The New York City Department of Education serves over a million students and employs over 75,000 teachers. This podcast attempts to answer some of the toughest questions teachers might encounter in the largest school system in the country. How does the city spend its $34 billion with a 'b' education budget? What does the UFT do for teachers? How long does it take to get tenure? What is for lunch today? This show is not affiliated with the NYC DOE, but it does attempt to answer these questions and more, so skip this week's mandated PD and get all the answers here, on Professional Development: The New York City Teacher Podcast.
Afterword
If you like what you hear, check out: https://www.spreaker.com/show/left-on-red
6/20/2023 • 36 minutes, 13 seconds
Ep 47: Teach Like A _______ pt. 3, Diamond [Teaser]
This week's Patreon-exclusive episode is the third and final installment of the Teach Like a ________ reading series. We explore Diamond Emerald's "Teach Like a Diamond." To hear the rest of the episode, join us at patreon.com/professionaldevelopment
6/22/2022 • 3 minutes, 11 seconds
Ep 46: The UFTwilight Zone pt. 2, feat. Christina Gavin
In today's episode I'm joined once again by Christina Gavin, a librarian, unionist, and self-proclaimed smart-aleck. This is part two of a two-part episode exploring the UF Twilight Zone, a land governed by a single caucus in which the line between fact and fiction is blurry at best. If you haven't heard part 1, which is episode 45 of the show, be sure to go have a listen so we're all on the same page.>>Christina's conversation with Bill Woodruff: bit.ly/inappropriatebillwoodruffreadalong>>Play "spot the contradictions" in this false complaint: bit.ly/inappropriatebillwoodruffcomplaint>>Read and sign an open letter to UFT leadership on Christina's behalf: bit.ly/openuft>>If you're enjoying what you're hearing, and want to hear more, check out patreon.com/professionaldevelopment
6/17/2022 • 54 minutes, 30 seconds
Ep 45: The UFTwilight Zone pt. 1, feat. Christina Gavin
This week, Christina Gavin (school librarian, MORE UFT caucus member, and UFC candidate) makes an appearance on the show to tell us her story from the UFTwilight Zone, where the bureaucracy of a union meant to support educator-members sometimes turns on these very educators if they dare to identify the majority caucus's breeches of UFT election policy and national labor law. This is part 1, which sets the stage for the story and establishes how Christina first became known to Unity's higher-ups. Be sure to tune in next week for some pretty serious evidence of Unity deceit and the thrilling conclusion of the story.
6/8/2022 • 43 minutes, 45 seconds
Ep 44: Teach Like A _______ pt. 2, Pirate [Teaser]
This week's Patreon-exclusive episode is the second part of the Teach Like a ________ reading series. We explore Dave Burgess Consulting's "Teach Like a Pirate." To hear the rest of the episode, join us at patreon.com/professionaldevelopment
6/3/2022 • 4 minutes, 28 seconds
BONUS Ep: Stand and De'Podcast
My dear friend Oscar joins to review Stand and Deliver (1988), a classic of the films-about-education genre. Oscar Mancinas is a writer, scholar, and educator from Mesa, Arizona. His debut collection of short fiction, To Live and Die in El Valle (2020) was awarded a Southwest Book Prize. He's also the author of the poetry chapbooks Jaula and Roto: A Mex-Tape. He is a doctoral candidate at Arizona State University, and his debut full-length collection of poetry will be published later this year via Tolsun Books.Here are links to Oscar's work:>>https://artepublicopress.com/product/to-live-and-die-in-el-valle/>>https://www.gasherjournal.com/product-page/jaula>>https://rinkydinkpress.square.site/product/series-seven/14?cs=true&cst=custom>>https://tolsunbooks.com/authorsAnd here's a link to an article we reference in the episode:>>https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-nov-13-mn-53264-story.htmlIf you're enjoying the show and want to hear more, check out patreon.com/professionaldevelopment for the full back-catalogue of Patreon-exclusive episodes, all of which can be yours for a mere $3
Ep 42, pt. 1: Making Sense of the Election, feat. Norm Scott
Norm Scott is back for his third appearance on the show and to discuss the results of the UFT election. We get into the numbers and what they mean in terms of the organizing efforts of both Unity and UFC. If you are enjoying what you're hearing, check out the second part, in which we look more towards future elections and other considerations related to organizing around public education. Part 2 can be found at patreon.com/professionaldevelopment
5/22/2022 • 31 minutes, 20 seconds
Ep 41: Teach Like a _______ pt. 1, Champion [Teaser]
This week's Patreon-exclusive episode is the beginning of a series on Teach Like a ________ books. The first one we explore is Doug Lemov's "Teach Like a Champion," the go-to book for training teachers in no-excuses, zero tolerance classroom management. To hear the rest of the episode, join us at patreon.com/professionaldevelopment
5/20/2022 • 4 minutes, 53 seconds
Ep 40: Electioneer Bright Like A Diamond, feat. Sheila Zukowsky
Here is one last episode about the UFT election, featuring a retired teacher and election volunteer, Sheila Zukowsky. This is a spicy one: a firsthand account of broken Chancellor's Regs and undemocratic electioneering. If you have not yet mailed in your ballot, remember it must be received by Monday, May 9th at 8am. Consider delivering it in person if you are not confident in the speed of the mail: UFT members may hand-deliver their own ballot in person to the AAA by 5 p.m. on Friday, May 6, as long as they present a photo ID; no one is permitted to deliver anyone else’s ballot.
