This Week's Question: Who Are You?

There are more changes coming to this site -- good ones, I think, to make the comments sections flow more readily and to bring in more parents along with the teachers and administrators who are already in the know.  Or, I think that's who you are.  That's this week's question:  Who are you?  North side teacher, South side parent, elementary principal, first-year rookie?  Put as much or little information as you want, but try and put something. I'll go first...

I am a Chicago-raised education writer who has this blog and a national one. I grew up in Lakeview -- Latin Kings territory then -- and lived until last year in Wicker Park right near Pritzker Elementary (new preschool program coming soon, I hear). My sister got beat up at Alcott so they sent us to Parker. (How's Alcott doing these days, anyway, I wonder?)  I played pickup basketball as a kid on the courts outside Nettlehorst (now a parking lot).

Comments

[cermak_rd]

I'm a concerned citizen who lived, until my Ma fell and needed someone to stay with her, on the west side in Austin. Currently I'm living in Berwyn with Ma. I'm just a concerned citizen, not an educator. I'm opposed to vouchers but believe in public school choice. I also believe in public schools.

I attended public schools in Central IL. Our district spent at least 30% less per student than CPS did. Until reading this blog, I never understood why CPS needed so much money to deliver the same product I got down yonder. Of course, where I lived, we did not have to deal with the problems of persistent generational poverty, with disruptive students, or with a large special ed population. It probably helped too that our housing prices were considerably less than Chicagoland's housing prices.

[Upstate NewYork Teacher]

I grew up in Montreal and have lived in the states since the early eighties. Ten years ago I paid Educational Placement Service $3,000 for an interview at a Title I school on the south side with all of the problems you'd expect.I was a stockbroker at the time, but Clinton's go-go nineties made it possible for me to leave that gig. My first class of fifth graders in 1997 had 34 members ranging in age from 10-14,old books, old desks, and all of the problems you'd expect. Geez, the projects were still up! I stayed for seven years and loved every minute of it. Once you've worked on commision,everything job related seems like a cakewalk. I'm at a different Title I school now, but one with all the bells and whistles. A corporate entity interested in fostering financial literacy to Chicago's most needy sponsors my new school which has been open eight years.We're an AMP school and I have new desks,new books a discretionary budget to purchase what need,when I need it and no more than 20 kids in a class. Our scores are high and the administration is as professional as it comes. That three grand I paid to EPS was the best investment I ever made.

[Eury]

I'm a mom of a future CPS student. I believe in public schools and don't plan on leaving the city (unlike many new moms I meet). Of course, that's easy to say when you're in the Lincoln school district. Yet, maybe not so easy when surrounded by Latin and Parker and The New British School and Catherine Cook (oh and LaSalle, two doors down which is just as hard to get into) ...

I want to know what teachers are thinking, because I really wish we could work together (parents and teachers) toward better schools for ALL in the city -- not just those like me who are fortunate enough to have a great neighborhood school.

I taught at an alternative high school in Pilsen for a semester 20 some years ago while in college. That made me completely respect teachers ... and never want to be one again!

I come here to hear issues and see them explored. Things like residency requirements piss me off as I could care less where my teachers live. I KNOW they're dedicated. If all Chicago City Council members were required to send their kids to public school, I wonder what kind of changes would really start happening.

Sometimes this blog breaks my heart, though, and I can't read anymore! Mostly, I lurk, because I'm not qualified to speak to much.

Now I will shut up. : )

[John Silva]

I am a 4th year history teacher at Farragut Career Academy where I also coach the debate team. I post every now and then but read every day; especially when I need a pick-me-up to remind me that, all things considered, I have it pretty good where I am. I'm a retread having switched careers from telecommunications after having one too many dotcoms go bankrupt on me. I've lived in Chicago for ten years and spent most of my growing up in California.

[John Silva]

I am a 4th year history teacher at Farragut Career Academy where I also coach the debate team. I post every now and then but read every day; especially when I need a pick-me-up to remind me that, all things considered, I have it pretty good where I am. I'm a retread having switched careers from telecommunications after having one too many dotcoms go bankrupt on me. I've lived in Chicago for ten years and spent most of my growing up in California.

[AG]

I'm in my fifth year of teaching in CPS and in my 3rd year of teaching English at Dunbar Vocational Career Academy. I'm from Arkansas, so teaching in Chicago was a complete revelation for me. I moved here for my first teaching job. That first year (at Julian) was really tough. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I like this site because it is nice to see what other teachers are going through. It can definitely make me feel better.

[Cookie]

I'm a 28 year teaching vet! 23 of them w/CPS.
I have worked at 4 different schools. In 28 years I have taught nearly every grade.

I am a high school assistant principal. Twenty years in CPS, (first teaching, now administration)all in south side high schools.

I teach Early Childhood Special Eduation. West Side.

[I am a grandparent who wants to go to NY parent conference]

I am a Englewood Grandparent who should be allowed to travel to the next parent conference in NY next week.

