A top Cobb student says, “I would never have done half of what I have if it hadn’t been for these teachers.”
If I ever wanted to turn this blog over to another writer, Wheeler High School student Katie McCreery would be in the running. She sent me a copy of a letter of protest she wrote to the Cobb board and I am sharing it here. It is a wonderful piece and speaks to the power of good teachers in a student’s life.
Dear Cobb County Board of Education,
My name is Katie McCreery. Whether or not you recognize my name, you have honored me in the past with countless distinctions. I am a Young Georgia Authors’ Competition Winner, a National Merit Commended Student, a Cobb Writing Fair Winner, and a Governor’s Honors Program alumna. I am a student author whose reputation extends beyond my school, and I am a scholar with thousands in scholarships and a bright future ahead of me.
But other than that, I’m just a kid. That’s right. And I would have been nothing had it not been for the incredible teachers who molded me into the person I have become. By removing these teachers from their posts, you’ve hit not only me, but the students who will come after me, where it hurts.
I’m not the type of person to lecture, but it has come to my attention that you are cutting teachers based not on what they do in the classroom, but based on what they cost you to do it. For the sake of their dignity and the injustices that they have been confronted with, I will not name any names, but just know that you are cutting some of the most gifted teachers of our time, including:
-A science and math magnet coordinator who treats her students as her children and makes sure each gets personal recommendation letters to the colleges of their choice.
- A Post-AP Genetics teacher (one of two in the county) who developed a school-wide science publication, a hydroponics lab, and summer research opportunities for her students
-A Post-AP Robotics teacher who not only heads our internationally ranked robotics team, but developed an aerospace engineering class for gifted students
-An AP Government teacher who sends his students out into the field so that they do not merely learn government, they become a part of it
-The 9th grade literature and composition teacher who put a pen in my hand and told me to write, if for no other reason than because I have something to say.
I have something to say now.
I know what your response will be. I’ve heard it before. I heard it two months ago when the state legislature tried to cut the Governor’s Honors Program. “Gifted students will find ways to succeed on their own.” But let me tell you, I would never have done half of what I have if it hadn’t been for these teachers.
More than that, you’re also cutting dozens of lower-level teachers from my school, teachers who are doubly determined to help their students succeed where they have been shown that failure is a distinct possibility. These are teachers willing to foster the will to learn in students who may not have ever known such a will before.
Someday, the economy will recover. You’ll hire more teachers to fill these slots, to start from square one developing programs that these teachers have created and were forced to abandon. And you will assume that you have successfully replaced them with teachers of equal competence and skill. That may be true.
But you will not be able to save the students who went without these incredible teachers, teachers who have proven their capacity to save lives. So, get rid of the teachers. It’s these students whose experiences can’t be replaced.
Yours respectfully,
Katie McCreery
Wheeler High School
Class of 2010
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55 comments Add your comment
Tweets that mention A top Cobb student says, “I would never have done half of what I have if it hadn’t been for these teachers.” | Get Schooled -- Topsy.com
May 12th, 2010
6:13 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Maureen Downey. Maureen Downey said: A top Cobb student says, “I would never have done half of what I have if it hadn’t been for these teachers.” http://bit.ly/cBaN6O [...]
Wow...
May 12th, 2010
6:14 pm
That’s all I can say. I wonder if the board members can really read…
Short-Sighted Savings
May 12th, 2010
6:40 pm
Wise beyond her years.
That damage to the school is going to take years to recover from, sad to say.
KatieLou
May 12th, 2010
6:40 pm
All interested parties– a protest will be held Friday from 3:30-5:00 on the sidewalk outside of Wheeler High School. Spread the word, rally the troops, create the change.
axed teacher
May 12th, 2010
6:44 pm
I am a part time teacher in Cobb who has been cut. I saw the writing on the wall so when the news came, I stayed tough; resolute that things would be ok. This brought me to tears.
Teacher Reader
May 12th, 2010
6:48 pm
Looks like Georgia won’t be satisfied until we’re ranked number 50.
ChristieS.
May 12th, 2010
6:49 pm
Tremendous. Articulate, concise, and quite beautifully written. Unfortunately, too little, too late.
The powers-that-be have decreed that public education in Georgia isn’t important to our future.
ChristieS.
