For some teachers, RIF notice a rocky start to the profession
Volume 12, Issue 7 - April 2008
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| Third- and fourth-grade teacher Jesus Becerra works with a student at Del Obispo Elementary School in San Juan Capistrano. |
When Jesus Becerra tells his third- and fourth-graders they can achieve anything in life, they listen. Their teacher, after all, knows a thing or two about dreams.
He has been a teacher at Del Obispo Elementary School in San Juan Capistrano for three years. Before that, he worked for nine years as a night janitor at a nearby school, emptying trash cans and cleaning up the messes of children. But he wanted to be a teacher.
It wasn’t easy working nights and going to school during the day. But after a few years he transferred from Saddleback College to CSU-Fullerton, where he earned a degree in psychology in 2003. Two years later he had earned a teaching credential from the same university. Now he teaches a third- and fourth-grade combination class, and until recently, he has never been happier.
These days, however, he is worried that his dream of being a teacher may end. On March 15, he was issued a RIF notice, along with nearly 300 other teachers who belong to the Capistrano Unified Education Association (CUEA). His wife, Alejandra, a kindergarten teacher at Las Palmas Elementary School in the same district, also received a RIF notice. They have a son, 2, and a daughter, 4. And both husband and wife are enrolled in master’s programs.
“There aren’t many Hispanic males teaching in this district, and people tell me I’m a role model,” says Becerra. “It’s definitely sad to see so many people losing their jobs. I hope the government can find a way not to hurt education by imposing severe budget cuts.”
His students don’t know that he may not be returning next year, although their parents have started asking questions. He does his best to stay upbeat for the sake of the children. Sometimes he sings or dances to make a point, and the children love him.
“He’s funny, and when we don’t understand something, he helps us as much as possible,” says a fourth-grader in his class. “He tells jokes and poses weird and makes learning lots of fun.”
Becerra may be at the top of the list with his students, but unfortunately he’s low on the seniority list.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen,” he says. “I’m playing this by ear and keeping my options open. I just can’t see myself working outside of an education environment. I have such a history in this district.”
A few miles away at Don Juan Avila Elementary School, first-grade teacher and fellow CUEA member Liza Dembiec is in the same boat. She and 16 other teachers at the site — approximately half of those who teach there — have been issued RIF notices.
Dembiec, who has been teaching for eight years, thought she was safe and couldn’t imagine the cuts going so deep and extending so many years.
Her husband, Chris, is also a teacher in the district and also received a RIF notice. They have two daughters, ages 2 and 4, and a mortgage.
“It’s crazy to think that so many teachers at this school are not coming back,” says Dembiec. “Many of us have been here since the school opened in 2000. We don’t know what to do, and we’re holding out until May 15 [when the notices could be rescinded]. For many of us, we feel that our options are either to leave teaching — or leave the state. And we don’t want to do either of those things right now.”
As Dembiec sees it, the mass teacher layoffs throughout the state are a “lose-lose” situation for everyone in California.
“The economy is bad right now, and with all these teachers out of a job it will only make that worse. And it’s bad for the kids, because without enough teachers they’ll be stuck in overcrowded classrooms.” That’s likely to happen in her own district, where reduced class size — 20 students per teacher — will no longer be in effect for grades K-3 next year. The district has no cap on the number of students in each class and is planning to increase class sizes in grades 4-12.
At Walker Elementary School in Santa Ana, kindergarten teacher Ilian Guzman was shocked to receive a RIF notice, since she’s been a teacher there for 17 years. But the district did not go by her hire date; they went by the date she received her teaching credential — 2002.
When she was first hired she had a master’s degree and had taught university undergraduate courses, but lacked a teaching credential. But Guzman was hired for a permanent position with an emergency permit and took classes toward her credential, which she received in 2002. The district told her to “take her time” and not to worry. She never dreamed that they would not count all her years of teaching.
“I feel like a great injustice has been done,” says the Santa Ana Educators Association (SAEA) member. “It’s a bitter feeling.”
Alma Nunez, a first-grade teacher at Walker Elementary School, was also given a RIF notice and did not have her years with an emergency permit counted toward seniority.
“I was working on my master’s degree and credential together, so it took a bit more time,” says. “But nothing shocks me anymore. I guess I am hoping for the best and planning for the worst.”
When Nunez first entered the profession, she felt more optimistic.
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| Philip Goodwin |
“When my generation first came into teaching we felt so positive, and we thought we could conquer the world,” recalls Nunez, a member of SAEA. “But now, it seems like we are penalized for being teachers. I just received National Board Certification. I’m trying to do everything I can to be the best in my profession. This is very difficult.”
Dave Watson, a middle school language arts and social studies teacher in San Francisco, recently wore a sign at a protest rally in San Francisco that expressed how many pink-slipped teachers feel: “Young, passionate and laid off.”
“I am just starting my career, I’m passionate and I do a great job with the kids,” says Watson, a member of United Educators of San Francisco. “I deserve to be here.”
“I just don’t get it,” says Philip Goodwin, a first-year social studies teacher at Sheldon High School in Sacramento who has received a RIF notice. “I don’t understand the logic of 10 percent cuts across the board and suspending Prop. 98.”
“I love teaching,” continues Goodwin, a member of the Elk Grove Education Association. “I love the kids. I was doing really well. I know that I’m a complete novice. Until recently, I really felt that I was just beginning my career.”
