Parent: Deerwood principal unfairly tarnished by cheating allegations
The CRCT cheating scandal has cost several longtime administrators their posts.
Here is a letter to me from a parent upset that the APS principal at Deerwood Academy has been reassigned in the wake of the scandal. Parent Stephanie Robinson feels that Lisa Smith is being held accountable for something that — if it happened, at all — was not on her watch or within her power to change since she was not on site.
I just searched your blog and I found no information concerning the outrageous response to the so called cheating scandal at Atlanta Public Schools involving Deerwood Academy.
I am the parent of a Deerwood Academy student. Today, our beloved principal, Dr. Lisa Smith, was re-assigned to an agency position with Atlanta Public Schools and removed as principal at our school.
Based on a reading of the indictment against her, she is accused of “being the principal of an Atlanta Public School” and being on the payroll at the time of the alleged cheating. Both of course are true statements, but have nothing to do with testing improprieties.
No one at Deerwood has confessed to, been caught at, or been identified with cheating. The only ‘proof’ is based on the occurrence of erasures on 11 tests. And, by the way, Dr. Smith was in Savannah, on approved vacation, the day the tests in question were administered. Further, she was assigned to a different school for summer school on the year in question.
Ms. Downey, won’t you please help by getting the whole truth of these matters addressed in the AJC and on AJC.com? Will you please investigate this situation. These allegations are about to end the careers of some outstanding educators.
This country benefits when the press is actively involved in full investigations and not just repeating talking points.
Please investigate this subject and get the word out. I want my son to have the benefit of good educators. Don’t let a system looking for a scape-goat rob him of this fine Georgia education professional.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
234 comments Add your comment
Make sure she has a healthy body image | Parenting help in NewYork
December 20th, 2009
2:14 am
[...] Parent: Deerwood principal unfairly tarnished by cheating … [...]
Separation Anxiety Disorder in Kids | Parenting help in NewYork
December 20th, 2009
5:59 am
[...] Parent: Deerwood principal unfairly tarnished by cheating … [...]
Commission Knowledge
December 20th, 2009
6:17 am
Hello Observer, This is a Commission fact-
Dr. Smith is a a doctor. You don’t see the upgrade in her credentials with the PSC because of the pending charges. We have her paperwork though. She definitely finished her doctoral degree.
Doctoral Cohort Member
December 20th, 2009
6:30 am
To my esteemed collegue and fellow doctoral cohort member, I love your Dr. Smith. You and I worked hard to get through the program and I am proud of you and your work. I may not work in your county but I’ve been in a similar situation. As principals we stay on the firing line. Keep your head up!
Administrator Relieved
December 20th, 2009
7:31 am
I was a little relieved to see that this principal had a few haters. I thought that I was doing something wrong. I know that I would probably receive a lot of hate mail if these comments were about me. It is a shame that as this principal is railroaded and scapegoated people start to say mean things as cowards through a blog. I’ve read the facts. This is wrong no matter how you slice it. Where is her colleague that ran summer school? Shame on you fellow principal for letting your colleague take the heat. It is a sad day in education. Children can’t erase on tests but we give them pencils with erasers. Are we moving to having them to complete tests in black pen? We might as well.
Commission Member No More
December 20th, 2009
8:31 am
Just to put it out there. I was not in agreement with the ruling when it came to Dr. Smith. If she was not on site, she should not be held responsible. The school district did not give another top principal to charge with overseeing the total program. By the way, she opted to delay filing her advanced degree while awaiting the determination. We had nothing to do with this. We do not need unneccessary hysteria from educators over that misstatement.
This situation is an injustice that I have voiced by the way!
J. Degrees
December 20th, 2009
8:32 am
I teach in APS. The cheating on standardized tests is real. Everyone is not involved in it. We try so hard as teachers. The administrators try too. Many of our children still cannot read or write when they reach upper grades in high school. So now our writing scores for High School are higher than the state? How? At my school extra time was given children on the test in another location after the test in another location. Students came back to class talking about the extra time. I went to my principal about it. I was treated like a treacherous trouble maker. I asked the students to come forward. They would not for fear that now their test scores would be thrown out. Are my standards too high? These same students; almost 75% of them cannot write a simple essay without serious grammatical errors, run on sentences and the like. On what level is the writing test?
