RE: Clusters and Budget Cuts

[Guest guest]

Liz,

And what happened to the cluster classes? Have students been

moved?

Can a gen ed teacher be demoted to an autism coach?

From:

sList [mailto:sList ] On Behalf

Of Lizzie

Sent: Monday, April 26, 2010 1:15 AM

To: sList

Subject: Clusters and Budget Cuts

Hi,

there are around 30 autism coaches in Broward, one for each cluster, and one

for each center school (Bright and Quest). Most of them have five or more years

as coaches and most of them have a Masters degree. Some are certified

behavioralists as well. The majority have more than five years as autism

teachers before they were hired as coaches.

The coaches provide training and support for the cluster teachers, their paras,

and the gen ed teachers. They also work closely with the ESE specialist,

counselors, OT, PT, outside agencies, the school psychologist and the

administration. The coaches have to attend monthly meetings with

representatives from the district to receive info related to the cluster. This

involves training in curriculum and instruction, assessment, ESE policies and

recent research. This is also a forum for discussions related to their

responsibilities.

I think it is important to discuss these issues because parents should know

their teachers' and coaches' educational background. If you happen to have a

coach whose background is questionable, you should meet with the school's

principal to address it. The principal should absolutely be held accountable

for who he or she chooses to hire in the cluster.

Although this is a great discussion, I think it is taking place at the wrong

time. Last week many cluster teachers and paras were laid off, and there is

more to come. One school lost an entire cluster classroom. Cluster teachers

have been told that there will be fewer teachers and therefore more students in

each classroom. This will have a devastating effect on our children's progress.

In this day and age, we need to embrace the educators and request that the

principals stop laying off cluster teachers and paras. We also need to stop

schools from laying off ESE specialist, especially at schools with clusters. I

urge everybody to contact local and state politicians and ask that they

" save " the cluster educators. This is the issue we need to focus on now.

Liz

[Guest guest]

Liz,

And what happened to the cluster classes? Have students been

moved?

Can a gen ed teacher be demoted to an autism coach?

From:

sList [mailto:sList ] On Behalf

Of Lizzie

Sent: Monday, April 26, 2010 1:15 AM

To: sList

Subject: Clusters and Budget Cuts

Hi,

there are around 30 autism coaches in Broward, one for each cluster, and one

for each center school (Bright and Quest). Most of them have five or more years

as coaches and most of them have a Masters degree. Some are certified

behavioralists as well. The majority have more than five years as autism

teachers before they were hired as coaches.

The coaches provide training and support for the cluster teachers, their paras,

and the gen ed teachers. They also work closely with the ESE specialist,

counselors, OT, PT, outside agencies, the school psychologist and the

administration. The coaches have to attend monthly meetings with

representatives from the district to receive info related to the cluster. This

involves training in curriculum and instruction, assessment, ESE policies and

recent research. This is also a forum for discussions related to their

responsibilities.

I think it is important to discuss these issues because parents should know

their teachers' and coaches' educational background. If you happen to have a

coach whose background is questionable, you should meet with the school's

principal to address it. The principal should absolutely be held accountable

for who he or she chooses to hire in the cluster.

Although this is a great discussion, I think it is taking place at the wrong

time. Last week many cluster teachers and paras were laid off, and there is

more to come. One school lost an entire cluster classroom. Cluster teachers

have been told that there will be fewer teachers and therefore more students in

each classroom. This will have a devastating effect on our children's progress.

In this day and age, we need to embrace the educators and request that the

principals stop laying off cluster teachers and paras. We also need to stop

schools from laying off ESE specialist, especially at schools with clusters. I

urge everybody to contact local and state politicians and ask that they

" save " the cluster educators. This is the issue we need to focus on now.

Liz

[Guest guest]

Liz,

And what happened to the cluster classes? Have students been

moved?

Can a gen ed teacher be demoted to an autism coach?

From:

sList [mailto:sList ] On Behalf

Of Lizzie

Sent: Monday, April 26, 2010 1:15 AM

To: sList

Subject: Clusters and Budget Cuts

Hi,

there are around 30 autism coaches in Broward, one for each cluster, and one

for each center school (Bright and Quest). Most of them have five or more years

as coaches and most of them have a Masters degree. Some are certified

behavioralists as well. The majority have more than five years as autism

teachers before they were hired as coaches.

The coaches provide training and support for the cluster teachers, their paras,

and the gen ed teachers. They also work closely with the ESE specialist,

counselors, OT, PT, outside agencies, the school psychologist and the

administration. The coaches have to attend monthly meetings with

representatives from the district to receive info related to the cluster. This

involves training in curriculum and instruction, assessment, ESE policies and

recent research. This is also a forum for discussions related to their

responsibilities.

