tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post9196980094532666326..comments2024-03-28T02:21:17.452-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: What a PR Fiasco (and why SPS will never get ahead)Melissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger134125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-32545789828968413222011-05-17T22:49:13.978-07:002011-05-17T22:49:13.978-07:00Sara nailed it! Whiplash is right!
Re & whit...Sara nailed it! Whiplash is right!<br /><br />Re & whither TFA? 2 years in the classroom = street cred later on, after hopping into the executive ranks. <br /><br />C'mon people, we're talking about people destined for the bigs. Stay in the classroom? Shyeah! Hright! <br /><br />Social Entrepeneurialism & Venture Philanthropy: Not a Gift; An investment. (Look it up.) <br /><br />And the purpose of investing is? Duh! Winning! <br /><br />WSEADAWGAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-92946007805340072011-05-17T22:41:58.753-07:002011-05-17T22:41:58.753-07:00I wonder how Kirsten Bailey-Fogarty is feeling rig...I wonder how Kirsten Bailey-Fogarty is feeling right now?Not Kirsten's colleaguenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-35085093692699068222011-05-17T15:25:16.052-07:002011-05-17T15:25:16.052-07:00Fresh from the Seattle Times:
More to come | Inte...Fresh from the Seattle Times:<br /><br /><i>More to come | Interim Seattle School Superintendent Susan Enfield announced today that she has reversed her decision to dismiss Ingraham High School Principal Martin Floe.</i>suep.https://www.blogger.com/profile/17281578510716234624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-65793265603574544902011-05-17T13:05:07.072-07:002011-05-17T13:05:07.072-07:00Frankly, show me the evaluation tool for Executive...Frankly, show me the evaluation tool for Executive Directors? The HR Oversight briefing was illuminating in Central Admin's complete failure to build accountability into their (many) positions. Guess it's only teachers and principals who take the fall, unless you deposit $64K into your personal bank account, ala Potter.mirmac1https://www.blogger.com/profile/10183460709639638172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-10157005068517298962011-05-17T08:34:59.428-07:002011-05-17T08:34:59.428-07:00Northend Teacher, thanks for chiming in. I was wo...Northend Teacher, thanks for chiming in. I was wondering what other teachers/staff in her region thought. You are just one person but I would surely like to hear from others.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12588239576000641336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-38627122010895741222011-05-17T07:41:34.352-07:002011-05-17T07:41:34.352-07:00"On Monday, Enfield clarified the role that t..."On Monday, Enfield clarified the role that test scores played in her decision. The school's scores were not a main factor, she said, because she evaluated the person, not the school. But she also said test scores are considered in evaluating principals and that Ingraham's 'underscore the need for strong instructional leadership at the school.'"<br /><br />Whip lash I tell you. Fired for low scores, no scores had nothing to do with it, okay, well, they did have something to do with it, but not all of it.Saranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-29504965072965316512011-05-16T23:20:59.441-07:002011-05-16T23:20:59.441-07:00Bree is the villan here. She is making it almost i...Bree is the villan here. She is making it almost impossible to teach at my elementary school. She has to go. Is it true she is moving to the south end?<br /><br />Northend TeacherAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-76155080668972551392011-05-16T14:46:16.370-07:002011-05-16T14:46:16.370-07:00Thanks, Peon and Charlie -- for coming to Kristen&...Thanks, Peon and Charlie -- for coming to Kristen's defense. I am not as dazzled (i.e. -- stupidly grinning) by Kristin as Charlie, partly because those she supports are, in fact, the ones wielding all the power -- and partly because my stupidly grinning dazzledness has been usurped by her colleague, Peter, who stopped me in my tracks with "the transitive property of friendship." I was only beginning to reassemble my critical faculties when I was again undone by the Pastor Martin Niemöller quote. <br /> <br />Ah me. Both of you (Peter and Kristen) overcome an ocean of my despair over the administrative mismanagement of this District. Lucky are we (and lucky is IHS) to have teachers such as you. <br /><br />And no, I don't think it is appropriate to demand of either of them (although I suppose one could always ask nicely) that they share their opinions of Mr. Floe. <br /><br />They posted responses -- based on personal knowledge -- to a specific point (Kristen's, in support of Bree; Peter's, in support of Kristen). They demanded nothing of other posters. If they, teachers at the school at the heart of this controversy, feel it most prudent to limit their posts to their main point, and to deal with their opinions, etc., with respect to Mr. Floe in other ways, who am I to gainsay them?Janhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09923777229601243321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-81839785245276320012011-05-16T14:22:37.602-07:002011-05-16T14:22:37.602-07:00Why does anyone want to privatize public schools w...Why does anyone want to privatize public schools when you already have private schools, or you can build your own private school wherever you wish? The business model they're going after is kind of like professional sports. Taxpayers build it, taxpayers fund it, and the company gets the profits.<br /><br />In my opinion, anything that has tax dollars going to it should have complete and absolute transparency, therefore, there is no need for speculation as to where all the $$$ is going, or has gone.<br /><br />You know what they say..it doesn't take a...cdubshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13004130492118509510noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-47777242874100604912011-05-16T12:27:12.815-07:002011-05-16T12:27:12.815-07:00I totally agree with Charlie, and thank him for we...I totally agree with Charlie, and thank him for welcoming Kristin to the forum. IMO the most healthy blogs have as many voices, and as many perspectives being shared as possible, respectfully.anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03716725891562757052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-1492739231746568292011-05-16T11:56:55.957-07:002011-05-16T11:56:55.957-07:00Also "Inside as well,"