5/5/2022 • 34 minutes, 56 seconds
Ep 39: Podcasting at School, pt. 1 [Teaser]
This week's episode features some musings on podcasting as a medium for use in the classroom as well as a behind-the-scenes look into how Professional Development is made. To hear the full episode, head over to patreon.com/professionaldevelopment
4/30/2022 • 4 minutes, 3 seconds
Ep 38: How to Transfer to a New School, feat. Lydia Howrilka
This week Lydia Howrilka joins us to discuss practical steps in transferring schools for the teacher looking to find a new position within the DOE before the start of next school year. Hint: don't keep hitting refresh at the Open Market site. We get into her history in the DOE (which includes some successful transfers), her work with the Solidarity Caucus of the UFT, and how she went about putting together this collection of job hunting resources: https://solidarityuft.org/?page_id=6206
4/28/2022 • 42 minutes, 11 seconds
Ep 37: What's a W.E.C.U.? feat. Matt Driscoll
Matt Driscoll, an 18-year veteran teacher, chapter leader, and at-large candidate for executive board with the UFC slate joins us this week to discuss the newest iteration of e4e's shadowy anti-union activities within the UFT. For more background on e4e, check out episode 19 of the show.***To active UFT members: be sure to listen carefully to the part at the very beginning if you have yet to receive your ballot as of today, April 18th, 2022!***
4/18/2022 • 46 minutes, 28 seconds
Ep 36: Vote! For Democracy's Sake! feat. Norm Scott
Good news, folks; Norm is back! In this episode, we talk trends in the data from previous UFT elections and what we might glean from developments in other teachers' unions across the country, non-teachers' unions, and New York City politics in the present day.
4/13/2022 • 43 minutes, 8 seconds
Ep 35, pt. 1: Why Are There So Many Teachers In Endurance Sports? feat. Rebecca Schwartz
This week, Rebecca makes another appearance on the show to discuss the overlap in endurance sports and teaching. Be sure to check out part 2 at patreon.com/professionaldevelopment
4/10/2022 • 36 minutes, 28 seconds
Ep 34: The Question, feat. Jane Rubio
This week I am joined by Jane Rubio, a New York City public school teacher in the Bronx and first-year chapter leader. We discuss what generally goes on at the UFT chapter leader training weekends, and more specifically what happened this past weekend when she asked Michael Mulgrew a question following his presidential address.
3/30/2022 • 35 minutes, 45 seconds
Ep 33: Ending Mayoral Control, feat. Sean Ahern & Daniel Alicea
This week’s episode features a conversation with Sean Ahern and Daniel Alicea, two leading opponents to the mayoral control of NYC public schools from within the educator community. Sean is a recently retired NYC public school teacher organizing with the NYC Coalition to Finally End Mayoral Control (nycmayoralcontrolnot.org) and Daniel is a current public school teacher in Queens, co-host of Talk Out of School (talk-out-of-school.simplecast.com), and a Middle School Executive Board candidate running with UFC in this year’s UFT elections. We discuss the many problems with mayoral control and what our next steps are in bringing the system to an end.