Quick Question
December 20th, 2009
8:36 am
What about the teachers that taught the students. Is it possible that they could have made the erasures if in fact an adult did this? I worked in APS for three years and could not believe the lengths that teachers went to in order to get students to do well on tests. I was admonished for telling and now work in Cobb. They stand over students and point, knod, tell them to erase and find a different answer. It is all cheating. I just don’t rule out the teachers whose classes these kids were in. I am not sure how the report came to excuse them.
Wow!
December 20th, 2009
8:43 am
I have read through all of the blogs and boy oh boy this leader must have really been something. Many loved her, while a few hated her. As an educator in Gwinnett, I can tell you now, we would never receive this level of scrutiny. APS is under fire and it is more than a little ole Deerwood. They are gunning for the big dog- Beverly Hall. This predominantly African American school system cannot possibly be making the achievement leaps as reported without cheating. I must say, it is shameful to white in america right now. From the problems with the republicans to the issues surrounding this school and school system. Wow!
J. Degrees
December 20th, 2009
8:44 am
Forget that please. This blog is about another matter. I am resigning. The poor standards and cheating are driving me crazy.
Wow!
December 20th, 2009
8:59 am
J. Degrees, Have you written to the Superintendent to voice your issues? The blog is not where you do it. Write directly to her and let her know that your students are coming to you ill prepared. The blog is a place for venting and it goes nowhere. Usually people use it to cowardly tell others off in an open forum. Your complaints are legitamate. Go to your Deputy Superintendent or to the Superintendent.
This Blog is Getting Boring
December 20th, 2009
9:08 am
Good luck to all involved. Bottom line, you can’t make erasures when you are not on the premises. If noone has come forward to accuse this principal of coercing, directing, asking or persuading them to cheat, she can’t be blamed. It sounds like she was a pretty good administrator that got a raw deal. OK. so she moves on. Appeal and prosper. If she can get a little money out of deal, good for her. The parents that hated her, celebrate her absence. According many posts, the school will not remain the same and that is what you wanted. Great. Teachers keep teaching and every live happily ever after. Maureen can you do another post pleeeeeeeeeease!
Teacher&mom
December 20th, 2009
9:15 am
It is impressive that Dr. Smith has so many supporters on this blog. Based on the comments, I find it hard to believe she was anything less than a competent administrator. I strongly suspect her removal has everything to do with politics. The APS has been recognized at the national level for improvements in test scores. How embarrassing for everyone (national, state, and local) involved that cheating occurred. Someone has to be made a scapegoat. Those at the top will not suffer their reputations and/or future job appointments jeopardized by a hard-working, in-the-trenches educator.
The irony of this situation is not lost on professional educators who oppose the rabid fascination of standardized testing. The authors of “Freakonomics” even addressed the unintended results of standardized testing and cheating in their book. Various respected researchers and educators have denounced the over-emphasis on standardized testing for several years. I often wonder why these leaders in education circles are never invited to DOE meetings. The reason is simple. We like test scores because they provide a false sense of security. Test scores reassure parents that their child is “top of the class.” Principals, Superintendents, local BOE’s and state/national level officials, love them because they can always find a score or two that says “We are doing a good job.” The funny thing about good test scores is that it does not, I repeat DOES NOT, always represent authentic learning or excellent teaching practices. In many instances, strong test scores can be achieved through the relentless drill and kill. For example: An eighth grade student fails the CRCT math exam. He is assigned to a two week summer school. For six hours a day that student is drilled and drilled with practice questions. At the end of the two weeks, he re-takes the CRCT. He’ll probably pass by a small margin and state level officials will all congratulate themselves that they are improving education in GA. Did true authentic learning take place? Do you really think that eighth grader will go on to high school prepared to tackle Math I?
Educators and administrators who insist on educating the “Whole Child” are dying a slow death. Those who are tenacious enough to stick around are simply “relocated” to a different position and replaced with someone who follows the party line. I think those folks are fondly referred to as sheeple.
let's talk
December 20th, 2009
9:59 am
Enter your comments here
let's talk
December 20th, 2009
10:13 am
enough!
