If I were Eli Broad, I would go into those schools and say to those teachers, "Let's work together to create a school that you would be proud to teach at and that students would love to attend."

Posted by Phylis Hoffman at 6:26 PM | Permalink

As a union representative (I sit on UTLA's House of Representatives), it is clear to me that our teaches union must restore public faith in public education through advocacy of some common sense change such as reimaging permanent status as a tenure system for teachers similar to those in place for college professors.

Posted by Phylis Hoffman at 7:55 PM | Permalink

I was picketing because the board, in issuing those reduction in force notices (RIF), is cutting vital personnel, and program pieces who serve the neediest students in our district. Sharing the streets with me that day were preschool students and their parents, high school students, and continuing education adult students. Several of them spoke and their stories reminded me of why it was important that we save those 609 positions. Why all the pieces in LAUSD matter.

Posted by Phylis Hoffman at 7:49 PM | Permalink

I am thankful to report that my district, the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), and my union, the United Teachers of Los Angeles (UTLA) have come to a tentative contract agreement and the possibility of a strike is no longer looming on the horizon. Like most agreements, compromise was made on both sides of the bargaining table. I won't bore you with all the details but I do want to talk about one - college counselors.

Posted by Phylis Hoffman at 3:34 PM | Permalink

I have sat in on school budget councils where we had to decide between funding a school nurse a few more days per week or purchasing a maintenance plan for our copy machines. This happens a lot, robbing Peter to pay Paul. The issue of essential school personnel is a huge roadblock in the heated negotiations between my union, United Teachers of Los Angeles (UTLA) and LAUSD. What personnel are essential for schools and their students to thrive?

Posted by Phylis Hoffman at 9:53 PM | Permalink

I know you may be thinking, I don't have time to get involved in something else! But taking the time to get involved in education issues outside your classroom is a great way to stay connected with the larger issues at your school, in your district, and in your state. It's also a great way to keep recharging those batteries.

Posted by Phylis Hoffman at 5:04 PM | Permalink

Some things to keep in mind in the Los Angeles Unified School District in moving forward after the resignation of Dr. John Deasy. Thoughts on what policies to keep, what the interim superintendent can do, what the United Teachers of Los Angeles can do, and what the school board can do.

Posted by Phylis Hoffman at 01:10 AM | Permalink