TVEA Spotlight May 7th, 2024

Good Evening Board and Staff

I am pleased to present the final TVEA spotlight for the year, in this new quarterly system.

I can’t express the energy coursing through us as we plan and prepare to close out another successful school year with students.  Months of energy to reach this exciting time to celebrate and recognize our students and educators achievements for the year. Crossing milestones while overcoming obstacles and learning from failures all along the way. TVEA Celebrates you!

It is also appropriate on this Teacher Appreciation Week, where we recognize the efforts made by educators in every level to build relationships with students and provide opportunities for growth and success that can be built on for the future. Working with students is like tending to a garden where we see small growth and never see the final harvest.  Which it is so special to see students later in their academic or life journey.  I know I will be attending Gardner’s Walk of Gratitude to see some of these fine ladies and gentleman I had the pleasure of working with in 8th grade.

While our educator’s do as much as they can with the tools and time at their disposal, TVUSD needs to live up to Elevating and Caring for each other.

Currently we have Special Education teachers who feel they are set up to fail.  They manage to get through the day assisting students with bruises, bites, and concussions.

The emotional toll is draining.  They know the potential their programs can accomplish for their students, but they feel like they fall short when the daily focus turns to maintaining a safe learning environment for students and staff.

The physical toll is draining.  The lack of staff to support students makes it nearly impossible for educators to take their 30 minute duty free lunch because they worry for the safety of the staff.  Establishing a safe environment for students may limit the amount of recess or Arts experiences.

TVUSD will be caught in a cycle of onboarding SpEd professionals as seasoned professionals choose to leave due to the stress of fulfilling legal requirements without needed support, teaching conditions that trigger health issues, or safety conditions that make it untenable.

Elementary teachers are also asking for conditions that will help them do their job well. If you have been through an elementary classroom, you know that they move mountains to establish a culture and environment that is conducive to learning.  Many arrive days and weeks before the start of the school year. My friend Kate Kennedy works more than the sun on some days.  Her 1994 van is the first and last of the VES parking lot.  Well she actually just posted it for sale if you are looking for one. : )

Elementary educators are pleading for recognition of the work they put in to help Temecula students succeed.  It is awful that for so long, secondary educators receive about 30% more time to prepare, grade, collaborate, communicate during the contract hours.  It is no surprise that elementary educators are taking stress leaves, are affected with medical conditions all while trying to hold the classroom together.  They want to provide the best for Temecula students, at the cost of their own health.

What educators ask for is basic.  They want to be confident that they are able to do the job they are assigned. They don’t need someone listening to them.  They don’t need mindness, or stress techniques.  They need respect.

On Teacher Appreciation Week, TVUSD can provide respect through our bargaining process and by a Task Force with the CSEA, TVEA and TVUSD cabinet leaders who are dedicated to providing solutions for the future.

Good night.