I keep getting these e-mails.... Show your students' work here.... Upload images of their art to this site.... Apply for this special thingy.... Do this... Do that...
Do they even realize how much work teaching is? And now we have our work load increased exponentially due to state mandates and such with no extra time within the workday or extra compensation.
I see how it is where my husband works (Division of Developmental Disabilities, State of NJ). If they have to put in extra hours, they are comped the time. If there is an evening information session to go to, they are expected to rotate. No one gets off scott free. They are not expected to give of their free time, with no end in sight. Why? Burnout. The field is acutely aware of the level of burnout in social services.
Well, that message has not gotten to some in education field yet. I am finding myself falling asleep before 9.00 pm every night at this point. I come in a bit after 6.00 am each morning. I don't just hang out in my room. I am preparing chemicals, grading work, researching, prepping new projects, planning... Heck, we don't even have time four our formerly regular morning talks, when a couple of teachers would come to my room to talk shop. I am not the only one this busy either. Far from it....
But...
Not everyone is putting in the same amount of time. I don't expect that, that's for sure. But I have noticed that the dependable, reliable people are the ones always expected to do the extra favours, for free. And those favours pile up. I see it in my volunteer group team. Those of us who are reliable and loyal are the ones given more tasks on the Design Team. I guess it is ok for a group I choose to volunteer for. I do it to contribute to my home community. I want to do it. If I cannot handle a workload, I can ask for help, no harm. But on the job? Not the same.
I see the same people on the committees. The same people coming in early or staying extra for the kids. The same people doing clubs. The same people being given the higher stress/more responsibility duties. The same people "asked" to volunteers for projects. The same people "asked" for favours. But that takes its toll. Quickly.... If I am busy doing a task that is a favour for someone, that is time I am not available for my students. I am not being compensated for my time, but it costs my students time with me. I am being paid the same as someone else in my department or floor who puts in a fraction of the time, volunteers to do nothing, is never asked to help out....
Is this fair? No. However, on our McRel evaluation, the only community it pays any attention to is the school community. I do not live here. I do not have family here. I have no personal connection to this area. I love my job, I love my students, I love what I do.... But it is a fraction of the whole person. I contribute in my own way in my home community. I volunteer for the Morris County Trust for Historic Preservation by scanning documents. Been doing that for a couple of years. Before that, I was on my town's Historic Preservation Commission. I am on my town's Main Street Design Team. I do guerrilla gardening projects - fix up forgotten areas to help my town look nicer, without being asked. I am relied on by my parents for a great deal - sister has two kids and don't get me started on how the procreators get out of ever being asked to help out. I am a working artist and have had my work exhibited around the country and submissions take lots of time. I am heavily involved in two area political groups. I am a committee person for my political party in my ward in town. I am heavily involved in my union. I also have - believe it or not - a few friends I like to see once in a while. Oh, and a niece and nephew who are just the best.
How can I have time for all this with all the extras "asked" of me? How can anyone? I am not a rarity. I am not the norm, but I am far from the only one. Not in this school nor in any other. Yet this evaluation system only values what you do for this district, this community. All that I offer to others in my life out of work contributes to who I am and models good habits for my students when I talk about it. In looking closely, the only result in doing all that is "asked" will be rapid burnout. I see it happening in online communities. Teachers are dropping like flies. I don't want to be next.
I am a teacher, but it is only a part of the whole person. I am an artist, friend, aunt, wife, gardener, volunteer, music lover, hiker, traveler... I can't forget that or let an evaluation or people or expectations take over my life. There are no badges for living at my job. No extra pay. No awards - so far teacher of the year has proven to be a joke. Just a loss of my friends, time with my family (can't remember the last time I saw my niece and nephew), and a selling of my soul. I am not willing to do that. Let someone else share in the responsibilities here...
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