News byDennis Kelly, UESF Secretary
Teachers are leaving the teaching profession earlier than ever and for better
pay elsewhere. The departure mark, which used to sit at five years, has moved
up to three. Some analysts think that half of new teachers are gone from
the profession by then.
With this general condition as a background and the painful reality of the
lives of new teachers at our site as constant reminders, the teachers at
Lowell High School who have been involved in the Lowell Action Committee felt
a responsibility to inform our prospective colleagues of the financial
consequences of teaching in the
SFUSD.
Fifteen Lowell High School teachers leafleted outside SFUSD's Job Fair at
Horace Mann Middle School on Saturday, April 15. Working through the site
UBC, fliers were distributed at UESF's April Assembly meeting to invite
others to participate.
Several other SFUSD teachers joined the lively chanting and marching which
took place between 8 a.m. and noon. Kent Mitchell, UESF president joined the
leafletting until he was called into the building to make a presentation.
Social studies teachers Steve Schmidt and Ken Tray also played a dual role
inside and outside the building.
Associate Superintendent Bill Rada looked over the leaflets detailing the
condition of the salaries or San Francisco teachers and said that he agreed
with them. He acknowledged that it is difficult to compete with other
districts and other professions for new hires.
Informational picketing of the SFUSD Job Fair is the fourth action undertaken
by the Committee this semester. (Picketing an appearance by Governor Davis at
Washington High School, leafletting the PTSA general meeting, and both
leafletting and making a presentation at the Spring Open House were previous
actions.) The action at the Job Fair was covered in the San Francisco
Examiner and by Channel 4 television news.
Dennis Kelly teaches English at Lowell High School.
Lowell Action Committee warns SFUSD applicants
Working for SFUSD is a financial sacrifice
Be sure to check out the Lowell Action Committee's
Schools of Shame web site.
UESF's Mission and Affiliates
| Calendar
| Committees
| Constitution and Bylaws
| Contract for Paraprofessionals
| Contract for Teachers
| Directory
| Governance
| Know Your Rights
| Member Benefits
| Labor Resources
| Political Action
| Reform and Education Issues
| S.F. Teachers in the News
| Teaching Resources
| Treasurer's Accounts
|