3/23/2022 • 1 hour, 14 minutes, 53 seconds
UNLOCKED Ep 25: Mayoral Control
This newly-unlocked former Patreon-exclusive episode is a primer on mayoral control. What does it mean that Eric Adams is in charge of schools? What did it mean for Michael Bloomberg, under whom mayoral control first took effect? For further reading/viewing on the subject:>>https://www.cityandstateny.com/politics/2020/12/understanding-mayoral-control/175347/>>https://ny.chalkbeat.org/2019/12/16/21055594/state-lawmakers-begin-examining-mayoral-control-of-nyc-schools>>https://www.city-journal.org/de-blasio-retains-control-nyc-schools>>https://ny.chalkbeat.org/2022/1/2/22838729/albany-2022-education-agenda-foundation-aid-cte-mental-health-vaccines-mayoral-control>>https://www.nycmayoralcontrolnot.org/>>https://www.gothamgazette.com/index.php/archives/377-seven-years-of-mayoral-control>>https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/23/nyregion/new-york-school-control.html>>https://progressive.org/public-schools-advocate/bloombergtrashedpubliced/>>https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/education-michael-bloomberg/>>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snt7KONSelk>>https://www.edweek.org/leadership/n-y-c-mayor-gains-control-over-schools/2002/06>>https://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/eric-adams-press-conference/971205543?fbclid=IwAR3CIZEqXDXuhlHYL6CApC1edg1FBalTBa-Zcn8YrKe-PwquHeaDeNinxIw>>https://www.qchron.com/editions/queenswide/school-reform-putting-kids-first/article_e2f0ca31-3cb5-5816-9ff6-1383a70e73f5.html>>https://www.nytimes.com/2002/08/30/nyregion/report-says-city-is-paying-too-much-to-build-schools.html
3/23/2022 • 30 minutes, 16 seconds
Ep 32, pt. 1: Building Programs feat. Tyree Alexander, Cognizant Innovation Award Winner
This week Tyree Alexander (of episode 5 fame) stops by to take us behind the scenes on the award-winning computer science program he started at his public school in the South Bronx. We discuss the conditions that lend themselves most favorably to starting and sustaining exciting new programs at school that go above and beyond what is required of teachers but support some of students' most pressing needs. This is part 1 of a two-part episode: to hear the second part, meet us at patreon.com/professionaldevelopment
3/13/2022 • 35 minutes
Ep 31: Mulgrewcare, feat. Norm Scott
This week Norm Scott, a retired NYC DOE teacher, long-time unionist, and blogger, stops by to tell us all about Mulgrewcare, a foiled (or is it?) attempt by the UFT leadership to deprive retirees of their proper, hard-earned benefits OR balance the books after a poorly-executed contract negotiation by collecting their hard-earned money in the form of new, illegal premiums for the same coverage they have always had. We discuss the parallels between Unity's willingness to privatize healthcare and the neoliberal drive to privatize schools, most notably via the charter movement, and much more!Read more of Norm's work at ednotesonline.com
3/9/2022 • 57 minutes, 27 seconds
Ep 30, pt. 1: Justin Spiro, or How a Twitter Reply Guy Became the Maskless Face of Public Schools
As New York City public schools hurtle towards a premature removal of the indoor mask mandate, it's time we meet a couple of the public figures making the case for taking masks off, and making media appearances that allow them to stand in for the majority of people, who would prefer to keep the mask mandate in place. This is part 1 of a two-part episode: to hear part 2, head over to patreon.com/professionaldevelopment.For further reading/viewing:>>https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/education/2021/07/26/school-staff-vaccine-testing-mandate>>https://pix11.com/news/reopening-schools/nyc-officials-deflect-on-attendance-for-first-day-of-school/>>https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/education/ny-nyc-school-counselors-face-challenges-student-pandemic-stress-20211107-j3qtndiwxbcqnhzjavkufdtg4e-story.html>>https://www.amny.com/news/de-blasio-vaccine-mandate-not-off-table-public-school-teachers/>>https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/24/nyregion/nyc-schools-reopening-remote-learning.html>>https://spectatorworld.com/topic/remote-learning-has-failed-our-kids/>>https://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/ny-oped-what-our-kids-need-now-20210727-prpdtayprzcs5ccrsvsg7q2uny-story.html>>https://nypost.com/2022/01/17/a-queens-school-social-worker-pleads-dont-go-remote-nyc-schools/>>https://www.urgencyofnormal.com/>>https://educatorsfornormalcy.com/>>https://twitter.com/LazarusLong13/status/1494128740682514434>>https://twitter.com/tylerblack32/status/1486111652076527623>>https://newrepublic.com/article/165413/mask-mandates-kids-back-to-normal