Inatlanta
December 20th, 2009
10:33 am
IF she did not sign off on the test results, then she has been wronged. As far as racism, probably. Men like Alvin W. promote women who are involved and the cause of civil rights violations, discriminately firing black employees, and nothing is done. They hired in man who was fired from G.E. for stealing, his mother went to school with Alvin, they were all from Dacula. Of course I had to train him, he was paid more than me with less experience and less education. I try to make the public understand the corrupt nature of public schools, so often people just ignore what goes on.
Commission Member no more
December 20th, 2009
11:01 am
Exactly Inatlanta. She did not sign off on anything. But guess what someone else did. It takes a lot to get me to disagree with my colleagues. But this is an unbelievable precedence that we have made. Hence, the title. I am done! I cannot be a part of this. The public is totally misinformed and in the dark on the greater focus. It will soon be revealed with the new 12 schools in the spotlight. Deerwood was just the beginning. More to come.
KKK too
December 20th, 2009
11:02 am
If you disagree with this quit.
Bonding with your family – game night time! | Parenting Help in Montana
December 20th, 2009
11:33 am
[...] Parent: Deerwood principal unfairly tarnished by cheating … [...]
Smart Smart Lady or Attorney
December 20th, 2009
11:47 am
I had a complaint filed against me two years ago for allegedly mishandling a child. I had just completed my masters and submitted my credentials to the PSC. With their ruling, it besmerged my status. Whatever you do never ever update until after your appeal is completed. I bet her attorney counseled her on this. Just wait if you can. No amount of money or salary increase is worth having your doctoral status blemished with the PSC. You know what you have accomplished. Forget about the doubters. I am a living testimony. I still can’t get the blemish off of my record even with winning in the appeals process. You have nothing to prove to anyone. If Observer knew anything, he/she would be aware of this.
How many cases?
December 20th, 2009
11:57 am
Maureen-Does anyone know how many cases the PSC has dealt with over testing irregularities in Georgia, with punishing the persons charged and how many principals have suffered consequence for failing to ensure against testing violations as a result? I read in an earlier post that this will set a precedence for how administrators are dealt with in the wake of NCLB. Is this really the first case like this or are all principals where cheating occurred in their schools sanctioned?
Funny that you asked-
December 20th, 2009
12:18 pm
I read a recent article written by Torres entitled, Law on honest testing sought, the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement wants to make it a crime to atler test results. I think that all of this testing news that we have endured for half a year is about making a name for Kathleen Mathers and Sonny Perdue. They want to go out with a bang. Is Sonny running for President after Obama? Mathers ran to the media with her assumptions without doing a good job investigating the matter.
I was a teacher that worked summer school 2008 and taught kids from Deerwood. I knew that they would pass the test. It was evident that their teacher from the school year had not exposed them to certain skills. I told Ms. Mathers this. She became infuriated with me because I didn’t say the things that she wanted hear. She asked me about students erasing and I told her that I could not determine the amount of erasing but none of the students made inquiries or seemed upset. She was disrespectful and a bully in her approach to questioning. Her mind was already made up before she went over to Deerwood to question those people. Go figure. The students that I had in my class should not have been there in the first place. These kids were super bright and learned the skills with ease. I told her that too. The public is so misinformed. I do not know Dr. Smith personnaly but she really is being persecuted for nothing. She wasn’t there during testing, really she wasn’t there for much of the summer. I remember seing her during one week when she walked around observing in classrooms. I have written a letter to the Governor lodging complaint against the interview techniques used. I have yet to receive a response.
On a personal note-I wish that my principal could have the balls to remove teachers and staff members from our school who want to offer children the bare minimum. Truth be told, most teachers in our district are envious of what the school is offering for children.
