My name is Matthew Friedman and I am speaking on behalf of the myriad of students in your district whom lost their favorite teachers due to your "seniority" rules. During my time in middle school I watched as the most qualified and outstanding teachers received pink slips notifying them of their termination. This is not only stripping the students of a great learning experience, but also of their motive to learn.
When you are in middle school you are always looking for someone to look up to. In my case it was my 7th grade teacher, Ms. Wohl. She had just graduated from UCSB and had more energy in the classroom than most kids did on the playground. She shared my love for the ocean and the mountains and she made everyday in the classroom something to look forward to. I looked up to her so much that I became more and more motivated to learn. I never wanted to let her down so I always put 110% into every assignment. For the first time in my life I was excited about school and excited about learning.
Ever since I could remember, I have been challenged in the classroom by not only my teacher, but also my attention problems. I would never be able to sit still for an entire class or diligently do anything for more than 15 min. This created difficulties when I needed to study for tests or finish longer homework assignments. My teachers would also get mad at me whenever they saw me not paying attention. Having Ms. Wohl as a teacher eliminated my focus issues. I was so excited about learning that I could accomplish any assignment without the hindrance of my wandering mind. Teachers like Ms. Wohl maximize the learning capabilities of any student. It's a shame none of this matters.
Ms. Wohl received a pink slip towards the end of the first semester, and she was heartbroken. A teacher from another school who had worked in LAUSD for many years was moving to the area and because Ms. Wohl was the newest teacher, she was the one to be replaced. I remember her trying to tell our class that she wouldn't be teaching us the next semester, but she couldn't because of the steady flow of tears. My world was shaken and I was very worried about the quality of teacher we would be receiving the following semester.
On the first day of the second semester a lady who looked so old she could be my great-grandma walked in and introduced herself as Mrs. Walsh. She had NO energy and NO will to teach. She had a monotone voice that put every student to sleep. No one did her homework assignments and no one learned anything in class. Then Mrs. Walsh would scream at us and tell us that we were failures and that we would never go to college. She KILLED every students eagerness to learn.
Our parents wrote letters to the board and showed up to meetings to try and get Ms. Wohl back but every time they were told that Mrs. Walsh has worked longer so she gets the job. The board didn't care about the quality of education us students were receiving. All they cared about was seniority.
We were given no chance to succeed that second semester. Please change this rule before more students are stripped of their Ms. Wohls and given Mrs. Walshes.
Thankyou for your consideration,
Matthew Friedman