Dear Colleagues,
This was Teacher Appreciation Week throughout the nation; a time for us to pause and give thanks to the educators who assume the extraordinary responsibility of educating our children and shaping the future. Teaching is the profession that makes all other professions possible. Those who answer the call do so not for the promise of wealth or status. Working in classrooms is incredibly demanding both physically and emotionally and the rewards of these efforts are not always immediately apparent. And yet, is there any greater satisfaction when a student—sometimes years later—reminds you of the difference that you made in his/her life? That’s the good stuff. I close with the poem that I read on opening day four years ago and that I think comes closest to reflecting the power of what you do. Enjoy!
I am a Teacher. By John W. Schlatter
I was born the first moment that a question leaped from the mouth of a child.
I have been many people in many places.
I am Socrates exciting the youth of Athens to discover new ideas through the use of questions.
I am Anne Sullivan tapping out the secrets of the universe into the outstretched hand of Helen Keller.
I am Aesop and Hans Christian Andersen revealing truth through countless stories.
I am Marva Collins fighting for every child’s right to an education.
The names of those who have practiced my profession ring like a hall of fame for humanity…Booker T. Washington, Buddha, Confucius, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Leo Buscaglia, Moses and Jesus.
I am also those whose names and faces have long been forgotten but whose lessons and character will always be remembered in the accomplishments of their students.
I have wept for joy at the weddings of former students, laughed with glee at the birth of their children and stood with head bowed in grief and confusion by graves dug too soon for bodies far too young.
Throughout the course of a day I have been called upon to be an actor, friend, nurse and doctor, coach, finder of lost articles, money lender, taxi driver, psychologist, substitute parent, salesman, politician and a keeper of the faith.
Despite the maps, charts, formulas, verbs, stories and books, I have really had nothing to teach, for my students really have only themselves to learn, and I know it takes the whole world to tell you who you are.
I am a paradox. I speak loudest when I listen the most. My greatest gifts are in what I am willing to appreciatively receive from my students.
Material wealth is not one of my goals, but I am a full-time treasure seeker in my quest for new opportunities for my students to use their talents and in my constant search for those talents that sometimes lie buried in self-defeat.
I am the most fortunate of all who labor.
A doctor is allowed to usher life into the world in one magic moment.
I am allowed to see that life is reborn each day with new questions, ideas and friendships.
An architect knows that if he builds with care, his structure may stand for centuries. A teacher knows that if he builds with love and truth, what he builds will last forever.
I am a warrior, daily doing battle against peer pressure, negativity, fear, conformity, prejudice, ignorance and apathy: But I have great allies: Intelligence, Curiosity, Parental Support, Individuality, Creativity, Faith, Love and Laughter all rush to my banner with indomitable support.
And who do I have to thank for this wonderful life I am so fortunate to experience, but you the public, the parents. For you have done me the great honor to entrust to me your greatest contribution to eternity, your children.
And so I have a past that is rich in memories. I have a present that is challenging, adventurous and fun because I am allowed to spend my days with the future.
I am a teacher…and I thank God for it every day.
Wishing all of our mothers a Happy Mother’s Day.
Best regards,
David
Calendar
05/10/16 – School Committee Meeting – 7 pm – Town Hall
05/20/16 – Deadline – Re-enrollment in Certain Health Insurance Options (see below)
05/24/16 – School Committee Meeting – 7 pm – Town Hall
05/30/16 – Memorial Day – No School
06/01/16 – Deadline – Graduate Course Reimbursement Submittals
06/03/16 – WHS Graduation – 5 pm
Condolences to Jodi Willard (WMS Teaching Assistant) on the loss of her father, Samuel Wilensky, on April 17, 2016.
HEALTH INSURANCE ALERT!