Inatlanta
December 20th, 2009
1:40 pm
I have heard so many cases of teachers accused of mishandling students. Parents will blame anyone. I know of one substitute teacher who had a parent complain to the principal because their child was placed on a yellow warning (Red being the highest). THis was a white/black situation. With Gwinnett Public schools Alvin Wilbanks or Wendall Jackson Ph.D. should have been called before the PSC. Neither were, even though Alvin signed off on discipline data not sent to the state (2001/2002). THe PSC did not investigate. If they had they would have found one 38 year old wife (D. Smith)hired in at the salary of a 18 year veteran, P.Bartlett lying on her resume hired in on the reference of an assistant principal (tennis buddy) at Collins Hill High(?). T. Kimbrall (promoted to executive director) after continuing to fire black employees because she did not like them, she moved one white employee to the financial team to work with a man who said ‘black women were too dumb to work with’. Alvin giving a 5,000 raise to J. Zumwalt (with T. Kimbrell’s approval) who did not backup e-mail for an entire year….to much damaging information coming out of the technology department. I can go on an on….I doubt the PSC can get to the bottom of anything without discriminating in favor of the white males.
PSC Blues
December 20th, 2009
1:57 pm
I have heard of numerous educators who have had thier lives ruined senselessly because of the callous way in which the PSC reaches their decisions. This situation is unbelievable. As an educator I am appalled. I forwarded this parent’s letter to several education organizations. This story needs to be told and reach national news. I feel for this school community.
Ignorant or illiterate?
December 20th, 2009
4:39 pm
There is no such word as “besmerged”; maybe you mean “besmirched”?
proudtobeblack
December 20th, 2009
5:32 pm
MISSY 19 DID YOU WORK AT DEERWOOD? no!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU ARE LOOKING ON THE OUTSIDE. YOU DON’T KNOW THE REAL DEAL. Get a life!!!!!!!
Say what ever you want!
December 20th, 2009
5:52 pm
Proudtobeblack say what you want that girl was a baaaad girl. She built that school to work for children. I was a teacher there and could not keep up the pace. I have visited during the last two years and my God, she did it. Those teachers are the bomb, the children are smart, the environment is beautiful, every program is excellent, my child is still there an excelling, and what majority of her staff understands and is working that vision. Yeah, it was bumpy while I was there but I can now see there was a treasure at the end of this rainbow. It is a shame that this has happened. Even the few teachers that may be disgruntled are doing the “dawg gone” thing. Deerwood is truly a school of excellence. There is no other elementary school in APS inclusive of the northern side of town. She did that!!!!!!!
My Goodness, Me Too
December 20th, 2009
5:56 pm
I too had a problem with the PSC. How do you get the blemish off of your record? Does anyone know. I didn’t know that you should hold off with submission until after appeal. I don’t want this on my history. I only have five years teaching.
Missy 19
December 20th, 2009
6:06 pm
Proudtobeblack-Actually I’ve been teaching at Deerwood for the last four years. Although it is tough and we work really hard to make it happen for childen, this is the best school in Atlanta. We are admired all over because of the quality of the instructional program that we offer. I am ashamed that you are one of my colleagues or perhaps were one of my colleagues. Your attitude tells me that either you were on the chopping block already or were soon to be. The real deal is that everything that we do is on behalf of children. We do a lot I must admit. It sometimes made people salty as a result. Only those who half-stepped with the students felt the strong warnings of the principal. If you are still at Deerwood, consider leaving. We have all vowed to lock arms and continue working this program for the children. We owe that much. LEAVE!!!!!!!!!!
Unfortunately
December 20th, 2009
6:07 pm
No My Goodness, I too have been trying for years. It doesn’t come off. You should have waited.
Missy 19
December 20th, 2009
6:12 pm
PTPB- I’ve been working at Deerwood for four years now and wouldn’t have it any other way! I am proud to be at the school and am glad I worked under a great leader. You must have been a half-stepper or a marginal teacher that brought nothing to table. I already know your story. Thank you very much!!!!!
Justice is Serve!!!
