Are your class sizes getting larger?

I've been hearing from a large number of my peers, and what they are saying is that their class sizes are increasing dramatically.  The result of the cut back from a year ago, and from two years ago has raised class sizes to 30-34 and classes in physical education in some schools are in the 40's.  Children aren't products, they are people. They can't be educated on an assembly line.  There is no  'point and click'. They are young and even the brightest child needs to be able to receive individual attention at some point during the day.  Every child wants the teacher to look at the work they have taken such care to produce and give them some praise.  When you have 40-45 minutes per class, it's almost impossible to do that, but we are professionals and we do our best.  Our students are the reason we do all the work that we do, and they are worth it.  This year teachers in our district have joined with parents to put up yard and window signs that tell the children that we are united in supporting them toward their future.   I hope the message gets across.   At least we, the teachers, know who is important- our students- and what is important - their education.  KEEP TEACHING!!

50-90 thousand education positions are in danger

Look up the Budget Control Act of 2011.  It was signed in August of 2011 and is law.  The sequester (pulling back of money) by the federal government may mean the loss of 50-90 thousand educational positions across the country.  There will be 2 million pink slips going out on January 3, 2013 barring some miracle.  Many defense positions, many federal positions, and about 800,000 non-defense jobs are predicted to be removed from the work force.  let's get ready to adjust our budgets and our attendance books.  Please look up Sequester of 2013.  There are 2 million pink slips being prepared right now.  Apparently this is something that must happen.  I thought that the education of children was the thing that must happen.  Well, while those of us who truly care about children are fighting for their future, like the teachers in Chicago, there are people who are fighting to keep their dollars in their millionaire, high budget pockets.  While they blame us for test scores, they make class sizes larger and greatly malign our profession.  Like my current principal (who is awesome by the way), I have always liked working with children.  I have loved the process and result of learning, and I have received great joy from seeing a child grasp a concept which they once felt was impossible.  I challenge those who are attacking teachers and teacher unions to work in a classroom for a month.  I don't think they have "the right stuff".  I know we all do.  KEEP TEACHING!!