IMPORTANT – Must re-enroll in benefits in order to continue coverage on July 1st
Please be aware that if you are currently enrolled in Harvard, Tufts or Blue Cross medical insurance, you must re-enroll in your medical insurance by May 20, 2016 in order to continue coverage on July 1st. If you are currently on Fallon insurance, you do not need to re-enroll. You also do not have to re-enroll on dental or long term disability insurances. Listed below is the Town’s website address with additional information. If you have any questions or need to speak with a benefits representative, please call the Benefits Office at 781-431-1019, extension 2244.
http://www.wellesleyma.gov/
WHS GRADUATION NEWS
Wellesley High School Graduation is on Friday, June 3rd, on Hunnewell Field (weather permitting), at 5:00 PM
In case of rain, the graduation will be in the GYM at Wellesley High School. All faculty and staff require a ticket for admission to the gym. If you plan to attend the graduation, please email Mary Donahue at donahuem@wellesleyps.org by Friday, May 22. Mary will send the ticket and instructions by return mail. Tickets are not required if graduation is held outdoors.
Graduate Course Reimbursement
Course reimbursement funding of $30,000 is available to distribute in FY17 among qualified teachers. This funding is for graduate course work done as part of a master’s degree program to fulfill a teacher’s obligations for the Massachusetts Educators Professional License and for course work required to achieve the next stage of licensure culminating in a professional license. To apply for this course reimbursement, please send the following information to Valerie Spruill, Administrative Assistant to the HR Director,spruillv@wellesleyps.org: your name, evidence of your enrollment in an applicable master/doctoral degree program, name and description of the course, evidence of course cost (a billing statement), proof of payment (i.e. credit card statement, canceled check or receipt of payment), and transcript. The deadline for submissions is June 1, 2016. You will be notified of the amount awarded to you some time prior to the first paycheck in September 2016. Please note: all information must be received by June 1, 2016 or you will be disqualified for reimbursement. All courses must have occurred in the summer of 2015, fall of 2015 and spring of 2016 and have been completed by June 1, 2016. Any courses taken prior to the summer of 2015 will not be considered reimbursement.
Professional Development Opportunities
WellesleyPD Summer 2016 Course Offerings
Summer courses through WellesleyPD are now open for registration!
To login to WellesleyPD:
- Username: lastnamefirstinitial
- The default password is wellesleypd; you may click “Forgot Your Password?” for reset information to be sent to your WPS email address
If you encounter difficulty logging in, please contact Chelsea Bailow, Professional Development Coordinator.
Registration for courses closes 2 weeks prior to the date of the first scheduled session of the course. Early registration is encouraged, as class size for each course is limited and a minimum number of participants is required in order for a course to run.
If the minimum number of participants is not reached 2 weeks prior to the date of the first scheduled session of the course, the course will be cancelled. Participants will be notified of course cancellations at least 10 days prior to the date of the first scheduled session of the course.
TEC Online, Self-Paced Courses Free to WPS Educators
WPS has partnered with The Education Cooperative (TEC) to offer two online, self-paced courses free of charge to Wellesley educators. Please note that the ELL course is NOT an endorsement course.
- Engaging All Students with Differentiated Instruction (Click here for more details.)
- Strategies to Enhance Instruction for English Language Learners in the Classroom (Click here for more details.)
To Register: Go to tec.registration.etlo.org and complete the registration page. You’ll receive an email with a URL for the course you’ve selected, as well as instructions on enrolling in the course.
PDPs: Upon completion of the course, participants will receive a certificate of completion. Submit the certificate to Chelsea Bailow, Professional Development Coordinator, in order for the course to appear in your WellesleyPD records.
Thinking About Retirement?
For WTA members interested in retiring in 2016: Contact a representative from MTRS at 617-679-6877.
For further information to determine eligibility for retirement benefits visit: http://www.mass.gov/mtrs; to calculate your retirement benefits, go to http://www.mass.gov/mtrs/active-and-inactive-members/retiring-from-the-mtrs/regular-superannuation/estimate-your-retirement-benefits.html and tohttp://www.mass.gov/mtrs/forms-and-general-resources/downloadable-forms/
If you plan to retire this year, please send a signed letter (four months prior to retirement) indicating your intention to Director of Human Resources Gayle McCracken, Wellesley Public Schools, 40 Kingsbury Street, Wellesley, Massachusetts 02481.
WPS Internal Job Postings on District Website
Please be aware that we added a new feature called “Internal Job Postings” under the Faculty tab of the District’s website. We will post all of our internal jobs under this website tab. Therefore, you will no longer see internal job postings in the bulletin. This new way of posting will allow us to post internal positions any day of the week.