Speak Up for Specialists! Vol. 41

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Speak Up for SPECIALISTS

August 2021 Vol. 41

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Exposure

Specialists, with caseloads of hundreds of students moving, exerting themselves, and sharing equipment, have a much higher risk of exposure than a homeroom teacher with a caseload of 25 students, mainly seated at desks and with individual materials. This is simple fact and part of the nature of our jobs.

Last year we published the "Diagram of Doom". This showed how the poorly thought out deployment of specialists between schools resulted in the populations of at least 36 schools being in contact with each other, creating the possibility of widespread contagion among students, staff, and families of the entire district, with specialists at the highest risk.

This year improvements in deployments have made contact circles smaller.

We have seven schools not sharing specialists and then four groups of schools that are connected (three smaller, one big group of 16+ schools).

While this is an improvement over last year, specialists are still at a greater risk than most staff.

2020-21

2021-22

Equitable Workloads

Be sure that your schedule is compliant with the CBA. A 30 minute Duty-Free Lunch is required by state law as well as by the CBA. It is not possible to be two places at once. When the schedule does not include passing time, both specialists and homeroom teachers are being shorted on lunch and/or planning time.

Equitable Access to Instruction

"Students will have the same Music and PE teacher for both sections per week."

Specialists and administration are in agreement that this is what's best for kids.

Though this expectation is clearly stated, at least 14 Music and PE educators are scheduled .2 at a school. Schools need to be allowed to work together to schedule half days so that the .2 person can see the same students on different days. This is not happening.

Students having consistent instruction should be a priority, whether it means the mental gymnastics of sorting out specialist schedules between multiple buildings, or the district commitment to fully support specialist instruction by assigning each building a dedicated specialist.

Many of us have been assigned classes at TOL, with the idea that this will be a part of our regular schedule. While this enables us to stay in one building, there are questions about the logistics of this.

How will scheduling be coordinated?
Is planning for yet another prep included in this allocation?
Are these synchronous or asynchronous classes?

Optional TOL training sessions are scheduled this week. Specialists are requesting a shortened specialist-specific training to better address our needs.

Here is an easy clickable contact list for TEA, TPS Administrators, and the School Board for use in keeping the lines of communications open. Updated for 2021-22

Advocacy Contact List

One Job, One Educator

Equitable Access to

Quality Instruction

Ask TEA to seek Clear Contract Language for Specialists

As TEA continues to work on behalf of only some members, many specialists have been asking themselves whether or not to continue their membership in TEA.

We hope that you will stick with TEA for one more year so that we can work within the union during the 2022 open bargain. This year we have increased specialist representation in TEA-RA and have raised awareness of the issues of equity that we face. Change takes time. If we are NOT members, there is even less reason for TEA to bargain for better working conditions for us.

Please contact the TEA executive board and urge them to work on adding these points to the contract.

One Job, One Educator. When this is not possible, co-teaching language should apply.
Staffing Formula -- How many classes support 1.0 FTE? This is an issue of equity and access to quality instruction for both students and staff.
Caseload limit --There needs to be one. Currently we can be asked to serve over 250 students in a single day. This is more than anyone in the district.

*To be most effective, we suggest sending all correspondences to the entire board.

Can You Hear Me Now?

Take Care of Your Voice

Music and PE can be tough on your voice and hearing in normal times. Masks make things much more difficult, removing visual cues, and muffling voices. Speaking louder and having to repeat yourself with obstructed breath can take its toll on vocal mechanisms as well as on your patience and stress levels. Take a moment to be sure you are doing all you can to preserve your vocal and aural health.

Schools should be providing equipment with COVID funds to help with this issue. Be sure to ask your principal if you will be provided with a microphone, and specialized masks for your situation. Some schools already have classroom sound systems in place. If not, here are some suggestions on what to purchase for yourself or ask for.

Resonance Singer's Mask-not just for singers! Better seal, better resonance and clarity of sound/speech, and better protection. Mask is built to stand away from your face and to maintain coverage as you move. Measure to choose the proper size.

Personal Voice Amplifier- a small speaker and microphone set to keep you from shouting through your mask. Available at various places online with different features(wired/wireless, bluetooth, aux...) at different price-points. $30 and up. Mics can be worn inside or outside of masks. Speakers can be worn on a neck strap/belt.

Shape Up!

Now might be a good time to start building your teacher stamina -mind and body- so you'll be classroom ready.

Set Goals Today I will wear shoes.

Start Easy Today I will walk around in my shoes

Make a Schedule Tomorrow I will be awake during the times I would normally be in school.

Click for more ideas from

Guidance for High-Exhalation Activities

COVID-19 Mitigation Strategies for Choir

Music Is Everywhere! All the Time!

The Unstrument is a sidewalk sound sculpture created by Browns Point Music Teacher, Megan Oberfield from everyday household objects. Visitors are invited to explore the possibilities for making sounds and music wherever you are with whatever you have. (Helmets are optional)