I think it is important to discuss these issues because parents should know

their teachers' and coaches' educational background. If you happen to have a

coach whose background is questionable, you should meet with the school's

principal to address it. The principal should absolutely be held accountable

for who he or she chooses to hire in the cluster.

Although this is a great discussion, I think it is taking place at the wrong

time. Last week many cluster teachers and paras were laid off, and there is

more to come. One school lost an entire cluster classroom. Cluster teachers

have been told that there will be fewer teachers and therefore more students in

each classroom. This will have a devastating effect on our children's progress.

In this day and age, we need to embrace the educators and request that the

principals stop laying off cluster teachers and paras. We also need to stop

schools from laying off ESE specialist, especially at schools with clusters. I

urge everybody to contact local and state politicians and ask that they

" save " the cluster educators. This is the issue we need to focus on now.

Liz

[Guest guest]

When a cluster classroom is closed, the students in that room have to move to another classroom. Therefore cluster classrooms will be too crowded.This is a result of the budget cuts, and parents need to be aware of it so they can begin to take action. I have seen a lot of teachers and coaches trying to fight back, but I have not seen many cluster parents or grandparents. Where are they?

, I have a feeling you know the answer to this one...A cluster teacher or autism coach need to certified in ESE. Many cluster teachers and gen ed teachers are dual certified, in other words they can teach both gen ed and ESE. A gen ed teacher who is not certified in ESE can not work in the cluster. However, there may be a gen ed teacher who has worked all her life in the gen ed class, but still holds certfication in ESE and therefore can work in the cluster. In general, the answer to your question is no. An autism coach cannot work in the cluster if she only holds a gen ed certification. However, if she is certified in ESE as well as gen ed. she can work in the cluster. Nobody should be hired as a coach unless they have a few years teaching a cluster classroom. There are exceptions to this rule because principals have a lot of power. Currently, I believe there is one coach in Broward who has no

experience teaching cluster classes. Parents should therfore always ask about the staff''s credentials when touring the school. Remember it is the principal who hires, nobody else. Therefore, the principal needs to be involved when things don't go right.

Liz

Subject: RE: Clusters and Budget CutsTo: sList Date: Monday, April 26, 2010, 4:53 PM

Liz,

And what happened to the cluster classes? Have students been moved?

Can a gen ed teacher be demoted to an autism coach?

From: sList@ yahoogroups. com [mailto:sList @yahoogroups. com] On Behalf Of LizzieSent: Monday, April 26, 2010 1:15 AMTo: sList@ yahoogroups. comSubject: Clusters and Budget Cuts

Hi,there are around 30 autism coaches in Broward, one for each cluster, and one for each center school (Bright and Quest). Most of them have five or more years as coaches and most of them have a Masters degree. Some are certified behavioralists as well. The majority have more than five years as autism teachers before they were hired as coaches. The coaches provide training and support for the cluster teachers, their paras, and the gen ed teachers. They also work closely with the ESE specialist, counselors, OT, PT, outside agencies, the school psychologist and the administration. The coaches have to attend monthly meetings with representatives from the district to receive info related to the cluster. This involves training in curriculum and instruction, assessment, ESE policies and recent research. This is also a forum for discussions related to their responsibilities.I think it is important to discuss these issues because

parents should know their teachers' and coaches' educational background. If you happen to have a coach whose background is questionable, you should meet with the school's principal to address it. The principal should absolutely be held accountable for who he or she chooses to hire in the cluster.Although this is a great discussion, I think it is taking place at the wrong time. Last week many cluster teachers and paras were laid off, and there is more to come. One school lost an entire cluster classroom. Cluster teachers have been told that there will be fewer teachers and therefore more students in each classroom. This will have a devastating effect on our children's progress. In this day and age, we need to embrace the educators and request that the principals stop laying off cluster teachers and paras. We also need to stop schools from laying off ESE specialist, especially at schools with clusters. I urge everybody to contact local and state

politicians and ask that they "save" the cluster educators. This is the issue we need to focus on now. Liz

[Guest guest]

Liz, thanks for your answer. Where are the cluster parents and

grandparents (thanks for the inclusion)? They are in the dark. But as you may

know there are no class size restrictions for ESE in the State of Florida as

there are in other states. Most parents accept the school's decision. It should

be an issue because it has a direct bearing on the needs of their child.

