If you want to know what it's like to teach in a school after significant staffing cuts, come visit me. I realized on my ride home from work tonight that I already work in a situation that may be what it's like if they (state govt.) cut school budgets (translation - cutting teachers) like everyone is reporting. I teach in a school that's closing at the end of this year due to declining enrollment in that school's attendance area over the past several years. The community persuaded the school board to keep the school open so that year's 6th graders could finish the 8th grade. As a compromise, they have phased the closing - last year we had 7th and 8th graders; this year only 8th graders. One grade level. 87 students. Sounds easy, right?
Let me interrupt by saying --- I love teaching. I love the people I work with in my school and across the district. I am challenged every day and wouldn't trade this career for anything. I am blessed beyond measure to have a teaching position in an area I'm passionate about -- language arts and reading.
Back to reality ...
Remember that with a declining enrollment comes a declining staff. Because of our enrollment, we are allotted 5 teachers, a paraprofessional, an administrator and an administrative assistant. Our 4 elective teachers have our students 1st period, then are off to teach at other campuses. No librarian and their vast expertise. No ISS teacher to help with severe discipline problems during the course of the school day. We share a special education teacher, nurse, counselor, and social worker with other schools so we do not have these services full time. 8th graders in our district have 2 electives - their other elective is either TAKS Reading or TAKS Math (if they didn't pass state tests last year) or a reading strategies or math strategies class (depending on which they need worse). No art, choir, theatre, AVID, or any of the other typical electives you find in most middle schools. We have a handful of students who have been in band and still take band, often rehearsing and performing with the high school band.
I work with the best group of teachers - we've been together for several years and we all get along and work really well together. With all the staffing/eliminations, we've had to be creative in more ways than you can imagine. We have resources, supplies and necessities, but I feel like that the students are really getting the short end of the deal. Some of them have 3 math-related classes or 2 reading classes and 2 math classes - every day. Sounds ok because they probably need it, right? Well, yeah. But too much of a good thing is overkill. If they're not a brilliant academic student - particularly math or reading - they get to be "unsuccessful" 2-3 times a day. Kids really lose out when their education isn't complimented with the other valuable electives and services that schools have traditionally offered.
I'm preaching to the choir and just felt the need to write this down. Hopefully those in leadership positions at the district, state, and federal levels will make smart decisions and realize that doing more with less simply cannot jeopardize our kids' educations. They're our future and deserve the best.