May 12th, 2010
6:50 pm
Teacher Reader, agreed.
Attentive Parent
May 12th, 2010
6:59 pm
Could the CCSD be sending a message that math and science teachers who are not on board with the inquiry first, “productive struggle” approach to math and “hands on” instead of lecture and discussion approach to high school science are at risk of losing their jobs?
No matter how great their student outcomes?
No matter how solid their content knowledge?
No matter how high their teaching skills?
What a tragedy.
Thoughtful in Cobb
May 12th, 2010
7:18 pm
What a powerful message from one of our real “stakeholders”! And what a testament to the hard work of the Wheeler faculty. Thank you Miss McCreery for expressing your thoughts in a way that everyone can understand. How sad that other students will feel that in the future they will be shortchanged by Cobb’s lack of foresight.
What this single student so eloquently expresses is being felt by thousands and thousands of high school students in Cobb County. If parents could only understand the depth of the cuts, they would never sit idly by. What next?
Inattentive parent
May 12th, 2010
7:31 pm
AP just has to throw in her own agenda in every discussion. How sad…
Joy In Teaching
May 12th, 2010
7:44 pm
We are rapidly turning our students into skilled test takers at the risk of actually teaching them much else. There was a teacher in my building a few months ago who was actually written up because they didn’t do a CRCT practice test every single day and actually chose to TEACH students instead.
Our schools will make AYP, but most of the graduates we are turning out do not value knowledge because most have never had to learn anything other than to take tests. Notice that I said “most of the graduates.” The young author who wrote this eloquent piece is obviously an exception.
About 20 years from now, most of our Country’s leaders will have come from private schools because they are the only ones who are being allowed to teach anything these days. The rest of the rabble, if they can tear themselves away from their ipods and cell phones, won’t even know what the issues are much less understand them because their brain development will have been stunted due to the madness that we are allowing to happen now.
I hope those private schools do a great job with our future leaders.
Attentive Parent
May 12th, 2010
7:44 pm
Inattentive-
Just reflecting on the information provided.
What’s your hypothesis?
My “agenda” is that every child have the opportunity through their public school to be the best they are capable of becoming so that they can move beyond the circumstances they were born into.
Rather than helping distraught parents clean up after the reprucussions of bad educational ideas. I’d much rather try to stop the implementation in the first place.
Katie is clearly a remarkable student and we want CCSD to continue to have the capacity to produce more students like her.
E. Cobb Parent
May 12th, 2010
7:51 pm
To Inattentive Parent, you must not have a child in Cobb County. I must agree with AP. Cobb has let go many of their gifted teachers. Cobb has stated that any teacher not falling in line with the new math will be let go. This seems to be the proof that they meant business. I also have to wonder what changes are in store for the Wheeler Magnet program.
As for Miss McCreery, you have made everyone of your teachers proud. It took a lot for you to stand in front of those school board members and make your statements.
anon e. mouse
May 12th, 2010
8:07 pm
AP –
CCSD is cutting part-time teachers, teachers who have received unsatisfactory reviews, and teachers who have three (two?) years or less in the county system. It has nothing to do with teaching philosophy, and I seem to recall a lot of “hands-on” learning in the post-AP classes anyway.
ABS
May 12th, 2010
8:23 pm
As a Cobb Teacher, I am proud to see the effect WE have had on one of our students. Her voice rings true for many of us.
ScienceTeacher671
May 12th, 2010
8:40 pm
Katie is definitely a gifted writer, and this is a wonderful piece.
Katie is probably more intelligent and has more foresight than most of those in charge of the RIF, as well.
What is going on!
May 12th, 2010
8:41 pm
Here is what CCSD superintendent has to say:
Welcome to The Cobb County School District!
Our success as the 2nd largest school district in Georgia is evidenced through our students, and we help them maximize their learning potential through a firm commitment to hiring quality teachers, engaging our families, and partnering with our community.
In Cobb our students outpace their peers across the nation on standardized tests, many of our schools are state and national schools of excellence, and our graduation rate of 84% is one of the highest in country. We offer a variety of opportunities for students and you’ll find it all on our website. Thank you for visiting!
