Utica Community Schools reviews

The biggest problem with all of these changes is the treatment of teachers and professional staff; I was a teacher at UCS since 1996, and I was also a student at Utica High School, as well as Jeannette Jr. High (both schools I would spend the majority of my career.) I loved it! What a wonderful time to be a teacher or student back then. Teachers were treated with respect; we were encouraged to be innovative, creative, challenging, and differentiating my lesson plans is what I excelled in; when Dr. Christine Johns took over the district, the changes were so drastic, so intentionally disruptive and chaotic for the teachers, that at first, no one wanted to admit it. Excellent, seasoned teachers, who never had a single blemish on their records EVER were suddenly finding themselves in strange circumstances; teachers were written up everywhere; administrators were directed to pit teachers against teachers; the atmosphere was nothing I ever felt before, and my understanding is that it's even worse today. I was teaching in a building with students who were learning English as a 2nd language, and many of my kids were having to take "Literacy" classes (in the 9th grade.) These changes were overnight, as our district became an "open school district" even 2 years before the economic crash; however, we were told that due to the economy, it was in our best interests to open our doors. I didn't mind that; I did mind, however, that when I had these struggling students, I was being forced to teach standardized-type lessons, and data-analysis became the main focus for all teachers because we had to prove our worth every 10 weeks by showing how our students had grown. I don't know about today, but up until 2014, I was not able to see the exams I gave my English students, nor was I allowed to create them. They were locked until the day before the exam, but my teacher number was printed on the scantrons. I know many teachers throughout Michigan, and everyone I know has heard about the way Dr. Johns has been leading our schools; no other district has imposed the so-called education reform act like this one, and it's all smoke and mirrors anyway. None of it is good for kids or teachers, and it's really upsetting! Don't start your career there! There are many other districts with leadership who actually respect their teachers and care for the kids. Do your research and conduct your own questions before you get into a public school while these reform laws are still in place. This is a systematic attack on teachers, education and our youth; Snyder and DeVos and many other wealthy investors are merely restructuring our tax dollars and directing it right into the hands of for-profit, corporate entities who have no business in education; unfortunately, UCS was chosen for Dr. Johns to take the helm and lead the district straight down the path of privatization and dismantling the long-loved academic programs that made our district fun and unique. Anyone going into teaching currently must take time to understand these laws and understand how they will affect your long-term careers.

Working with all women is tough. You will be safe if you know the right people. The evaluations are a joke. Teaching isn't the job anymore...it's passing the evaluations.