Mr. Lopez,
I have been following your columns on the situation regarding LAUSD and while I rarely voice my opinion to persons such as yourself, I wanted to share an e-mail I sent today to UTLA President A.J.Duffy, Superintendent Ramone Cortines and the school board members. I am fed up with the way I have been treated by this school district. I am a dedicated teacher who has not only worked hard to ensure that my students learn, but that I continue learning as well. I went through the process to become nationally certified this year. When my students found out I had received a pink slip they wanted to have a bake sale to save my job. Maybe if we could have gotten Martha Stewart it would have worked!
As I wrote to Mr. Duffy and the others I don't expect anything from you, I wanted to let you know that I appreciate that you are bringing this to the public's attention. The school district is treating its' employees badly and in the long run will end up hurting the students even more. I haven't decided if I am going to go back as a substitute yet, I find it hard accept that as my role. I worked hard to become a professional and wish only to be treated as one.
Thank you for your words, they are telling the whole story,
Angela Knapp
Dear Mr. Duffy
You don't know me, my name is Angela Knapp and I am one of the many who received a reduction in force letter this past spring. I am writing to you because I have no idea who else to contact. I have only been teaching in LAUSD for one year however, I have been teaching for four years. I am an accomplished, well trained professional and when I was informed of the lay-offs I was also made promises by my administration.
I understand there is only so much a school site can do and as such I will not be hired back. To that end, I am insulted by the superintendent's memo that all but some 300 rif'd employees were rehired by the district. I have been told that I can return to my school site as a long term sub. I am to understand that means no sick time, no paid holidays, a major pay cut and the loss of several other "perks" as they were.
I worked for three years on the Mexican border teaching seventh graders how to read and I spent last year putting that same energy into furthering the knowledge of the seventh grade Magnet students at John Burroughs Middle School. And now I am expected to carry on doing the same duties for a fraction of the pay? That is an insult to me and to the entire profession of teaching.
I don't know what I expect from you. Frankly, I've come to expect very little from my union and my former employer. But I thought you should hear the story of someone who cares and apparently, is not cared about.
Sincerely,
Angela Knapp
Former-LAUSD employee
