Submitted by cschessler on Mon, 09/29/2008 - 23:25.
Talking about great teachers here, at home. I entered the AG program, and passed all the test with the State of Texas; however, the Principal at my school did not give me a "proficient" evaluation, 23 points of 24. I am "highly qualified as per the State of Texas", but she did not doco a second appraisal and my contract ended because I could not get my certification. Dr. Hinojosa and the Education Board did not answer my request for a review, and I did not have a job after June 5th. Maybe I could be one of the teachers loosing their job now, because the last hired are probably the first ones to go, but maybe it was not meant for me to stay. I have live in this country for over 30 years, and I am an American citizen, I know great people in the AG from other countries, but I think that I deserved to be certified. I am glad I am not working for Dallas ISD, because if the District allowed administrators to mess up people's lives, they don't deserve to be in charge.
i have nothing about hiring foreign teachers. most of them are highly trained but with a 64 million deficit, maybe local resources should be utilized instead. It would be interesting to see what kind of cost is involved in the practice. and if the end result is worth the expense.
Submitted by Allen Gwinn on Mon, 09/29/2008 - 06:10.
I don't know that this would actually save money. The District is required by State Law to provide "bilingual education." I don't know that they have a choice--as some of the foreign nationals may well be more qualified.
Submitted by texasteacher2008 on Thu, 10/02/2008 - 10:15.
The district has "more" bilingual teachers than required by state law on many campuses. The law states we must provide certified bilingual teachers but does NOT specifiy bilingual teachers in upper grades for math, science and social studies.
Thus, hiring less bilingual teachers for departmentalized classes in grades 3-6 for math, science and social studies would save the district $5,000 per teacher.
I can think of at least 5 schools where I have colleagues where general education teachers in grades 4-5 were displaced by bilingual teachers in science or math in the last 3 years.
Let's see, five schools times 2 teachers;
10 teachers times $5,000= $50,000.
Yes, DISD could save a little money in this manner.
By the way, many of the displaced teachers I know left the district or retired.
I am Hispanic, ONLY general education certified, and a product of DISD. These are sad times.
Can I ask to be released? It is time to go to the suburbs!
Submitted by Unhappy teacher on Sun, 09/28/2008 - 15:02.
DISD has recruiters that travel all over the USA and Puerto Rico to recruit certified teachers. In addition, DISD does hire many Spanish-speaking teachers from Mexico, Central America and South America. I don't know how the process works but I assume the recruiters visit or post ads in many Latino countries. What I do know is that these "degreed" individuals are selected to participate in the Alternative Education certification program. The DISD does provide assistance regarding the work VISA. At some point, successful AC interns become certified and because they have full-time jobs that Americans can not fill (assumption), they are allowed to apply for residency status and eventually, citizenship.
Many of these individuals are wonderful people and make great teachers. Some transition smoothly to life in Texas. I don't know what their success rate is regarding passing all the state exams compared to Americans in the Alternative Certification program or college teacher ed programs. I don't know how they compare regarding student success.
I would be most curious about their "RETENTION" rate. Do they stay in Dallas, TX for the remainder of their teaching careers? Do they return to their homeland? Do they leave DISD once they have residency status for employment in their original career area? If the stay and their students are successful, the cost is worth the effort. If the students are not successful, DISD needs to examine the process/program. If they leave DISD after 2-3 years, again, the cost is probably not effective and requires evaluation.
Submitted by Ms. Skeptical on Thu, 10/02/2008 - 14:36.
I would like to clarify your comments. Although what you say is mostly true, there is a glaring mistake. The people who come from Puerto Rico do not need work VISAS and do not come here to eventually become citizens. Why? Because every person who is born in Puerto Rico is an American citizen. How can that be? Because Puerto Rico was part of the war booty from the Spanish American War and, thus, a United States Commonwealth.
Those recruited into the AC Program are degreed professionals who have always wanted to become teachers and see the opportunity to make their dreams come true. Many remain in the District and are successful teachers. Some realize that they've made a terrible mistake uprooting their families and/or entering a field that in reality is not what they expected, and so they leave. That, of course, is very sad. I'm sure they are the minority, though. Nobody plans to move to another state where they probably do not know anyone, only to fail.
