UGH-- work vent! I'm so angry!

[Cindy B]

As most of you know, I work as a special education assistant to a public middle school.

For the past two years, I have been assigned to one or two special education teachers, and working in an inclusion classroom. Inclusion classroom is a regular education classroom, with students that need some specialized instruction. I would circulate within the classroom, take notes for them, help catch them up if they got lost, keep them on track with assignments, etc.

I thought, in my third year, this would be the same.


NOT SO! Today I go to the school and find the principal has only given me ONE class for the entire day. So for one 42 minute period for one school day, I am being utilized for what I am trained for. The remeaning 6 hours-- I am doing what I would call stupid crap! Stuff like making copies, getting sodas for the secretaries, taking lunch orders, just crap, crap, crap!

Its not like I am above that other stuff, but I am training to be a teacher... not an office secretary. I was an office secretary, (in fact an executive secretary) for over 10 years, and there was a reason I got out of that, and went into education!

I am so mad I could just spit! I know I need to be grateful that I have a job.

I am so angry that the principal only assigned me with one class. This school is about 20% IEP students, so Its not like I can't be utilized.

I have to talk to the union rep about this. I'm not one to cry to the union, but I am so angry.

 

[Bobbles]

AHHHH! An excellent use of valuable resources!

Best wishes that you are returned to what you were trained for!

 

[doxdogy]

Did the principal give you any reason why only one class? I don't blame you, I would be hopping mad too. If the principal is being uncooperative, I would definitely talk to the union rep.

 

[Cindy B]

Originally posted by doxdogy
Did the principal give you any reason why only one class? I don't blame you, I would be hopping mad too. If the principal is being uncooperative, I would definitely talk to the union rep.

Well, first he had me one three different teaching teams, with one subject.

I was going to aid 2 6th grade teams and one 7th grade team in Spanish. Now, usually one person does one team, with one/two special ed teachers. Three teams is UNHEARD OF. That would be one person being shared by 6-7 special ed teachers, instead of the usual 1-2! With the flex scheduling our building has, I could never be in the right place at the right time. Basically the entire class and schedule would have been rearranged for 100 plus students for me to aid! (Again unheard of, and extremely unpractical!)

So after that was discovered, I lost two classes this way. Now, I am down to ONE class.

 

[minniecarousel]

The people in our school who do what you do are soooo in demand! I cannot imagine them under-utilizing someone with your skills! Definitely go to your Union - you're not whining - you just need to do what you are trained to do. (as someone who does nothing but make copies - no offense taken!)

 

[Kallison]

Hi Cindy B -- we have the same job, but I work for one teacher in 7th grade and follow the same 15 kids to their various classes. I got assigned one period inthe office. I don't mind too much, except I only have 30 min. prep time. But it is better than cafe duty -- which I detest!! I think that stinks what happened to you, can you go to the principal before the union? Can you get transferred to another school in your district? I definitely would not like to be reassigned all day office duty after working in the classroom. I hope you can work it out. Are you going back for your teaching degree? I have two years left to go, but I'm totally unmotivated, it will not get done, but I admire anyone who can do it. I'm mid-40's and just not in the school frame of mind anymore.

 

[Cindy B]

Originally posted by Kallison
Hi Cindy B -- we have the same job, but I work for one teacher in 7th grade and follow the same 15 kids to their various classes. I got assigned one period inthe office. I don't mind too much, except I only have 30 min. prep time. But it is better than cafe duty -- which I detest!! I think that stinks what happened to you, can you go to the principal before the union? Can you get transferred to another school in your district? I definitely would not like to be reassigned all day office duty after working in the classroom. I hope you can work it out. Are you going back for your teaching degree? I have two years left to go, but I'm totally unmotivated, it will not get done, but I admire anyone who can do it. I'm mid-40's and just not in the school frame of mind anymore.

15. You are lucky. Last year I had 28! I didn't have any prep time either.

If I do office, I may get stuck on four lunch duties also. I am so angry.

I was interviewed by another school in the district and they called while we were in Florida. I politely called them today, apologizing for the delay since we were out of town since Monday, and today is Thursday. I know it may be a long shot, but I may be able to transfer.

I have just about two years done in school. I will soon have enough to sub, and then I will just sub.. and quit aiding all together. You can do it! I'm just a bit younger than you, and it can be done!

 

[Kallison]

You are in NJ correct? NJ you can sub with a two year degree, PA you need a four year degree. I hope you resolve everything. Let me know how it goes.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

I often see our building subs doing lunch duty, copying the newsletter, etc. when they don't have anyone to sub for. But our special ed. people would never be used like this.
Robin M.

 

[Cindy B]

Originally posted by Kallison
You are in NJ correct? NJ you can sub with a two year degree, PA you need a four year degree. I hope you resolve everything. Let me know how it goes.

Yes, I am in NJ. I have two more classes to finish until my two years are done.

My plan was to finish this year as an aide, and then just be a sub. The sub pay is higher, and I can also get my four year degree quicker.

 

[orvilleair]

Don't know if they could use your talents at more than just one school in your district. My wife teaches music, and a lot of the other teachers spend their class time between two different elementary schools. There seems to be a pecking order with teachers, and special ed, arts, music and PE teachers are usually left with doing the medial stuff like bus duty, breakfast and lunch duty etc.... I wish you luck in this.

 

[Cindy B]

Thanks!

We are the lowest in the pecking order, since we are aides. Since I am a teaching student, that tends to give me a little bit more leverage than other aides.

I have been told to cover classes for teachers, and to do things for them that other aides have not done.

Anyway, here goes nothing. Back to day two! (hey only 180 days left!)

 

[bobcat]

What happened to doing what is best for the students? Sounds like your school isn't doing that. Educational aids are too valuable and too talented to waste making copies. Personally I would never ask an aide to make copies for me, that's my job.

I don't know about your state but Ohio is going to require all educational aides to have a two year degree. A couple of ours have 4yr degrees already.

I detest lunch duty. Guess what I get to do again this year. Gotta stock up on my tylenol.

 

[Lanshark]

Check private schools in your area that specialize in learning disabilities.

 

[kwdietrich1]

Wow! In the district where I teach, aids, unfortunately, do not get any prep time. My MIL works as a Special Ed assistant in the bldg where I teach, and she also performs additional duties such as office work, delivering the announcements etc. Our office staff is so overworked and under-staffed that they pull aids to help out. Not something I agree with, of course! I'm sorry to hear that they are not using you for which you were trained. Good luck and hope it gets better!

 

[Towncrier]

I hope it works out for you Cindy. It really seems like your school is missing a great opportunity to use your skills.

We have a friend here who has a teaching degree and cannot get a job while another friend who has no formal education as a teacher (but who does have a college degree) is sub-ing for a teacher who is out on maternity leave. So the teacher isn't teaching and the non-teacher is. I guess your school system isn't the only one making mindless decisions.