Teachers potentially protest graduation
Tears are flying along with their robes, students are ready to shoot off out for the life outside of high school. They want to say a last goodbye to the teachers, the students look around, but they’re nowhere in sight.
This year, teachers may refuse to work at graduation because it is not part of their contract. Castro Valley Teachers Association (CVTA) is concerned about being required to perform extra work for free.
CVHS administration wants teachers to work at the ceremony because they have always done so before, the duty is listed in the staff handbook, and it shows respect to students.
We at The Olympian recognize the importance of following the contract. Teachers would also like the district to pay more for benefits as health care costs are going up and the Bay Area in general. Actually, teachers and the district are negotiating a change that would increase health benefits and require teachers to work at graduation this year.
Even if the teachers do not attend, graduation will happen and it is unfair for the students who want to cherish their last formal day the best they can. Substitutes or parents may be able swap in, however they will not be able to replace the bonds they created as students and teachers.
The Olympian nevertheless believes it is reasonable for the teachers to not “work” at graduation. It is a way to pressure the district to provide more pay and benefits to those who shape the students’ future.
I think it’s wrong to expect teachers to do extra work for no pay, however at my previous school the teachers became really close to students and would gladly help with graduation whether they were paid or not. They had spent most of their time with these students as a teacher, therapist, and friend.
Teachers should not be expected to attend and to work on graduation If they are not getting paid for any of it.
I think it’s wrong to expect teachers to do more than they already do without pay. If they are expected to work during graduation, then pay them for their work. Of course, teachers who have formed close bonds with their students all want to come to see them graduate. Students also want to honor their teachers, and the best way to do that is to give them the payment they deserve or make graduation a volunteer-based event.
I support the teachers’ decision not to go to graduation. The CV district pays less than all the districts surrounding us, so I think that this could be a step forward for increasing teachers’ pay. Although I’ll miss the teachers who won’t be there, I understand their position with getting th district to go into negotiation.
I think that the fact of the matter is that teachers have lives of their own too. While it’s easy to pin the blame on them and say they should be more empathetic to the students they bonded with, their argument of paid labor is fair. Also, if they truly did care for a student I think regardless of the pay they will attend the graduation at least as guests. This is up to the discretion of the teachers and I think they have the right to protest.
Sure it would be nice for teachers to see their student graduate but seeing that there contract doesn’t state of they have to work it then they shouldn’t have to .
I’d be sad if some of my teachers don’t see me graduate but if they don’t get paid for working there I’d understand.
I’m shocked that teachers might not attend graduation at all. Practically, who will conduct the ceremony? It would be a shame if teachers were missing for the last important event of the year.
Teachers should be able to choose whether or not they attend graduation if they aren’t paid to do it. That’s basically forcing. They should be paid to work during graduation. I support teachers’ decisions.