Maribeth Calabro | President, Providence Teachers Union
1. The Providence public schools are now under R.I. Department of Elementary and Secondary Education control. What changes have teachers observed? At this point we have had two interim superintendents, [Frances] Gallo and Dorothy Smith. We are waiting for our long-term superintendent to be named and the work of collaboration on a strategic plan ... to begin.
2. What role does the union have in determining what happens? I think the union is poised to have a significant role in determining what happens going forward. For far too long we have sat at the negotiations table with innovative and forward-thinking ideas that would improve schools for students and were told time and time again, “You don’t represent kids.” To be given this opportunity is an amazing chance for our teachers ... to show that we have nontraditional, 21st-century ideas to spark the interests, energy, creativity and intelligence of our wonderfully diverse and dynamic students.
3. Teacher absences from the classroom, including through sick days, have been cited by R.I. Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green as a concern. If the absentee rate is beyond the norm for a similar city district, what is happening? Our absences were not reported like other districts. That being said, I have said from the beginning when this was reported that if there are teachers who are abusing sick days, then it is incumbent upon the district to do [its] due diligence and reprimand accordingly. Abuse of sick time is not OK. It is not good for kids, colleagues, our schools or our district. We also need to address the number of sick buildings we have, stress and lack of supports for teachers that may decrease the number of absences.
4. Should the city district have a consistent curriculum across schools? Looking at what Massachusetts did 20 years ago, in terms of consistency, transparency and long-term strategic planning with financial support from the state is part of a formula to start with, but we also need to focus on the social/emotional needs of our students and families. If we are not supporting the whole child, we are going to continue to miss the mark.
5. What do teachers most want to see in a state-controlled system? Consistency, transparency, true collaboration, support systems that are sustainable, clean, healthy buildings, family/community/student participation/input/collaboration, materials, professional development, safe and caring schools.
Mary MacDonald is a PBN staff writer. Contact her at Macdonald@PBN.com.
