The task facing Michael Thurmond: Save the system from taking a nose dive
David Schutten
David Schutten, president of the Organization of DeKalb Educators, wrote a column on the challenges facing new superintendent Michael Thurmond from an educator’s perspective.
His essay will be part of a package in the Sunday op-ed pages on DeKalb Schools. Please check out the entire package Sunday.
By David Schutten
Michael Thurmond is a proven and accomplished leader who has undertaken a daunting, difficult and perilous job as interim superintendent of the DeKalb County School System, a system that appears to be in a tailspin.
Much like the passengers on US Airways Flight 1549 crashing into the cold waters of the Hudson River, I feel as if I am on DeKalb Air Flight 2013 crashing into the granite face of Stone Mountain. In the midst of the tailspin we have switched pilots.
As Stephen Dolinger, president of the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education and former Fulton superintendent, stated, Michael Thurmond possesses three of the qualities of a successful Superintendent: 1. Great leadership skills; 2. Political savvy; and, 3. Excellent management skills.
I am personally not bothered by his lack of experience in education. There are examples of great and successful superintendents like the late General John Stanford, who had little or no experience in education before he became the Fulton and later Seattle school chief.
He faces many daunting tasks. The first is leading the school board and the school system off of probation. To accomplish this he must have the full cooperation of the nine members of the DeKalb school board. The board members must learn to work together.
I heard each of them testify before the state Board of Education that they would and could work together to move the system off of probation. However, three weeks later, they were unable to muster a simple majority to elect a chair. What I find disheartening is that Dr. Gene Walker, who remains chair on a 4-3-2 vote, does not recognize this as a symptom of their inability to function as a whole. He and any other board member that do not understand the nature of the problems DeKalb faces should resign immediately.
Employee morale is at an all-time low. We are hemorrhaging good teachers and administrators to other school systems. People can go to some neighboring school systems and receive significantly higher pay checks. DeKalb teachers and other employees are working harder with fewer resources. This is not an easy problem to fix given the current dismal financial state of the school system.
But if something is not done soon, DeKalb will have few veteran teachers left. Employees are making far less than they did five years ago. Couple this with the loss of the Tax Sheltered Annuity promised to employees when DeKalb left the Social Security system, and you have a looming disaster that has already started.
We must find a way to bring class sizes lower. Students, parents, and teachers are frustrated by the increase in class size. Kindergarten classes of 29 without a paraprofessional will result in long-term negative consequences for our children.
Students, parents, and teachers are also frustrated by the myriad of tests to which students are subjected. There needs to be far more time devoted to learning, and far less time devoted to testing.
School administrators must be encouraged and rewarded for using shared decision making. Morale is much higher in those Title 1 Schools where many staff members had input into the Title 1 as opposed to those in which the principal and a few people developed the budget. The knowledge and experience of professional educators must be honored, nurtured, and valued. Encourage people to express their opinions and give suggestions.
We must impress upon students and their parents the importance of coming to school, and coming to school on time. There are too many parents who do not see the importance of this. Also, a little bit of time teaching younger students to become organized will pay off later. Have you looked into the lockers of middle school students recently? Students must also be taught to value their textbooks and other resources. When you walk into many high schools and middle schools, you see text books laying in front of the school, in the hallways, gym, and cafeteria. Parents must play a role in this.
The sooner we realize that young children cannot sit still for long periods of time, and adapt our teaching methods to take this simple fact into account, the more successful they will be. This is another reason class sizes must be lowered. We set up children for failure when we do not give them time to move around. Also, parents must help in teaching children self-discipline. In too many classrooms, one or two students disrupt the learning environment for twenty or more other students.
One issue that is out of the control of anyone in DeKalb is the TKES evaluation system for teachers. The sooner the Georgia Department of Education realizes it is impractical and unworkable, the sooner administrators and teachers can concentrate on delivering quality instruction instead of spending so much time on window dressings such as posting the standards. Is a kindergarten student or first grade student capable of reading them? How is the time spent on this improving instruction? And the evaluations are far too time consuming.
The promotion policies and procedures must be fair and transparent. Former Superintendent Cheryl Atkinson made strides in reducing the nepotism, but questions still haunt the school system about the fairness of promotions. The school councils must be brought back into the process of selecting school administrators. They should not have the final say, but they should have input and the opportunity to meet the candidates. Too often the assignment of school administrators appears arbitrary and capricious. All prospective administrators should be required to be required to take and achieve a high score on a writing test before being eligible for promotion.
