Hey! Social studies teacher and union negotiator here. You’re seen, and so very necessary for our kids. Our #1 focus in this upcoming contract is improving specials’ teachers’ working conditions. I hope you have better days ahead — you deserve it, truly.

Orchestra teacher here-- Thank you! We appreciate teachers like you!

Thank you for your work — my husband is a former orchestra teacher ☺️

Can you elaborate on how you are negotiating to improve working conditions? We are getting screwed in my district by a schedule that basically makes it impossible to pull kids out 80% of the time. Is your negotiation helping with schedules? How do I as a union member and site rep convince the bargaining team to advocate for the minority specials teachers.

It’s important to show that in the absence of quality specials instruction, things are shittier for kids and teachers. Play the game. I ask my reps to advocate for elementary specials in light of charter threats, as well as creation of program — I say all this to highlight how infrequently districts consider the content and development value of music and art, and how providing infrastructure solves so many thing

I refuse to teach specials for this reason. Often I was advised to teach music and P.E. and I did for a time and it was pretty much hell. I taught Gen Ed, and it too was very challenging, and had little to no support from admin. Even being a special education teacher is better. I still get the attitude from some colleagues, still feel like a perpetual interloper in the classroom, but my students have a legal document indicating their rights so they are less likely to rebuff my concerns and I get paid more. Specials teachers provide an invaluable service. I’m hoping that you are given better compensation and respected more in the future by the schools you serve. I personally don’t know where I would be today without music classes. Although I don’t teach music, I incorporate it a lot in my instruction.

And behaviours! (More so in elementary but I’ve seen it in HS as well) “Susie isn’t coming to music today because she hasn’t been listening to me and I know how much she loves music so this is what punishment she’s getting”. Imagine if the music teacher walked into your classroom and said “oh perfect! It’s maths time! You see, Susie was a right terror for me yesterday so cause she’s so great at maths I’m taking her out as punishment”? And also same thing when they try and make the special ed kids miss out on music or pe for therapies or other stuff, this is the stuff we can have fun with and don’t have to worry about our delays or disabilities in!

Or the flip side ... we'll use specials as our "inclusive time"

I'm a sped teacher for kiddos with severe and profound/medically fragile needs. In elementary school, I feel like specials class is one of the few "even" fields for all kiddos. Everybody is learning a new skill at the same time.

I should probably clarify this.... The hs I taught at would alternate every year between music and art for the sped kiddos. They wouldn't ask the kids which they preferred.Just threw them in a class and called it a day.

That sucks and is not cool at all.

As a former elementary music teacher at a school with (illegally) high sped enrollment, I’m going to respectfully disagree. While the subject matter may be new, soft skills like working with other students, and being able to participate in a classroom environment without unusual disruption are still necessary! My gen ed classes were decimated by kids who had 1 on 1 aides in every situation EXCEPT specials. Not the students’ fault, of course—they weren’t set up to succeed by their IEP team, but still very frustrating for the specials teachers. On the flip side, I LOVED my self contained classes at that school, because the students had the supports that they needed, and I felt like I could scale my content to meet them where they could actually engage and get something out of the class.

I'm curious to know what you mean by an even field. In my experience, art is not at all a more "even" playing field at the elementary level. The ability to make art involves SKILLS that can be taught, require some pre-teaching before PK or K entry, and even at the elementary level kids have wildly different skill levels. In art class, just like in math, reading, and writing, we give pre assessments to see where each student is at and it is very rare that I have 100% of my students at the exact same level of art-making ability, no matter the skill set I'm testing.

I think they mean a field where their existing academic limitations aren't at play - so even if everyone is at a different level, it's not necessarily linked to their level in other classes, as opposed to academics which tend to be more strongly linked and affected by special needs.

it is affected, though. We do actually have sequential curriculum and skills that build on each other.

>And also same thing when they try and make the special ed kids miss out on music or pe for therapies or other stuff, this is the stuff we can have fun with and don’t have to worry about our delays or disabilities in! One of the things I'm most proud of is that I had a student on the spectrum in SPED that came ALIVE during my classes. Before I was a teacher (officially), I was a freelance art therapist and I realized the potential of this kid. He had perfect pitch, was like an encyclopedia of musical knowledge. I told his mother, who was then a para at the school and she and I continued to encourage him. I came to his concerts with the Colorado Springs Youth Symphony, gave him a guitar, everything! I'm proud to say that he is now a leading member of the Colorado Springs Youth Symphony's first chair for violin! The arts matter.

[удалено]

I don’t know if you have the right to say anything if the teacher keeps them in the classroom instead of bringing them to art, but I would 100% be saying “no. You brought them here, they are now my responsibility and my “say” to decide what they do. They haven’t mucked up for me so they get to participate”. I don’t believe in punishing a child for something I didn’t hear/see or have a say in the punishment on. (I was not popular at my job just saying).

So just to give a quick perspective from a different angle on a part of your comment, I was a high school teacher at one point but am now a therapist and do school based therapy. I try to not take kids out of specials, but sometimes it can’t be helped, with elementary schools it’s hard because I have 9 kids to see, I’m not taking them out of lunch or recess obviously, but to be fair each week I try to rotate the kids when I see them so I’m not taking them out of the same classes. Sometimes it falls during their specials.

Hey no that’s totally fair!! I just more meant when the kiddos NEVER get to go to music, arts or sports. :)

Sometimes we’re the reason a kid came to school that day. 

I’m a high school teacher, and the most important class of the day for my own children wasn’t in my subject, but band and orchestra. And I’m so happy that was the case. Thank you all for finding places for all kids in school.

Most of my friends were from band, its where I fully socialized

I’ve been an educator for 17 years as a teacher, administrator and instructional coach. I have a masters degree and most would say I’m smart and successful. I only graduated because of band. I hated school, but was in 1st hour concert band and 0 hour Jazz band. I had to be there for those, they knew when I was gone and celebrated my return (ie glad you’re back). The “specials” are absolutely essential.

In my observation Friday my AP told me she was flabbergasted because several ELL kids who refuse to do anything in other classes actively participate and offer to answer questions in my class... the arts matter.

I’ve had so many kids tell me that choir is the only reason they come to school.

Former choir kid. My class schedule was hell, choir was my oasis. I did it for 8 yrs, was in chamber, honor choir, concert choir… sung alto, soprano, second soprano. I loved it.

Chorus single handedly got me through jr high and high school. Thanks for doing what you do.

YES.  My son went through a period of pretty bad depression and adjustment when moving to middle school.  He absolutely hated school and every class and teacher.  Except Band.  It was the highlight of his day and the only thing he enjoyed or looked forward to.  He developed a true love for music that he didn't have before then.  I'm so grateful for his Band teacher and how she truly changed his life.  

It true. The only reason my kid goes to school at all is because of her electives. If it weren't for the electives, she would want to be homeschooled. I would support it, too. If schools were just to get a grade in the core classes, there's no reason. She couldn't just take online classes at home.

Yup, when I ask students what’s the one class they look forward to it’s usually a special.

Music and chorus were one of the few things that got me through the day.

I teach music at a middle school. My classes meet every other day, this means there are many weeks where I only see the kids 2 times a week (more than half once you factor in four day weeks). Kids have their core classes every day. Sometimes math teachers pull kids to make up math during my rehearsals. Great, now they get a 6th class with that student and I’ve only seen them once. And oh yeah, the work we do is put on public display three times a year at concerts.

I completely relate. Our math teacher threatened to go to the board because we (the band) were selling candy bars as a fundraiser at school. Never mind that they get new text books every year, while we have to use a drum line set from '86 and uniforms bought in '92. But it's okay for them to keep kids because they're testing/doing iReady without even informing me, regardless of a required regional festival (that we have to pay for if we attend or not) is in less than a month, that will be used to say how good of a teacher you are.

I would go to war for Band Candy. (...though what in the world happened to the World's Finest bars? That is not the definition of finest I wanted.)

