Teachers and staff at the K-1 Center

Editor:

We are very upset that we are losing our nontenured teachers. We want to keep people and get rid of “stuff.” Here are some reasons why we want to keep people:

Put children first.

Because we are teaching the foundation steps of reading, math and social skills, it is imperative that the class size be small.

Class size affects teaching and discipline.

Alabama has come so far we do not want to go backward.

Gifted, nontenured teachers do not need to be forced out of the teaching profession.

Test scores will dramatically decrease due to large class sizes because teachers will not be able to individualize and differentiate instruction as needed.

Overcrowding of classrooms is a fire hazard because there will not be enough room for materials, furniture, and people.

Classroom overcrowding will not allow for enhancement in the classroom.

Things to cut:

Delay all funding on textbooks and future textbooks adoptions, especially in k-2, until funds are available.

Postpone AMSTI, PLC, ARI, RTI, and STMs and workshops until funding is available.

Because we are highly qualified, we could teach our professional development ourselves; therefore, monies could be cut.

Cut or reduce field trips.

Aides should not be at school unless children are in attendance.

Shorten school year.

Consolidate upper central office positions.

Library enhancement, technology funding, DIBELS testing.

Please consider these options and take into heart that we are losing the future educators to guide the children who are America’s future.

Cassandra Jones, Pam Privett, Susan Roy, Jenny Douglass, Maggie Rockett, Angela Payne, Lynn Reese, Renee Loper, Victoria Frencl, Debra Bean, Hope Sawyer and Kacie Hardman