Move Markell to Austin - His Students Miss Him!
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Markell Robinson taught orchestra and guitar at Paredes Middle school in AISD in the Fall of the 2020-21 school year. Because he was hired right before school started, he stayed in Houston and taught remotely. In December, Markell was told that he would have to teach in person starting in January 2021, which he is totally willing and able to do. He just needs help getting moved from Houston to Austin (moving costs, gas money, and deposits for rent, utilities, etc.). Markell's students can't wait to have their teacher back. If you had a special band or orchestra teacher in middle school or high school, you know how much of a difference that can make, and this year the impact is exponentially greater. For many students, music is the bright spot that has kept them going.
Additionally, Markell will be moving to Austin with his girlfriend of 8 years, Kelly. Kelly is a certified teacher who has taught with Markell at previous schools and is looking forward to relocating and teaching the wonderful students of Austin! They also have one dog, a 12 year old Shepherd mix named Kaylee.
I read Markell's story (below) and was so moved by his connection to his kids and how much they miss him, I just knew our community would want to join together to help him. We all know it is expensive to live in Austin, especially with the added expenses of getting moved into a new place, and the missed paycheck from missed work in January. He has found an affordable apartment with immediate availability.
With all of the hard things going on right now that we cannot change, I am excited to have an opportunity to do a huge, concrete good right now. This will have a life-changing impact on the lives of Markell and Kelly, as well as all of the students who are missing their teacher right now. With all of his (all too familiar) struggles dealing with AISD, I would love for this fundraiser to send a resounding message that we are excited to have him here.
Please share what you can to show Markell how much we as parents and community value his work as a teacher and understand his impact on his students. Markell’s caring and investment in his students is irreplaceable, and we can help take the financial stress out of his move to Austin in appreciation for all that he has given and will continue to give our kids!
Here is Markell's inspiring story:
My contract release was approved today. My career in AISD came and went before I could even call the city my home.
I was approved for remote work for the first term then denied an extension to continue teaching remotely in January. After countless emails, calls, and appeals I was ultimately told by HR that if I couldn’t make it to Austin to teach in person, they would release me from my contract.
Here’s the twist... I was hired late, had one weekend to prep before the second week of PD began. Excited to work for my dream district, I jumped right in! After being approved for remote work, I decided to stay put in Houston (at the hotel I’d been in since late June) to stay safe from the virus. I treated my zoom classes like live TV shows and the kids really enjoyed them! Each day we had a new SEL song, show me/tell me, and question of the day before kicking off the lesson. Countless times the kids told me how much they looked forward to my classes.
In early December, I was notified of my remote denial and I panicked. I emailed so many offices and leaders asking for help. I told them that I did not mind coming to school to teach in person, I just needed more time to move. I also let them know about my financial issues (40% pay loss from last year’s position, need more time to move). I even asked HR about any office or organization that could help me. They said that kind of thing was out of their purview and that they could let me out of my contract if I could not relocate.
I waited and waited, asking frequently, watching every board meeting, sending emails, etc., hoping for a glimmer of hope to help more folks with denied accommodations. Ultimately, I had to let my admins and HR know I couldn’t relocate at this time . HR sent over the links to resign and I complied, the overwhelming emptiness was/is awful.
Afterwards, getting email after email from my kids asking where I was, why can’t they find my class in Blend, and asking me if I was ok brought me to tears. I answered each one and told them that I loved them, I hadn't left them for a "better job", and to continue being great. They understood but were hurt, like me, and it didn’t have to be this way.
It is still my dream to move to Austin and teach there. I have always wanted to be there because I need to live and work where “All Means All”. I look up to all of you that do what you can to help each other out. Thank you for reading my story!
UPDATE: With all of this amazing support, I have reapplied to get my job back at Paredes. I left on good terms with the administrative staff, so I am very optimistic about returning. I just need to make it through the HR hurdles. Even if I have to come back as a sub at first, I am committed and excited to come to Austin.
12.5 years teaching experience (.5 in AISD)
If you would like to learn more about Markell and his teaching philosophy, please visit www.mrbanddirector.com
Additionally, Markell will be moving to Austin with his girlfriend of 8 years, Kelly. Kelly is a certified teacher who has taught with Markell at previous schools and is looking forward to relocating and teaching the wonderful students of Austin! They also have one dog, a 12 year old Shepherd mix named Kaylee.
I read Markell's story (below) and was so moved by his connection to his kids and how much they miss him, I just knew our community would want to join together to help him. We all know it is expensive to live in Austin, especially with the added expenses of getting moved into a new place, and the missed paycheck from missed work in January. He has found an affordable apartment with immediate availability.
With all of the hard things going on right now that we cannot change, I am excited to have an opportunity to do a huge, concrete good right now. This will have a life-changing impact on the lives of Markell and Kelly, as well as all of the students who are missing their teacher right now. With all of his (all too familiar) struggles dealing with AISD, I would love for this fundraiser to send a resounding message that we are excited to have him here.
Please share what you can to show Markell how much we as parents and community value his work as a teacher and understand his impact on his students. Markell’s caring and investment in his students is irreplaceable, and we can help take the financial stress out of his move to Austin in appreciation for all that he has given and will continue to give our kids!
Here is Markell's inspiring story:
My contract release was approved today. My career in AISD came and went before I could even call the city my home.
I was approved for remote work for the first term then denied an extension to continue teaching remotely in January. After countless emails, calls, and appeals I was ultimately told by HR that if I couldn’t make it to Austin to teach in person, they would release me from my contract.
Here’s the twist... I was hired late, had one weekend to prep before the second week of PD began. Excited to work for my dream district, I jumped right in! After being approved for remote work, I decided to stay put in Houston (at the hotel I’d been in since late June) to stay safe from the virus. I treated my zoom classes like live TV shows and the kids really enjoyed them! Each day we had a new SEL song, show me/tell me, and question of the day before kicking off the lesson. Countless times the kids told me how much they looked forward to my classes.
In early December, I was notified of my remote denial and I panicked. I emailed so many offices and leaders asking for help. I told them that I did not mind coming to school to teach in person, I just needed more time to move. I also let them know about my financial issues (40% pay loss from last year’s position, need more time to move). I even asked HR about any office or organization that could help me. They said that kind of thing was out of their purview and that they could let me out of my contract if I could not relocate.
I waited and waited, asking frequently, watching every board meeting, sending emails, etc., hoping for a glimmer of hope to help more folks with denied accommodations. Ultimately, I had to let my admins and HR know I couldn’t relocate at this time . HR sent over the links to resign and I complied, the overwhelming emptiness was/is awful.
Afterwards, getting email after email from my kids asking where I was, why can’t they find my class in Blend, and asking me if I was ok brought me to tears. I answered each one and told them that I loved them, I hadn't left them for a "better job", and to continue being great. They understood but were hurt, like me, and it didn’t have to be this way.
It is still my dream to move to Austin and teach there. I have always wanted to be there because I need to live and work where “All Means All”. I look up to all of you that do what you can to help each other out. Thank you for reading my story!
UPDATE: With all of this amazing support, I have reapplied to get my job back at Paredes. I left on good terms with the administrative staff, so I am very optimistic about returning. I just need to make it through the HR hurdles. Even if I have to come back as a sub at first, I am committed and excited to come to Austin.
12.5 years teaching experience (.5 in AISD)
If you would like to learn more about Markell and his teaching philosophy, please visit www.mrbanddirector.com
Organizer
Sandy Pessoney Knight
Organizer
Austin, TX