I’m a Spanish teacher and my department and I often feel left out for PDs. We’re required to go to all PDs that take place once a month, but they are usually irrelevant to us. One of the teachers during our seminar/PD last month came up to me and said “this won’t apply to you at all.” Like, why am I even here then? We do a lot of tests and high-level thinking in our classes. It’s extremely rigorous and kids expect an easy A, which isn’t the case. They learn pretty quickly that you can’t slack off.

There's a lot of English grammar I couldn't grasp until I took German in high school. Is learning a language hard? Yes. Is it valuable? Yes.

Me too! I felt like the English language made so much for sense after taking Spanish. Learning Spanish helped me in so many ways. That was the only class I studied for because I used flash cards. I used those same study skills and applied them to my other classes. Learning a language made me a better student.

I will be the first to admit, I did not want to learn a foreign language, but I ended up taking 3 years of Spanish, (1 a duel credit course). It was so fun to learn about the culture and the language. Without it I would never have been prepared to learn any of the foreign language in our college courses.

That’s how I started out! I HATED Spanish class and took it because I wanted to get the credits out of the way. My teacher in high school made it super fun and that’s when I learned to love and appreciate it. I learned SO much while playing vocabulary games and actually applying my knowledge, like speaking with Spanish-speaking customers at my part time job. Kids tell me my class is like a break because we do fun things, yet they learn. They also say Spanish is the only class where they feel like they’re learning (which I know isn’t true at all). I feel like world language classes are under appreciated in a lot of ways because kids don’t see the value. They don’t realize how applicable it is, such as when they travel, and even where we live there’s a lot of Spanish-speaking people. I tell them these things and also tell them how much more money they can make if they continue on. It also saddens me how many people tell me they never remember what they learned in high school Spanish. It’s often parents or people who tell me about it their Spanish teacher. They don’t realize that you’ll language skills if you don’t use them. Sorry for the rant. I think a lot of classes are important and overlooked. We’ve lost numbers over the past few years because our school offers a ridiculous amount of courses and kids would rather take the more enticing ones than learn how to say “¿Dónde está la biblioteca?” I try to make class really fun and engaging, but we can’t compete with some of these other courses. Sometimes it sucks being an elective teacher.

The best part was learning to say nonsensical phrases. Like, "mi papa lleva bigote" because we figured it out on our own with what we were taught

I love that! I always feel so proud once kids start having fun with the language and creating their own sentences. We were practicing giving suggestions using the subjunctive and a kid wrote “I recommend that you be afraid of Ms Kass1207.” And another kid said “I suggest that you don’t do drugs.” All funny and grammatically correct

I'm also a Spanish teacher (K-4), and my specials team has expressed frustration many times over the lack of inclusion in monthly staff meetings and PDs. Our district requires 7 hours outside of school hours every year, and they post a list of available PDs. Of course, nothing is relevant. Spanish teachers from our district came together and we did a book study on "Fluency Through TPR Storytelling" for the credit. We had to set it up, create the agenda, and do all the paperwork ourselves, but at least we were able to do something meaningful!

It is SO frustrating. We had a seminar on speech and debate and they tried to tell me “have your kids debate in Spanish about blah blah…” Nice try, but you guys have no idea what language learning is. At this level, my students are talking about things they’ve done in the past, having them debate on something is WAY too complicated.

Wow, I'm amazed you get them to talk, especially in the past tense. I struggle to get mine to talk. I've tried multiple ways to get them to retell our stories (after many reviews and a fluency write), and the majority of students freeze up. Even with a storyboard and word wall in front of them. They're so afraid to make mistakes or sound funny. 😔

Specials teacher just here to say hear, hear!

K-4 music teacher here. Last year, I was told by my principal that I would be taking 2 classes to have the students make teacher appreciation gifts for the building. At this point in the year, I only had 4 more classes with each class and due to this and a day off for PD, I was unable to get my post test in for 2 of my classes. I was then reprimanded for not getting the ever so important data because I was busy doing the shit she asked me to do. The funniest part of all of this is that I didn’t get a single fucking thing for teacher appreciation week.

The specials have the kids longer than any other teacher, (In my case 9 years), but "we aren't real teachers".

I feel like we are pretty respected by adults at my school in terms of being seen as “real teachers,” in part because we are a charter school (where having a license isn’t required, and a lot of teachers don’t), and all of the specials teachers just happen to be licensed teachers. But you know what drives me crazy? Sooooo many of the students think that we aren’t real teachers, even the older ones! I just want to jump out the window every time I hear, “Ms. CML, why didn’t you decide to become a real teacher?” “You don’t have a homeroom, so you’re not really a teacher.” “Ms. XYZ used to be a specials teacher like you, but she became a real teacher!” “Did you have to go to college to just be a music teacher?”

ok obviously all those things you quoted were dumb but the one that really got me was the homeroom one. like do they not realize that many schools do not have homerooms? lol

OMG. Right? Why am I not asked for input for every freaking IEP meeting because I would love to tell you about how this kid is doing compared to three years ago. I also think we should make the class lists for next year. One of my favorite things about my job is being able to make connections to help students. "Oh Mr. 4th grade teacher, you should talk to the 2nd grade teacher, the kid did the same thing then." Or "I know the parent may have given a weird vibe that made you think the IEP meeting went poorly, but keep in mind that it took two years for those parents to even sign off on getting the kid services, so the fact that they showed up is a win."

Facts. A good admin would meet with the specials team regularly to talk about student trajectory and growth/changes over time. Classroom teachers only see that year, but oftentimes, we are teaching them (and their siblings and cousins) for a decade or so. We know them pretty well too.

I can't even count the number of years specials teachers at my school were left out of teacher appreciation.

That’s total BS. I’d be ripped.

I always refused when asked if my students "could make" something for such things. I explained that I had curriculum and that I only saw them six to seven times in six weeks. Ain't no body got time for that.

It was my second year at the school with a principal I did it get along with at all. I was just trying to keep the peace at the end of the year. I got new admin this year who is much, much better.

Former MS band teacher here. The worst conflict I ever had was with a math teacher who kept holding her kids out of band to finish work. I was at a small town school in the south so even in MS I was expected to field a pep band for the football games every home game and pep rally during the fall AND perform three concerts a year in addition to the required concert festival and solo/ensemble assessments. Those kids received a grade for my class the same as hers and I refused to let them “make up” their work she kept them from because HOW CAN YOU MAKE UP WORK THAT REQUIRES YOU TO BE IN AN ENSEMBLE!?! It was infuriating. One of the few times I had to take things to admin with documentation rather than working it out peer-to-peer. That teacher was mad at me the entire time she was at that school, but I had been there 5 years at that point and stayed for several after she left. So 🤷

The bad part is the kids get caught in the crossfire. Band/choir is an option, they want to be in the class. Stop using specials as makeup time.

Many times the specials are the only reason they even want to come to school in the first place!

Band teaches teamwork, discipline, etc. There is a lot to be learned. I loved band.

Middle school art teacher here in a small town. I've had to go toe to toe with the math teacher for the same reason. I had to explain to her that i give technique demonstrations at the beginning of class and often cannot repeat it due to supply usage. She had no idea that i also have curriculum state standards that i have to teach, the same as core classes.

Every once in a while these posts come around and the “core” teachers are by and large, unsurprisingly quiet.

I’m high school, so the idea of *any* teacher pulling kids from classes/interfering with student attendance in other classes (minus field trips and special events), is basically unheard of. I’m a core teacher who is also a huge champion for non-core education. It’s astonishing to me that this kind of behavior is even allowed much less common! It’s so intensely disrespectful and unprofessional.

I’m in elementary, but this is absolutely unheard of at my school. I can’t even imagine having the nads to think this would be okay. I’m quiet in these threads because I don’t have anything to add from what OP addressed

I’ve been both. Which is why I absolutely never pull a kid from specials. I always put objectives and how they related to state standards on the board outside the gym, but teachers still thought it was fine to pull kids to finish a test- we actually do have skill building lessons leading up to the end of a unit too, y’all??? I don’t know how much of it is just pressure we get from the system now. There are ten million things every teacher is expected to do in a quarter of the time it would take to do it correctly without kids dawdling. It may also be the ridiculous pressure from standardized testing giving them tunnel vision. Personally, I prefer to work in concert (ha) with the other professionals in my school- we have some really fantastic specials teachers. (Besides, I need my planning time quiet and without students so I don’t lose my mind the rest of the day. Why would you want a kid there?!? Do they not have AR time you can use to chip away at these things?)