Fred Sanderson
Superintendent
P.O.ed in Cobb
May 12th, 2010
9:11 pm
One of the teachers RIFfed is a Professor Emeritus. Try re-hiring someone with that skill level.
professional skeptic
May 12th, 2010
9:14 pm
Well said, Katie, well said. The decisions both at the state level and the local level to slash education are nothing more than acts of common thuggery. Depriving our children a chance at a high-quality education today will make Georgia a sad place tomorrow.
Attentive Parent
May 12th, 2010
9:16 pm
A e mouse-
From what Katie was saying it’s hard to believe they were unsatisfactory. Maybe they had only taught briefly but that was not the message communicated.
Effective teachers with solid content knowledge in advanced areas should be the last to go, not among the first.
As you know there’s a difference between “hand’s on” as an application and extension of existing knowledge and ” hands on” because we are pushing an activities oriented, collaborative classroom so there is no hierarchy in outcomes between who knows the material and can use it and who cannot.
Again we want a school district that produces more Katies, not one that looks back on her as representative of an earlier educational philosophy or public commitment.
Tyler
May 12th, 2010
9:19 pm
Katie, I’m lucky enough to have had you in my classes along with some of these great teachers you have mentioned. This letter is fantastically written, hopefully the right eyes will find this.
~Tyler Whiten
Tweets that mention A top Cobb student says, “I would never have done half of what I have if it hadn’t been for these teachers.” | Get Schooled -- Topsy.com
May 12th, 2010
9:25 pm
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CCPS teacher
May 12th, 2010
9:36 pm
Attentive Parent – get a life please. If you were that attentive, maybe you could have been down at the BOE helping to keep our jobs…but instead you are choosing to spend your days and nights blogging…get a life please. Thank you.
Reality
May 12th, 2010
9:42 pm
The ONLY thing that will make real change is protesting the State government to change the laws to allow for a real teacher union. ONLY when classroom teachers gain a real voice in the decisions and the budget issues for education will the students be served.
Currently, the politicans and the administration make education decisions. They really don’t give a flip about the students or the teachers. We are all just pawns to move around at their whim and to get re-elected…. pawns that can be replaced easily and more cheaply…. pawns that currently have no option but to sign whatever sad contract given to us.
CHANGE IS NEEDED AT THE STATE LEVEL – not just in Cobb and not just at Wheeler HS.
Teacher-Mom in Cobb
May 12th, 2010
9:50 pm
Teachers were also RIF’d by content area. Small numbers in your courses = No job for next year. Not many students can handle post AP Genetics or Robotics, so those teachers lost their positions.I guess it does not pay to be an advanced student in Cobb County.
Evidently, Cobb does not value its teachers or its students; if they did, they would raise our modest tax level to pay for quality education. I pity those in Cobb with young children, this system will be unrecognizable in ten years.
V for Vendetta
May 12th, 2010
10:16 pm
I don’t teach in your district, Katie, but thanks anyway. We’re here for kids like you. I’d like to say we always will be, but I just don’t know if that would be the truth. We’ll always TRY to be. I guess that’s the best we can hope for these days . . . .
Cobb Teacher
May 12th, 2010
10:48 pm
anon e. mouse – You misunderstood how the cuts were made. 1st they were made by department – the district determined which departments could survive a teacher reduction or be eliminated all together. Teachers currently working in those departments would be locked in – and not considered for anything else they are certified to teach. then it was by performance and then senority. So what you have then are teachers who have been with cobb for many years, went above and beyond by developing new programs at their school that would better serve students – such as advanced technology courses, AVID courses, etc. They then get cut, while another teacher with the same certification but having fewer years or a bad review gets to stay, because they do not teach within that special program. Hence, many of the teachers getting laid off are some of cobbs best. Pay attention to the types of teachers Ms. McCreery mentions – these are not new, nor poor performing teachers.
Curious One
May 12th, 2010
10:55 pm
The goofy “process” that Lawyer Brock and Cobb’s superintendent and human resources honcho are following is indictive of the professional ineptness of the all of the above ! The Board would not know the difference in ineptness or effectiveness. Yes, there is a budget problem and yes some weak employees need to go but terminating the less than 100% teachers, the newly hired teachers and a few with unsatisfactory observations is simply ridiculous – where was the preparation when crafting the contract ( Brock ), where is the serious, fair and equitable evaluation system ( Dunnigan) and where is the leadership ( Sanderson) when it comes to keeping the best and weeding out the others based on performance in the classroom. The contracts that were issued recently for next year – will it be more of the same or will the work of the above actually enable cobb to elevate the teaching performance of the thousands of teachers ? I fear the worst !
