The amount of work and discipline that is placed on the classroom teacher is excessive. All respect has been lost for them, and their personal time. The current leaders feel that everyone is replaceable. If one person wont/ cant complete what is put before them, someone else will. Its their way or the highway.
Constant evaluations in the form of an admin in the classroom and paperwork being graded leads to to an environment where teachers don't feel respected or trusted. There is a real abuse of power. It is nearly impossible to receive high marks. The pressure is very real and it comes all the way from the very top. The effect it all has: weeding out anyone who has a brain in their head, their own thoughts and self worth. If any of those people can find a way out, they go. The turnover will continue until the current leaders see their employees as educated whole people who care about the students and have families of their own. Don't get me wrong, accountability is good and so is being mentored, but its not being done well here. It is being executed in a way that makes the teachers feel like children themselves and ones that are not good enough. At the same time, working nights, weekends to meet demand.
Employee retention is not a focus in their plan. Just check out the number of principals returning in BISD this year, the last I checked is something like 5 out of 20! Its sad what is happening and no one feels safe to speak out and let the community know. I'm glad to see this thread, gives me hope that everyone will catch on. Not everything that is being done in the district is bad, in fact , there are many good programs and plans taking place. However, retaining good teachers/admin should be priority!!!