Finally, the citizens of DeKalb need to take a break from cynicism, negativity, and constant criticism. It appears that we have a large percentage of people who are hoping leaders, teachers, and students will fail, instead of rooting for them and helping them to succeed. Instead of constantly pointing out what is wrong, take some time to make things right. Stop believing everything you hear. Stop taking everything anonymous bloggers post as the truth. If their opinion has merit, they would be willing to put their real names behind their statements. Volunteer to read to students and tutor them. Help a primary student learn their basic math facts and vocabulary.
It will take everyone in DeKalb to come together to bring the system out of the tailspin in which we find ourselves. We all bear responsibility. Each of us must do our share. If you are not willing to help, stop constantly criticizing those of us who are working each day to make a difference in the lives of DeKalb’s children.
–from Maureen Downey, for the AJC Get Schooled blog
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167 comments Add your comment
CPA
February 15th, 2013
10:44 am
It is evident that Dekalb is spending all of their money on administration costs in stead of the students. They could use the money to reduce class sizes.
indigo
February 15th, 2013
10:46 am
As long as social experiments, designed to bring black test scores up to white levels, are of primary importance in this school system, no superintendent will be successful.
I wonder how long it will take the school system to learn this?
bu2
February 15th, 2013
10:47 am
And on one of his other points. Its absolutely ridiculous to spend 5 weeks a year preparing or taking standardized tests.
Comment in Moderation
February 15th, 2013
10:52 am
Is the Ministry of Truth in operation today?
Comment in Moderation
February 15th, 2013
10:53 am
Why yes it is….congratulations Mr. Smith!!
DeKalbinator
February 15th, 2013
10:53 am
I agree the parents need to be more involved and keyed in to make the education system work. Too many in DeKalb are not. Why does registration and class assignment take up to two full weeks after school starts? New students show up at school each day. Literally, the first two weeks of school are a waste of time for most students as their schedules are constantly changed. This IS the parents fault for not registering the kids and getting them to school on Day 1.
I believe Michael Thurmond is a good administrator and could probably do a pretty good job if given the chance without the inept DeKalb Board of Education. If they are removed by the state, Thurmond might actually be the best thing to happen to the school system. If the board stays in place, I fear it will be “business as usual” in the DCPS. I am very unhappy that one of his stated goals is to keep the board in place. I figured this was the case even before he had the gonads to come out and tell everyone. Sorry Mike, but it is not the superintendent’s job in any way to represent and protect the board. You need to be doing what you can to improve the system for both the students and teachers. If the state decides the board need to go, then so be it and good riddance. I only hope they can appoint some other people who put the kids first rather than worrying about their individual political power.
bu2
February 15th, 2013
11:00 am
On the anonymity issue, when you see some of the comments that get through the filter (and Maureen filters many more-and you see some extreme ones on other blogs that don’t have manual or automatic filters), unless you already are a public figure, you have to be crazy to use your real name. Its not gutless. Its common sense. There are people who get easily offended and there are crazy people out there, who may not even be posting.
And with businesses searching the internet on employment applications, strong opinions could cost you a job, especially on this blog if you are a teacher.
A Disgusted Dad
February 15th, 2013
11:06 am
I certainly am praying the state does the right thing next week and they DCPS does not waste any more money on legal fees by filing suit in the matter of removing the school board.
Thurmond does not need to be wasting time and effort trying to save this board. They have a proven track record of not doing the right thing and ruining a once proud school system.
DeKalb Inside Out
February 15th, 2013
11:06 am
Bill & Ed’s Excellent Adventure said
“How can [McMahan] be judged a disappointment on 30 days in office?”
Jim McMahan
* voted YES for lawyers to fight the State BOE
* voted YES on Edler for chair
* voted YES to bring in more lawyers regarding the Atkinson messages
* is involved with Friends of DeKalb
* voted YES for Michael Thurmond as interim Super
Many people don’t like this trend. –DIO
AlreadySheared
February 15th, 2013
11:10 am
@William Casey
Ahh the courage of a retired guy with a vested pension….
Prof
February 15th, 2013
11:19 am
@ Maureen. When you switch to blog-name registration, will you have some way of assuring that longtime bloggers can retain their blog-names if they wish, or will it simply be first come, first served? That is, if some new blogger wants to register as “Prof” before I do, will he or she be allowed to do so? (And then proceed to post Tea Party rants against the younger generation with their namby-pamby teachers?)
