OAKLAND -- Even the teachers returning next fall to familiar classrooms at Oakland's Fremont, Castlemont and McClymonds high schools will be, in a sense, new hires.
Their titles will no longer be simply "teacher" but "teacher on special assignment." Their work year will be 18 days longer. Their 900-word job descriptions will ask them to analyze data -- and to show students positivity and love.
Everyone who's interested in teaching at those three high school campuses in 2012-13 must apply for the new position. Those who don't want to take on the additional duties -- or who aren't selected for the job -- are eligible for openings elsewhere in the Oakland Unified School District.
The Bay Area News Group is holding a forum March 29 to explore the reasoning behind this unorthodox decision and what it might mean for the people and institutions involved. The event, from 3:30 to 5:15 p.m. at the Oakland Public Library's 81st Avenue branch, is free and open to the public.
Confirmed panelists include Oakland Superintendent Tony Smith; Betty Olson-Jones, president of the Oakland Education Association; Timothy Bremner, a teacher at Castlemont's East Oakland School of the Arts; Howard Ruffner, who teaches at Fremont's Media Academy; and Diego Garcia, a Media Academy student.