Morale Is an Issue

While the physical building at the Springs School is being tested by a burgeoning student population, it became clear at a Sept. 19 round-table discussion by a group of teachers representing various grades and subject matter that negative comments had also become an issue.

“There are teachers here that buy their kids sneakers, buy their kids lunch. Our job is to showcase our children, not showcase us,” Jessica Vickers, who teaches reading classes, said. “We don’t need to have a pat on the back each time we do this . . . but when you’re attacking a faculty member who works so hard for each individual student, it’s hard not to take it personally. We don’t take it personally the first few shots, but after a few times, it hurts.”

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The district has come under fire for allegedly not providing enough support for parents who do not speak English. However, Margaret Garsetti, who teaches English as a new language, said the district was working extremely hard to support Latino families and children. “I think the community really should be proud of the staff and how we have embraced the changing demographics. We as a school hold all cultures . . . with the highest regard,” she said.

Lisa Seff, a science and enrichment teacher, said teachers teach “from the heart. Many people working in this building live in Springs and we’ve had our children come through,” she said. “As a group, we don’t feel separate from the community. We are part of it. That’s an important message that needs to get out.