Maureen Downey
February 15th, 2013
11:19 am
@Prof, Let me check that.
Maureen
paulo977
February 15th, 2013
11:24 am
Maureen . You do have..my acurate e-mail address !!
Bill & Ed's Excellent Adventure
February 15th, 2013
11:28 am
@DIO * voted YES on Edler for chair — I thought Walker was the “bad guy”? Now Edler is too?
* voted YES for Michael Thurmond as interim Super – as opposed to voting for no one to run Dekalb schools. You were happy with Atkinson?
Just pointing out some of the ongoing contradiction, and at times absurdity of some of the commentary lately.
whatever
February 15th, 2013
11:34 am
While I completely agree there is a lack of personal discipline, lack of respect and lack of actual parenting going on I do not agree that Thurmond is the man for the job. He walks in the door and just interviewing for the job sent bloggers into a tailspin because they know he is not qualified. We don’t need more politicians, we have those. We need a hard ass. He gets the job and heads to the state capital. Why? Seems to me he should have been at some of the worst schools in DeKalb checking things out. He should have been unavailable to reporters because he was covered in financial reports. He is not serious about the educational, fiscal or personnel management side of his job. He is a politician and that is where his interests lie. He is not qualified to speak on behalf of the board, he is not their lawyer although he sure is acting like one. I know his real day job is a lawyer. That is our point. He hasn’t quit his day job.
DeKalb Inside Out
February 15th, 2013
11:52 am
Bill & Ed’s Excellent Adventure
Walker may be the leader of the Walker 5, but many people hold contempt for Edler as well. I’m guessing if McMahan said he supported Edler for chair during his campaign, he would not have won. Just a theory.
Atkinson was a crook like her predecessors. I’m aware of the parade of people that passed in and out of the executive sessions. Thurmond was not the best choice. Seems like most commenters on Get Schooled aren’t happy with that decision either. “More of the same” is the vibe I’m getting.
You asked why people might be disappointed in McMahan’s 30 day tenure. I’m just throwing out some ideas.
Light
February 15th, 2013
12:00 pm
I’ve learned that people who get upset by people who post using an anonymous name just doesn’t like being criticized, and often the criticism is warranted, especially if they are acting in a capacity of an elected official or highly visible person. But other than that comment above, I thought this was a great commentary.
The Deal
February 15th, 2013
12:04 pm
Another reason I’m not fond of Thurmond is that he was not even this board’s first choice. Wasn’t Fran Millar quoted as saying he knew another candidate they asked and turned DeKalb down?
dekalbite@Maureen
February 15th, 2013
12:06 pm
I know you can change your screen name, but I thought an accurate email address was already required for posting to the AJC Get Schooled blog. When DeKalb School Watch blog changed their commenting policy to a registration policy, I had to make a change to my permanent screen name due to the way it was done. Whatever – it does not seem to have made much of a dent in their number of comments. Don’t know about their “hits” on the website as that is information only they have.
Ernest
February 15th, 2013
12:07 pm
David shared a lot of good points in his column. I won’t discount everything he said because of one or two paragraphs I might not agree with. I’ve seen his attempts on this and other blogs to bring accurate information to readers only to be turned on in a venomous manner. I agree that anonymity allows those who disagree with a point to become vitriolic and rancorous with their responses. I still want to believe that blogs can be self-correcting, even if one uses a pseudonym. This only works if differing opinions are welcome, especially if they can be ‘fact checked’.
I speak to teachers on a regular basis, simply asking how things are going with their schools and classes. Despite having larger class sizes with reduced salaries, all indicated that learning is still taking place. Of course there are still behavior challenges and it too many cases, little to no guardian involvement however this does not dissuade the teachers I know from going to work each day and giving their all. Perhaps because of additional resources and/or family situations, some children are getting more out of their school day than others. For this reason, I get frustrated when I see bloggers paint a wide, negative brush in describing my community.
Despite the actions of our Board and inaccurate comments by some bloggers, teachers are working hard and children are learning. Yes, teachers are doing more with less and students are expected to do more without the kind of individual attention they received in years past. Several teachers I know point back to the introduction of ‘Whole Language’ instruction back in the late 80’s and 90’s as the beginning of the downward trend in Education. Once those in charge realized it was not succeeding, we’d already created a generation of students that did not have a foundation in reading. Additional ‘box education’ programs since then have had mixed results.