December 20th, 2009
6:29 pm
Enter your comments here
Problems during start up
December 20th, 2009
7:02 pm
There were problems the first three years of opening Deerwood but I tell you, Dr. Smith really turned that school around. I have been there since its inception and from having to battle an incompetent secretary that was mean to everyone she encountered and very disrespectful to her superiors (even telling them to shut up on occasions) to crazy ghetto fabulous parents that fought her over being tardy to school and uniforms, she has dealt with a lot. She had a cafeteria manager that was stealing out of the freezer and another that refused to feed kids, custodians that would not clean the building, and teachers that would not teach. She even had a right hand man that was destroying everything that she was trying to build. She would lie to us teachers and say that Dr. Smith was telling her to do and say things that come to find out were all lies. This lady deserves a break. Deerwood was a difficult place to be during the first three years. But I hung in there because I believed in what she was tryng to accomplish. The last two years have really been a great. It took five good solid years to get this school running smoothely. The parents became trained to support our work and partners are overflowing. She worked her magic. Some of the parents like the Relefords, Minters, and Nutsons couldn’t see passed their hate to see the new Deerwood. They too will feel the pinch and the void. Careful what you ask for. This is truly a sad occasion.
So Many Questions
December 20th, 2009
7:28 pm
Maureen-Who was the summer school principal? Does anyone know? Has she/he been sanctioned or punished in anyway? Was she/he interviewed by anyone other than the investigator in the APS report-Penn Payne? She/He would probably be able to shed some light on all of this. Aren’t principals supposed to oversee the distribution and packing process of exams. Did she/he do this? There are still so many unanswered questions that were conveniently left out of the AJC articles.
For those of you who are bitter because of previous experiences with this principal write her directly on her email. Many of us just want to get at the truth. Your blogs are distractors. This really might make case law unless we are missing something. I understand that Smith is charged with failure to ensure against testing violations. How could she do this if she was off site? Am I missing something? Does the building really make her responsible? The public has a right to be totally informed before these kinds of decisions are made. I have a soon to be Kindergartner that will be going to Deerwood next year. I have only heard great things about this school outside of this scandal. My wife and I purposely moved to this community because of this school. We visited last year and was able to see one of their programs and was completely blown away by the children. How articulate and confident they were. Principal Smith talked to us at length about what the school had to offer. We were very impressed with her and the school. She was passionate about educating children. I need answers before I rush to judgement. Please help shed some light Maureen.
Smart Smart Lady or Attorney
December 20th, 2009
7:38 pm
Oh sorry=besmirched. I stand corrected blog policman!
Smart Smart Lady or Attorney
December 20th, 2009
7:39 pm
Oh-sorry-besmirched. I stand corrected blog policeman. Let me hurry up and fix the word policeman before I get smacked. lol
A Parent & Teacher
December 20th, 2009
8:56 pm
In regards to “Left Too Soon”, this forum is about the principal and not individual teachers. It shows your level of professionalism to put another colleagues name out on the Internet in such a manner. While you are putting them down and planning to begin your own vindication, you need to be mindful that you reap what you sow. Also, if you were a great teacher yourself, you would have known that you had many grammatical errors within your comment along with a high level of tackiness. It is my hope that you let this go and get yourself together, or you too will leave too soon with your own issues.
Yes, what happened to “Dr. Smith” is unfortunate, but this is for God to handle and not anyone else. If any of you really care about this lady, it would be in your best interest to get on your knees and pray for her. Spitting fire back and forth does nothing for any party in this situation. It is my hope that all of you will find peace and know that God knows what he is doing. If he wanted her there in the building, then she would be in the building. Maybe he has something better and different for her. Count it as a blessing and stop being juvenile and messy.
Be blessed!!!
A Parent
December 20th, 2009
9:11 pm
On the issue of Dr. Smith, I am sure that she will be missed, but she has done what she needed to do for Deerwood. I personally wish her the best and hope that the next principal will have a wonderful term with the school.
In our life, we all have different views and insights into how things should be handled. I do not think any of us are really capable of throwing any rocks or harmful words. It does not matter what a person does; the only thing that really matters is how one responds to what is done to them. I think that Deerwood has many great teachers and many people who like to start drama and mess. It is my hope that the new principal will spot this out and handle it accordingly. My son currently attends this school. I have had the mind to take him out because I do not feel that some things are being done in the correct way. There is no way you can lie or connive your way through life without falling on your mess. It is my hope that less mess will be put out so the walk of Deerwood will be smooth. This is a very prestigious school, and I would like to see the top level administrators and the lower level rising administrators carry themselves in a more professional way.