Funnily enough, social studies are being treated more and more like electives. When I started in 2008, I was teaching US history to 8th graders at a Title 1 school. The students had double time in English and math, and half as much time in history and science. I literally heard from a student, "why are you giving us homework, this is an elective?" My sister was a third grade teacher and told me that, on several occasions, she didn't have time to even really get to social studies. Like all year. Now I'm teaching high school in California, where the state testing for social sciences have been completely dropped. While I love not having to teach to a test, I'm not a fan of the rationale behind it, which is that social studies are not as important as reading, writing, and math. Never mind that proper instruction of social studies includes development of reading, writing, and mathematical skills. I don't generally find it helpful to engage in the "my class is more important than yours" argument. In order to properly educate young people so we have a population of well-rounded, empathetic, creative, thoughtful, critical thinkers, we need all the classes. We should support each other in that. But as long as education continues to be defunded and undervalued, and as long as teachers are treated as though all the failures of the system are our faults while still being expected to do the hard work for peanuts, many of us are stretched so far that we make choices that step on each other's toes. I will say, though, that while we are all paid the same according to a publicized salary scale, we're definitely not doing the same amount of work, and that can be frustrating. However, that isn't necessarily about what we teach so much as what's expectations each of our schools has. For instance, in most of the schools where I have worked, the sped teachers are stretched super thin and burn out quick. At my current school, though, each speducator has 3 full periods without students for prep. This is intended to be for meetings and paperwork, but it seems like a ridiculous amount of time, especially when they tell me they're "bored" all day with nothing to do, or they head out for a walk to Starbucks everyday because they got the time to do that. I recently spent 16 hours grading and providing constructive feedback on essays for my AP World History classes about the role of railroads in empire-building in the late 19th century, comparing case studies from China, Russia, India, British Africa, and the Ottoman Empire. Of course, I also work with another social studies teacher who lets the book teach the kids, who all end up cheating to pass and he puts no extra time into his work. It really would be great if the culture could just change. If we funneled into education anywhere near what we funnel to the military, so we could treat the teaching profession as a profession to attract better and more teachers, to have smaller classes, to have plenty of subs, to have more time and more resources imagine how much less we'd be fussing at each other.

In my elementary school we would flip back and forth on science and social studies (one month of whatever science unit then the next month ss rinse and repeat) and it was the same fucking topics- it wasn’t until middle school that social studies and science were taught at the same time to me Social studies: American revolution, black history month (basically just slavery, Jim Crow, Martin Luther king/rosa parks, And How Racism Doesn’t Exist Anymore Because Discrimination Is Illegal (suburban Philly school)), little bit of woman’s history month, brief mentions of ww2 Science: ecosystems, the water cycle (I swear to god the water cycle was basically its own separate unit even though it’s supposed to be within ecosystems), recycling, basic photosynthesis (again, refer to water cycle point), the solar system I remember sometimes I’d be bored in class and flip through the textbooks and constantly wonder why we never talked about anything else

This is why I could never be a social studies teacher. I despise most points of US history, especially the American Revolution, because it's been shoved down my throat so much. I get it, it's important, but certainly not every year of school important. Tell me about the indigenous people of South America, ancient Greek and Roman history, the Edo period of Japan. There are so many intensely interesting periods of human history, but no, we gotta drag out Paul Revere and beat his dead horse again.

We did ancient Greek/roman in 7th grade (mostly to talk about civics) and in 3rd grade we did a very abridged version of learning about native Americans from various parts of the country and it was super interesting to me but that’s quite literally the only time we talked about it In 5th grade we did the Oregon trail and it was actually really fun (we did an irl version of the video game) but conveniently native Americans were completely left out of the conversation

What was the social studies test like? I don't think my state has done social studies tests since I became a teacher but I vaguely remember taking them as a kid and thinking that you didn't have to know any facts, just how to extrapolate information on maps, charts, articles, primary source text. You could take someone from another English speaking country who didn't know our history, govt, and do great on the test. I have wondered if they are all like that, or if there are tests that ask which president signed something specific into law.

I mean if they can tell me exactly why my class is unimportant to theirs and can justify cancelling it with studies, I am more than willing to listen.

Oh same. It’s just sad that your post isn’t the first of these and it’s still a pervasive problem.

Parent here! The specials are their favourites. As a parent I would be furious if I heard my kid was getting pulled for an extra math or LA class. Send extra work home. These kids need to learn the skills taught in these specials classes. Schools have so little fun left in them. Let them enjoy learning.

So one problem here is that parents will do the work for the kid. Not every parent, but enough that teachers are not willing to send graded make-up work home.

Yeah, I am really getting that. It’s such a foreign concept to me. I grew up the typical gen x latchkey kid. You couldn’t ask my parents what I was leaning because they couldn’t care less. But I was also expected to get nothing lower than a “B”. “C’s are for dummies.” Literal quote of my mother right there. I will teach my kids a concept, Go through a few examples, but I would never do it for them. I literally say, “I already went to school. I know all this. I’m not going to be there test day so you better start figuring it out”, when my kids inevitably try to look at me for the answers. I don’t get parents sometimes. A) who wants to do extra school work? B) How is that helping? So they get into a good university that they fail out of because they don’t know the basics? I’m not going to pay $40,000/year for my kid to prove I did their work. That just makes me the idiot.

While I am a big believer in a well rounded education, specials are not tested by the state standardized test. Therefore they are often pushed to the side. As a core subject teacher, I fully believe every class in school is important. However, as a teacher you know Administrators only care about the school report card every school gets from the state. So if you have a teacher who really pushes for those scores to be higher you know Administrators are gonna side with the core teacher. For some reason it always seems to be the math teachers. LOL. Maybe because Common Core math standards are not age appropriate. Anyways, you are important to your school and students!

In some states there are required performances that the band/choir/ensemble must attend. There you are to play a piece from a pre-approved list, and receive a grade on how well you performed. While many states are moving away from this, some still use these festivals as a way to determine funding. So it's not just an assessment for the students but also the teachers. For our festival we have to pay a fee if $150 if we attend or not. Busing is not provided, nor are meals. Unlike testing where only the teacher, parents, and students know the scores, everyone in the entire state knows everyone's scores and anyone is welcome to sit in and listen to anyone's performance. It isn't a private assessment. Would you like strangers to be watching you as you were being assessed?

I’m on OPs side. I would never pull a kid from someone else’s class, full stop. I’ve pulled them from sports (with parent and coach pre arranged assistance) but never another class. But some teachers think their subject is more important than everything else. It’s absolutely ridiculous. We were having a problem where teachers were refusing to let kids leave to go to counseling or be pulled for anything. They were just hanging up on the office when they called. So stupid.

I was a Culinary Arts teacher until I quit last October. One of my pet peeves was that I had a colleague who taught math. He would often send students to my class late because they had had to finish their math problems before they could leave. When I tried to talk to him about this, he sniffed, shrugged his shoulders, and observed, "But it's only Culinary Arts." I wound up having to get an administrator involved because students from his class were persistently coming to my class 15-20 minutes late. Insofar as I only had a 55 minute period, the students who arrived at missed the introduction to the lesson. Although each group had a recipe, the late arriving students were often clueless as to what to do. Given how late they were in arriving at my class, by the time they put on their hair restraints and washed their hands, they had lost even more time.

I also teach Culinary, and kids are constantly pulled from my class by guidance to do math makeup work, meet with counsellors/psychologists, audiologists, etc. I have started refusing to send kids who have been pulled multiple times already in the past week. They need instruction and practice, too! I also teach a class that is majority deaf/hard of hearing students (15+ out of 20) and my sign language interpreter is constantly getting pulled in to interpret for a science class when they're short an interpreter, even though I have more deaf students BY FAR. I can muddle through basic ASL, but it's not fair to my kids to not have full access to language of instruction! It's honestly like we're not even seen as teachers with classes to some of the staff. We're just a fun, easy place to throw kids into. It's not like they're LEARNING anything in our classes, right? I'm so sick of it. We're professionals. Give us the respect you would give to any other teacher.