I agree with Dr. Trotter in that if there existed a ‘fair but firm’ discipline policy that allowed schools to address students intent on distracting the learning process for others, I believe we would see the overall leaning environment improve. In my opinion, most of this starts at home. While one’s address should not solely dictate the quality of education a child receives, how do we collectively address this?
Dr. John Trotter
February 15th, 2013
12:42 pm
Thanks for your comments, Ernest. You are exactly right about Whole Language. It is a travesty. I railed against it 20 years ago when it became such a fad. Phonics is the way to teach children to decode language…to break it down.
The teachers are doing a phenomenal job working within the perameters that they have to work. I will repeat the undisputed mantra of MACE from the very beginning of MACE 18 years ago: You cannot have good learning conditons until you first have good teaching conditions.
You guys have fun. I’ll be out of pocket for a few days. Maureen, I always enjoy your blog!
bootney farnsworth
February 15th, 2013
12:48 pm
@ Maureen
+1 with Prof. while I can’t imagine anyone else out there wanting to be bootney, I have spend some time for good or ill establishing a rep and persona I’d rather not have supplanted
bootney farnsworth
February 15th, 2013
12:52 pm
another item to consider about screen names:
some schools forbid publishing anything in your own name without prior approval from administration. GPC did that under Tricoli.
Returning DCSS Parent
February 15th, 2013
12:53 pm
I am rooting for Michael Thurmond’s success as interim superintendent. I find that too often superintendents are tasked with balancing budgets, etc. and some have no real experience dealing with multi-million budgets which creates an issue in itself. Most of the board should be replaced but having someone at the helm with great leadership skills, knows how to deal with various personalities and can help balance a budget is a huge improvement over the last 4 people that held the superintendent position for DCSS.
Don't Tread
February 15th, 2013
12:58 pm
Well I think the “anonymous bloggers” here with some inside knowledge of the situation just shot David’s essay down in flames. Try again, David, and lose the “holier than thou” attitude next time.
Beverly Fraud
February 15th, 2013
1:18 pm
@William Casey and “…and your opinions have little credibility.”
William that simply does not stand up to facts and logic
Bloggers with pseudonyms posted that APS was engaged in systemic, widespread cheating. They backed that up with hard and fast data from the AJC.
Kathy Augustine, using her real name, stated, “We see no need to investigate; we expect outliers every year.”
Using your metric of “credibility” Kathy Augustine’s words in the AJC have more credibility than those who were trying to alert the public to cheating. Do you really want to stand by the assertion than Kathy Augustine had more credibility than those bloggers who tried to alert the public to widespread, systemic cheating?
Do you really want to give more credibility to Andrew Young’s assertion that, “anybody with common sense” would want Beverly Hall to continue as APS head because he used his real name?
That’s the road your quote leads us down, does it not?
Claudia Stucke
February 15th, 2013
1:35 pm
@Cindy L–Good point about why teachers are leaving. Many of us stayed through several years of no retirement contributions, which were promised, then rescinded in exchange for the promise of no furlough days, and even stayed on when we were told to accept furlough days after all (along with no retirement contributions). We stayed through pay freezes, even though we could get better-paying jobs, even in this economy. We loved our kids, and we loved teaching. The final straw for me was class size–not just the sheer number of students crammed into a classroom (and sitting on the floor when we couldn’t squeeze in more desks), but inability to comply with Individual Education Plans (small groups, low sound volume, proximity to the front of the room, etc. . . . ) and trying to get graded written assignments back into students’ hands within a reasonable time. Schutten is correct when he says that the current situation is destructive to morale. I often return to my former school and work with high-risk students and assist teachers in any way I can; I still miss teaching. I admire and respect my colleagues who have continued to give their best. They may be exhausted, but they’re still there; and they’re made of sterner stuff than most of the rest of us.
Parents for DeKalb Schools
February 15th, 2013
1:36 pm
Schutten fails to recognize that parents fear retaliation if they speak the truth. And thus the tailspin continues…
Follor us:
http://www.Facebook.com/ParentsForDeKalbCountySchools
waltbellamy
February 15th, 2013
2:03 pm
@ Prof & Bootney
The blogs in the AJC sport section did not reserve previous screen names when they shifted to the new platform.
YMMV
Prof
February 15th, 2013
2:17 pm
Well, waltbellamy, mysteriously a few months ago when I went to register with the new comment section now connected with the news articles I was informed that “Prof” was already taken. And I haven’t seen any comments there since by “Prof.”
teacherwantingachange
February 15th, 2013
2:30 pm
Ernest,
“Learning is still taking place.”
