Conviction Corner: Protect and Respect Teachers by Jessica H. Macias
When I first went through the teaching program at UCSD, they warned us about the likelihood of new teachers to leave the profession within the first five years of teaching. I wondered, “Why?” I soon found out that it was not necessarily about classroom management issues, extra supervision assignments, amounts of preps, or parent complaints. It was about the uncertainty we could experience every single year. The first three years were a dream because I did not have to deal with the looming question: “Will I have a job next school year?” However, reality hit me and it all went downhill in 2020. At the end of every year from 2020 onward, I was slapped with a big, fat pink slip.
I look back at my time teaching and read an op-ed piece I wrote that is about my experience when I was first pink-slipped.
“My dream of becoming a teacher began when I was a kindergartener walking the long hallways with my Barney backpack full of exciting writing assignments. My love for teaching grew profoundly when I was a student at Castle Park High School, walking the hallways with my polka dot backpack full of International Baccalaureate assignments. The passion and drive my teachers demonstrated inspired me to be that teacher for future generations. They made school feel like a home away from home. After earning my bachelor’s degree at San Diego State University, I went ahead and earned my master’s degree and teaching credential at UC San Diego. Since then, I earned a second master’s degree in Higher Education Student Affairs. I wanted to put the hard work in so that I could provide my future students with the best education possible.
It is not my effort alone. My colleagues have the same goal of giving the students the tools to be change-makers. These past two weeks exemplify just that. Our students protested against the proposed plan to fix the deficit we are in. They know we are fighting for them, and they have shown us that they are fighting for us as well.
My third official year of teaching took a turn for the worse - not because of the students, parents or my colleagues, but because of the mismanagement of money at the top. I understand things happen, but we need to start being proactive and actually find a solution that works for the students. Our district motto is to put students first, but when will we actually start doing that? I remember standing by my teachers years ago as a sophomore and junior in high school when they were being pink-slipped. We would strike in front of the school because they taught us how to use our voices to make a difference. Now I stand by those same teachers as their colleague and fight the same fight.
I was infuriated when I read what Board President Nick Tarantino declared after a recent board meeting: ‘The disappointment goes both ways. I stand by my comments and as far as surprises, I would have thought that with students and parents in the audience, teachers would have set a better example of how to advocate for their points of view. Would you tolerate students behaving in your classroom the way your colleagues behaved at Monday's meeting? I doubt it. As for other ways to address this budget deficit, the message from SEA has been very clear: This 'mess' is of your doing; we owe you nothing to solve it. We solved it, like it or not. You cannot have it both ways.’ How can he not see the different perspectives in order to understand our predicament and why we are hurt and angry? Obviously, cutting from the top does not benefit him or anything at the top, so he is trying to villainize us in order to turn the script. This whole situation is similar to the train track analogy: There is a runaway trolley barreling down the tracks. Ahead, on the tracks, there are five people tied up and unable to move. The trolley is headed straight for them. You are standing some distance off in the train yard, next to a lever. If you pull this lever, the trolley will switch to a different set of tracks. However, you notice that there is one person on the side track. You have two options: 1) Do nothing and allow the trolley to kill the five people on the main track or 2) pull the lever, diverting the trolley onto the side track where it will kill one person. Which do you choose? In other words, do you save the hundreds of teachers, librarians and learning centers or do you save the few people at the top?
We must ask ourselves how certain cuts will affect students. As one person mentioned at that same board meeting, the students would not know the difference if someone at the district office were cut from the equation. In my opinion, cuts need to be made at the top. She added two assistant superintendent positions and many management positions in these past five years. We were able to work without them before. If the board decides to vote against cutting these positions, these should at least lessen the salaries of those individuals in order to keep teacher and librarian positions. You know which cuts will affect the students? The cuts to our teachers, librarians, and learning centers.
In regard to Tarantino insinuating that the teachers and librarians present that night were not strong examples for the students: We are wonderful examples to our students because we are showing them how to use their voices for the greater good. They are learning, firsthand, why the First Amendment is so important. Due to our passionate display of disagreement with the board, the students took things into their own hands and planned their own displays of disagreement. Did we lead them or push them to do it? No. They did that all on their own. Like someone mentioned at the board meeting, cutting people at the district office does not directly impact students. Cutting teachers and librarians does. Let’s start living by our motto and ‘put students first.’ The board forgets that they are working for us, not the other way around.
Unfortunately, I received my pink slip today. I have cried multiple times because my heart breaks for my colleagues and the students. Especially the students. For now, the fight is not over. We will stand up against this horrid decision that actually puts students last. If my pink slip is not rescinded on May 15, I will know I tried my best. As I have told my current seniors, I started their high school journey with them and will now be graduating with them.”
Anger courses through my body yet again. Anger for my younger self. Anger for my current self. Anger for the other teachers dealing with this year after year. How is this still going on years later? We are not simply pawns to be moved around. We are humans with emotions, bills to pay, and lives to live. Yes, I am grateful for the experiences I have gained throughout my teaching journey, including all the people I have met along the way, but I am also annoyed with how I am being treated.
But we cannot continue to pour from an empty cup. The district needs to pour into their teachers by: ensuring they have permanent positions, paying them what they deserve, providing ample professional development opportunities, and issuing great benefits. Protect and respect our teachers.
Teachers, I understand that you cannot continue pouring from an empty cup. This is why it is important to do what you love outside of work to pour into yourself, communicate with one another, ask for help when needed, and speak up when possible.
I have been asked why I don’t just leave after being mistreated for so long. As I close the door to room 152, I remind myself of why I do this: for the kids.
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