3/1/2022 • 44 minutes, 31 seconds
Ep 29: What REALLY Happened at the February DA, feat. Nick Bacon
This week Nick Bacon makes an appearance to give us the real inside scoop on what happened at the February Delegate Assembly of the UFT. Nick teaches special ed and serves as chapter leader at a school in Washington Heights and is running as part of the UFC slate for High School Executive Board in this year's triennial UFT election. For more information about United for Change check out unitedforchange.vote, and for information on New Action and Nick's writing on the February DA and more, check out new action.org
2/19/2022 • 44 minutes, 53 seconds
Ep 28: Dastardly De-professionalization [Teaser]
This week's Patreon-exclusive episode is a deep dive into the de-professionalization of teaching, beginning with a careful examination of three Wall Street Journal pieces that came out within a week of each other, proceeding to a history lesson on the early days of the common schools movement, and wrapping up with some personal anecdotes.Join us at patreon.com/professionaldevelopment to hear the full thing.For further viewing/reading see:>>https://www.wsj.com/podcasts/google-news-update/why-teachers-are-dropping-out-of-the-profession/f7748d44-e224-423b-b975-afe1c6b5c82c>>https://www.wsj.com/articles/teachers-are-quitting-and-companies-are-hot-to-hire-them-11643634181>>https://www.wsj.com/articles/burnout-drove-these-teachers-into-new-careers-heres-how-they-got-there-11644143400>>https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/10/01/masks-schools-koch-money/>>https://poets.org/poem/do-not-go-gentle-good-night>>Goldstein, Dana. (2014). The teacher wars : a history of America's most embattled profession. New York: Doubleday.
2/16/2022 • 2 minutes, 17 seconds
Ep 27: "To Build a Better Union" feat. Alex Jallot, UFC High School Executive Board Candidate
This week I am joined by Alex Jallot, a Special Education teacher and UFT Chapter Leader at Pace High School in Lower Manhattan, as well as one of a number of candidates running in this year's UFT election as part of the United for Change slate. We discuss the current state of affairs in the New York City DOE and the UFT, as well as his motivation for running for the Executive Board. >>For more information on UFC, check out unitedforchange.vote>>For two extra episodes per month, check out patreon.com/professionaldevelopment (where the next five subscribers will each get a free Professional Development-branded mug!)
2/8/2022 • 39 minutes, 4 seconds
BONUS Ep: New Deal for CUNY with Illapa Sairitupac
In this special bonus episode we are joined by Illapa Sairitupac, a social worker, climate activist, and candidate for New York State Assembly in District 65 (encompassing Lower Manhattan, Chinatown, the Lower East Side, Two Bridges, and the Financial District). We chat briefly about what it is like to run for office while working such a demanding day job before exploring the main topic of conversation: New Deal for CUNY. >>To learn more about Illapa and/or volunteer for his campaign, check out illapa.nyc >>To learn more about New Deal for CUNY, check out https://www.psc-cuny.org/clarion/april-2021/new-deal-cuny-free-tuition-and-more-investment>>To access the full back-catalogue of Patreon-exclusive episodes, check out patreon.com/professionaldevelopment
1/29/2022 • 25 minutes, 9 seconds
Ep 26: Mindfulness at School
This week Jas, an artist, dancer, yogi, and teacher, joins the show to discuss mindfulness as a key ingredient in a healthy teaching life (if there can be such a thing) as well as an important skillset for students to be able to access and develop in order to make it through the average recess-free school day.