Since I am not allowed because I am not a parent. Why is it that their are so-called parents who don't live in Chicago and pretend to be a loco parentis and their schools are sending them to NY for the National Parent Conference.

Should I use the race card? I hear it really works.

[Mr. Silva, hope your not on the clock at Farragut.]

BOO

[I am a former public school Title I - IASA / NCLB Parent]

I am a former public school parent

who volunteered to be an LSC member

and it changed my life. I like the blog

because it is an unseen, voice of

the PEOPLE and sometimes it is the

only way that one might be able to

help someone in need without being

judged. There are so many issue's

that plague our schools but there are

also a lot of solutions, If I can

I like to share solutions instead

of the problems.

[Kugler]

4th year Carpentry and Architectural Drafting Teacher at Hyde Park Career Academy.

Career change from 20 years in industry and construction. ABD in K12 Administration.

Starting to get acclimated to the Bizarro world that is CPS.

I'm "Maritza" and I live in Back of the Yards. Alexander very kindly posts links to my blog once in a while. A long time ago I taught English and social studies in alternative high schools in Uptown and Humboldt Park. I tried going back into teaching last year and quickly discovered I had been out of the field too long. Fortunately we were able to get a qualified replacement although the year had started. Nowadays I do other nonprofit work for money and tutor and mentor youth on my block for fun. I attend the LSC meetings at Chavez Elementary pretty regularly and have volunteered at Big Picture High School.

I am a special education teacher at a very large high school on the west side. I have taught here for 15 years. I love my students. I tiptoe around the administration. I have anger issues with CPS. I grew up on the north shore and went to private schools growing up. I came to CPS for the opportunity to be an assistant principal. I soon discovered that I am a teacher. I belong in the classroom. I just don't want to be forced out before I am ready to retire.

[Jen]

Can you get into trouble for being on the blog while on the job even if you're on a prep or your lunch? I know big brother is tracking First Class email. Maybe that is why most of us do not use our real names?

[MED]

I am a former CPS teacher as well as a City College Adjunct instructor. I taught at Yale, Beethoven, Barnard and Van Vlissigen (now known as Lavizzo) for 10 years. I have been in education publishing since 1979 I have never known CPS to be as toxic as it currently is. It practically takes an act of Congress to get any clear information on what is going on in the system. I am a professional who is so frustrated by the inability of knowing who is making decisions and how these decisions are being made. There is initiative after initiative, there are initiatives FOR the iniative. Many principals have no idea of what the guidelines are for some of the programs there schools are listed in.
There are mega problems in many schools with limited to no resources to address them.
There is just too much buracracy and so little support.
It gives me a headache to hear of all the success when I know of so much frustration in these schools and cries for help.
It is pretty unfortunate, or more reflectve of a system that is too big!!!!!

[Marshall Rosenthal]

I am chief communications officer of Golden Apple Foundation, which advances the teaching profession through recruitment and preparation, professional development and recognition. Previously I was communications director of Evanston/Skokie School District 65. I worked as a Chicago journalist for many years. I am a native Chicagoan and graduate of Howland Elementary School, Farragut High School and DePaul University.

So?

[October 23, 2007]

I am a principal and I have been working for CPS for twenty-three years. CPS is the only company I have ever worked for. I am a native Chicagoan.I am also a product of CPS. I read the blog almost every day. The blog is very informative.

[retired teacher]

I am a newly retired teacher. I worked for 35 years in 3 different Chicago Public Schools. I attended Chicago Public Schools as a child (Patrick Henry, Haugan, & Roosevelt HS). I have always been proud of my CPS education as well as my work as a CPS educator. I was a north-sider (Albany Park and Old Irving) until about 15 years ago when I relocated to the Southwest suburbs (for economic reasons...it was cheaper on the Southwest side.

While I enjoyed teaching...somehow I knew it was time to go. And I am enjoying retirement even more!! I can't wait for the first time it snows so much we think schools should be closed (and they are not) and I don't have to drive in to work!! I think that the ability for teachers to be creative is in danger of being lost amid mandates and additions to the instructional program.

As a teacher for 35 years, it is interesting to sit back and watch the happenings in Chicago's public schools. I will always be "a city kid" at heart. I am glad for the experiences and opportunities I had as a teacher in Chicago.

[1:14. You are on taxpayers time.]

What will Mayor Daley say that all of you are on the computer on school time?

Alexander, you posted this question before with the bag on someone face with the same question, Who are you?

[Eric]

I am a first-year teacher at Barton Elementary on the southside. I grew up in small-town Kansas and came to Chicago five years ago for college. I still live in Hyde Park.

[LOL]

Huh? 1:14 AM is taxpayer time now too? Extended day has gone way too far. Better watch it 1:14.

[George, but not Schmidt]

I'm a teacher from Iowa.
I moved to Chicago with my wife who is finishing her medical degree.
When I first came here I was hired to work in a charter in a semi-administrative position.
I now teach in a CPS high school.
I'm paid more as a classroom teacher in CPS than at the charter.
Both jobs are rough, but the classroom teaching is more honest!