A Parent Too
December 20th, 2009
10:22 pm
I am in agreement with Parent-It is probably best for Principal Smith to move on. I have only known her to be professional however sometimes those working under her lead had much to be desired. The school is prestigious because of her. I do not believe that she should be going through this if she was not on the premises but sometimes God will remove you when your time is done. She probably would never have left Deerwood on her own thinking that there is still one more thing to do. I believe that God has a better and higher position for her. Her passion for education is something that no one can take from her. I don’t know about this “lying” statement because she has always been straight forward with me. I think that sometimes people just don’t want to hear the truth and therefore twist your words to suit themselves. Whatever the case maybe, one thing is for sure, when and if she is exonerated, sky is the limit for her. She will be missed!
Less Mess Amen
December 20th, 2009
10:28 pm
I think one of Dr. Smith’s greatest battles was having to constantly deal with “mess”. It was too much. My hope is that parents and teachers alike will create less mess so that we can focus on the children. Farewell Dr. Smith. Enjoy you new endeavor.
Parent and Business Partner
December 20th, 2009
10:35 pm
I too think that Dr. Smith deserves to go and start another school or support other schools and show them how to create good schools. This was unfortunate but her work is not over. Deerwood wore her out. I remember seeing her car when I would drop my child off and see her still there when I would pick my child up late in the evening. She did an excellent job creating a beautiful environment for children to learn. It is time for her to rest and allow Deerwood to be someone else’s heartache and headache. Some of us are selfish and would love for her to stay but this school has taken a toll on her. I have no doubt that this ridiculous charge will be won at the next level but God knew that he had to do something dramatic to get her to unwrap her fingers from around the child that she birthed.
Don't Look Back
December 20th, 2009
11:05 pm
I am prayerful that Dr. Smith reads this post. Knowing her she probably does not fill her head with such hurtful babble but I will leave this message in hopes that she will get it:
God told Lot in the Bible not to look back. Dr. Smith you need to do the same. There is a greater blessing in store for you. I know that you are a Chrisitian and a praying woman. I walked in on you reading your Bible late one evening while waiting for a program to start. When I overheard you praying for a faculty member’s sister it brought tears to my eyes because you yourself were going through this scandal hardship yet praying for another’s blessing through her storm. I politely backed away and never shared this moment that I became a true fan of yours with you. Some people confuse that unshakable Godly walk with arrogance because you never let them see you sweat no matter what they throw at you. They just can’t figure you out. Many of us know the real reason why you can smile and be strong despite the worries of Deerwood. Those who try to destroy your very existence in blogs or letters to the Superintendent know not what they do nor can they destroy what you created because you didn’t do it alone. You always said that you were not placed at Deerwood by happenstance. God’s hand was always in this. That is why with every battle you were victorious. People couldn’t understand the Lord’s power so they had to make up lies about who you were a family member of or who you were connected to. Your connection was to your heavenly father. You are a child of God and your work here is done. You came, you built, you rid the school of people who were not working hard on behalf of children, you made us believers in a beautiful vision for how to educate children, you showed us how to be leaders from the classroom and make it happen for children despite the naysayers. You did this all in a very professional and respectful manner. Keep looking forward toward a bigger promise. You will be fine. We will be fine. Deerwood will be fine. May God always bless you and have his loving arms of protection around you. Amen
Ole Guy
December 21st, 2009
1:22 am
How can one be proud to be of a particular race? I believe pride is to be found in achievements, not in the chance-combining of genetic material. When one has to seek pride in non-achievements…in biological events over which one has/had absolutely no input, one has provided ample explanation as to the completely and utterly rediculous statements one makes.
AND DON’T GO PULLIN NO RACE CARD!
A Concerned Parent As Well
December 21st, 2009
10:52 am
To the supporters and non-supporters of Dr. Smith, please allow the system and the process to work. It is very sad that “we” the parents, teachers and/or administrators have come to the AJC blog to air our dirty laundry, and it is even sadder that we have “stooped” so low to start name calling. The fact remains that Dr. Smith was found guilty during the initial investigation, and she should not be allowed to sit in the school as principal (what message does it send?). If she is found not guilty, then she should get her job back. The bible does say, that what a man soweth, that shall he also reap. Vengence is mine and I will repay, saith the Lord. In other words, this matter is in his hands. If this had ‘anything” to do with people not liking Dr. Smith or parent complaints, she would have lost her job a long time ago. I know first-hand, and from experience, that a lot of things are very political at Deerwood, and yes, under Dr. Smith’s guidance and leadership is allowed. But at the end of the day, it is truly about the students of Deerwood.
