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I had a shocker today. I was on my way back to my classroom with my students and saw my superintendent coming out of my room. She needed to get away and re-charge. (she comes to my class to do that every once in a while)
She stayed through closing circle and then hung around to let me know the board voted to offer me my contract for next school year. I'm a half-time teacher. I love my job and my schedule but my class is waaaaay too large for the age that I teach.
In a nutshell, the superintendent basically told me I could write up a proposal (or two of them) with my ideal for next year as far as class size, how the program would look, and what hours I wanted to work.
She knew I applied for the job in the first place because it was a contracted half-time teaching job. She said I could have full-time if I wanted it because she does not want me to get snagged by other school districts. (she must have heard about that....I have received some unsolicited offers from other districts)
I am not sure full-time is best for my family. However splitting my older class into two sessions would be best for my students and the quality of the program. I think I could handle that schedule with family demands also.
I'm going to pray a great deal about it, but wanted to share here.
My husband pointed out that full-time teaching is not much more work than if I was .75 or even .85
However, I LOVE having every Friday off and if I were to teach full-time, I'd not have every Friday off. I may have one Friday off each month.
The superientendent said that they have one other teacher who does not want total full-time so they gave her a .93 time contract. (don't ask how they came to that number *lol*) I guess the teacher who has that contract basically told the distirct what days she wanted to work during the school year and it worked out to being .93 time. So that is what she is paid.
Right now here are the times I have students. My hours I have to be there are in ():
Mondays I have my 4/5 yr old class from 8:15-11:15 but students show up as early as 7:45. (my hours I have to be there are 7:45-12:15)
Tuesdays is the same class and schedule as Monday.
Wednesdays are the same as Monday and Tuesday.
Thursdays I have my 3 yr old class from 8:15-11:15 (my hours I have to be there are 7:45-12:15)
The class that is too big is my 4/5 year old class. I have 18 students and 5 of those 18 have special needs. I don't have any extra help for the special needs students. I have one teachers aid. (when you realize that the state will hire a full-time teacher for every 16 students in the elementary grades.....you see that my ratios are higher with zero help in special ed and with a much younger group.)
We also have 3 on a waiting list, which neither I nor the superintendent like. We both hate the idea of a child needing/wanting free preschool in the public school and our not being able to give them a space due to the large # of children. (my max is 18 students and I'm at that number)
I have never made a proposal before. My husband said he'd help me look at all options.
My 3 year old group is at a great size right now. However, I'd not want to go any higher with that group.
I could propose running a second session for the 4/5 year old group and having this run every M,T, W from 12:30-3:30 pm. (it would get out at the same time as the elementary which would be good for parents planning) This would do two things:
1. Lower my class size for the 4/5 year olds since there would be two sessions.....( a.m. and p.m. session. )
2. Allow for more students overall (when you add up the total number of students from the two sessions) so we don't have a waiting list anymore for the 4/5 year olds. Our overall number for that age group would be 24 students, split between two sessions. Right now, our number for that age group is maxed at 18 students and all of them are in one session and we have a waiting list. (like I said above) I'd have smaller classes and I'd be able to do more fun things with a smaller group and I'd have time for the special needs students instead of them just basically being there but not getting the attention they need. (that is how it is right now with me trying to meet the needs of the special needs and the non-special needs children all at once)
However, this would mean I'd be working full-days on M, T, W. I think I could manage that since it would only be 3 days a week.
Then we'd leave the 3 year old session as it is this year. (Thursdays in the a.m.)
I'd then have to work full days on M,T, W. I'd work a half-day on Th. I'd still have Fridays off.
I don't know.......I'll pray about what to do.
I just was not expecting this. I have been praying for our finances to increase but I had in my mind that it would come in the form of a $10K raise for my husband at his job. I never imagined I'd have the school superintendent come and tell me I can basically propose my own schedule and they'd be willing to offer me a full-time teaching contract.
I'm just confused...this is good, but still confusing. I want to do what is best for the quality of my preschool program but also what is best for my life and my husband/children's needs, KWIM?
Michelle
__________________ "If it (salvation) is based solely on following rules, then it isn't grace via faith in Jesus Christ"
congrats! Rather than stress I'd just dream/pray about the big picture and the happiness this opportunity brings to everyone - you, your family, your classes, your school system - and let the perfect solution make itself known to you. For me, struggling to define it can make it so much harder to see - usually distracting my consciouss mind and letting my heart/unconsciouss mind free to dream and problem solve comes up with the perfect solution.
congrats! Rather than stress I'd just dream/pray about the big picture and the happiness this opportunity brings to everyone - you, your family, your classes, your school system - and let the perfect solution make itself known to you. For me, struggling to define it can make it so much harder to see - usually distracting my consciouss mind and letting my heart/unconsciouss mind free to dream and problem solve comes up with the perfect solution.
Have fun! What a wonderful challenge.
What wonderful advice. Thank you. Your response was like a blessing with what you said and how is struck me.
That was wonderful advice. I have nothing else to add other than a congratulations because obviously you are doing something really well to be acknowledged like this. I'd also point out that it looks as if they want you more than you want them, so figure out what you want and propose that.
I'd also point out that it looks as if they want you more than you want them, so figure out what you want and propose that.
This is a good point, and correct. I think I needed that reminder...
I have a proposal that I'll fine tune this weekend than I'll meet with the superintendent this coming week (or next week).
I'll update when I know what is going to happen. It will probably be a month or more before I have the contract in writing since the superintendent will have to take it to the board at the next meeting for their stamp of approval. (and if they have revisions to my offer, well then they'll have to bring it back to me blah, blah)
I figured if I stay half-time contract like I am now, I'd still be happy. *lol* So, I guess I can't lose.
If the 4/5 class stays the same as now I'd request another teacher. We have a 3/4/5 class of 18 students w 1 half time teacher and 2 half-time aides (actually 1 is Mon-thur AM is she's less than 0.5). By law we could have 22 in that room and 2 adults. (Actually, it's 1 teacher and 2 aides)
__________________
Natalie
mom to
DD #1: tiny terror (6/01) who's becoming a nice little girl
DD #2: peanut 3/04 who's becoming a toddler terror
Wife to Mick -13 yrs
If the 4/5 class stays the same as now I'd request another teacher. We have a 3/4/5 class of 18 students w 1 half time teacher and 2 half-time aides (actually 1 is Mon-thur AM is she's less than 0.5). By law we could have 22 in that room and 2 adults. (Actually, it's 1 teacher and 2 aides)
If I requested they give the job (actually it would be handing over my classroom part-time) to someone else, then that would most likely bring conflict because no two teachers have the exact same philosophy and we'd have to somehow compromise on our teaching style and how we were trained since we'd be sharing the same classroom. Did that make sense? Especially in the field of early childhood education, where how you plan and lay out your room is a large part.....the foundation....of how you teach. There is no way two teachers would agree on how to do that.
I'm just glad my district is willing to give me whatever I want for next year to keep me.
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