Hi! My name is Maureen Mitana. I teach in a high school directly outside Philadelphia, PA. We are considered a low income school district. I have been here my entire career. I started in August of 2006, entering my 13th year.

Our school has 6 periods (where as most schools who are not block are 7 periods) in the day. We are ridiculously set up for "success in the core classroom". Our schedule is this:

HR (blended with 1st period): 7:30-7:42, 1st: 7:42-8:38, 2nd: 8:41-9:37, 3rd: 9:40-10:36, (LUNCHES, classes are either a/b, b/c, or a/c) 4A: 10:39-11:09, 4B: 11:12-11:42, 4C: 11:45-12:15, 5th: 12:18-1:14, 6th: 1:17-2:17.

We see our students every day. Our school is more focused on the "success" of our students for state standards rather than having them prepared for life after high school. Activities and electives are very limited. Our district is currently in a legal battle with the state over fair funding.

I love my career, but am quite burnt out by all the excessive paperwork, responsibilities, and overall stress put on us from administrators. I am so excited I found this site and cannot wait to utilize the content!