Teachers-Do you have this problem?

Question

This is for Chicago Teachers, in particular.
Some principals, in an effort to prevent teacher absences AND tardies, want to dock a teacher's paycheck. Now, I can see if a person is absent a lot, for this affects the student's that it is their job to teach, but tardies? I only could see tardies, if the person consistantly arrives AFTER the students have arrived, because that WOULD possibly affect the students. But teacher start time is 8:30, however, 8:30 is a prep. If a monetary value is placed on a prep, wouldn't that apply to ALL teacher preps, and the teacher's now should be compensated if they miss getting one? Is this a union issue, board issue, or both? Isn't this a change in the agreement, and a waiver must be submitted and signed by the union and the board?
I'd really like to know what to tell the LSC.

Your sort of right, Gotta know, but some teachers ARE complaining about it, and they are there every day, and before their class too. The problem came about last week on the day after the big electrical storm, and a lot of teachers were very late or absent because they couldn't get there. I was one of those that came anyway, albeit very difficult to manuver around downed trees, and traffic lights that were out. Most of us did leave home on time, and I guess out of frustration, the principal called us into his office to notify us of that new plan.
A friend of mine at another school, said that her principal docks them after even 1 minute! It's a prep with no children, for goodness sake. That's nit picking.

Wisewoman, you are right too, but I'm not speaking of teachers that arrive AFTER the students, I'm speaking of before students even arrive. This would not affect them at all.

I don't think that teacher's should be docked, but it would be in the yearly evaluation that this problem would be documented on. Assuming of course, that it is considered on an individual basis if it is in fact affecting student performance.
1, 5 or even 10 minutes late for a prep that most teachers spend in the break room drinking coffee and just getting ready to meet their students, has no effect on the students themselves.

RE: Rick and Carson, That is way different in Florida. If we had to be there one minute before the kids started, there wouldn't be this problem. They want us there 30 minutes before kids start to do nothing but prepare. Late IS Late, but Fair IS Fair! I'd rather work in Florida. Chicago is crazy.

Sorry Elizabeth, but on the the ones referring to teacher's pay to show ownership, you do. YOU as a teacher, should know this.

Also Elizabeth, you ARE correct in saying that it IS a problem in the district. Instead of increasing our pay, they've increased our time. Many teachers, like myself, stay extremely late, in order to do just what they say we are supposed to do from 8:30 to 9:00, and that is to prepare for the next class.

Answer 1

Whoa...that's a lot of information.

1. Your union needs to handle this.

2. Is there anything about this in your contract? If not, then they can't do it. Often, principals are just making empty threats.

Answer 2

I mean absolutely no disrespect with this, but your punctuation is driving me crazy. It's a personal pet peeve, and I feel that if you're a teacher, you'd like to know. You don't put apostrophes with plural words. You only use apostrophes with contractions (he's=he is) and with possessive nouns (Mark's book). Again, I know it sounds incredibly rude, but I would want someone to correct me if I kept making the mistake.

As for the whole docking thing- I think it takes away from the professionalism of teaching, as do many other things that are thrown at us. If it is a sincere problem in your district, I see no reason why they shouldn't give it a shot. If, however, it's just a way to keep checks on people, it's stupid. Teachers are salaried and are not paid by the hour. As long as they're doing their job in a professional manner, there shouldn't be a reason to dock pay in this way. If they plan to dock pay for coming in late, they should INCREASE pay for teachers who stay late. Fat chance of that happening. I would take it to your union representative. Teacher unions have an ungodly amount of power. You might as well take advantage of it.

Answer 3

I am a teacher in FL. If you are late, you are late. I can't see removing money from a paycheck, because how could you scale that out. However, think about it in terms of another job. If you were a waiter and you were late consistently for your shift, you would be fired. If you are a doctor, and consistently late for appts and surgeries, you would lose patients and money. Our time to be there is 7:19, kids walk in the door at 7:20. If I am not there, people know because my kids are standing outside. If something were to happen to them, who would be responsible? To me it sounds like they have told you to be there at 8:30. Also, count out your daily hours. If that 8:30 is included in your pay then I would think you could be held accountable. But a principal just couldn't do that. I think it would have to go through a lot of hurdles - school board, union, etc.

Answer 4

This is the kind of school district crap that cripples the system. I would get to class on time and prepared and that is all the school and district would get out of me. Micromanaging is the tool of the untalented and of someone who will do anything to anyone to get that big promotion where they can create more havoc. Unions today are so political that they are useless on any human issues. Your union will sell you down the river asap if it was in the best interest of the political stature and power of the union.
Go teach elsewhere! Ambition in teaching is a virus that kills. Teaching is a calling, always has been and always will be. Teachers don't give recognition to the crap you are discussing and neither should you.

Answer 5

I went to a teacher development meeting once and the teacher came late see stormed in put all her stuff down had to figure out where she was at. She lost me at that point if I had to rust to eat to get there on time and she was late, but that was her whole purpose when we are late we tell our kids they are not as important as I say they are actions speak louder than words.

Answer 6

It is a union issue. Until resolved, and bring it up to your union!, make sure you are there on time!