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Philadelphia Teachers Share On-The-Job Stories In Fairmount

By Tim Jimenez

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - A few dozen School District of Philadelphia teachers got together Thursday night for an "open mic night," sharing their stories from the beginning of the school year.

Teacher Action Group (TAG) Philadelphia, holds a "story slam" each September, but organizers say this year feels different.

"Everyone's going to talk about the real personal stories of this doomsday budget," teacher Anissa Weinraub said.

Weinraub lost her high school teaching job last year, only to get rehired for middle school this year.

"There's moments of hilarity and moments of horror," she said. "Really the truth is going to come from teachers who are living it and working it every day."

She even did a mock auction, where the teachers raised their hands for the money they spent on the classroom, one saying $450.

But most stories were positive; of students overcoming, or the teacher learning from the pupil.

One new teacher said he doesn't get enough sleep anymore, but that's okay. The concern for his students, he says, consumes his every waking moment and his dreams.

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