Springfield Education Association

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Chicago Public Schools officials announced Wednesday that the cash-strapped district would furlough staff for five days that students weren’t supposed to be in attendance, such as during teacher training or report card pickup.

It’s the little things…

"I just wanted to eat something today." — Donna M.

OAKENFIELD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Third-grade teacher Mrs. Maddox attempted the impossible Thursday afternoon, placing a frozen lentil bowl into the staff lounge microwave during the four-minute window between her 3:20 bus duty and a 3:24 mandatory faculty meeting. The maneuver required Mrs. Maddox to forgo a bathroom break she had been deferring since 7:45 a.m.

The lentil bowl's packaging recommended a cooking time of five minutes, exceeding the available window by a full minute and forcing Mrs. Maddox to choose between a cold center and arriving late to a presentation on punctuality. "We told her four minutes wasn't enough," said colleague Ms. Otto, who watched from the table.

The bowl remained in the microwave throughout the 90-minute meeting and was retrieved by Mrs. Maddox at 6:15 p.m., cold again, on her way to her car.

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In a tough economy, many U.S. teachers are forced to work second jobs