Change is not always good, but change is not always bad either. At this point it “is” the job of the remaining administrators, teachers and parents to persuade the incoming ‘interim” principal to adopt the positives that Dr. Smith put into place at Deerwood (ie, Wedneday Tutorials, Saturday Math Academy, Parent Night, Math Night, and IB Explosions).
shakeika 24
December 21st, 2009
12:16 pm
I do not know what happened with those test papers. However, I am of the feeling that something definitely occurred that was not legal. Why is it that there were not so many erasures on the non-Deerwood Academy students who were taking the same test?
I was just sorry for some of those teachers working hours on the bulletin boards and all the other stuff they they were doing that had nothing to do with my kids learning. I volunteer when I could to help put them together.
I pray for the principal and I know that she will come through ok. I am not okay with race being the motive behind the states’ sanctions. We need to move beyond race being a defense.
Supa G
December 21st, 2009
5:39 pm
First I want to say God bless Dr. Smith, her husband, children, and family. God bless Ms. Jordan and her family and all other people involved in this unfortunate travesty of justice. I am astounded with some of the responses that I read. I have known Lisa for approximately 10 years. I cannot say why the state of Georgia has chosen this particular educator as their person to attack, but the students will suffer the most. I dare the state of Georgia take away the vision that we (myself and Dr. Smith) envisioned for my children. We both had the audacity of hope to believe that our children can be pushed to achieve and it be the norm and not a WOW “They can do that too”! The facts of the case are not that confusing. The travesty here is even when Governor Sonny Perdue, the state of Georgia, and APS (for not standing up more for itself and Dr. Smith) is found to be wrong in their accusations where will Deerwood Academy be as an institution and what will Dr. Smith reputation be? Oh yeah, she really cares!
Teacher and Supporter-Don't Look Back!
December 21st, 2009
5:45 pm
I doubt if Dr. Smith reads blogs but I am hopeful that someone will pass this message on to her:
Just like Lot in the Bible, God told him not to look back and he followed God’s orders. You have served this community well. You were met with opposition from African American people who did not truly believe that children could be as successful as your vision claimed. You fought and you fought and you fought. During our first year, the opposition was about uniforms. You put the policy in place to ensure that none of the shelter children would be mistreated. During the second year you fought against tardiness because so many children were missing reading instruction. During the third and fourth year, you fought teachers who wanted to do the bare minimum for children. I have watched you tirelessly fight for what was right for children. We have finally gotten it. Do know that Deerwood will be ok. The teachers will carry your legacy on. God had to move you abruptly so that you would let it go. You are off to bigger and better things. Leave it all behind and don’t look back. Job well done!
Teacher and Supporter-Don't Look Back!
December 21st, 2009
5:52 pm
Just like Lot in the Bible, God told him not to look back and he followed God’s orders. You have served this community well. You were met with opposition from African American people who did not truly believe that children could be as successful as your vision claimed. You fought and you fought and you fought. During our first year, the opposition was about uniforms. You put the policy in place to ensure that none of the shelter children would be mistreated. During the second year you fought against tardiness because so many children were missing reading instruction. During the third and fourth year, you fought teachers who wanted to do the bare minimum for children. I have watched you tirelessly fight for what was right for children. We have finally gotten it. Do know that Deerwood will be ok. The teachers will carry your legacy on. God had to move you abruptly so that you would let it go. You are off to bigger and better things. Leave it all behind and don’t look back. Job well done!
I wish you all the best
December 21st, 2009
5:56 pm
People never know how good they have it until its gone. You were never really appreciated. Believe me will will all feel your void. Your absence will make them all believers. Take care!
Bumblebee
December 21st, 2009
9:33 pm
Great to get the truth of how people really think.