NOTE: THIS WAS ORIGINALLY IN THE FIRST-GRADE SECTION, BUT I'M RE-POSTING THIS HERE IN THE VENT SESSION, SENSE MOST OF US NEED TO VENT! 
, I THOUGHT I'D GET MORE ADVICE HERE
I am a 1st grade ESL instructor. For the last 2 years, I've been joined at the hip, sort of speak, with the Bil. instructor at my school. There are 4 teachers on my team; we are all self-contained. The other 2 teachers are Regular instructors, with "traditional" students.
This year, my class has had a mixture of ESL and general ed students. Our classrooms are packed with BIL students. My co-worker has 30 kids in her class!
The idea of departmentalization was presented today. If this should come to pass, I would be responsible for Math, Science/Social Studies for my homeroom ESL/Non-ESL kiddos as well as the BIL students. We would switch between each other. The BIL instructor would be solely responsible for Reading/Language Arts for both ESL and BIL students.
I feel like the BIL instructor as well as myself would be getting the raw end of this deal. The other 2 1st grade teachers have regular students, and they don't HAVE to worry about ESL/BIL modifications, etc. Their argument is that because I'd be teaching Math, it would be easier for me and my students because Math is a universal concept. That is true to a certain extent; however, those of us who teach English Language Learners KNOW that any subject is an arduous task.
My other grade-level members are resentful of me and the BIL teacher's comments. We were asked for our input, and when we gave it, there was a heated debate and noted anger and resentment on the part of our grade-level chair. I have not enjoyed working with this person. She is tactless, rude, and insensitive. I'm not sure that any setup would work with her at the helm. She only enjoys working with the other regular 1st grade instructor because it's one of her good friends. Otherwise, she could care less about how this would impact me or the BIL instructor. She's just trying to take care of herself and her friend. These are just my observations; what do you all think?
, I THOUGHT I'D GET MORE ADVICE HEREI am a 1st grade ESL instructor. For the last 2 years, I've been joined at the hip, sort of speak, with the Bil. instructor at my school. There are 4 teachers on my team; we are all self-contained. The other 2 teachers are Regular instructors, with "traditional" students.
This year, my class has had a mixture of ESL and general ed students. Our classrooms are packed with BIL students. My co-worker has 30 kids in her class!
The idea of departmentalization was presented today. If this should come to pass, I would be responsible for Math, Science/Social Studies for my homeroom ESL/Non-ESL kiddos as well as the BIL students. We would switch between each other. The BIL instructor would be solely responsible for Reading/Language Arts for both ESL and BIL students.
I feel like the BIL instructor as well as myself would be getting the raw end of this deal. The other 2 1st grade teachers have regular students, and they don't HAVE to worry about ESL/BIL modifications, etc. Their argument is that because I'd be teaching Math, it would be easier for me and my students because Math is a universal concept. That is true to a certain extent; however, those of us who teach English Language Learners KNOW that any subject is an arduous task.
My other grade-level members are resentful of me and the BIL teacher's comments. We were asked for our input, and when we gave it, there was a heated debate and noted anger and resentment on the part of our grade-level chair. I have not enjoyed working with this person. She is tactless, rude, and insensitive. I'm not sure that any setup would work with her at the helm. She only enjoys working with the other regular 1st grade instructor because it's one of her good friends. Otherwise, she could care less about how this would impact me or the BIL instructor. She's just trying to take care of herself and her friend. These are just my observations; what do you all think?
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