Seattle Schools Community Forum

From the Times: Gov.-elect Jay Inslee named Renton Schools Superintendent Mary Alice Heuschel as his chief of staff in a news conference in Seattle on Thursday morning. Heuschel, one of three co-chairs of Inslee’s transition team, led Renton schools for seven years and last year was a finalist for national superintendent of the year. She also served as deputy superintendent of the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction for six years. I personally like Superintendent Heuschel and while I don't always agree with her, find her a thoughtful person.  I think it's a good call but Renton's loss.  

There will be a memorial tomorrow for Ballard High School teacher, Megan Vogel, a Golden Apple award-winner.  From Ballard High School: “She is missed by her family, friends, colleagues and the hundreds of BHS students and graduates that she had a profound impact on. We will join together this Saturday, August 25th from 1-3 pm in the BHS Performing Arts Center for a Celebration of Megan’s life. In lieu of flowers, please bring live plants to remember Ms. Vogel’s connection to the living world.” For more, visit the Facebook page that was created in her memory. I also apologize for not noting the recent passing of Louise McKinney, a longtime educator, in our city.    From the Times: Louise McKinney was a philanthropist, patron of the arts and longtime educator who believed that all children were capable of learning, no matter their station in life. As a teacher and later principal at a number of Seattle schools, she prodded and nudged institut...

So first up, it looks like Renton is getting the full-court press from TFA (even though Renton previously announced they wouldn't be hiring any  TFAers).  We'll have to see what happens.   As well, I'm sure Dr. Enfield's first agenda item is to convince Highline to sign on.  I suspect this is happening for two reasons.  One, TFA is probably getting pressure from Stritikus and UW to fill that program.  Operating it at a loss (as they did last year) when UW is pressed for money doesn't look or sound good.  Two, TFA is probably quite embarrassed that they have gotten any pushback at all.  Also, there's this video from the HBO show "Treme" that features one character doing an anti-TFA rap.  The whole thing is funny.   (Thanks to Reader X for the tip.) I also saw this article from US News and World Report about "tips for finding the right college" and look was at the bottom: Who do you want to work for? A financial conglom...

The good news?  Apparently, Renton Superintendent, Mary Alice Heuschel decided not to present the question of hiring any TFA applicants before  the Rendon School Board.  Therefore, Renton School District won't be hiring any of TFA members for next fall.  The reason why comes from the Renton Reporter : The Renton School District was considering using applicants from the Teach for America program, but a higher influx of more qualified applicants to open teaching positions has taken the idea off the table. Randy Matheson, district spokesperson, confirmed Friday afternoon the district's human resources department has received more applicants for teaching positions than it thought it would originally receive. And this was the case in Seattle.  It is clear that Washington State has a huge number of unemployed but fully-qualified (and in some cases, experienced) teachers.  We don't need TFA here in the Puget Sound region.  Here's what Superin...