Interns who come from Puerto Rico pay for their own airfare, hotel, meals, etc., and they most certainly fork over the $3500 cost for the internship, not to mention the costs of buying furniture, a new car, and winter clothes. Nothing is free. On the contrary, the costs of moving here are quite high. It's a risk many feel is worth taking. Just thought I'd let you know that we are not foreigners who are looking to become Americans; we already are Americans like any other citizen. Thank you.
I know one teacher from the Phillipinnes, former engineer with a masters, goes by the name Earl. Not bilingual in the way of english-spanish. Thick foreign accent but his kids understood him well enough. He taught math at sunset awhile back. His kids did well with the Math TAKS as a whole. He is a teacher coach now and trying to teach other teachers how to be effective.
I think the teachers that he coaches dont think he deserves his position because of the accent. However, foreign schools, depending on location have different standards for math than the US.
I believe he plans on retiring back to his home country and living like a king on $200 a month (the average pay for a medical doctor working over there).
Submitted by glad2Bgone on Sun, 09/28/2008 - 18:09.
I was required to place two teachers from Spain in my school two years ago. I had no say so in the grade they taught or if I even wanted them. They were flown over, had visas paid, all fees for certification paid, apartment leases and cars arranged for. One of them almost didn't make it back from Christmas and quit at the end of the year. The other is still there, but her kids speak with a lisp since she is Castillan. She wears thong underwear that hangs out and rumpled clothes. She looks down her nose at the Hispanic teachers that aren't as "euro" as she. The district has somehow decided that she is worth keeping but native English speaking citizens are being riffed. This doesn't include the amount of money spent sending teams of area sups. and HR folks to Spain over the summer to "recruit". Give me an enormous break!
You are right, apartment leases in lofts downtown, big fat checks that are larger than teachers teaching 20 years. for real!!! Their moving expenses are paid, stipends just for speaking spanish, and many of the can not speak 1 clear sentence in English or understand 1 sentence in English. UNbelievable!!!!
They are just as bilingual as I am, and I never spoke anything other than English. WHY can't I get paid to learn another language on the job??? THey are. That would be FAIR.
LEt's ask for those records, and see what the real numbers are!We need to start demanding more from DISD!
Submitted by Mad teacher fro... on Mon, 10/13/2008 - 23:21.
For those who do not know the truth and talk without any sense,
First of all, the "HR folks" that come to Spain in Spring, not Summer, to recruit teachers do not receive any money from the DISD. It is the Spanish Education Agency the one that pays for everything: airfares, accomodation in one of the best hotels in Madrid, meals, and transportation.
Second of all, any teacher from Spain who wants to teach in Dallas, and has passed an interview and a test, must pay for their own visas and their own visiting teacher certification (valid only for 3 years), in spite of the fact that they hold a valid teacher certification in Spain and, at least, three years of experience.
Third of all, all the expenses, airfares, hotel for the first days in Dallas, apartment leases, furniture and apparel, rental cars, cars, meals, etc. (more than $10,000), to mention but a few expenses, are paid by the teachers themselves.
We are really mad at the rumors we hear everyday in campuses concerning the situation of the teachers from Spain, with a "Castilian accent". If we are contracted, it is because we are needed. It is not our fault that all that money is lost. It is the only responsability of the district managers, who do not know how to work.
Submitted by glad2Bgone on Tue, 10/21/2008 - 06:34.
Mad Teacher fro...Please tell us who hired the former DISD teacher turned realtor to serve as the "helper" in showing the Spanish hires around town and finding them apartments and cars? Are you telling us that the Spanish Education Association paid for that? I truly doubt it.
As for your Castillan accent, the reason you are hearing about it is because it is not aligned to the Spanish that DISD bilingual children speak and understand. Lastly, if you are needed and contracted as a result, can you explain why some of your classes have less than the state limit of 22? And why those same classes also have bilingual Teacher Assistants scheduled in (often all day) to "assist" the teacher when Gen. Ed. teachers have over the 22 limit and get NO help? Surely that is no mystery...
