So…I've been in education in lots of various positions before finally landing my dream job during the pandemic. I teach first grade special education and it wasn't until I got this dream job that I realized how reprehensibly teachers are treated. Last year, due to staff shortages and high-needs students, I was required to provide the majority of services for my students. Totally fine. I didn't get the duty-free lunch or plan periods dictated by my contract, but I was a second year teacher and my administration gaslit me into believing it was my responsibility to do what was best for my students, despite the fact that I was quickly being overrun by my job. Fast forward to this year and the cycle is repeating, with a slight change. This year, I asked for compensation for doing extra work. When this was met with push-back, I asked if an administrator was available to cover in order for me to take a lunch. Their response? Ask another teacher to give up their lunch so that I could have mine.
I am essentially being asked to choose between overburdening another teacher or again, doing extra work for free. Not to mention the social/emotional needs of the child are extreme and trauma related, so the introduction of new people and routine changes take a ton of time. I am so disappointed in their response. I feel as if administrators/the educational system takes full advantage of the things that teachers are willing to do for their kids and feel perfectly comfortable suggesting “solutions” such as these.
Finally, general education teachers' contracts which also include a duty-free lunch and a plan period are always honored. This is a situation singular to the world of special education, at least in my district.
I truly don't know how to respond to this. Any advice is appreciated.