederer.

Upcoming Events

Greater Boston Labor Council "Organizing Our Future" Conference

Union members 35 and under are urged to join us Saturday, February 26th from 10 am to 2:30 pm as we 'Organize Our Future' to foster and develop the skills of young union members to lead the next generation within the labor movement.

Boston Teacher's Union, 180 Mt. Vernon Street, Dorchester
This event is free. Childcare and ride-share coordination will be provided if needed.

Deadline for registration is Friday, February 18th. To register and/or for more information, contact Rosa Blumenfeld at 617.723.2370.

First Annual Irving Middle School Gala and Fundraiser

The Irving Middle School Staff and Parent Council, along with the Irving Advisory Group cordially invite you to the 1st Annual Irving Middle School Gala and Fundraiser on March 18, 7pm - 11pm. Please join us for hors d'oeuvres, cash bar, dancing, and auction!

Location: Citizen Schools Headquarters. 308 Congress Street, Boston (above the Children's Museum)
Donation: $25 per person

For further information or to purchase tickets, please contact: Sharon Maalouf or Nicole Secondi

Rollins Griffin Teacher Center Scholarships

For the 8th year, the Rollins Griffith Teacher Center of Boston will distribute three $1,500. scholarships to selected seniors from BPS high schools including Pilot high schools. These scholarships are meant to honor some of the many accomplishments of Mr. Griffith, the first African-American district superintendent appointed in 1968. Students who are planning to study education or one of the creative arts at a post-secondary institution are encouraged to apply.

For more information about the scholarship or the Teacher Center, please email Maureen T. Jelloe. Applications have been sent to headmasters and guidance counselors and applications are due back by Friday, March 4, 2011.

For further information, please contact Ms. Claire Radley, Teacher Associate at 617-635-1515 or on her cell phone 617-680-1460.

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Sincerely,
 

Richard Stutman
President
Boston Teachers Union
rstutman@btu.org
617-288-2000