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Talking about great teachers
Talking about great teachers here, at home. I entered the AG program, and passed all the test with the State of Texas; however, the Principal at my school did not give me a "proficient" evaluation, 23 points of 24. I am "highly qualified as per the State of Texas", but she did not doco a second appraisal and my contract ended because I could not get my certification. Dr. Hinojosa and the Education Board did not answer my request for a review, and I did not have a job after June 5th. Maybe I could be one of the teachers loosing their job now, because the last hired are probably the first ones to go, but maybe it was not meant for me to stay. I have live in this country for over 30 years, and I am an American citizen, I know great people in the AG from other countries, but I think that I deserved to be certified. I am glad I am not working for Dallas ISD, because if the District allowed administrators to mess up people's lives, they don't deserve to be in charge.
What is the AG Program?
What is the AG Program?
What is the AG Program?
Alternative Certification Program
hiring of foreign teachers
i have nothing about hiring foreign teachers. most of them are highly trained but with a 64 million deficit, maybe local resources should be utilized instead. It would be interesting to see what kind of cost is involved in the practice. and if the end result is worth the expense.
Foreign Teachers/Cost
I don't know that this would actually save money. The District is required by State Law to provide "bilingual education." I don't know that they have a choice--as some of the foreign nationals may well be more qualified.
Teachers for bilingual education
The district has "more" bilingual teachers than required by state law on many campuses. The law states we must provide certified bilingual teachers but does NOT specifiy bilingual teachers in upper grades for math, science and social studies.
Thus, hiring less bilingual teachers for departmentalized classes in grades 3-6 for math, science and social studies would save the district $5,000 per teacher.
I can think of at least 5 schools where I have colleagues where general education teachers in grades 4-5 were displaced by bilingual teachers in science or math in the last 3 years.
Let's see, five schools times 2 teachers;
10 teachers times $5,000= $50,000.
Yes, DISD could save a little money in this manner.
By the way, many of the displaced teachers I know left the district or retired.
I am Hispanic, ONLY general education certified, and a product of DISD. These are sad times.
Can I ask to be released? It is time to go to the suburbs!
Foreign Teachers
DISD has recruiters that travel all over the USA and Puerto Rico to recruit certified teachers. In addition, DISD does hire many Spanish-speaking teachers from Mexico, Central America and South America. I don't know how the process works but I assume the recruiters visit or post ads in many Latino countries. What I do know is that these "degreed" individuals are selected to participate in the Alternative Education certification program. The DISD does provide assistance regarding the work VISA. At some point, successful AC interns become certified and because they have full-time jobs that Americans can not fill (assumption), they are allowed to apply for residency status and eventually, citizenship.
Many of these individuals are wonderful people and make great teachers. Some transition smoothly to life in Texas. I don't know what their success rate is regarding passing all the state exams compared to Americans in the Alternative Certification program or college teacher ed programs. I don't know how they compare regarding student success.
I would be most curious about their "RETENTION" rate. Do they stay in Dallas, TX for the remainder of their teaching careers? Do they return to their homeland? Do they leave DISD once they have residency status for employment in their original career area? If the stay and their students are successful, the cost is worth the effort. If the students are not successful, DISD needs to examine the process/program. If they leave DISD after 2-3 years, again, the cost is probably not effective and requires evaluation.
Ms. Skeptical
I would like to clarify your comments. Although what you say is mostly true, there is a glaring mistake. The people who come from Puerto Rico do not need work VISAS and do not come here to eventually become citizens. Why? Because every person who is born in Puerto Rico is an American citizen. How can that be? Because Puerto Rico was part of the war booty from the Spanish American War and, thus, a United States Commonwealth.
Those recruited into the AC Program are degreed professionals who have always wanted to become teachers and see the opportunity to make their dreams come true. Many remain in the District and are successful teachers. Some realize that they've made a terrible mistake uprooting their families and/or entering a field that in reality is not what they expected, and so they leave. That, of course, is very sad. I'm sure they are the minority, though. Nobody plans to move to another state where they probably do not know anyone, only to fail.
