The BCPSS teacher contract, one year later

I was just interviewed by the Baltimore Sun for an article about the implementation of the new teacher contract. My take on it: one year into a three-year deal, the fact that there is no AU system in place yet for anything beyond credits (which already were rewarded on the old contract) makes it a big disappointment. Many aspects of it are a good idea, but it's been terribly implemented (or, just, not implemented). It would not pass today.

Baltimore teachers were promised a system that would reward hard work. I thought I would be given credit for going to conferences like the NCTE or for running my athlete study hall. None of this has occurred, making the contract a failure at this point, more than a year later.

It's a bummer, because I like the idea on paper, still. Should have been more cynical, I suppose.

I might change my mind a bit once I hear how many of my colleagues are rewarded as Model Teachers. I'm going for it as soon as I hear when the next cohort is.