The teachers aren't trusted.
Just my imagination, you say? Case in point: All teachers are required to sign in and sign out on an electronic scanner that recognizes your fingerprints. Also, there is no stack of copy paper next to the copy machine; each teacher is given one ream per semester. (If you run out, too bad for you!) This means lugging around heavy paper every time you need to make copies. And the biggest inconvenience? We're not allowed to have a building key, so if you want to come in and get caught up on a Saturday, forget it! You're there to steal computers, for all they know!
If you need basic supplies for your classroom, like copy paper or printer ink, you practically have to beg the front office for it. If they deem you and your cause worthy enough, they will unlock their secret supply closet and find what you need.
Is your school this tight-fisted with supplies?
15 comments:
The fingerprint machine is crazy! The other stuff sounds familiar, though. We used to have to bring our own paper at my old school :( So much money spent at Staples! I am still in shock every day at my current school (after 5 years here!) when I go to copy and there's always paper for us to use! That stinks that teachers don't feel trusted at your school!
I am also a teacher- 4th grade- at a local elementary school. I am lucky enough to work at a school where not only are we trusted, we are treated like professionals. I love where I teach and those wonderful people with whom I teach. Happy SITS Saturday!
Wow! I've never heard of such crazy rules! Teachers should be celebrated, not chastised. I'll bet the kids make it all worth it though.
I am in a new school district this year and I feel the same way. We have a specific fob to key in which, of course, recognizes each individual teacher. My district has disciplinary action for any teacher that shows up even seconds after our contractually obligated time involving standing in front of the board and pleading your case. (My assistant superintendent can be heard spouting the phrase "early is on time and on time is late" on pretty much any occasion you can think of.) We must submit all supply requests to the office several days in advance of actually needing the supplies and all of these requests get signed by the principal herself, as if she has nothing better to do than monitor our use of chart paper!
It's unfortunate that that is the rule at most schools, now, but there's a good reason. It isn't personal, it's business and, quite frankly, both yours and my business because our taxes pay for those supplies for educational uses.
Present company excepted, as a business owner, I found it appalling how many of my employees assumed they could use my copy machines for their own personal use (because they worked there!) making 5-6 copies of church cookbooks, craft books, etc., when I kept copy paper available. This not only increased my supply costs of paper but the printing ink and repairs, as well. And, they also helped themselves to whatever office supplies they needed, including printer cartridges, because they were so expensive.
As a taxpayer, I want school copiers used for school projects but because of the actions of some people, the rest have to suffer. Somebody has to be watching where my money goes, and everyone wants to be the exception. Sadly, the new rules make it really difficult for honest people to do a simple job.
So far as building keys are concerned, with the unfortunate climate that we have today, do you really want to be held responsible for any damages or thefts that occur when you're using a building on weekends? Because that's what would happen. You'd be accused of not locking the door behind you or whatever else they could come up with and you'd be the problem.
So far as the micro-manager "early is on time..." that's ridiculous. If they want you at the helm at 8AM then the contract should read that your job starts at 7:45AM or 7:30AM so that you can be set up and ready to go at 8AM. BUT, that would require their having to PAY you for that time, so they put a guilt trip on you for not following their slogan.
Oh, God. Sorry. I'm off the soapbox.
Sharlene -- I certainly understand the need to be careful in how we are using supplies paid for by tax payers. I find it surprising and unfortunate that there are people out there who take advantage of workplace copiers for their own personal use. I just wish the rest of us honest people didn't have to pay the price for their untrustworthiness!
Sounds like they are really trying to retain good teachers! That's crazy.
Wow, it's good for me to read things like this... makes me really glad for my job.
I work in a small christian school that runs in and part of our church so it's one copier for all. I have a class account that if I'm going crazy on colour copies then I may have to pay out of that (not technically MY money) but otherwise I'm given very free reign.
I have my own building key, and code, and I can get into every building and room (excluding the principal's office... scary place anyways, haha). And, as far as I know, no one notices when I come and go as long as I'm there when I need to be.
It sounds like we're very unprofessional but I can assure you, we're all tried and true, dedicated teachers... maybe it's because we really are all part of some funny distorted big family!
And, I agree with Julie M, teachers should be celebrated, not made to feel like felons! Keep on keepin' on and remember... it's all for the kids, right? :)
This is redicoulous. Why are we paying school taxes...What good does our tax money do?...Yes, I too have to sign in....
I am an Art teacher..I get nothing...I ask parents for donations of anything. I then work my projets around the things I get from them. It is hard but it is what I have to do. the whole system has changed..It is now "Big Busniess" too bad.
Oh yes, Thank you for your comment on my blog. Glad to have visitors.
A big YES! Its not the school but the principal's mentality! You can be at the same school for years then a new principal arrives and changes the whole atmosphere. Grrr! and yes I've had to carry my pack and paper to do photocopies. What a nuisance! I told my husband about the paper situation and could not believe it. With the tiny salaries we make its amazing that I have to buy paper to print important material for my students! They are always asking us to customize our teaching to particular groups....Good post!
Hey there! Is it possibly a budgetary concern? I mean, the paper? The finger print thing is a little weird. What are they trying to prevent with that? Did someone do something to cause the finger tracing to be enacted?
Regardless, I gave you an award! Please stop by my little space to pick it up!
That's insane! I'm not sure if Princess Nagger's school is like that, but I'm guessing it might be, based on all the high security stuff they have going on over there. :)
Yep, it's crazy. We have to swipe AND sign in and out daily. Then they change my swipe time to 8:10-3:40 when it is turned into central office. No matter if I was here till 6. Of course, no overtime for that! We have to beg for copy paper too, but we're only allowed to use a risograph on our own. Someone else has to make our copies since teachers aren't smart enough to do that on our own. I bought my own printer/copier to make just a few copies in my room. The risograph only copies a normal sized piece of paper and you have to make 20 copies. Office supplies are locked up and begged for here too! And no building key here either. I guess it helps me stay away from work on the weekend!
This sounds like the norm to me, unfortunately. Except for the finger print machine. THAT? Is beyond crazy.
I'm not a teacher but I had two aunties who were both teachers (they already retired). I enjoy reading your discussions...
Post a Comment