tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481330.post5000452132050517064..comments2023-10-24T11:05:25.288-04:00Comments on Mark Rauterkus & Running Mates ponder current events: The Pathetic State of the Pittsburgh Public School DistrictMark Rauterkushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17157914569686528007noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481330.post-90798937092305265472009-01-07T23:06:00.000-05:002009-01-07T23:06:00.000-05:00PPS District spends 1.9 million dollars of our tax...PPS District spends 1.9 million dollars of our tax money on athletic coaches. Take a look at some of the pathetic athletic teams and the coaches doing minimal work for the paycheck. Then add Mike Gavlik, head of athletics, and his salary into the mix and ask, "Are we getting the max for our money?" No, we are not. There is no accountability in athletics and the student-athletes are the losers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481330.post-40699822587746534832009-01-07T12:18:00.000-05:002009-01-07T12:18:00.000-05:00As a former Pittsburgh Public School teacher, I ha...As a former Pittsburgh Public School teacher, I have much to say on the conditions that teachers must endure. I am a white, middle aged professional who entered education late in life. My first offer was at Oliver High School in the North Side. On a daily basis, gangs of african american teenage boys would roam the halls, being extremely disruptive and would charge into classrooms and oftentimes start fights with students. Our classroom doors could not be locked from the inside so there was no way of keeping these kids out. On one occasion, a student had a pool ball enclosed in a sock and knocked another student out in the head. I could go on and on about the violence which is occurring inside of these buildings. <BR/><BR/>My second post was at Carrick High School. When I was personally assaulted by a teenage boy, the african american principal asked me what I did to provoke his behavior. I then was threatened to have an unsatisfactory recommendation from her due to my "lack of classroom discipline". In our court hearing for the assault, I found out that this student was facing multiple charges of which I was never made aware by our principal.<BR/><BR/>The second time I was assaulted by a young teen woman, she was merely slapped on the hand and transferred to another school.<BR/><BR/>I was shocked at the language in the halls. You will hear the N word loudly combined with the F, B, C and other profanities. I never saw a principal or administrator even comment about the language used by the students. In their minds, it was a war not worth fighting. When a student was shot after school at Carrick, the incident was never addressed. Rather, at a staff meeting, the principal merely commented "Thank God it never made the press."<BR/><BR/>Teachers at Pittsburgh Public Schools have a harrowing job. Security guards have been cut from the staff, in fact, last year, while working at the Student Achievement Center (for students kicked out of their home schools or in transition to and/or from jail or Shuman Center), I watched as strangers entered the building in Homewood and no one was there to check them. We heard gun shots ringing out from the streets and during one firedrill, the entire school had to run back into the building because of gun shots in the next block.<BR/><BR/>So, I would have to blame the administration of PPS for ignoring violence in the schools and for not giving teachers the training, support and security that they deserve. Luckily, I no longer have to enter into that world and my health, stress level and quality of life has greatly improved. I am still amazed that I survived three years entrenched in one of the worst districts I could ever imagine. I wasted approximately $4,000.00 in union dues and fees to get nothing in return. If I could sue the Pgh Teachers Union, I would. They were completely corrupt and do not function to support the teachers.<BR/><BR/>It is sad to say, but many teachers need a day off to get away from daily abuse that they receive from students. I remember one unfortunate substitute who had a huge text book thrown at her head. I remember being spit upon by a student. One teacher had her door barricaded by students and could not get out of her classroom. If you think you could handle this, then you should try and spend a week in a Pittsburgh Public School. I would recommend going to Oliver, Carrick or Student Achievement Center to see and experience what teachers endure.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481330.post-14337693163930489032009-01-06T19:56:00.000-05:002009-01-06T19:56:00.000-05:00WOW. There is much to discuss and this needs to b...WOW. There is much to discuss and this needs to be spread around.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com