Just like I wasn...Also "Inside as well,"<br /><br />Just like I wasn't praising Ms. Chess Prentice, I wasn't saying anything good about Ms. Little. I just don't believe that Mr. Ikeda should get credit for doing anything with respect to her. She'd already quit the day he walked in the door. <br /><br />Also on the inside.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-14178721558598222692011-05-16T11:38:13.615-07:002011-05-16T11:38:13.615-07:00I don't know Ms Bailey-Fogarty. We have never ...I don't know Ms Bailey-Fogarty. We have never met. Nevertheless, she has done a number of things I admire very much.<br /><br />She teaches. That, right there, tells me a lot of good things about her.<br /><br />From her post on the LEV blog I know that she is a thoughtful and caring teacher. That's wonderful.<br /><br />Also from her post on the LEV blog I know that she is willing to publicly state her perspective even when she knows that many oppose it. That's brave and I give her full credit for it.<br /><br />Read the blog thread and you will see that Ms Bailey-Fogarty constructively engaged those with an opposing perspective. I value that tremendously. You'll notice that other authors on the LEV blog don't do that. Seriously, this, as much as anything else, recommends her. It is kind and confident.<br /><br />Then, on top of everything else, Ms Bailey-Fogarty writes in defense of her friend here on this blog. That is so admirable it leaves me grinning stupidly.<br /><br />She has honestly come by her perspective, she sees the merit in other views, and she can explain why she believes as she does. That's what matters to me, not the conclusion that she eventually draws. I don't have to agree with her to admire her.<br /><br />There is nothing that anyone can write here that can actually harm another person. Sticks and stones... But it still takes courage to comment here against the tide - and it takes even more to do it without devolving into spiteful acrimony.<br /><br />I admire Ms Bailey-Fogarty and I hope to continue exchanging thoughts with her for a long time to come.Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-86325521683189891362011-05-16T11:35:06.340-07:002011-05-16T11:35:06.340-07:00They are on the same pay scale, but have less expe...They are on the same pay scale, but have less experience and less education that many teachers, so they are at the bottom end of the pay scale. Since they typically don't stay in the field very long, they don't move up the pay scale.TechyMomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04650916001250022778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-64647714228203644812011-05-16T11:34:06.666-07:002011-05-16T11:34:06.666-07:00Inside as well,
"All administrators are &quo...Inside as well,<br /><br />"All administrators are "at will."" <br /><br />Not correct. Any certificated administrator or ESA holder is on a contract. That means all of the Exec Directors, the Sp Ed Exec Director(s) and Supervisors, the Bilingual staff, and pretty much anyone who is on the Teaching and Learning side of the house isn't at will. Heck, Pegi McEvoy made still have her school nurse ESA. That means that most of the time, absent firing for cause, all of these people could find themselves back at a building before they are fired. But if you are "on the inside," you would know that, since many of the Ed Directors who have been demoted in the past are now at schools. <br /><br />And if you are "on the inside," well, doesn't that make Ron our problem?<br /><br />Also on the inside.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-39654153598746779702011-05-16T09:40:20.126-07:002011-05-16T09:40:20.126-07:00Just a thought. TfA CMs usually do their practice...Just a thought. TfA CMs usually do their practice teaching in summer schools in the city they are placed in. How will Seattle TfAers get their (less than five weeks) of classroom time since Seattle has cancelled summer school?<br /><br />(wv is <i>somerpor</i>, yes it's not a good summer to be poor in Seattle.)Maureenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18444916440000921599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-28857762256909796132011-05-16T09:35:13.505-07:002011-05-16T09:35:13.505-07:00Aack! I posted a truly beautiful piece (if I do sa...Aack! I posted a truly beautiful piece (if I do say so myself!) with three links in it that backed up Peon's thought that Gates is paying the fees but not the salaries. It showed up, but now it's gone! I'm not rewriting it (Seattle Education has a link to the TfA contract, Melissa did a post in March that talks about the Gates/WA STEM funding and I linked to WA STEM to back that up.)Maureenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18444916440000921599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-38573825325160290812011-05-16T08:51:53.433-07:002011-05-16T08:51:53.433-07:00I don't see anything about TfA CMs being cheap...I don't see anything about TfA CMs being cheaper in the <a href="http://www.seattleschools.org/area/board/10-11agendas/110310agenda/tfacontract.pdf" rel="nofollow">TfA Contract</a>. It says:<br /><br /><i>B. Compensation of Teachers. Seattle Public Schools shall provide to every Teacher employed by Seattle Public Schools pursuant to this Agreement the same salary and benefits (including, as applicable, health, dental, vision and retirement) as are provided to other teachers employed by Seattle Public Schools who are similarly situated from the standpoint of certification status, seniority and any other factors routinely used by Seattle Public Schools in making such decisions.