City School Stories

Notes from the Field

Submitted by Frank Murphy on September 1, 2011

Today is the first day of a new contract year for Philadelphia’s schoolteachers.  They are back on the payroll after a long summer of district leadership drama and budget uncertainty.

Many of them have returned to school many days, even weeks, before their official starting date.  For much of August, teachers across the city have been preparing their classrooms for the start of a new school year.  This is work they do without administrative compulsion or monetary compensation.  It is a labor of love.

I have known many teachers during my career as an educator.  And nearly every one of them has spent much time each year preparing their classrooms for the arrival of a new group of students on the first day.  Decorating bulletin boards, arranging furniture, setting up classroom libraries and creating the most welcoming environment for their students are the things that teachers routinely do.  This is how schools prepare for a new year.

It is the people staffing individual school buildings who make sure that everything is ready for the students when they return from their own summer vacation.   This is done with little fanfare and even less recognition. In the back-to-school newspaper stories that appear at this time of year, it always seems as though the superintendent and central office officials are the ones credited with getting schools ready for a smooth opening day.  This is not an accurate portrayal of the situation.  Teachers, along with the support of effective building principals, are the ones who make that first day go just right.

There is only one significant area of concern that a school staff has no control over at this time year. They do not have the ability to fill vacant positions.   Currently, there are still over 200 teacher vacancies in Philadelphia’s schools.  On opening day, the number of vacancies will rise when last minute resignations are received.  Then later in the month of September, even more teachers will be needed in order to staff newly established classrooms that will be created to handle increases in student enrollment at numerous district schools.  Vacant positions will be the primary issue of concern in schools during the opening days of this school year.

In the face of these staffing problems, it will be the teachers who primarily handle and minimize the resulting confusion. They will manage oversized classes until relief finally arrives.  They will be the ones who will give up their preparation periods in order to cover classrooms without an appointed teacher until substitutes are assigned.

So as we move ahead with the start another school year, let me offer a heartfelt thank you to all of the teachers of the School District of Philadelphia.  You are the glue that holds this system together.  And despite the District’s severe financial situation and leadership crisis, you still carry on with the vital work of putting the needs of children first. Eventually, you are the people who will pull us through the shambles created by our former superintendent.

Thank you.  And have a great year!