Affected High Schooler
May 12th, 2010
10:59 pm
I’m a student and I can tell you that what happened at OHS is going to happen again…several times. I have friends at lots of schools and EVERY SINGLE ONE is planning a protest of some sort. The friends from my school are actually having a very lively discussion right now about weather or not a protest will do anything and what we are actually saying by having a protest. I personally feel that we should not protest the cutting of teachers, because that MUST happen (unless the board gets smart and raises taxes), but instead, we should protest the way they were chosen for being cut. Some AMAZING teachers were cut JUST because they started working for the county a few years ago. Other iNCREDIBLY incapable teachers have been here for a long time and have thus gotten a free pass to job security. I can name many teachers who did not get cut that should be cut instead of some of the ones who are being cut. Seniority is stupid…
neighbor from the north
May 12th, 2010
11:00 pm
Everyone has known for months that the budget was going to be cut. That was plenty of time for taxpayers to sign petitions and ask the school board for a tax increase to maintain school funding levels. I never heard of a grassroots level campaign for a tax increase.
Nona
May 12th, 2010
11:08 pm
Meanwhile, a Cobb BOE motion to save $8 million by discontinuing the policy of paying central office staff and administrators for unused vacation days was unabashedly rejected by all but one board member. Just wondering … how many classrooms could $8 million prevent from being pushed to maximum class size?
Oh, and by the way, any superintendent who brags about standardized test scores is either a coward or ridiculously out of touch (or both). The research repeatedly shows that raising test scores can be achieved, but the scores don’t have much correlation with actual student learning. Personally, I’d rather kids actually learn than fill in the right bubble. Superintendents should be LEADING the charge to eliminate this testing madness, not encouraging it.
W/E
May 13th, 2010
1:16 am
As a graduate of the Wheeler magnet program it’s really frustrating to see so many great teachers let go. Who will teach the AP Physics classes next year? Will they even be offered. Also way to screw the engineering program at Wheeler by getting rid of those teachers also.
Finally, the science and math coordinator whom Katie speaks of is a great influence on many young students, she takes time to sit down and get to know each student so that she can make personal letters of recommendation for the seniors in the magnet program so that they may have good, credible LOR’s to send in with their college applications. This is truly a depressing day.
anon e. mouse
May 13th, 2010
1:32 am
Thanks, but I GO to Wheeler. I know all of the teachers mentioned–they are all either relatively new teachers (<2 years in the system) or half-time teachers.
wake up
May 13th, 2010
7:18 am
What is happening in Cobb County is not only a shame, but a disgrace to all concerned with the education of our youth. The interesting thing is Cobb is just an example of this madness taking place all across Georgia – the attack on public education. Wake up, everyone, the budget cuts and layoffs are not accidental and simply due to coincidental funding woes. Decisions were made by our Governor, elected officials and state school board that are resulting in these cuts. Priorities were never established in making budget cuts at the legislative branch, so public education is suffering as a result.
Ask yourself some questions: why couldn’t the rules or laws be changed to allow lottery funds to assist with the public education shortfalls, there is certainly enough money generated to provide needed support, or could the Governor and legislators have cut other things less important than funds for education or could there be a conscience desire to derail the cornerstone of our nation’s foundation – the public school system? More money is set aside for prisons, roads and a host of other things, what we value most in Georgia, apparently, not our children, teachers or education.
So let’s stop pointing fingers and really examine what is happening across this state and ask the tough questions at the point of origin – why is this happening and better yet, why didn’t the leadership of this state, address the critical budget challenges to avoid these wide sweeping cuts in public education…wake up!!!
Northview (Ex)Teacher
May 13th, 2010
7:34 am
Katie,
Thanks so much for an eloquent, heartfelt letter. You are the kind of student who makes what is often a thankless job worthwhile. I’m so sorry that the students who follow you won’t have the same opportunities that you have had. Your teachers seem wonderful.
