SNMS Teacher Working Condition Survey Comparison 2012 to 2014

Question

1.

Class sizes are reasonable such that teachers have the time available to meet
the needs of all students.
2.
Teachers are allowed to focus on educating students with minimal
interruptions.
3.
The non-instructional time provided for teachers in my school is sufficient.
4.
Teachers have sufficient instructional time to meet the needs of all students.
5.
Teachers are protected from duties that interfere with their essential role of
educating students.
6.
Teachers have sufficient access to office equipment and supplies such as
copy machines, paper, pens, etc.
7.
Students at this school understand expectations for their conduct.
8.
Students at this school follow rules of conduct.
9.
School administrators consistently enforce rules for student conduct.
10. School administrators support teachers efforts to maintain discipline in the
classroom.
11. Teachers have an appropriate level of influence on decision making in this
school.
12. Teachers feel comfortable raising issues and concerns that are important to
them.
13. The school leadership consistently supports teachers.
14. The school leadership makes a sustained effort to address teacher concerns
about managing student conduct.
*Includes Agree and Strongly Agree
**Includes Neutral, Agree, and Strongly Agree

2012

2014

2015*

2015**

52.9%

34.6%

24.2%

63.6%

69.1%

44.2%

51.5%

78.8%

52.9%
62.7%

42.3%
38.5%

48.5%
45.4%

66.7%
87.9%

62.3%

46.2%

36.3%

75.6%

79.7%

49.1%

33.3%

66.7%

85.5%
58%
58%

64.2%
42.3%
42.3%

51.5%
39.4%
33.3%

84.8%
66.7%
60.6%

59.4%

49%

54.5%

81.8%

67.2%

62%

54.5%

81.8%

73.5%

58.8%

54.5%

87.9%

77.3%

61.5%

48.5%

81.8%

72.6%

58.%

54.5%

81.8%

SNMS Teacher Working Condition Survey Comparison 2012 to 2014

CLASS SIZES
Class sizes are always a challenge. 28 to 30 are alot to educate and manage no matter what level
the students are.
I have 30 seats in my classroom. I have some classes where I have students who do not have a
seat because my class sizes are huge. With 30+ students in a class, how am I supposed to cater to
them individually and give them the attention and help they need? When there are not enough
seats for students, there is an issue.
Class sizes are too large at times and the student behavior mix is often scary. It is, at times,
unbearable but you don't want to do a lot of referrals because then it appears that you have poor
classroom management instead of it truly being a reflection of the students poor performance and
actions.
Class sizes are manageable, however, in my opinion, a reduction of class size by 20-25% would
benefit all stakeholders.
The issues that I disagree with for the most part is a state issue that cannot be resolved in our
school with the administrators. It is the way things are and I honestly don't know a solution for
them. But these things that I disagree don't reflect negatively on SNMS, but instead our state.
DUTY
Being made to work extra time in the morning without any return of time is not really right.
STUDENT BEHAVIOR AND DISCIPLINE
Discipline is not handled fairly. Some get way too many chances, and it only shows that it really
does not matter what you do.
There seems to be a need to raise our scores that outweigh the need to consistently enforce
school rules and student conduct. I saw a student who received a 10 day OSS return to his classes
in 3 or 4 school days. What does that tell the student, and everyone else, about rules? The rules
are inconsistent. No wonder my students act as if they have impunity...to some extent, that seems
true.
Say what you mean and mean what you say. If you tell a child there are consequences for their
behavior and there are not you have lost the battle. This is the same thing you are instructed in
classroom management 101. Respect for any staff member should not be a negotiable item nor
should disrespect be tolerated in any way. It is my opinion that disrespectful behavior should be
the top priority and in doing so 99% of all other issues would be eliminated.
I also do not believe that behavior is treated fairly or consistently. I think these students know
what the expectations are, but are choosing not to follow them because of our way of handling
behavior issues. These students, especially those students considered "high flyers" have multiple
chances (3, 4, 5 etc) before any kind of consequence for bad behavior is given. What lesson is
this really teaching them? That they can be disrespectful, that they can get in fights, that they can
be disobedient- but will be given multiple chances before any kind of consequence (or harsh
enough consequence) is given. I do not think our consequences are strict enough and therefore,

SNMS Teacher Working Condition Survey Comparison 2012 to 2014

the students do not think anything of them. I think many of these students are going to be in for a
very rude awakening when they get over to the high school and realize they will not be given
these multiple chances before a serious consequence is enforced. I know that as a teacher I am
protected from a lot of information, but when one student is given 10 days OSS for a fight and
the other student who was involved is given 10 days ISS- I do not see how that is very consistent.
I do think that we are trying very hard as a staff (including administrators) to cut down on
discipline issues- and this year has been better than previous, but I also think it could better if
punishments and consequences were more consistent and harsher.
I feel that students know the expectations for their behavior but choose not to behave. I feel that
the consequences for some of their actions are generous and they are comfortable with that.
PLANNING
Planning time for teachers is also pretty much nonexistent. Between the various meetings during
planning, the covering of classes during planning etc. I do not do any kind of instructional
planning or grading during those times and that is what that time is supposed to be used for.
Our planning times are often filled with meetings and we really don't have time to plan.
Planning time gets taken over by other things, sometimes. I wish students could go directly to
ISS, like the Choices program at the high school to work without a write up. There are not many
kids in there and sometimes none. We could make a phone call and send kids, repeat offenders
would then get a write up to more grave consequences.
SUPPORT FROM ADMINISTRATORS
In reference to fairness with teachers, it is very obvious who the favorites are. It takes us all to
make it work. Yes, some do more by choice because they like to tell others what to do. However,
again we work hard at what we do.
I doubt that most teachers would say what they really think or feel about being supported (or not)
at this school.
EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES
As far as supplies- we have none. Trying to find a printer or copier that works is nearly
impossible. I buy most of the school supplies I need on my own because I know that we do not
have them and I can not get them.
I feel that we are in a crunch for not only supplies but necessities such as paper towels.
INTERRUPTIONS
Announcements should happen right at 7:30 or not at all.