From:

sList [mailto:sList ] On Behalf

Of Lizzie Berg

Sent: Wednesday, April 28, 2010 12:44 AM

To: sList

Subject: RE: Clusters and Budget Cuts

When a cluster classroom is closed, the students in that

room have to move to another classroom. Therefore cluster classrooms will be

too crowded.This is a result of the budget cuts, and parents need to be aware

of it so they can begin to take action. I have seen a lot of teachers and

coaches trying to fight back, but I have not seen many cluster parents

or grandparents. Where are they?

, I have a feeling you know the answer to this one...A

cluster teacher or autism coach need to certified in ESE. Many cluster

teachers and gen ed teachers are dual certified, in other words they can

teach both gen ed and ESE. A gen ed teacher who is not certified in ESE can

not work in the cluster. However, there may be a gen ed teacher who has

worked all her life in the gen ed class, but still holds certfication in ESE

and therefore can work in the cluster. In general, the answer

to your question is no. An autism coach cannot work in the cluster if

she only holds a gen ed certification. However, if she is

certified in ESE as well as gen ed. she can work in the cluster. Nobody

should be hired as a coach unless they have a few years teaching a

cluster classroom. There are exceptions to this rule because principals have

a lot of power. Currently, I believe there is one coach in Broward who

has no experience teaching cluster classes. Parents should therfore always

ask about the staff''s credentials when touring the

school. Remember it is the principal who hires, nobody else.

Therefore, the principal needs to be involved when things don't go right.

Liz

Subject: RE: Clusters and Budget Cuts

To: sList

Date: Monday, April 26, 2010, 4:53 PM

Liz,

And what happened to the cluster

classes? Have students been moved?

Can a gen ed teacher be demoted to an

autism coach?

From:

sList@ yahoogroups. com [mailto:sList @yahoogroups. com] On

Behalf Of Lizzie

Sent: Monday, April 26, 2010 1:15 AM

To: sList@ yahoogroups. com

Subject: Clusters and Budget Cuts

Hi,

there are around 30 autism coaches in Broward, one for each cluster, and one

for each center school (Bright and Quest). Most of them have five or more

years as coaches and most of them have a Masters degree. Some are certified

behavioralists as well. The majority have more than five years as autism

teachers before they were hired as coaches.

The coaches provide training and support for the cluster teachers, their

paras, and the gen ed teachers. They also work closely with the ESE specialist,

counselors, OT, PT, outside agencies, the school psychologist and the

administration. The coaches have to attend monthly meetings with

representatives from the district to receive info related to the cluster.

This involves training in curriculum and instruction, assessment, ESE

policies and recent research. This is also a forum for discussions related to

their responsibilities.

I think it is important to discuss these issues because parents should know

their teachers' and coaches' educational background. If you happen to have a

coach whose background is questionable, you should meet with the school's

principal to address it. The principal should absolutely be held accountable

for who he or she chooses to hire in the cluster.

Although this is a great discussion, I think it is taking place at the wrong

time. Last week many cluster teachers and paras were laid off, and there is

more to come. One school lost an entire cluster classroom. Cluster teachers

have been told that there will be fewer teachers and therefore more students

in each classroom. This will have a devastating effect on our children's

progress. In this day and age, we need to embrace the educators and request

that the principals stop laying off cluster teachers and paras. We also need

to stop schools from laying off ESE specialist, especially at schools with

clusters. I urge everybody to contact local and state politicians and ask

that they " save " the cluster educators. This is the issue we need

to focus on now.

Liz

[Guest guest]

and other parents and grandparents,

recently one of the listmembers here said she is a former Broward county autism coach and she also has a child on the spectrum. Another one, who also have a child with ASD, says she is involved with the respectable organization called ACE. It is encouraging that we have people here who are brave enough to share this as people become more vulnerable when they have to "wear many hats".

There are however, many district people, behavior specialists, teachers and coaches who also have kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews with autism. They may not tell us this, but many of them read and respond to these postings. By sharing our frustrations and experiences we can get the word out and slowly move the public and the decision makers in the right direction. I don't know what is right for each individual, but we can all begin by telling our principals not to lay off personel in the cluster. The principal is the most important person because he is a decision maker at your kid's school. Second, the school board members need to know that we have an interets in the cluster and that they need to help us protect the clusters.

Get people's e-mail addresses, share them with other parents and family members. It is easy. Let them know that you are aware of what's going on at your school and that you are following your child's cluster with a close eye. Let's not give up.

Liz

From: Heifferon <gary00001msn (DOT) com>Subject: RE: Clusters and Budget CutsTo: sList@ yahoogroups. comDate: Monday, April 26, 2010, 4:53 PM

Liz,

And what happened to the cluster classes? Have students been moved?

Can a gen ed teacher be demoted to an autism coach?