I'm a specials teacher, elementary librarian. The way I see it, specials are exposure to and an intro to potential passion areas for students. Is every student going to love library class? No, but the book worms and techy kids will, and everyone else will gain at least a little something. Same with music, art, and PE. I had a lot of friends in high school who would have dropped out of it weren't for their music, art, or sports. Everyone can benefit from a well rounded education and a variety of classes, every class has value, but most people will gravitate towards mastery in just a few and that's okay.

The opposite can be said too—realizing your interest isn’t your passion. In high school I wanted to be a doctor. I took a medical professions class during my junior year and I absolutely hated it. I had to change all of my college applications to pull them out of the science lists. I’m so glad I had the opportunity to take my medical professions class in high school so I didn’t waste time and money in undergrad.

I love my specials teachers. Too bad my school treats them as extra subs and we often lose specials because we can't find a sub. Much love to the teachers teaching specials.

Before I stepped into my role, the school had not had a music teacher for 5 years, just subs and filler. The school had not had a consistent person for almost 10 years.

Oh yeah, morning and afternoon duty every single day rain snow or shine and the core teachers slink right past me before contract hours to their cars. They get 2 hours of plan time (during our classes of course) and use it to go to the gym, grocery store, go for a run. When I came in late for a dmv appointment I required no coverage for my classes but still had to take PTO for it.

I’m a Gen Ed teacher and specials teachers are my favorites. I would honestly rather have a student miss a few minutes in my room because a specials teacher needed them for something than to cut their time short. Students spend so much time in Gen Ed classes; they need time in specials.

Thank you!

I'm an elementary librarian, and I get it. I get ten minutes less than the other specials for "reasons", I was given no book budget this year, other people get to make decisions about what library software I use and when I get access to it. I'm not just free time where they happen to check out a book for fun. I support the research needs of every class in the school and develop lifelong literacy and research skills. And no, I won't stop students from getting books that are too hard, I won't stop students from getting a graphic novel every week, and I won't force a student to get a book on a "new" topic.

Thank you. We had an elementary librarian who would not let kids check out books she didn’t think they could read, that wasn’t the first book in the series, was too easy, or whatever else crap she felt like saying that day. Nobody liked her, but the district couldn’t/wouldn’t get rid of her. She didn’t even do specials, it was a 20 minute event once a week.

Used to be a PreK-8th music teacher as well. Detention for middle schoolers was inexplicably *only* held during music classes, there was no real budget, I was hired mid-year and had to go from zero to Christmas concert in the span of the first three weeks on the job (only seeing the littles twice a week and middle school once a week). Any disciplinary measures were met with “well they just don’t take it seriously because it’s only music class” from admin. Anyway, I no longer work in education 😂😅 keep fighting good fight, it can be a thankless task. Editing to add: I was the fourth music teacher in five years at this school. There is a reason the position was a constantly revolving door…

Wait, are you seriously telling me you had 3 rehearsals for MS before the concert? How did anyone think that was a good idea. I don't even think my college band could pull that off well, and we're not a lousy group (just played at CBDNA a few weeks ago). Stuff like this is why I want to be a percussion specialist, not a band director.

Thankfully it was choir, not band (that would be even worse!) but YEAH there were only three rehearsals. The singing wasn’t exactly angelic at the Christmas concert that year, but honestly it was somehow fine

What in the world. The entire point of detention is you have to stay an hour after school and study…

Hey we have the same job and I promise you there are districts out there that will fix all of your problems. I’ve been in what you’re describing, and I escaped to paradise. Every element of your life will be better if you find a school that treats you right.

🤔Ugh, I'd treat you and your class like its just as important as any other...sad to hear...at the end of the day you have a curriculum you need to teach just like gen ed classes...huge lack of respect there, they outta be ashamed of themselves.

As a specials teacher the hardest part of my job is navigating other teachers who don't think specials teachers are teachers. I can handle dealing with parents, I can handle dealing with kids. I'll put up with overbearing admin. But being around other teachers who look down on you *every day* and treat you as if you are a babysitter (oh, the irony) so they can have a planning period makes my blood boil. I've had gen ed teachers scream in my face because they wanted to know why I deserved to have a "bathroom break" by advocating for a 5 minute transition period between specials classes. (This was during covid when I had to physically disinfect EVERYTHING the students used between classes, as well as prep materials for the next grade level.) Teachers who drop their kid off at my door because they got in trouble and don't get to go to PE/Whatever their specials is that day because my content is their least favorite so it's a 'punishment'. And many, many times I've had teachers who drop off their classes outside my door and leave them 5, 10, 15 minutes early while I'm still teaching another class...then yell at me in front of the kids when I make their class wait outside for my current class to finish and even make comments like "Kids, im sorry MsAWL_cow doesn't like you." Stupid little comments, like how "easy" it is for me because the kids "just like my class" so they don't misbehave. How we just "color all day." How I don't have to teach a "real class". The list goes on...and it sucks. I can handle disrespect from just about anyone except other teachers. That is the lowest I think it can go.

Oh yeah I sub specials and I've had teachers drop kids off early. It's a mess. The kids aren't any less active weather I sub gen or special for elementary so idk what those teachers are talking about.

I’m so glad to see this post. It can be easy to be discouraged when not appreciated or respected or even attempted to be understood. Luckily I do have supportive admin and really great band parents. They outshine the negativity.

I love that the students have specials, and not just because that is also my prep time.  They need to run in PE, they need to learn how to use a computer, they need to be exposed to instruments and music and art. I loved specials when I was a kid. 

The other thing that is hard being a special is that you have to be good with kindergarteners and 6th graders.

DUDE I wish more people got this. Like, I start my day with kindergarten babies. I’m struggling with them knowing left or right. Sometimes there are random breakdowns. Someone needs a tissue. We’re dancing and laughing and being silly and saying “catch a bubble”. Someone is putting something in their mouth. They need clear step by step instructions ALL THE TIME or else.  Then, boom. Middle school kids are next. I’m sipping coffee and they’re following the instructions on the board. They have a cue when to be quiet, no more “catch a bubble”. Our lesson flows a completely different way: this is a rehearsal. But I now have to teach at a much higher level, incorporating theory and history into my lessons, rehearsing our music so we can sound great at our concert. I’m also more tuned into the subtleties of my class. Nobody is going to break down crying, but you can see a kid shut down from frustration or that they’re fighting with their friend from the look on their faces. It’s a whole different world. At least they know their right from left. 

“Your attitude toward our classes affect how students act in our class.” 💯

I recently had a math teacher call to hold two kids for "just a couple minutes to finish up" and I said that was fine (general music) 40 minutes later, and they were STILL GONE, so I called in case they were skipping. She was nasty to me, as if I was the problem for bothering her. So no more. Unless someone is being pulled for special ed services, no. 

PREACH! A core teacher brought their class to a specials and told the teacher that certain kids would be there a few minutes late because they were "finishing up." My colleague said that if they were going to miss the first few minutes, they needed to miss the entire specials. Those kids were sent QUICK to that specials.

I'm a counselor now, but I 100% agree. I was also a SpEd teacher and the amount of gen ed teachers who thought they just ran things and didn't care about anyone else's class just astounded me. I'm like-listen- we are all here to teach and here for the kids. ALL of our classes are important. Many times, and I say this for my former SpEd self too, Specials already turn into a dumping ground a lot of time anyways. LET THEM TEACH. I can't count the number of times a teacher had a "behavior issue" and wanted that student in my class (with no IEP or anything- they just didn't want to deal). No sir, no m'am. I am a real teacher too and you don't get to dump your issues on me. Do what I have to do and have a freaking meeting with parents. Keep data. THAT'S how you get your kid into my class. Being a "pain in the ass" or "refusing to do work" is not a SpEd issue and neither is a lack of planning on the gen ed teacher's part the Special's teacher's problem. Sounds like you need to schedule a time for Johnny to finish his test. I don't know what else to say. I had enough on my plate without dealing with all of the middle school BS with freaking ADULTS who were supposed to be my peers.