Education in Georgia is rapidly becoming a lost cause. It seems that this coming year will be the first that parents are going to feel the brunt of the cuts, so I hope that they like what they’re going to get. It’s so sad to me that Katie and Ashley in Fulton have decided that elementary children no longer need orchestra. I really cannot remember a single thing that these two clowns on the Board have ever done right, and Sharon Anderson literally changed thousands of little lives.
One poster above mentioned that only those kids lucky enough to be in high-performing private schools are going to be educated, and that is probably true. Teachers in Georgia public schools now have their hands completely tied.
I’m so glad today to be an (ex) teacher, and I expect that many teachers who are dedicated to excellence and not all that interested in standardized testing will join me as soon as they can. The echoes of this year will last for years.
And, yes, Attentive Parent, please do get a life. People like you always want to stand on the sidelines and comment. But, as others have pointed out, you don’t know what you’re talking about.
Mike Honcho
May 13th, 2010
7:48 am
My child is graduating from the Magnet program in a few weeks. I will say that most of the Magnet teachers and administrators being cut were a great influence on them as a student and instrumental in them being accepted at a top college. The warm family atmosphere (and candy jar) in the Magnet administration that encouraged success will be gone. The lone remaining Program Director should take a social skills class as she is as approachable as a porcupine. The program is in jeopardy.
evidence??
May 13th, 2010
7:49 am
AP & E. Cobb,
Can you provide more evidences to support your claim? Otherwise, it looks like you are simply using this horrible situation to serve your own purposes.
Attentive Parent
May 13th, 2010
8:45 am
evidence-
I addressed that on the earlier Cobb thread at about the 275th comment in response to a concern Lynn had raised.
I have addressed the many KSU grants to push this approach to learning and the ties between CCSD and CEISMC on this issue in the past as well.
And I agree this is a horrible situation. It will be even worse however if the known instructional practices of those cut have a chilling effect on remaining teachers trying to what they believe will work best for their students.
Only those on the ground in these schools can determine if there are commonalities to who was RIF’d . It’s easier to find common elements if you know the possible linkages. As I voiced on the other thread the CO admin had stated that they would be “getting onto schools and teachers who still want a sequential method for solving Math problems” .
Given the facts that Katie described it’s hard not to remember that comment.
Reality
May 13th, 2010
8:53 am
All of the efforts of the students and parents is misplaced. It is not the high school doing it. It is not even the school system doing it. It is the State.
These efforts at Wheeler HS and others; these efforts at Cobb County, Fulton County, and others; these efforts need to be used to put pressure on the State of GA to change the education laws. Without changing the State laws, we will have the same ‘ol, same ‘ol.
Specifically, the State law that needs to be changed is to allow for teachers to form a real union in order to have a real voice in the decisions. Classroom teachers are the ones closest to the students and really KNOW what is needed to improve education. Yet, it is the politicans and administrators that currently make these decisions in a vaccuum – no wonder GA is in the bottom for education?
Attentive Parent
May 13th, 2010
9:03 am
Maureen-
I have a response to Evidence above that’s lost in the filter.
Please rescue.
amelia
May 13th, 2010
9:03 am
I grew up in Cobb County, but went to a private school pk-12. I swore I would let my kids go to public school at least a few years after having to deal with the politics of a private school. The parents who donate the most money (after the ridiculous tuition) feel like they have a right to run the school (and athletic programs) and the headmaster at least appeared to cater to them. (my parents were lucky to afford the school, not give extra $). I benefitted from the education, but it was like living in a bubble when I finally attended a public university. It seems now If I ever have children I would have to rethink the decision. Public schools offer many more choices, but it seems they are all being taken away. I understand the lack of funding requires cuts, but I do not understand how the choices are being made. Why are some of the best and honored teachers being laid off? Wouldn’t it make sense to get rid of the ones with poor testing scores, or those close to retirement who are making the most money, and probably teach the least amount of classes anyway.
Attentive Parent
May 13th, 2010
9:40 am
I will try this reply again. I think it’s important to try to understand this tragic situation if at all possible. Criticizing someone personally can be an effective means of silencing them. It also frequently means there is something to what is being asserted.
evidence-
I addressed that on the earlier Cobb thread at about the 275th comment in response to a concern Lynn had raised.
I have addressed the many KSU grants to push this approach to learning and the ties between CCSD and CEISMC on this issue in the past as well.