1/23/2022 • 58 minutes, 26 seconds
Ep 24: The History of the UFT pt. 4
This week’s episode is the fourth installment of the History of the UFT series. Learn about events in the 1990s that might help to illustrate a decades-long shift in the militancy of our union and reframe what is happening today in schools.For further reading/viewing:>>https://www.nytimes.com/1993/08/17/nyregion/school-asbestos-more-extensive-than-expected.html>>https://ir.lawnet.fordham.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1373&context=elr>>https://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/26/nyregion/school-official-sent-to-prison-over-false-asbestos-reports.html>>https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/07/nyregion/eric-adams-philip-banks-deputy-mayor.html>>https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/politics/old-controversy-involving-nyc-mayor-elect-eric-adams-inner-circle-resurfaces/3465247/>>https://www.uft.org/files/attachments/uft-50-years-book.pdf
1/11/2022 • 30 minutes, 46 seconds
Ep 23: Happy New Year [Teaser]
In this week's Patreon-exclusive episode, Luis is back to reminisce over our top 10 disappointments and gaffs from the UFT's efforts to protect teachers and their students from the spread of COVID-19 in schools. Join us at patreon.com/professionaldevelopment as we ring in the new year (just a little late) and laugh to keep from crying.
1/3/2022 • 2 minutes, 29 seconds
Ep 22: There's COVID in the Schools pt. 2: 2 Teachers, 2 COVID-positivities
This week's episode takes the form of a conversation between two teachers who contracted covid-19 in school during the two-week omicron siege of NYC DOE schools.For the reading material mentioned in this episode:>>https://www.newsweek.com/41-teachers-call-out-sick-forcing-one-school-online-after-students-covid-death-1661292>>https://www.newyorker.com/news/annals-of-education/what-covid-burnout-is-doing-to-new-york-citys-schools>>https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2021/12/22/covid-19-new-york-city-public-school-united-federation-of-teachers-michael-mulgrew/
12/24/2021 • 1 hour, 4 minutes, 55 seconds
UNLOCKED Ep 19: Educators 4 Every Day Low Prices
This episode was a Patreon-exclusive but it's been unlocked! For more content like this, check patreon.com/professionaldevelopment. This week we take an in-depth look at Educators for Excellence, also known as E4E. Though it has re-branded itself recently, this astro-turf organization remains every bit the wolf in sheep's clothing of its origins. Learn who is footing the bill for the organization and why we should always be wary, as teachers, of a free breakfast or happy hour with an ask at the end.For further reading:>>https://www.ctulocal1.org/chicago-union-teacher/2018/10/e4e-free-lunch-trap/>>https://www.businessinsider.com/bernie-sanders-walmart-mcdonalds-food-stamps-medicaid-minimum-wage-2020-11>>https://www.populardemocracy.org/news/how-walmart-persuades-its-workers-not-unionize>>https://e4e.org/sites/default/files/e4e_fy20_annual_report_final.pdf>>https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/273382030>>https://www.waltonfamilyfoundation.org/grants-database?grantee=00000169-91e6-d2a9-a7eb-bffe1ab60000
12/22/2021 • 36 minutes, 47 seconds
Ep 21: Keeping it Real [Teaser]
This week Rebecca joins us to discuss the teacher's role in combatting the doldrums of living and learning in the midst of a global pandemic. To hear the full episode, join us at patreon.com/professionaldevelopment
12/19/2021 • 4 minutes, 53 seconds
Ep 20: Introduction to David Banks and Dan Weisberg