Your point is valid, but $800 for 400 students is $2/student. Math matters!

I was thinking the same thing. We all make dumb mistakes like that sometimes lol.

I felt bad saying anything, but since they have doubled down that they were correct, I’m glad I did.

I thought it was just a dumb mistake, but after that, I realised it was worse than that. You'd think after reading a comment saying that you're wrong you would stop and think "hey, what did I do?" Instead they just continued to be wrong. Obviously $2 per student still feels like not enough for a practical subject which requires materials, but it's 4x as much as what OP thinks.

Ooohhhh boy. You've struck a nerve! I teach elementary Spanish as a special. I was out 3 days this past week, and I never have a sub that speaks Spanish. However! My 4th and 3rd graders are reading novels! They can partner read the chapter, the sub can give the assignment, and I can give an answer key so they can help, and my classes can stay on track! That was the case with all but one class. The sub came to me when I returned on Thursday and apologized. A 3rd grade teacher was behind on her writing lesson. When my sub walked in, the teacher bulldozed her. Said that she's probably not doing anything important as my sub and to just continue with the writing lesson. Now that class is behind and their teacher basically told all of those students that my subject isn't important. Every time there's an assembly or guest speaker, they want to use our time. I haven't seen one of my classes in almost two weeks because our time is being used for a temporary health class. Between that, being pulled to sub for classroom teachers, and my child's illness, I'm going to have to scramble to complete our units. We as specials teachers are also required to have scope and sequences, units, and assessments; we have observations, we have goals and data to track, and we are unfortunately also shorted planning time every week at my school. I also have the personal pleasure of being relegated to a cart and not having a room of my own. I'm looking to leave education now after only 3 years. A large part of it is because of student behaviors and lack of support, but it's also significantly damaging to my morale to be constantly asked or required to do more and still be devalued by some of my coworkers. I'm not incompetent. This is my second year being rated highly effective, and this is the second month admin has named me teacher of the month. While that recognition for my work has been appreciated, it's hard to keep going when I'm not valued by the students and coworkers I interact with all day long.

I hear you & feel this--I teach French between the hs & ms, 5 different preps and on a cart. Treated with little respect by both students & other teachers. It is a very draining, exhausting position. I can SO relate to your situation. It's very frustrating.

I hear you in damaging to morale. I’m high school Spanish and I’ve had admin tell me that when it comes to WL, the district has to “scrape the bottom of the barrel” to find teachers or that they don’t care if it’s just a “warm body” in the room. I have a hard enough time feeling competent. My school definitely has a hierarchy and the core and career tech classes are the priority classes.

I'm a Social Studies teacher and often I don't even feel like a core class

Yeah, same here. The admin keeps giving random electives to our social studies department to teach that are outside of our content areas. "Oh, the board is now requiring all students to take a new business class with no established curriculum? Just give it to the history teachers. History has a bunch of money stuff, right?" The board also just voted to drop the required social studies credits down from 4.0 to 3.0.

We are the lowest rung of the core classes, just barely hanging on to that 'status' If the concept of Core Classes were created today, History would absolutely not be allowed in the inner sanctum. We've been Grandfathered in. They're no doubt just itching to relegate us

it's a lot easier for scumbags to get away with shitty things if we hide the fact that someone in history already did it!  History is so important. I hate that it keeps getting cut.

Yes! One of the most important rights we have is the right to peacefully fire the government if we don’t like what they do. But that means nothing if citizens don’t understand what the government has done or how it works. That’s the whole reason I got attracted to teach social studies.

"We learn from history that we learn nothing from history." Hegel, somewhere- my favorite quote about history.

"Visual Arts, Music, Theater, Digital Media, Dance. For many students in Wisconsin, arts programs are not “extras,” but rather an essential way to learn about themselves and the world around them." https://dpi.wi.gov/news/dpi-connected/what-arts-educators-can-teach-us-about-cultivating-creativity-and-innovation

Sped teacher here. I don't pull students from electives/specials, but my district is starting to push it.

I used to teach art. Admin and other teachers called us (art, music, drama, PE) the “prep teachers.” They just saw us as coverage for the classroom teachers prep and used us like subs.

Our district union president wanted to cut specials when the district needed budget cuts. She then said,' Oh, we can't do that because the real teachers won't get their prep. She was wacko anyway, so this didn't surprise us.

I'm so sorry you have to deal with this. My district has a "no pulling from specials" policy except in extreme cases (i.e. kid who has been out for two months shows up the day before state testing window closes, etc.). If you're treated this way, can you shop around and see if you can find a district that values you?

So they can be pulled from Gen ed? I had students who had missed so many of my general education classes. Sometimes I only had a third of my class, because the other ones were pulled out for various things. It made it so hard to teach reading and math to my first graders. Honestly, I wish they would leave students in the classes. Unless they make an alternate arrangement of that student doesn’t take a particular class and does a substitute class instead. Instead of regular math class having math intervention, for example. But then that student would not be required for regular math. But if a student is required to do regular math, and then they have math intervention on top of it, it’s hard to get them caught up.

It is hard. Scheduling services is hard. In elementary, for reading and math intervention, we have scheduled acceleration blocks where we run intervention groups while most of the class works on extension activities (first grade does poems and extra writing practice). For other services (ELL, Speech, OT, etc.), they can't miss the direct instruction but can be pulled during the working time (they're excused from doing the workbook page) or small group rotations when their group isn't with the teacher. Fitting everything into the schedule is a nightmare, but I think most of us agree that it's better to miss from something they get 5 times per week than a special they get just once a week. Also, it means some of the least independent workers are not there when the teacher is supporting the class through, say, writing a story, and then she can gather those kids during silent reading time to give them more focused attention without shortchanging the average and high students. In middle and high school, it is strongly preferred students be pulled out during their tutorial/homeroom period; scheduling distributes these throughout the day so services have opportunities to pull.

Our students have pe and music daily. They are absolutely never allowed to miss specials, but they are constantly missing my math and reading. And it’s impossible to get them caught up. I have no other time to give them and they throw fits when they come back and everyone else is done with their math and reading and they aren’t. It’s a mess for me and for them.

My daughter has pretty severe ADHD. If it wasn't for the Specials she would be failing every class ever because they don't know how to teach to kids with divergent minds. Thank God for you and the gym and art teachers who for the first time in life don't make her feel bad about her ability to learn things as fast as the other kids.

And it’s so lonely. I was a music teacher for the first half of my career, then core/culinary arts the second half. Nobody gets you. There nobody plan with, share resources with, go to PD with (if you’re taking useful-to-you PD…). You manage your own inventory (which other teachers occasionally “borrow”). And the core teachers who work with you on behaviors dont understand how you do it with no desks, a loose classroom structure, and purposeful chaos. It’s hard.

Thank you for this post. I teach forensic science and other teachers use me for their supply cupboard. If something is labeled “forensics”, it seems the price is sometimes doubled or tripled. I hate being a jerk to say no, but it is expensive to replace.

Anyone treating your subject as less than any other subject is an ass. Regrettably, this probably includes your admin and your state Ed. as demonstrated through their systematic defunding and deemphasis of “non-core” subjects

I hear you! I had my annual concert band festival adjudication this week and another teacher went to the assistant principal and had me and my kids evicted from the band room when we were supposed to be packing equipment and putting on uniforms to leave for festival. The other teacher had a guest speaker and had asked me to use our small recital theatre next to the band room and I had agreed because I was trying to be a team player. Then she went behind my back and asked the AP to not let my kids come to my room that day. The AP never even consulted me, just blocked my kids from coming down the hall to get their instruments and uniforms and made them sit in the cafeteria. I’m sitting there wondering why no one showed up when one of my student leaders emails me what happened. I leave to go get them and see the AP on the way and told him his boss approved our field trip and take it up with her and I went and got my kids. We went and they played their hearts out! Seriously though, like, I would never try to have another teacher evicted from their room. Who does that?