From: sList@ yahoogroups. com [mailto:sList @yahoogroups. com] On Behalf Of LizzieSent: Monday, April 26, 2010 1:15 AMTo: sList@ yahoogroups. comSubject: Clusters and Budget Cuts

Hi,there are around 30 autism coaches in Broward, one for each cluster, and one for each center school (Bright and Quest). Most of them have five or more years as coaches and most of them have a Masters degree. Some are certified behavioralists as well. The majority have more than five years as autism teachers before they were hired as coaches. The coaches provide training and support for the cluster teachers, their paras, and the gen ed teachers. They also work closely with the ESE specialist, counselors, OT, PT, outside agencies, the school psychologist and the administration. The coaches have to attend monthly meetings with representatives from the district to receive info related to the cluster. This involves training in curriculum and instruction, assessment, ESE policies and recent research. This is also a forum for discussions related to their responsibilities.I think it is important to discuss these

issues because parents should know their teachers' and coaches' educational background. If you happen to have a coach whose background is questionable, you should meet with the school's principal to address it. The principal should absolutely be held accountable for who he or she chooses to hire in the cluster.Although this is a great discussion, I think it is taking place at the wrong time. Last week many cluster teachers and paras were laid off, and there is more to come. One school lost an entire cluster classroom. Cluster teachers have been told that there will be fewer teachers and therefore more students in each classroom. This will have a devastating effect on our children's progress. In this day and age, we need to embrace the educators and request that the principals stop laying off cluster teachers and paras. We also need to stop schools from laying off ESE specialist, especially at schools with clusters. I urge everybody to contact

local and state politicians and ask that they "save" the cluster educators. This is the issue we need to focus on now. Liz

[Guest guest]

and other parents and grandparents,

recently one of the listmembers here said she is a former Broward county autism coach and she also has a child on the spectrum. Another one, who also have a child with ASD, says she is involved with the respectable organization called ACE. It is encouraging that we have people here who are brave enough to share this as people become more vulnerable when they have to "wear many hats".

There are however, many district people, behavior specialists, teachers and coaches who also have kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews with autism. They may not tell us this, but many of them read and respond to these postings. By sharing our frustrations and experiences we can get the word out and slowly move the public and the decision makers in the right direction. I don't know what is right for each individual, but we can all begin by telling our principals not to lay off personel in the cluster. The principal is the most important person because he is a decision maker at your kid's school. Second, the school board members need to know that we have an interets in the cluster and that they need to help us protect the clusters.

Get people's e-mail addresses, share them with other parents and family members. It is easy. Let them know that you are aware of what's going on at your school and that you are following your child's cluster with a close eye. Let's not give up.

Liz

From: Heifferon <gary00001msn (DOT) com>Subject: RE: Clusters and Budget CutsTo: sList@ yahoogroups. comDate: Monday, April 26, 2010, 4:53 PM

Liz,

And what happened to the cluster classes? Have students been moved?

Can a gen ed teacher be demoted to an autism coach?

From: sList@ yahoogroups. com [mailto:sList @yahoogroups. com] On Behalf Of LizzieSent: Monday, April 26, 2010 1:15 AMTo: sList@ yahoogroups. comSubject: Clusters and Budget Cuts

Hi,there are around 30 autism coaches in Broward, one for each cluster, and one for each center school (Bright and Quest). Most of them have five or more years as coaches and most of them have a Masters degree. Some are certified behavioralists as well. The majority have more than five years as autism teachers before they were hired as coaches. The coaches provide training and support for the cluster teachers, their paras, and the gen ed teachers. They also work closely with the ESE specialist, counselors, OT, PT, outside agencies, the school psychologist and the administration. The coaches have to attend monthly meetings with representatives from the district to receive info related to the cluster. This involves training in curriculum and instruction, assessment, ESE policies and recent research. This is also a forum for discussions related to their responsibilities.I think it is important to discuss these

issues because parents should know their teachers' and coaches' educational background. If you happen to have a coach whose background is questionable, you should meet with the school's principal to address it. The principal should absolutely be held accountable for who he or she chooses to hire in the cluster.Although this is a great discussion, I think it is taking place at the wrong time. Last week many cluster teachers and paras were laid off, and there is more to come. One school lost an entire cluster classroom. Cluster teachers have been told that there will be fewer teachers and therefore more students in each classroom. This will have a devastating effect on our children's progress. In this day and age, we need to embrace the educators and request that the principals stop laying off cluster teachers and paras. We also need to stop schools from laying off ESE specialist, especially at schools with clusters. I urge everybody to contact

local and state politicians and ask that they "save" the cluster educators. This is the issue we need to focus on now. Liz