Meet David C. Banks and Dan Weisberg, the soon-to-be appointed Chancellor and First Deputy Chancellor of the New York City Department of Education. What should teachers know about these new characters before they take office? Find out that and more in this week’s episode of Professional Development. For further reading/viewing: >>https://networkforpubliceducation.org/fordham-institute-attempts-to-mislead-the-public-regarding-the-impact-of-charter-schools-on-public-school-districts/>>https://www.mediamatters.org/daily-caller/here-are-corporations-and-right-wing-funders-backing-education-reform-movement>>https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/09/nyregion/david-banks-schools-chancellor.html>>https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/education/ny-david-banks-nyc-schools-chancellor-20211209-i6zuoftngfb7pofpyyqkh4a4gu-story.html>>https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/new-nyc-schools-chancellor-wants-longer-school-days-saturday-and-summer-classes/3445341/?_osource=SocialFlowFB_NYBrand&fbclid=IwAR1sxxGOBF4Dri0i5kMH3SAszmoAIluFEufCf5UGmv_oKKlnn4UAG3gI-9c>>https://ny.chalkbeat.org/2021/12/9/22826524/david-banks-chancellor-eric-adams>>https://tntp.org/blog/post/the-biggest-scandal-in-education-is-hiding-in-plain-sight>>https://edsource.org/2019/poverty-levels-in-schools-key-determinant-of-achievement-gaps-not-racial-or-ethnic-composition-study-finds/617821>>https://abc7ny.com/david-banks-chancellor-nyc-eric-adams-mayor-schools/11314964/
12/13/2021 • 39 minutes, 54 seconds
Ep 18: A Conversation with Emily Katebini
Emily Katebini, of Katebini Creative, joins us to discuss her story as a teacher, her company's origins, research in the teaching of writing and storytelling that drives her work, and the struggles inherent in trying to do business with the NYC DOE as a small company. ** A special gift for our listeners: use the code NYCPD21 at checkout for 10% off all products at https://www.katebinicreative.com **
11/26/2021 • 1 hour, 3 minutes, 35 seconds
Ep 17: Reading the Burnout Meter [Teaser]
This week Jack joins us to talk about teacher burnout as well as the teacher inspiration that holds the burnout meter in check to varying degrees of success throughout one's career. It gets a little grim, but listen through to the end so you can leave feeling ready to go back on Monday. To hear the full, Patreon-exclusive episode, join us at patreon.com/professionaldevelopment .
11/20/2021 • 3 minutes, 20 seconds
Ep 16: The edTPA feat. Dr. Kelly Parkes
Dr. Kelly Parkes of Teachers College, Columbia University joins us this week to discuss the edTPA, an assessment for pre-service teachers required for teacher certification in the state of New York. For more on this topic in particular, find Dr. Parkes' 2020 article on this topic here: https://doi.org/10.1080/10632913.2019.1656126Advocate for reform in testing requirements here: https://www.votervoice.net/CICU/campaignsFinally, read the meeting minutes from the Board of Regents in Higher Ed (where they discuss how teacher prep programs are preparing teachers) here:http://www.regents.nysed.gov/
11/12/2021 • 1 hour, 2 minutes, 45 seconds
Ep 15: The Traditional Pathway feat. Joseph Davis [Teaser]
This week we have Joseph Davis--a social studies teacher working at a public school in the Bronx--in the studio to talk about the traditional pathway into teaching: teacher preparation programs at institutions of higher education. To hear the Patreon-exclusive full episode (and more!) visit https://www.patreon.com/professionaldevelopment .
11/6/2021 • 3 minutes, 33 seconds
Ep 14: The History of the UFT pt. 3
In this week's episode we jump back into the 1980's in the third installment of our miniseries on the history of the UFT. For further reading and viewing on the topic, check out the following:>>https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ684842.pdf>>https://www.uft.org/files/attachments/uft-50-years-book.pdf>>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bpg0UfpuUAs>>https://ny.chalkbeat.org/2021/10/25/22745570/nyc-school-gun-metal-detector-police>>https://www.nbc12.com/2021/10/22/theyre-overwhelmed-area-school-systems-add-mental-health-days-educators/
10/31/2021 • 38 minutes, 55 seconds
Ep 13: G&T's with Craig McGorry [Teaser]
On this week's episode, Craig, a teacher at a G&T (Gifted & Talented) school in lower Manhattan, joins us to discuss his unique experience in getting into teaching, and teaching at a G&T school in particular. We get into the day to day at these schools, and what the future might hold now that they are supposedly being phased out in favor of Brilliant NYC, which is meant to bring G&T-style programming to every kindergarten classroom across the city.