Interns who come from Puerto Rico pay for their own airfare, hotel, meals, etc., and they most certainly fork over the $3500 cost for the internship, not to mention the costs of buying furniture, a new car, and winter clothes. Nothing is free. On the contrary, the costs of moving here are quite high. It's a risk many feel is worth taking. Just thought I'd let you know that we are not foreigners who are looking to become Americans; we already are Americans like any other citizen. Thank you.
Re Foreign Teachers.
I know one teacher from the Phillipinnes, former engineer with a masters, goes by the name Earl. Not bilingual in the way of english-spanish. Thick foreign accent but his kids understood him well enough. He taught math at sunset awhile back. His kids did well with the Math TAKS as a whole. He is a teacher coach now and trying to teach other teachers how to be effective.
I think the teachers that he coaches dont think he deserves his position because of the accent. However, foreign schools, depending on location have different standards for math than the US.
I believe he plans on retiring back to his home country and living like a king on $200 a month (the average pay for a medical doctor working over there).
Re Foreign Teachers
You are essentially correct. Hector Flores' department is responsible for recruiting/retention of foreign teachers.
They can be given an alternative cert for a period of time, but eventually must pass the State exam for a regular cert.
As far as "retention," I don't think DISD tracks that.
Teachers from Spain
I was required to place two teachers from Spain in my school two years ago. I had no say so in the grade they taught or if I even wanted them. They were flown over, had visas paid, all fees for certification paid, apartment leases and cars arranged for. One of them almost didn't make it back from Christmas and quit at the end of the year. The other is still there, but her kids speak with a lisp since she is Castillan. She wears thong underwear that hangs out and rumpled clothes. She looks down her nose at the Hispanic teachers that aren't as "euro" as she. The district has somehow decided that she is worth keeping but native English speaking citizens are being riffed. This doesn't include the amount of money spent sending teams of area sups. and HR folks to Spain over the summer to "recruit". Give me an enormous break!
THAT'S where the 150 million went!
Wining and dining in Spain and Brazil!!!
You are right, apartment leases in lofts downtown, big fat checks that are larger than teachers teaching 20 years. for real!!! Their moving expenses are paid, stipends just for speaking spanish, and many of the can not speak 1 clear sentence in English or understand 1 sentence in English. UNbelievable!!!!
They are just as bilingual as I am, and I never spoke anything other than English. WHY can't I get paid to learn another language on the job??? THey are. That would be FAIR.
LEt's ask for those records, and see what the real numbers are!We need to start demanding more from DISD!
No idea
For those who do not know the truth and talk without any sense,
First of all, the "HR folks" that come to Spain in Spring, not Summer, to recruit teachers do not receive any money from the DISD. It is the Spanish Education Agency the one that pays for everything: airfares, accomodation in one of the best hotels in Madrid, meals, and transportation.
Second of all, any teacher from Spain who wants to teach in Dallas, and has passed an interview and a test, must pay for their own visas and their own visiting teacher certification (valid only for 3 years), in spite of the fact that they hold a valid teacher certification in Spain and, at least, three years of experience.
Third of all, all the expenses, airfares, hotel for the first days in Dallas, apartment leases, furniture and apparel, rental cars, cars, meals, etc. (more than $10,000), to mention but a few expenses, are paid by the teachers themselves.
We are really mad at the rumors we hear everyday in campuses concerning the situation of the teachers from Spain, with a "Castilian accent". If we are contracted, it is because we are needed. It is not our fault that all that money is lost. It is the only responsability of the district managers, who do not know how to work.
Spanish perks
Mad Teacher fro...Please tell us who hired the former DISD teacher turned realtor to serve as the "helper" in showing the Spanish hires around town and finding them apartments and cars? Are you telling us that the Spanish Education Association paid for that? I truly doubt it.
As for your Castillan accent, the reason you are hearing about it is because it is not aligned to the Spanish that DISD bilingual children speak and understand. Lastly, if you are needed and contracted as a result, can you explain why some of your classes have less than the state limit of 22? And why those same classes also have bilingual Teacher Assistants scheduled in (often all day) to "assist" the teacher when Gen. Ed. teachers have over the 22 limit and get NO help? Surely that is no mystery...