Last year as President, I was thrilled to have a teacher on the board. I had not seen a teacher on the PTO board since my daughter started school, although I understand that at times in the past teachers did serve. It was great! She could give us insight into the teachers needs and issues that the principal could not. After serving as Prez for 2 years, I'm taking it easy and doing some other board positions as a co- in both cases, with believe it or not, TEACHERS! I can't explain the sudden turnaround exactly, except that I was in the school alot and always asking teachers for input and ideas and letting them know that they do matter. Attending the staff meeting is a great idea. I'll tell the current Prez about that.
Hey, slave, one more suggestion, if I might . . . if the teachers are not able to come to PTO meetings because of time constraints, ask the principal if a PTO rep can attend the faculty meetings and have the first 5 minutes or so just to go over what is going on during the upcoming weeks/month with PTO and how their assistance and support would benefit the school. If Mohamed won't go to the mountain - take the mountain to Mohamed - absolutely, positively no religious insinuations intended.
Wow after reading the posting on the Principal etc. taking over I feel extremely fortunate. Our Principal and Assistant Principal back us 100%. They both spoke to the faculty at the last faculty meeting and we have seen a shift in attitude from many of the teachers. Our Principal loves that she can rely on the PTO board and officers to take care of what needs doing. We do ask for her input on items, but normally she backs whatever we choose that will benefit the school. We have one teacher at our school as our co-signer and that is how it has always been. Prior to last year they teachers mainly did the PTO with the help of maybe two parents. They are greatly relieved to have atleast 3 officers that do most of the work. I hope those having difficulty with the principal get it resolved. Sometimes stepping back is the best thing for all. Good luck.
Hi PTO slave....Today I was sitting in the teachers lounge and overheard teachers having a in depth conversation about our fundraiser that just started( catalog like cherrdale). They were bad mouthing that it has alot of candy in it and that they wouldnt buy from it. They wanted to know why we picked it and why we dont do fruit or cheese. I sat there with my mouth shut tight!! I let them talk and then got up and left the room, at that point they realized I was there .It did hurt because our meetings are usually without a rep, and the night this was voted on we had 9 teachers feeding us desert. Not one said a word...morale of the story...it only takes one bad apple to ruin the batch. Think about it and yes I do know how you feel about giving up
"When you stop learning you stop growing."
I do understand that they have lives outside of the school and that they have to deal with the parents. As the PTO secretary and the Chair for the main fundraiser I have alot of discussions with the teachers about the fundraiser and upcoming events. The issue we are having mainly is the fact that they are acting as if we are asking them for a kidney transplant. One teacher has been the ring leader and stated she wouldn't join the PTO nor go to the meetings that all we ever do is raise money but don't do anything to support her or other teachers. We've made a list of all that we have done etc. for the teachers and grade levels etc. I think it's just the attitude coming at the worst time when we are stretched thin and there's the same two that did all this last year back again this year doing it and to face this right off the bat. We have seen a slight shift though since they received their dinner invitation for Parent/Teacher's conference. It's just hard when we need to spend that money on other areas of the school to have to turn around and spend it on making the teachers feel good. We are in hopes after this fundraiser is over and we have a few other things in store for them that we won't have to deal with this again. A new school opens next year and 95% of us will go to it, although a few of use have been given outs to stay at this school. If things don't change those of us who "lead" the most will leave. I know we should just accept it, but there are times when you overhear what's being said that you just want to quit right then.
My $.02 - also remember these teachers have to deal with (on an indirect basis thru their kids) the parents who don't even feed their children, dress them properly, or help with homework.
Don't assume everyone should be like US - the leaders. Everyone has their own comfort levels and time limits.
