Ed Notes Extended

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

MY TIP and IPC Story - by John Elfrank-Dana

AP: The evaluator chooses if video will be used. (She points out rightly that the UFT gave the discretion of video to the evaluator instead of the evaluated. Way to go Mulgrew!)... JED
Another gem from John. Isn't it great to be on F-You time?
Warning – Kids don’t try this at your school. This teacher has one year to go before retirement.

TIP Responses:
AP: Mr. Elfrank-Dana, What are your areas of strength?
Me: Why don’t you tell me? This is your meeting?
AP: Oh, no this is a collaboration.
Me: So, I can leave and it won’t be considered insubordination?
AP: uh…
Me: Look, YOU gave me this Developing rating. It’s not mine. So, you need to answer the question.
AP: What are your areas for improvement?
Me: You tell me. You tell me what I have to do to be an Effective rated teacher, You tell me what you are going to do for me to get me there.
AP: What were your strengths?
Me: This process is a fraud. It’s a product of Bloomberg and my union president who has the IQ of a tree stump. It’s an illusion of due diligence. This process is a part of a larger war on public education. I will answer as a prisoner of war.
AP: What are your MOTP and MOSL goals for this year and your timeline to meet these goals?
Me: John Elfrank Dana, Teacher/Chapter Leader, File no. XXXXXX
AP: When would you like your summative meeting to take place?
Me: John Elfrank Dana, Teacher/Chapter Leader, File no. XXXXXX
And so on…

AP: The evaluator chooses if video will be used. (She points our rightly that the UFT gave the discretion of video to the evaluator instead of the evaluated. Way to go Mulgrew!)
Me: Why would  you not want to use video? (background, I had formals videoed last year and they had to give me Effective, as they couldn’t make stuff up. But, they refused to look at them as I argued I should have gotten Highly Effective and the proof of 100 percent engagement for both formals was in the video).
AP: I am not saying I won’t.
Me: So, what do you say?
AP: I won’t say now.
Me: This is symptomatic of what I am talking about.
This whole process is a fraud.

I said staff should request no more than one unannounced observation (as is the minimum stated in Advance p.9) The principal said no. I argued, in other TIP meetings,  that this is supposed to be collaborative and not dictatorial. The minimum of one informal unannounced is there. Why would they put it in if it’s not an option? We will file APPR complaints if they don’t concede. Janella Hinds shared with me that she thinks unannounced observations are a good thing. I said, it sounds like I’m talking to the Gates Foundation. And that the UFT can ignore our complaints but a judge down the road may not.

In solidarity,

John

John Elfrank-Dana
UFT Chapter Leader

Murry Bergtraum High School

4 comments:

  1. This is exactly what she does! She is a veritable robot. No feeling or emotion, just follows the company playbook. Also, why can't the DOE find one principal, just one that has a shred of decent humanity in them? Replacing bad principals with other bad principals is not progress.

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  2. Can someone please show me exactly where in Advance on page 9 where is says there is a "minimum" of one informal observation? I just re-read Advance and it states a "minimum" of 3 informal observations.

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  3. Nothing has changed for a very long time when it comes to some administrator entering your room. You can be observed informally as many times as they see fit, but they must label it informal and give you a post-op. That said, ADVANCE states minimum observations, not total. You need to take a deep breath, exude confidence, and write down anything negative an evaluator says to you. You should even make them repeat their offense comments because that is how we will hold their feet to the fire in an age of COLLABORATION. Thank you, Dr. John Marvul.

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  4. There were never any specific numbers when it came to observations. You could an can be observed as many times that your administration desires, and that would include this new EVAL. The wording is " Minimum" but must include a post-op for an informal. That said, I strongly suggest that if you believe you have been unfairly targeted, the keep a diary of what is said and done to you by administration. You should even have any offender repeat what he/she said. The new era begs " Collaboration, " not intimidation. I know it is not perfect system, but the public does want some oversight. Thank you, Dr. John Marvul

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