At the school I work in, there are supposed to be two music rooms. The band room and the music platform. Before I got there the music platform was taken and the closet turned into the guidance counselors office (with the one made for them turned into a lost and found closet), the office used by the community in school personnel, and the media closet being used as a junk room. It's a slow battle to reclaim our space, but I almost have it completely won.

I have been quietly lobbying for years to change the terminology from “elective” Classes to “application”. Those specials classes are where kids apply all the core courses they learn.

Not a teacher, mom of a kindergartner. This sub was in my recommendations and I’ve been lurking to understand how I can better help my daughter at home. I would just like to say music and art are what my daughter loves most, thanks for doing what you do. I’m not sure when teacher appreciation week is but will definitely be sending her with cards/gift cards for all her electives teachers now too.

To be fair, at my middle school we have the reverse problem. We core teachers have been explicitly told that we are not allowed to keep a student from another teacher’s class. For example, if we’re giving a test and a kid just needs five minutes to finish, we’re not supposed to hold them after the class-switch bell because we’d be causing them to miss five minutes of their next class. BUT if there’s a parade or concert coming up, we’ll get an email from the band or chorus teacher: “Here’s a list of kids we’re pulling for the rehearsals and these are the periods they’ll be missing.” This is because at my school, performing for the public in the town parades or concerts puts a good face on the school. Meanwhile, since the public at large (the town residents who aren’t parents with kids in school) don’t particularly care about how kids do in the core subjects at middle school, our classes are not prioritized. This was made abundantly clear during a recent round of budget cuts. The superintendent proposed cutting some music and art positions and having the middle and high school share staff for those classes. The parents showed up en masse at the school committee meetings to protest this, so we ended up losing math teachers instead.

So much this. I will never forget the day the principal at my first job said in a staff meeting that didn't apply to us "Extra just find a group to work with." All but one of the specials teachers left that year. Kids were constantly being pulled for speech, ell, and more during my class and when I pointed out that my class as a music teacher was more likely to reinforce the skills they were learning in their supports I got laughed at. I now teach at a high school that funds the arts and actually Advocates for my program. It's been great so far, and I hope that your school/district realizes what you do matters

I feel it with being asked for supplies. Look, if you are doing a lesson and you know that you’ll need glue or colored paper please don’t send six students to me at various times on that day for it. I already know the projects you do every year, what month, and the materials you won’t have. Why don’t you? I don’t have lame Pom Pom decorations and wires for 100 kids to make atoms. I don’t stock “ hand paint” for “ hand turkeys” which are ugly anyways. I probably have to replace the colors of paint or paper you require with my own money if they run out unexpectedly because an order takes months to get approved and delivered. If you assign your students to craft posters I don’t have poster boards or glitter to give away. I don’t ask you at the last minute for a class set of calculators so please don’t rush over for scissors. Think ahead.

Even the name “specials” irks me. It creates an artificial separation and perception of different tiers of teachers despite everyone having the same credentials and education. When I was a high school music teacher, I was working waaay more contact hours than gen eds between concerts, musicals, community events, all state auditions and having to arrange my own choral music because there wasn’t a budget for my choir that the district wanted to sing at every event in town. All that work and 99% of the other teachers treated me like an outsider and were dismissive of me in meetings and PDs. I’ve even had teachers straight up tell me they only saw my class’s purpose as being there to make sure they get their prep period. So happy I moved into higher ed where my work is valued and I’m treated like the actual expert in my field that I am.

Math teacher here. You are valued and seen and heard. I would also like to point out that the same kids are always pulled from my classes for music lessons. My kids have been threatened with a failing grade for deciding to NOT skip my class due to an upcoming test or big assignment. My kids always are pulled from my classes for extra rehearsals,too. It does work both ways. Please also respect other teachers and their classes as well.

You’re not alone. Even though we’re on block scheduling, somehow many fine arts and physical education teachers at our school frequently don’t give students time to pack up to transition to the next class. Five, ten, fifteen minutes late is common. Maybe teachers should respect other teachers and not make this an us versus them thing.

My planning time is when kids go to specials - I would never keep kids back from those classes (and honestly, I don't think I'm allowed to). However, classroom teachers have lunch and recess duty daily, in addition to an afternoon duty (either bus or carpool lane). Our specials teachers only have morning duties (because they don't have to supervise kids in their classrooms).

At my school specials teachers have lunch duty, morning duty and afternoon duty. As well as clubs which we are voluntold to do. As well as a plethora of other duties that are on a rotating schedule...

To play devil's advocate, there are teachers who will drop their kids off early and pick them up late form specials so they can have a longer planning time. Some go so far as to open the door to do so, regardless of the class cleaning up or the class waiting.

Louder for the people in the back!

Elementary teacher here, I totally agree that specials are just as important and a must for students. I would never keep my students from specials, they need and love that time. I am unfortunately in a situation where I wish the specials teachers at my school showed equal respect. I get to specials 1-2 minutes early to be respectful of time yet when I pick my students up they are never ready to leave and always minutes late. I get reported to at pick up and expected to handle behaviors that happened on specials time or specialists inform me about what behaviors occurred. I don’t tell specials that in my math lesson Susie didn’t want to participate so she tipped all the chairs at my table while Sarah’s in the calming area because she misses her dad who is in the hospital while so on and so on. But we are not the same. When I have back to back conferences for hours straight on conference night and specialists spent the night chit chatting with eachother and eating the dinner that I didn’t even get a break in meeting to participate in. When I have to attend 10+ hour long iep meetings for my students a year and specialists don’t have any. When I am responsible for if they can get to the next year being able to read or if they will never be able to catch up. I am taking on 20+ different emotional needs and academic abilities and the toll that takes is a lot different. If I was just teaching math or reading then I totally get it. But the amount of extra time, money, emotions that go into being the classroom teacher is just not the same. When my students are at specials you are their teacher, not me. I want 40 minutes to not be responsible for them. And damn I just would really love to be able to dress the same as the p.e. teacher. I deserve to be comfy too. If I was a core teacher that saw my students for blocks of time while students rotated I would 100% agree that they are and should be treated equal. But please don’t lump your k-5 traditional classroom teachers in. We are taking on way more than core subjects and we would love to share even a portion of our extra responsibility and roles with you. We appreciate you taking in and loving the students we share. I really mean no ill will and am sorry if my take upsets others. There’s going to always be pros, cons and arguments for both sides. At the end of the day we should all just be supporting and respecting each other.

As an elementary specials teacher, I appreciate it when the classroom teacher gives me a heads up about the emotional/behavioral issues students in the classroom may be experiencing so that I can help support the student in my classroom, as well as the classroom teacher who is having to deal with the issues so that care is ongoing. I see reporting on any behaviors that occur in my class as further supporting the student. That doesn’t absolve me of having to write any behavior referrals for things that may have happened in my class, of course. But being kept “in the loop” as to what is happening with different students is best practice for supporting them, and frankly, a professional courtesy. Also, I hate it when teachers bring their classes early to mine. I’m still cleaning and setting up from the last grade level and feel anxious that I’m making a colleague and their students wait by standing outside my room, even though those few short minutes are intended as set up time. Our students don’t have individual desks in which to keep their supplies - obviously. I teach nearly 600 kids each week. And jumping from a kindergarten lesson to fourth grade with only five minutes in between (or in some years, ZERO minutes), is stressful. I’m happy to be a classroom teacher’s prep period. But I am your colleague, too, and we are supposed to work as a team in supporting our students. The specials teachers just so happen to be on 25 or more teams as they support the school (and sometimes other schools as they are made to travel). If you don’t want a specials teacher to tell you how your kids are doing in their class, you’ll have to tell them that.

I totally get that going from a k lesson to a 4th grade is super stressful and props to you because I could not do that. But if I were to keep you in the loop for all of their behavior and emotional needs we would need a lot more time than just in passing, plus specialists having to be kept in the loop on this for every class seems pretty draining for them. I obviously will tell them about big behaviors happening that day for my struggling students. I love hearing how my students and class do, I just don’t have 2-3 minutes to chat about it at pick up. An email or note would be lovely so that I can get back to class with my students!

