1st Year NYC teachers...

I just got my preference sheet for next year. anyone else freaking out about what grade they will have next yr?

I teach 1st and I really want 1st again next year (I LOVE IT!!) but we have to put 3 choices... so this is my dilemma...

I am cert El Ed N-6 and Spec. Ed 1-6

I am going to put 1st, then Kindergarten. I really do not want 2nd grade or Spec Ed. No offense to the NYC Spec. Ed teachers ( I give you lots of credit).. but I do not want to be a spec ed teacher in the city. There are many things I do not like about it. For 1 CTT, lack of support from psych, social worker etc. 3. IEPS.. hand written or fighting over a computer to inputting them into IEP Pro.. no thanks. I have experienced Spec Ed on the Island and there is so much more support (not that it is anyless stressful)

I heard that my Principal might be considering me for 2nd grade spec ed (CTT) arrggg... Not only is that 2nd grade but its Special ed. and to top it all off our building is getting an annex and 2nd grade is going to be in another building several blocks away next yr.

The only good thing on my side is that there are 2 Kindergarten teachers now, that aren't cert for K. I am, my AP just found out, so I hope they consider me for that before 2nd! So if I can’t get 1st, I’m hoping for K since there is a lack of people certified in it.

Don't get me wrong, I am so happy to have a job and working in NYC hasn't been bad, I like it, I’m just really going to be sad if I get 2nd grade and or spec ed.

Re: 1st Year NYC teachers...

It really depends on your principal. My principal likes to move us around so we experience different levels. If you have an early childhood license they can't move you up past 2nd. If they do, you can grieve it.

Re: 1st Year NYC teachers...

Also, if you don't have a special ed license they cannot appoint you that position. They can however put you as the reg. ed teacher in CTT.

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The problem is im certified:

Elem Ed Nursery - 6
Special Ed 1 - 6

so i can be put anywhere

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Can you talk to your principal about your preference? Do you feel comfortable doing that?

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i spoke with my AP, when she told me that he might be considering me for 2nd gr. CTT I said well, 2nd grade would be my last choice. (because i dont want to go higher than that, i love teaching younger students)

I dont really want o address the fact that I dont want spec ed with her because she was a CTT teacher for YEARS. I dont want to say that I don't like spec. ed in the city.

I guess i will just hope for the best..

wanted to see if anyone else was worried about it!

Re: 1st Year NYC teachers...

CTT is also hard because you have to work with someone else. Personally it's not for me. I am too controlling and like things planned and organized my way.

If I were you, I would just ask that if they have an opening, you would like to stay in first so you have your feet grounded and can work on your teaching strategies.

Re: 1st Year NYC teachers...

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Posted by jessamyn78

CTT is also hard because you have to work with someone else. Personally it's not for me. I am too controlling and like things planned and organized my way.

If I were you, I would just ask that if they have an opening, you would like to stay in first so you have your feet grounded and can work on your teaching strategies.

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I will def mention it to her, but my Principal has the final say, i dont feel comfortable as a first Yr teacher approaching him and trying to pick my grade hehe.

My friend is having a hard time in CTT this year. she has another teacher to work with (luckily they get along really well) but she has 3 paras, who all think they are teachers and interupt constantly. She said the only way she will do it next year is if they garantee that she wont have more than 1 para haha..

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My principal talks about putting me in every grade next year. I currently teach 3rd. I have also taught 2nd. I have an Early Childhood, Common Branch and Technology license, but work under the Common Branch license. I put 3-k-2 on my preference because I don't love 3rd but have taught it for 3 years and am comfortable with the curriculum. I just don't want to be moved around again and have to start over.

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Yeah I dont like that. I totally understand how you feel. I love first grade, but I also have all my stuff planned. If I switch grades i'm going to feel like next year is my first yr again! With getting married and all, i dont want that stress.

Re: 1st Year NYC teachers...

Well, I am a first year teacher in NYC. I teach first grade, CTT, and I am the special ed. teacher in the room.

CTT is extremely hard. You must be able to work with your partner and communicate a lot. Also, you have to be very careful about who you say what to. My principal had a hard time with my partner last year, and said she would do anything to help me make 'him/her' a better teacher.

Special Ed. is another story. In my building, our special education team is pretty close. We have 3 ctt classes, with another opening. IEP Pro is a handful but once you get the hang of it, it is easy. I have 4 more to do... AHHH!!!

As for the preference sheet, you can be given your second choice but you are only allowed to grieve it after 3 years.

On a side note... you might have a chance with bringing up tenure. According to my union rep, if I move to general ed. I might lose my tenure. Although its one year, it could be another supporting tool you use for your choice to stay in general ed.

Please let me know if you need any help with anything, even lessons we can share! 1st grade teachers unitedon LIW!!!

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haha thanks. Yeah I know CTT is hard, my car pool buddy and 1st grade teacher across the hall from me is one. I ust know, from what i have experienced already, being a Spec. Ed teacher in the City is not for me.

I would never go to my P and tell him I dont want a grade, i would suck it up and deal with it, but I would be miserable. (maybe not hehe)

as far as what you said about your tenure. You wont lose it. If you stay spec ed for 3 yrs and get your Tenure and then they make you gen ed I think you only have to put in 2 yrs to get tenured in that. but you will hold your tenure status inSPec ed. That happened too my friend she went from Tenured Gen Ed to special ed. She had to put in 2 yrs to get tenured in spec. ed.

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Thanks for that! I hope to stay where I am if I cannot get a LI job, but I am trying super hard!!!

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NP! !st grade is such a good grade!!!

I know what you mean!! I plan on staying in the city until I at least get tenure. by that time i hope to be having kids and I can either try to stay home for a while or try for a job on LI. If not I can always go back to the city, but I really want to be closer to home when i have kids!

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That is exactly what I was thinking. Plus, I do not carpool. It is a loooooOoONG ride home!

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I could be wrong but a coworker told me that they cannot give you a grade/subject that is not on your preference sheet....

That doesn't mean you'll get your first choice but I think they have to give you ONE of the 3 choices you put down (unless they talk to you about it and agree to go outside your choices)

so if you REALLY don't want a certain grade or special ed, don't put those down as choices. I know you have to come up with 3 though so you might have no choice.

Sorry not really sure if that was helpful at all!

Re: 1st Year NYC teachers...

You can be given a grade that is not on your preference if you have not requested the same grade a certain number of times. There are rules for grieving it too. It's best to talk to your union rep about this.