10/22/2021 • 3 minutes, 21 seconds
Ep 12: The Gifted and the Talented
In this week’s episode, we dive into Gifted & Talented programming in New York City public schools. We touch briefly on the history and philosophy of G&T but then get right into the argument against it and the reason it will be phased out beginning in the 2022-2023 school year. Be sure to tune in next week to the Patreon-exclusive episode featuring an interview with Craig McGorry, a teacher at a G&T school, in which Craig lends us some insight on what it’s like in G&T schools and what might happen as the program is phased out. For further reading and viewing on this episode’s main topic:>>https://doi.org/10.1080/02783193.2018.1553218>>https://www.jstor.org/stable/43996894 >>https://pix11.com/news/local-news/parents-continue-to-fight-for-elementary-school-gifted-and-talented-reform/>>https://abc7ny.com/gifted-in-talented-program-protest-nyc-schools-new-york-city/11116831/>>https://www.testingmom.com/tests/gifted-talented-nyc/>>https://ny.chalkbeat.org/2021/7/13/22576196/gifted-talented-test-admissions-nyc>>https://steinhardt.nyu.edu/metrocenter/metro-learning/spoils-whiteness-2019>>https://apnews.com/article/new-york-new-york-city-race-and-ethnicity-education-d027be86b7d202f1d4ef62e5c3255802>>https://www.chalkbeat.org/posts/ny/2018/06/01/new-york-city-gifted-programs-show-progress-towards-modest-student-diversity-goals/>>http://www.centernyc.org/high-school-diversity-data/>>https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20121024/new-york-city/new-gifted-talented-test-so-hard-it-even-leaves-parents-stumped/
10/16/2021 • 30 minutes, 39 seconds
Ep 11: There's COVID in the Schools [Teaser]
This week we get to meet Hans, a math teacher who took matters into their own hands when they noticed that nobody was notifying exposed students of their exposure to a staff member who had tested positive for COVID. We discuss this and its implications for organizing in solidarity with students, families, and staff members at the intra- and inter-school level.**What do you want to share with first-year teachers? (thanks to everyone who has already shared!) https://forms.gle/xeo6GB6cb1wsAwhx8
10/8/2021 • 3 minutes, 15 seconds
Ep 10: The History of the UFT pt. 2
In the second installment of our series on the UFT, we get into the 70’s. The New York City Fiscal Crisis steals the spotlight in this one, paving the way for the five-day strike that brought us the 10- and 15-year longevity increments and more.For further reading/viewing:>>https://youtu.be/8eCWfyggVgE>>https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1050048.pdf>>https://www.uft.org/files/attachments/uft-50-years-book.pdf>>https://www.schools.nyc.gov/school-life/health-and-wellness/covid-information/daily-covid-case-map**What do you want to share with first-year teachers? (thanks to everyone who has already shared!) https://forms.gle/xeo6GB6cb1wsAwhx8
10/2/2021 • 26 minutes, 23 seconds
Ep 9: Work-Life Balance [Teaser]
Rebecca, an elementary school music teacher, joins us this week to discuss work-life balance. To hear the full Patreon-exclusive episode, join us at patreon.com/professionaldevelopment .**What do you want to share with first-year teachers? (thanks to everyone who has already shared!) https://forms.gle/xeo6GB6cb1wsAwhx8
9/25/2021 • 3 minutes, 24 seconds
Ep 8: The History of the UFT pt. 1
In episode 8 we begin a multi-part deep dive into the history of the United Federation of Teachers, or UFT. Meet some of the characters involved in uniting the workforce of the country’s largest school district and learn about some of the uglier moments in the union’s history.For further listening and reading on the subject matter of this week’s show:>>https://gothamist.com/news/temporary-restraining-order-issued-against-nyc-vaccine-or-test-requirement-city-employees>>https://pix11.com/news/coronavirus/education-community-protests-vaccine-mandates-in-manhattan-demonstration/>>https://news.yahoo.com/teachers-march-york-city-protest-163800886.html>>https://www.zinnedproject.org/news/tdih/ocean-hill-brownsville/>>https://www.uft.org/files/attachments/uft-50-years-book.pdf>>https://jacobinmag.com/2018/09/ocean-hill-brownsville-strike-united-federation-teachers-new-york-community-control>>https://kappanonline.org/russo-new-york-city-1968-wasnt-a-teachers-strike-it-was-an-insurrection/>>https://pix11.com/news/local-news/covid-cases-close-nearly-60-nyc-classrooms-in-first-2-days-doe-data/**What do you want to share with first-year teachers? https://forms.gle/xeo6GB6cb1wsAwhx8
9/18/2021 • 30 minutes, 32 seconds
Ep 7: New York City Teaching Fellows [Teaser]
In our second Patreon exclusive, we are joined by Luis, a New York City Teaching Fellows alumnus and teacher in Harlem, who shares his experiences and reflections about this alternative pathway to teacher certification and to teaching in general. Find the full episode at Patreon.com/professionaldevelopment
9/10/2021 • 3 minutes, 15 seconds
Labor Day Bonus Ep: Teachers for Choice
Happy Labor Day! In this special bonus episode, my friend Jeff (a former industrial labor relations worker turned public school teacher) joins us to discuss Teachers for Choice and the threat it may or may not pose to New York City public school teachers as unionized laborers. We explored this bizarre, anti-mask, anti-testing, anti-vaccine organization and the implications of what it advocates so that you won't have to come within six feet of it.
