Whatever happened to teachers’ dedication to students?

LIVING IN MANVILLE — Nov. 9, 2000

By:Mary Ellen Zangara
   Over the past few days, since the release of the guest column of Manville Education Association’s president Kathy Kovach in The Manville News, there has been a lot of talk around the community.
   I have been stopped, phoned and questioned why certain statements were made, and what are the teachers referring to. I have put some of the questions here without naming who asked them.
   The residents are concerned about these statements and actions of the teaching staff in the district. Parents would like to know what the teachers are purchasing, as stated as "(teachers) have purchased equipment, instructional supplies and furniture for the classrooms."
   Are you buying items that are not provided by the district? Or are you buying your own chair because you just don’t like the one in your classroom at your desk? Is there certain software that you prefer to use in your classroom and you are not provided with it, so you bought your own?
   Many can understand that you may be paying for some things out of your own pocket, but is it necessary?
   If a child doesn’t have lunch money on a certain day that is understandable, and most parents will reimburse you the next day. But if for some reason you are not, is it very often that this happens?
   Paying for trips and special events also raised a question. When a trip has been paid for, what was paid for?
   In the schools, often the teachers came to the school’s PTAs for financial help, and the organization has come through for them, or the parents have paid for the trip themselves.
   Many of these parents said that they would be more than happy to contribute so that all the children could be a part of the trip or event. No one hesitated at all.
   Parents, students and community members have taken notice that every morning before school starts, at each of the schools the teachers gather on the parking lot or playground and all proceed in together at a certain time.
   They have seen the staff’s cars with the big white signs with the red letters "Settle Now" in the windows.
   On Fridays the staff can be seen wearing their T-shirts. For Halloween instead of wearing the traditional costumes, they wore their T-shirts and buttons for all the parents and parade watchers to see.
   If you happen to be sitting outside picking up your child at one of the schools, many have seen that as soon as that time of dismissal comes, some of our teachers are beating the students out of the building.
   Why is that? You can’t wait to get out of our schools?
   A few parents are upset that their children can’t even get extra help from the teachers in their subjects. Responses have been "I can’t, I don’t have a contract."
   Teachers don’t stay past the school day’s end, and some are not happy with that. If a child needs help in a subject, who can they go to? You are teaching class during the day, they have classes during your prep time, and now they can’t get help after school?
   Does that mean that child is going to fail your class because they just don’t know what to do?
   I heard from some parents that the teacher conferences over the past few days were all done, with all four teachers, for five minutes on a timer. Those who had these conferences were offended, especially parents new to the school.
   And some weren’t even able to see the child’s portfolio because it was not available and will have to come back again at a later date.
   Another question presented to me this week was about the PTAs that each school has. They want to know, where are the teachers at these meetings? There have not been many teachers involved in the parent group.
   Once in a while a teacher will come out, but there should be more teacher participation. After all, the PTA is there to also help you as well as the students in the schools. The teachers are always coming to the PTA for help with something.
   How many times have you been asked to come out and participate in a school activity at night and didn’t? There have been times when the teachers and staff have been invited to attend an event or activity and some of you couldn’t even be bothered, yet the students and parents are always there.
   These are just some of the concerns of the community and parents that they cannot understand. You have said, and have worn your buttons, "We care for your children," so please try to understand that parents are concerned and value the education of their children.?
Mary Ellen Zangara is a lifelong resident of Manville. Her husband, Andrew Zangara, leads the Board of Education’s negotiations committee.