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LATEST SUBMISSIONS

DPS administrators don’t want to partner with teachers

Monday, September 10 at 5:04 PM

This Speakout has not been edited.

By Erin Stutelberg

It’s hard to know where to begin in a response to the Rocky Mountain News’ editorial piece, “Overheated tactics.” As a teacher for Denver Public Schools, I know the issues first-hand and I am insulted once again by the arrogance and the assumptions made by the RMN editorial board. My colleagues and I want nothing more than to see this district turn around.

Many of us are here because we know that in our system of school choice, there are students who have no advocates or no way to choose a “better” education. We aim to provide the best education for all our kids, even in the worst possible situations. During his first days on the job, we rejoiced in the prospect of working with Michael Bennet and other administrators on school reform. What we have found, however, is that the administrators do not want to partner with teachers. They do not want to hear about our realities in the classroom. They do not want our input in the decision-making process. They want us to work longer and harder, but refuse to compensate us or remain competitive with other school districts.

They lead through control and coercion. Collectively, this approach has caused a lack of respect and trust between the teachers and administrators in Denver. When administrators are blaming the teachers (consistently and, often, solely) for the system’s woes, how can we not feel pitted against them? When we see our paychecks go down while neighboring districts’ pay goes up, how much longer can we stand to stay here while raising our families and living our lives?

In another year, The Rocky Mountain News will no doubt be unveiling a new series, “Leaving to Teach.” That is what is happening and will continue to happen to Denver’s teachers. Already, teachers who would otherwise be advocates for the kids who need them most are leaving DPS to teach in JeffCo, Cherry Creek, Adams 50, Douglas, and the list goes on and on.

Denver will always be able to attract some brand new teachers because of the high turnover, but the district has a reputation now for breaking them through stress and overwork. We are lucky if they don’t leave the profession entirely. Within a couple of years, they will be gaining and sharing their expertise in another district. Is that what Denver wants for its students?

I find the RMN editorial board’s practices to be unethical at best. These hateful articles are always anonymously written and representative of an entire newspaper organization. To use anonymity and false authority to lie is hardly journalism.

Congratulations. You made a teacher feel degraded and insulted today.

Still, some of us are not afraid to sign our names.

Erin Stutelberg is a Denver Public Schools teacher. She is a resident of Denver.

READER COMMENTS

Ummmm, if there are plenty more teachers waiting to take your job after you are stressed out and leave cuz the three months of vacation just ain't enough....Why should we pay you any more?

My guess is.... you are a lousy teacher and this is the place where they go. You cannot get hired on at the upper end schools as they get to pick and choose who they want. DPS, being the armpit of school districts gets the carnies, dregs and debris no one wants....

Welcome to your reality.

Posted by Dravur on September 21, 2007 11:26 PM