Center School Saga Continues On
I had heard about this but had no real info but our friends over at The Stranger have written this:
(bold theirs)
Rumor has it that the Seattle School District is punishing the high school teacher at the center of a controversy earlier this year—concerning his award-winning race and social justice class—by transferring him to another school.
Greenberg heard from the district this weekend—after chaperoning prom on Saturday night—that he'll be sent to Hamilton Middle School next year.
Current teachers have sent around a public letter saying they "stand categorically opposed to the proposed transfer. Jon Greenberg is an outstanding, award-winning teacher and a seminal member of The Center School staff; his transfer would be a huge loss to the school."
Asked to respond to the rumors, (district spokesperson, Teresa )Wippel says only that Superintendent José Banda is now "considering the appropriate action" after the same family filed a second complaint alleging that Greenberg retaliated against their student for complaining. The district's investigation, says Wippel, found in fact that he "did not retaliate against the complainant," but that he did violate a "harassment, intimidation, or bullying" policy by allowing some students who were organizing to save the curriculum to distribute their petition in his classroom "when the complainant was in the class."
Reporter Anna Minard says this:
If the district genuinely thinks their staff member is breaking the rules, they should work with him or fire him. But if, as their own investigations keep showing, there is simply a problem between this teacher and this one family—and the student in question is a senior who won't be there next year—how does transferring him away achieve anything other than punitive action that will be then be an ongoing detriment to the school he leaves behind?
I'm with her. Ding the teacher in his evaluation but don't move him from a school he loves and where he is (mostly) appreciated.
I'm thinking those speaker spaces at Wednesday's Board meeting are going to fill up.
(bold theirs)
Rumor has it that the Seattle School District is punishing the high school teacher at the center of a controversy earlier this year—concerning his award-winning race and social justice class—by transferring him to another school.
Greenberg heard from the district this weekend—after chaperoning prom on Saturday night—that he'll be sent to Hamilton Middle School next year.
Current teachers have sent around a public letter saying they "stand categorically opposed to the proposed transfer. Jon Greenberg is an outstanding, award-winning teacher and a seminal member of The Center School staff; his transfer would be a huge loss to the school."
Asked to respond to the rumors, (district spokesperson, Teresa )Wippel says only that Superintendent José Banda is now "considering the appropriate action" after the same family filed a second complaint alleging that Greenberg retaliated against their student for complaining. The district's investigation, says Wippel, found in fact that he "did not retaliate against the complainant," but that he did violate a "harassment, intimidation, or bullying" policy by allowing some students who were organizing to save the curriculum to distribute their petition in his classroom "when the complainant was in the class."
Reporter Anna Minard says this:
If the district genuinely thinks their staff member is breaking the rules, they should work with him or fire him. But if, as their own investigations keep showing, there is simply a problem between this teacher and this one family—and the student in question is a senior who won't be there next year—how does transferring him away achieve anything other than punitive action that will be then be an ongoing detriment to the school he leaves behind?
I'm with her. Ding the teacher in his evaluation but don't move him from a school he loves and where he is (mostly) appreciated.
I'm thinking those speaker spaces at Wednesday's Board meeting are going to fill up.
Comments
Ugh
UHG2
I am very sad.
-not impressed with district "solutions"
Not really sure why you're giving the principal credit for that. Is generally incredibly ineffective and everyone is very aware of his relationship with a staff member that requires the staff member to be reassigned. I guess it's a step up from his spelling his name wrong on his application issue several years back.
-Not sad
For some, it's about academic independence, due process, teaching kids how to advocate for themseves, think critically and discuss about sensitive topics. For others, it's about not wanting kids to be uncomfortable in a class like race and social justice, especially if they have differing POV from the rest of the class. And when you start using words like bullying, retaliation along with the teacher's mercurial personality and what appears to some, a class with a political, possibly liberal, bent, well..... it's trouble and time to shut it down! The district was hoping for a quiet admonition that would appease the family, but teachers and students didn't follow the script. So it goes.
ugh
One Snowflake and a set of parents immune to the fact that their child once 18 will have to cope for themselves and they won't be able to advocate for them because colleges don't care and legally can't disclose information.
This is cowardice of the highest order and the reason we see so much mediocre teaching because great teaching or the attempt at great teaching is punished.
However, district officers can screw up from here to Timbuktu and never be held accountable for their crap.
-Cowardly (commenting anonymously)
Complete loss for Center.
More shame on the district!
Guess they kinda like it that way.
HIMS Parent
"Superintendent Banda,
I am writing you this letter in solidarity with the education community of The Center School, in regards to the transfer of Jon Greenberg. I would like to start out by stating that his transfer is outrageous and insulting to many current and former students of his, including myself. I am by no means a representative of any of my fellow alumni, but I do share many of their views on this topic. Removing Jon Greenberg from The Center School will prevent future students from having access to the types of education that allowed me and students like me to think critically about the world we live in. Jon's Race and Gender units were the two most powerful educational experiences of my life, and I say this honestly. They eclipsed, in importance, even the education provided by The Evergreen State College, which is renowned nationwide for its liberal and critical teachings. To remove Mr. Greenberg from The Center School community is to do a disservice to every student who would have gone through his programs, and I am quite frankly shocked that such a drastic move has taken place. On what grounds is Mr. Greenberg being removed from the Center School environment? Is it because he chose to challenge established notions of race and gender in a classroom of Juniors and Seniors? You yourself stated that these units are more appropriate for adults, but what about students who are 18 years old? They have a legal right to vote, and can be sent off to die fighting for their country. What right do you have to deny them a complete and critical education, especially in today's global society? I with you would reconsider your choice to transfer Jon Greenberg out of an environment where he can do (and has done) the most good for furthering the education of Seattle's youth. There was a time, when I was in Mr. Greenberg's class, that I recognized the power that the Seatttle Public Schools had to inspire positive change in the world. But this move goes against everything that your district represents.
Let me finish this with a quote from the Seattle Public Schools own website:
Academic Vision
We are focused on improving academic achievement for all students and committed to ensuring that all students graduate from high school prepared for college, careers, and life. We strive to provide excellent teachers in every classroom, set high expectations for every student, meet the needs of our diverse learners, and prepare our students to excel.
Mr. Banda, it turns out that you are not, in fact, focused on providing excellent teachers in every classroom, as you are taking away an excellent teacher who sets very high, but reasonable, expectations for his students. You are demonstrating, by transferring Jon Greenberg from a place where he can prepare students for college, careers, and life, that you don't value what the district you represent stands for. As a former student, and future educator, I am disappointed in the path you have chosen to take in this matter, and I hope you take my words to heart. Please strongly reconsider your choice to transfer Jon Greenberg from the place in which he has inspired amazing and positive change in the world."
Concerned Teacher Educator
Thank you for sharing your son's letter. Understandably you are proud as your son will make an outstanding educator.