9/7/2021 • 1 hour, 52 minutes, 34 seconds
Ep 6: The History of Teacher Certification
In episode 6 we continue our exploration of teacher preparation pathways with a little history lesson. We travel far enough back in time that we can see the origin of teacher certification and our current framework for teacher certification as part of the same landscape. In doing so, we should identify trends as they have unfolded over the nearly two centuries since teacher certification began in the US, and gain a little perspective regarding the bigger picture and context guiding these trends. For further reading on the history of teacher certification, here are some sources:>>https://www.nysl.nysed.gov/edocs/education/sedhist.htmDepartment 1784 - 1996>>https://chqgov.com/sites/default/files/document-files/2019-09/The%20Common%20School%20System%20in%20New%20York%20State%20%28PDF%29.pdf>>https://doi.org/10.4135/9781452218533.n131>>https://dianeravitch.net/2020/06/18/leonie-haimson-nyc-doe-finds-6-million-for-pearson/>>https://doi.org/10.1177/0022487117742904
9/3/2021 • 32 minutes, 21 seconds
Ep 5: Teach for America [Teaser]
In our first Patreon-exclusive episode, two special guests join me to discuss Teach for America, one of the most popular alternative pathways to teaching in New York City public schools. Check out patreon.com/professionaldevelopment to hear this hour-long episode filled with insight from two former TFA corps members and every subsequent Patreon-exclusive episode for $3 per month.
8/27/2021 • 3 minutes, 21 seconds
Ep 4: Pathways Into the Classroom
In episode 4 we investigate the New York state teaching credential in all its various forms, from the Initial Certificate to the various forms of Transitional Certificates so as to get a better idea of the obstacles standing between aspiring teachers and their classrooms. This is the first of a series of episodes focused on teacher preparation, barriers to entry into the profession, and the alternatives that sweep some of these barriers out of the way in special cases.
8/20/2021 • 24 minutes, 13 seconds
Ep 3: Teacher Shortage
In episode 3, we investigate teacher shortage. Is there a teacher shortage? What is it to be short-staffed at the school level, the district level, the state level, and nationally? Is the teacher shortage across all disciplines and licenses or is it in specific subject areas? What, or who, causes teacher shortage? Is it that there are too few qualified teachers in the work force, or is it that qualified teachers are leaving the classroom and heading into other jobs? Thirdly, what are the implications for teachers in the classroom in the midst of a teacher shortage? Does the job get more difficult? Are there additional incentives to stay in the midst of this difficulty? What sorts of programs are implemented at the district, state, and national levels to help us out or attract more of us? Finally, we solve the problems at the core of teacher shortage and propose policy solutions that would nip the shortage in the bud, if only the higher ups could afford our consulting fee of three dollars per month at patreon.com/professionaldevelopment.
8/13/2021 • 31 minutes, 5 seconds
Ep 2: The Green New Deal for Public Schools
This week we explore the Green New Deal for Public Schools, Representative Jamaal Bowman's new congressional bill that would fund public schools throughout the country to the tune of $1.4 trillion so that they can address the climate crisis, systemic injustice, and economic disparity. For context, we do a little review of the Green New Deal and the original New Deal as well.^^^^^^^As referenced in the episode, you can join Rep. Bowman and other guests at a special launch event for the Green New Deal for Public Schools on August 10th at 8 pm ET via this link: bit.ly/greennewschoolslaunch
8/7/2021 • 29 minutes, 39 seconds
Ep 1: "You're a TEACHER!?"
In episode 1 we introduce the podcast and interrogate the public perception of teachers. We look for answers in several months of education-related articles in The New York Times.