And I agree this is a horrible situation. It will be even worse however if the known instructional practices of those cut have a chilling effect on remaining teachers trying to what they believe will work best for their students.
Only those on the ground in these schools can determine if there are commonalities to who was RIF’d . It’s easier to find common elements if you know the possible linkages. As I voiced on the other thread the CO admin had stated that they would be “getting onto schools and teachers who still want a sequential method for solving Math problems” .
Given the facts that Katie described it’s hard not to remember that comment.
Andrew Thomas
May 13th, 2010
10:16 am
I’m calling for boycott of CCSD during the last week of school. I’m in the process of setting up a website for this tragic conclusion to budget cuts. We are organizing as I write this. More shortly. dearccsd.com is the domain
Me
May 13th, 2010
10:34 am
Affected HS’er: The reason some incapable teachers stayed was not the districts fault. The principals are ultimately responsible to document bad performance. If they don’t, the law (tenure) protects their jobs. The district cannot RIF them without reason. Hopefully this experience will help remember principals to be honest during evaluations.
chill
May 13th, 2010
10:53 am
Those teachers should just reapply to the county and hope they get rehired. I am sure that they have let go too many teachers in an effort to be fair about seniority in departments. They will have to rehire some teachers.
I feel that teachers can do alot for students but remember that the people that drastically affect a students performance is the parent involvement. I have students in CCSD and I have seen open houses – the honors classes are packed with parents where as the low level classes parents do not attend. I feel that if all parents took an active role in their child’s education all the way through it won’t matter where they go to school or what teacher they have, they will learn from the example of their parents that hard work will eventually pay off.
I feel that Cobb should take more of the funding for their schools into their own hands by increasing Sales Tax by one cent to go into the general fund for education. The amount of money that Splost one two and three have raised is amazing and would cover most of the budget short falls that might come from the State for times to come.
DigALittleDeeper
May 13th, 2010
11:19 am
I watched as teachers and parents criticized on this blog about the lack of understanding of the South DeKalb parents when their schools were about to close it’s doors. Now the shoe is on the other foot and you’re facing school cuts. It’s amazing at the lack of understanding when it comes to your districts and/or schools.
People we are all in this together no matter what school, district or state. These types of cuts in education should never be allowed to happen again and it’s down right sad.
Concerned Henry County Parent
May 13th, 2010
11:36 am
Sorry to get off topic, but I wanted to say that I have been following this blog for a while now, and I wanted to tell Attentive Parent how much I appreciate your very informed comments on many issues, especially the math curriculum. I agree that when people have no facts to back up their opinions, they resort to personal attacks. On behalf of those of us who are very concerned about the ill-fated math curriculum, we appreciate your input. Keep up the good work.
Down here in Henry Co., my 8th grader is currently in the middle of a County generated two week final math exam that he is working on with a partner. Their efforts will be presented to the class next week. I wonder if the SAT and ACT Boards will grant an exemption to allow GA’s first crop of discovery learners (class of 2012) to work with partners on the math portion of the tests-ha?
I am sorry to read about Cobb’s problems. We are $33 million in the hole down here. Though we are experiencing a lot of cutbacks, we are not seeing the drastic personnel cuts like Cobb. I think it’s downright criminal to see the figures on school systems like Cobb and Dekalb, where administrators and other personnel outnumber teachers.
Katie
May 13th, 2010
1:24 pm
Cobb officials should begin budgeting for prison beds. If their children are not educated, they will end up in prison. Many states base their projected number of needed prison beds based on elementary reading scores. So Cobb, get ready for the influx of prisoners.
E. Cobb Parent
May 13th, 2010
1:53 pm
AP great posts, for those that think we have no facts, have you not checked out all the links that AP has provided? I personally have campaigned for gifted children for years, council parents whose children’s needs are not being met, met with local and state level employees to express concerns and the list goes on. To be honest I would rather not blog, but feel it is time for parents and teachers to take off the blinders and fully understand what is happening to education in this state. The administration loves playing teachers and parents against each other. The local boards, Cobb in particular, love blaming all their problems on reduction in state funding. They refuse to look at their own selfish spending. In most schools, the principal had no say in who was let go. Central Office made the decision. I hate that anyone had to lose their job, but central office missed a prime opportunity to weed out some of the less effective teachers. Many on probation are still on the job…This could have been handled much better.