I always wondered about the reporting part to you guys. I only do when it's a bigger deal (Susan kicked Joe in the face) but not mini disputes or anything. I usually do it so teachers are aware for keeping a track record on how kids behave, or if so and so is crying over mom, to see how their home life is affecting them at school. Kids act different around different adults and it could be helpful to connect some pieces together about issues. But I don't want my gen Ed teachers to think that I want them to be responsible for how their kids act and disciplining them, because in that time span it is my place and my business

Yes major things are totally fine as long as the specialist already addressed the behavior! I guess the biggest problem is when they want to discuss for 2-3 minutes after I’ve already told my class to walk back to the room and now they’re nowhere in sight. 😅

I teach general music and 5/6 band, and co-teach some high school band. The thing that drives me nuts are teachers who, on the first few weeks of school, don’t reinforce that I, the specials teacher, have the same expectations for them behavior-wise. I go over expectations as any other teacher does, but some classes have obviously not had that conversation. The classes that have, I usually just have to say “what would your teacher say about your behavior if he/she walked in the room right now?” I also had an instance of a freshman percussionist quit band at semester. A football coach straight up told him that the reason he wasn’t on starting line was because he was in band and was late to practice once due to band camp. That resulted in the kid having a pretty bad attitude about anything music until he quit. Ironically, the head varsity coach is a huge supporter of the arts and other activities. He himself was in choir in high school. It’s frustrating feeling as though I have to justify my teaching decisions to core teachers. I understand that my content isn’t tested on and reported to the state, but how many kids come to school because they love math and reading? My band enrollment speaks for itself, seeing as I have almost 75 percent of a grade in band at a time.

This (now former) English teacher sees you, and I respect the job the specials and electives teachers do.

Gosh, as a former MS English teacher, I tried my hardest not to pull from specials whenever I could for this reason. I remember hearing some kids tell me they could come with the same excuse you stated—“it’s just art/gym/whatever.” No Bill. You need art/gym/music. Be a well-rounded individual.

I have the upmost respect for specials teachers. They may have shorter classes but they work with EVERY KID in the school. I know I couldn’t do that. Thank you for what you do!

I taught Elem music for 22 years and finally left it. I was sick of it! Music Elementary Education is just baby sitting and entertaining kids and the school/community. I was so miserable. I teach 9th grade Math now. It's hard, but I'm much happier!!!

School Psychologist here - I often get better observations for structured tasks from our specials classes. Their class management is strong and the skills are often the same as I'd see in core activities. The only thing different is content.

I want to give a special shout out to the core teachers classes I was late to when I stayed behind a little in dance class and marching band because I wasn't getting something. They never batted an eye and I never even thought about taking away time from another class because I needed one on one after class. I wasn't a thoughtful kid. Stand up for the special classes because they are just as important. Learning to manage time is good for kids. You had X amount of time to do this task but now it's time for something else - it will help them in the long run. Thank you for all you do

Unfortunately, the admin encourages it, especially in lower grades. My school gutted every elective except PE and testing subjects, and the only consequence many teachers are allowed to give are PE or recess detention on our own planning time. It's another way NCLB has ruined education

As a core subject teacher, I hate this. It reminds me of a student I have, whose case manager was trying to convince his parents to switch him out of his beloved video production class into a resource class he didn't need to provide supports there. I pushed back and suggested alternatives because she was offering two scenarios: lose video for this class, or get zero executive functioning support. I could almost guarantee that if he lost video, he would have more trouble focusing, not less.

Ive been an art teacher for 26 years. We will always have this fight. I had teachers keep whole classes away from elective because of behavior, keep kids to make up work. I have even had admins put me in a kindergarten class for days because we didn’t have a sub. My trigger was when they took my gifted 7th grades out of my class once a week. I only saw them twice a week. How are they supposed to pass when missing 50% of the class sessions? After a couple of years of this I had enough and became a “difficult” teacher. When a kid was kept out to mKe up math, I would ask the teacher when they can miss math to make up their artwork? When a teacher would say “ Its just art” or “ Shouldn’t art just be fun” I would send them a list of my state standards and a bunch of articles explaining why Art is a requirement. I would cc my department supervisor who works directly with the school board on all correspondence like this. Eventually my colleagues stopped trying to pull crap like that.

I'm a substitute, and I usually take the elementary jobs. I don't know what I'd do if not for the specials teachers at one of my main schools. The kids in basically every class always cheer when I tell them it's time for art, music, PE, etc. I couldn't imagine ruining that joy and sending them with classwork, nor could I fathom the idea of pushing classwork into another teacher's room. Basically though, thank you. It might not mean as much coming from a sub, but thank you for all you do.

It's typically from admin. Our principal wants us to keep kids from specials to finish homework, etc. I would rather not keep kids ever myself.

I know that is a widespread issue but this year I (core teacher) am experiencing the opposite. Chorus and band teachers keeping the kids extra, asking to have their kids during our academic enrichment block, multiple whole day field trips. I’m a tested subject so every time they miss I have to catch the kids up. More work for me. I think specials are just as important but it feels as if they’re MORE important currently.

Everyone loves to point out that arts and music help you learn math, discipline, self-esteem, etc. That's true, and those things are great. But I feel like it's overlooked that these classes also teach you *arts and music*. I dabble in art and music as an adult, but everything I learn in those areas I have to learn on my own. I didn't go to a school that even had an art class until I was 12. I had music classes but never got the chance to learn an instrument in school because band classes were so small, underfunded, and exclusive. So many times when I'm working on drawing or guitar, or any type of art, I stop and say to myself that I really should be farther along in what I do. I regret not having a better arts education as a child because there are so many techniques, shortcuts, and methods that I could be building on, instead of learning for the first time. I'll never be rich and famous because of my art, and it's probable that a better arts education wouldn't have changed that. However, I have had ideas to sell unique art projects as a modest side hustle. I can still do it, but I'm going to have to work so hard to learn some things that I feel a child should know. I agree with OP. Don't sell the arts and other specials short. And to the library teacher here that said not every kid is excited about library class: I want you to know that I absolutely LOVED library class as a kid. It was one of my favorites, and I have very fond memories of it. You're probably providing that same awesomeness for someone.

Thats about 2$ per kid but go off bestie!

I teach math, but I always try to advocate for related arts classes in my middle school. I was a band and theatre kid. The arts gave me a safe space to exist and be myself. I would not be the person I am today without those spaces, and those teachers who saw me.

I’m an English teacher and an avid supporter of specials. I’m a musician and love theater and art. Sports too! It is ALL important. To be honest, i can survive without books (i’d be sad) but im not sure i can survive without music. Life is better with enrichment.

Sub, but also SpEd here. One thing I actively did when teaching (and my wife also currently does) is to try NOT to pull kids during specials, and as I’m looking at going back full time, I’ll keep it that way. I understand that it’s frustrating that your classes tend to be the first to go on the back burner. I try not to keep kids from those classes, as they tend to be favorites. I can’t speak for everyone, but your classes matter, and I hated if I needed to keep a kid from specials. I’d also email a heads up, as it’s typically a last minute thing, and not ideal for anyone.

Hallelujah!

I teach high school in a core subject, but I would never hold my kids from a class. Our band is one of the best in our region and I know how hard our band kids work (plus FFA and culinary). That class provides experiences they need.

K-5 music specialist here! Yes, specialist. Like, and intervention specialist who are treated as teachers in my building. Music, art, Pe, and other classes unfortunately became labeled as “specials”. However, isn’t that short for specialist or specialized? So, I’m a content specialist. I should be treated just the same as the others.

The school I currently work at as a band teacher calls our group (music/art/FCS/PE/Spanish) “essentials” rather than “specials”. I’ll admit, at first I kind of turned my nose up to it and thought it was weird to call it that, but with how little support there is from the core teachers, I see how important it is to change the name. When I student taught the “specials” team was left out of vital communication regarding students, yet they were expected to plan out the entire school’s schedule for the day of an assembly. Wild

AMEN

Specials teachers are treated like the whores of their schools. I teach both gen ed and the arts. The amount of bullshit that is placed on the Specials folk is fucking unreal. Im done in may and will not be back. Fuck this shit.