</i><br /><br />(Thanks to <a href="http://seattleducation2010.wordpress.com/" rel="nofollow">Seattle Education</a> for the link.)<br /><br />Maybe there is something in the agreement The Gates Foundation made with SPS re paying the $4000 annual fee? <br /><br />In a March 2011 <a href="http://saveseattleschools.blogspot.com/2011/03/who-is-paying-for-teach-for-america.html" rel="nofollow">blog post</a>, Melissa quoted this from the Washington STEM Center:<br /><br /><i>Now I see at the <a rel="nofollow">Washington STEM </a>site this information (which appears to be new):<br /><br />Washington STEM’s investment in Teach For America will fund TFA corps members holding STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) degrees after they have been voluntarily hired by the Puget Sound partner districts to teach math and science secondary level courses or into elementary school positions. Washington STEM funds will be used exclusively for pre-service certification, professional development and other ongoing support for those incoming Teach For America STEM corps members. ....</i><br /><br />That implies that salary will not be covered by the grant (and will only cover stated expenses for science and math teachers).<br /><br />Maybe <b> CMM</b> has access to other sources?Maureenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18444916440000921599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-71890554881104088492011-05-16T08:43:59.799-07:002011-05-16T08:43:59.799-07:00TFA'ers are merely another union busting tool ...TFA'ers are merely another union busting tool wielded by ed reformers and the billionaire boys club. They strut and claim "see, ANYONE can teach (to the test), Look at me!" After their 1-2 years of "service", they run off to join Daddy's firm or whatever. Or they become Executive Directors.StopTFAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08605108615707039386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-83186427534161643532011-05-16T08:05:52.796-07:002011-05-16T08:05:52.796-07:00Hmmm, I knew we had a grant that paid the placemen...Hmmm, I knew we had a grant that paid the placement fee for TFA recruits in certain (math/science) fields, but I'd not heard we had a grant to pay 1/2 of a TFA recruits salary throughout their contract? Anyone else hear this?anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03716725891562757052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-55347633346786448952011-05-16T07:52:20.338-07:002011-05-16T07:52:20.338-07:00Anonymous:
All administrators are "at will&q...Anonymous:<br /><br />All administrators are "at will". Think that makes them easy to get rid of? Not hardly.<br /><br />So is Bill Martin. Notice where he works? Sits in a room and ignores the phone, thats where.<br /><br />You are right about Brenda quitting. Kinda like MGJ's "resignation". Your idea of a quit I suppose.<br /><br />I think you are really Brenda because I know of no one else around the district who thinks much of her. Again, what accomplishment has she performed?<br /><br />Brenda was a better lawyer even with the drug problem. Now you are stuck with Ron English.Inside as wellnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-7186807639430571452011-05-16T07:28:25.386-07:002011-05-16T07:28:25.386-07:00I have to go to work. Bye, I will blog when I get...I have to go to work. Bye, I will blog when I get home.CMMnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-61207036450238360562011-05-16T07:20:02.675-07:002011-05-16T07:20:02.675-07:00No, you are wrong, the Gates is paying for the TFA...No, you are wrong, the Gates is paying for the TFA finder's fee and half of the TFA contract. This makes TFA teachers exactly half as cheap as a first year teachers. Havent' you been following this? Look at the School Board minutes for the past year.CMMnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-48117245049636444882011-05-16T07:12:48.943-07:002011-05-16T07:12:48.943-07:00Actually CMM, TFA recruits cost the district more ...Actually CMM, TFA recruits cost the district more than regular, traditionally trained, first year teachers cost. By contract, TFA recruits must be paid the same salary as any other first year teacher, and they get the same benefits too (take a look at the contract. However when the district hires a TFA recruit they have to pay a placement fee of several thousand dollars to the TFA organization, so in the end they wind up costing us more than other first year teachers. luckily we have a grant for the placement fee right now, but it will run out eventually.anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03716725891562757052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-24289348088156479502011-05-16T07:09:52.024-07:002011-05-16T07:09:52.024-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03716725891562757052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-27961747898476811432011-05-16T07:00:19.511-07:002011-05-16T07:00:19.511-07:00It is pure propaganda that TFAers are brought in a...It is pure propaganda that TFAers are brought in as better teachers. I don't think anyone belives that. You know, Kirsten, they are brought in because they are cheap. And the same group arguing for quality education, ED. Reformers, are showing themselvs to be true hypocrites by spouting quality education on one hand and then finding the cheapest teachers they can on the other hand. This is like saying "peace keepers" to missiles or "No Child LEft Behind" and then withdrawing money from the poor schools that are being left behind. Hypocrites. Quality education with cheap teachers.One more thing...noreply@blogger.com