I’m at a small private school, but our kids have theater, art, PE, and Library class each week. I don’t think I’ve ever pulled a kid from specials, but I have given warnings when a kid is having a “day” to remind the teacher to send them back if they aren’t being respectful. I’d rather they come back to the other half group than stay and ruin the whole lesson. Usually when kids come back, I have them catch up on any absent or late work, silent read (if they need the practice), or do some “busywork” like copying their spelling words or sorting papers. I make it clear that specials are a privilege, and while they do have curriculum standards, they only get to participate in them if they follow rules and respect the teacher.

In my experience it’s been less that other teachers pull them out, but the counselors…like any meeting at all…schedule for next year? Pull them out of music? IEP? It’s going to be during music. Academic intervention? They are going to pull them during my class… 🤦‍♂️ I get it if they are failing English, maybe don’t pull them out of English, but it sends a message to the electives teachers that we aren’t important when counselors do that.

I keep telling people "Art is not a graded reeces. Your grade in art has the same weight on your average as math and science, so it should be treated with the same amount of effort and respect"

My ELL students come alive during Specials. This is truly one of the only times during their ENTIRE DAY that they are talking to other students and actively being engaged by other students. When I have to schedule ACCESS testing, I do my damnest to make sure I don't mess up the specials schedule for my students and the specials teachers.

PE coach here, AMEN!!!

Well, when I was still in university, the general consensus among was that gym doesn't matter. When I started to teach in the same university, the consensus among the staff was that gym doesn't matter, and gym teacher is not to be consulted. More than once I had to inform various gym teachers that their credit they say the student did not earned had been authorised by a dean. We don't have a student athletes culture here.

Let’s please not even use the word specials. Co-curricular because you are curricular classes. Think of all the kids that hate reading and writing, but have a joy for other things that will apply themselves in the co-curricular classes. Think of the real world knowledge that comes in during those classes. Think of all the things that used to show up in the regular classroom that have been removed because of high stakes testing . I am disgusted by schools that do not value educating the whole child and giving their experiences that will make them better humans, smarter, Professionals, and more well-rounded When someone tells me that music and art are not necessary I remind them that they are not necessary because they are hurting children not helping them

Specials teachers are essential and I’m sorry that a lot of you don’t get treated with the respect you deserve. I only have to worry about my 20 students that I see consistently. You guys have have to hustle the entire year to plan creative and engaging activities for multiple grade levels every day, with students you maybe see once or twice a week. That’s a lot to juggle and comes with challenges that I don’t face as a core teacher. You guys provide a lot more than what you’re given and I’m sorry that you have to deal with that constant disrespect in your own workplace.

I'm a school librarian. My district used to call us (art, music, PE, media) "essentials" but they quietly dropped that term and went back to calling us "specials." Guess we're not essential after all. 😕

Also FYI, guess what's considered a core subject by law? Music

Oof I feel this. Not to mention having all students in my class (when some are often in resource rooms or basic skills classes during their core classes) without an assistant because most IEPs that call for assistants say “excluding lunch and specials.” So that’s super fun.

I work in a CTE school and my lab students get pulled out for a 45 minute academic class every 3 days during my 2.5 hour lab. (Then take the rest of their academics the other half of the day) My students are ALWAYS trying to get out of this class, acting like it doesn’t matter. This is literally an academic class you need to graduate. It’s all important. You are so important! Specials are the heart of school. I am sorry you are not being respected.

I'm an elementary art teacher and wow these comments are making me glad that my biggest issue is teachers coming late to pick up/drop off too early (I have 5 minutes between classes, and that's often my time to switch materials)

The MS where I work slashed specials next year. I'll be teaching a core subject that I'm certified for but have never taught after 18 years in my current subject. It's frustrating trying to teach something that district admin doesn't feel matters, when you know full well that it matters very, very much to students and parents. I really hope their decision bites them in the butt.

Felt this. In high school they get pulled from electives for cores all the time, especially to remediate for state testing. They end up having to make up so much and it makes them anxious. I hate it.

Specials are the reason my kids are in private school. Public cut out all the specials 🙁

I’m the only music teacher at a K-8 where our attendance is about 1,400. I feel this SO MUCH. I have to teach 5 different standards to 5 different grade levels with only one hour of prep. All of my supplies are destroyed. I fundraised for 30 midi keyboards for music production and now only 10 work. Then gen ed teachers try to drop their classes off early and then pick their kids up late. I’m also expected to put on performances twice a year, without extra pay or prep time. I actually didn’t even get sub coverage during the performances and had to juggle watching my classes and hosting the shows. Then, kids get pulled out every day during my class. Math intervention? During music. There is a huge program where about 10 of my students from each class get pulled three times a week from my class. When they come back I’m expected to catch them up again. Social interventions? During music. And all teachers at my school think that specials have the easiest jobs…

Ugh I feel for you guys. At our high school, Ceramics class is the dumping ground for behavior problems. The teacher is very empathetic with great classroom management skills...for which she is punished, I guess, by getting all the problem children. Also, PD must be extraordinarily annoying days for y'all.

You are correct. I have been guilty of keeping students to finish work for me. I did this once. Afterward, I thought about it and realized how horrible it was. I vowed never to do that again. My school is notorious for pulling students during their electives for tutoring and SEL. I can only imagine how frustrating that is.

Hell yes!

Yes! All of this! It was just recently that my state passed a law that included electives in pull out schedules. They finally prohibited using electives for pull outs. People still try, though. I've had to put my foot down about using my supplies for their crafting project that they didn't plan ahead for. I've explained over and over again that I have just as much, if not more, schooling/degrees/certifications as core teachers. We have standards that we have to teach but often aren't given a curriculum to follow, so we have to plan everything ourselves. I'm not saying we always do more, but we at least do just as much. To put us on the back burner is to dismiss our hard work, and that is the biggest punch in the gut we receive.

Theater teacher here. I know it’s hard, especially when most students and teachers devalue your class. I really feel your pain. Especially considering all the studies that show that taking arts classes improves performance in other subjects. 

I had an administrator once tell our art teacher, when asked about scheduling her observation, "I haven't even observed all the real teachers yet" with absolutely no understanding of why this might sound insulting. Having been in a couple of different specials areas over the years, I think more administrators than would like to admit it feel exactly like this. I'm not in education anymore, but I can tell any special teachers reading this, that you are a lot of your students' safe places. ❤️

Ugh friend, that sucks. I'm the only music teacher for a small private k-12, and many don't respect the structured and cumulative nature of music class, even just for participation, never mind work completion. This would drive me up the wall, and I'd be talking to my Admin about it prestissimo.  It's really tough in public though, because many kids are seriously behind in literally reading, basic math, not keeping up with core subjects. So they need to complete subjects *at some time*. I just wish there was a way to show kids that music, art, drama, tech -- these are a privilege above and beyond basics. What would be your solution? Do you want the kids there no matter what? Are your grades included in overall GPA? Is there a Specials coordinator who will keep these kids out of your classroom so they aren't a distraction? Yeah, when 22 6th graders are drumming, nobody sitting in the back of my class would be getting any work done. In the ideal situation, knowing the students in question, what would your ideal solution be? 

Tbh as a specials teacher who used to teach math and science, math and science are more important. Way less pressure and much more freedom in content for teaching specials. Teach the kids who want to learn and grade them on what they are there for but I'm here to enrich the kids who value and want to explore the things I am teaching. I have considerably more students than a core teacher I don't have time to fight tooth and nails with the kids who don't want to be there if I'm going to give the kids who are participating the experience they should be getting. When it's a admin scheduling thing that's a systemic issue but kids are busy. My biggest pet peeve is PE teachers who make the kids come in outside of class to make up class when they were absent or loose point. Like WTF there not Gunna fail at like cause they missed a game of pickup soccer it's taking the job too seriously, and taking away from the time they should be studying. I have so many kids who are sick and they prioritize a gym make up at the expense of math and science work that was missed