Yes, but what are students learning?
High school students in crowded class rooms with exhausted, frustrated teachers may be learning how to work in groups, but I don’t think they’re learning skills and facts necessary to succeed in college preparatory classes (just look at the testing data). And I don’t think many are learning or improving critical reading, thinking, and writing skills they could in smaller groups with more direct instruction, feedback from a teacher with more time to prepare meaningful lessons.
High school students in large classes where “differentiated instruction” is the primary teaching strategy are learning that there is always someone else to provide the answer or do the work while everyone “collaborates.”
High school students are learning that you have to take tests but the scores don’t really mean anything, at least in Dekalb County (just look at the website to see how poorly so many of our students do on state and county-issued tests) where students are moved along to the next class.
High school students are learning that you don’t really have to heed any due dates or instructions-just look at the way Dekalb promotes “re-do” or “make-up.”
High school students are learning that there aren’t really any consequences to disruptive or unethical behavior-just look at Dekalb’s “call the parents” discipline policy or the board.
This isn’t some pessimistic teacher’s negative rant. This is a frustrated teacher so very concerned for our students and the future of metro Atlanta.
Starik
February 15th, 2013
2:48 pm
Teacher, when kids sleep in your class do you wake them up?
Dekalb Teacher
February 15th, 2013
2:54 pm
Kudos to you, Mr. Schutten! Someone has finally addressed the myriad of issues confronting DCSS from an educator’s perspective. We are in the classroom every day, trying our best with limited resources to help our students achieve. And I agree, a lot of what we’re required to do is “window dressing” to make someone at the top look good while our students continue to fail. Hopefully, there will be a positive change coming soon!
Starik
February 15th, 2013
2:59 pm
Teacher, do you show movies in class to entertain the kids?
teacherwantingachange
February 15th, 2013
3:23 pm
Yes, but most don’t, at least if we’re judging sleeping by eyes closed and/or head on desk.
No.
Attentive Parent/Invisible Serfs Collar
February 15th, 2013
3:35 pm
Ernest–On your point on Learning, those side documents on Common Core’s actual implementation that I read to make sure I do know what I am talking about and can prove it, define learning as a CHANGE in values, attitudes, beliefs, or behaviors in response to what goes on in the classroom. That means there’s no knowledge required. All the changes can in fact be emotional or social interaction or being a better group partner.
In fact CCSSI shifts the focus away from mental activity all together. That will give real life advantages to children whose parents are attentive and have the wherewithal to provide travel, factual discussions at the dinner table, and other amenities. THAT is not equitable and too often leaves those who have little aggrieved and ignorant and blaming the wrong people for life’s injustices.
Whole Language was a part of the Standards for Learning and Teaching I mentioned. Reading print symbolically and fluently bolsters the abstract mind and fosters that very sense of individuality that so many in the education professorate wish to destroy. One, James Paul Gee now at Arizona State and determined to make gaming a classroom focus, says: ” there are no discrete individuals. Only ensembles of skills stored in a person, assembled for a specific project, to be reassembled for other projects, and shared with others in “communities of practice.”
Now I would like to keep my current name after registration but someone can go for “Yes I am a Discrete Individual” or “Techno-Rationalist” since both are specifically being targeted by some of those who train our future teachers. And especially by those who train our future Principals and Supers.
An American Patriot (not my real name)
February 15th, 2013
4:22 pm
So Maureen, with your new policy I hope you don’t get paid by the number of comments posted. As to the DCSS problem, the only solution is to split the system into two pieces. That way, everyone will be happy. The way it is presently, only half are happy.
Ernest
February 15th, 2013
4:32 pm
teacherwantingachange, I’ll admit the teachers I spoke with represent a very small sample size. Each teacher will have a different experience based on a combination of several factors. My point was that despite all that is going on that they have no control over, those teachers are still going to work everyday and giving their all on behalf of their students. The amount of learning taking place can be subjective but at least those I spoke with believe they are making a difference.
Interesting, one asked if I posted on this site (recognizing my name). She indicated she gets frustrated with the comments denigrating DeKalb schools. I told her to stay away from blogs and focus her energies on being the best teacher possible for her students. People like myself (and there are many out there) will handle the much of the ‘blocking and tackling’ with their guidance so she and her fellow teachers can concentrate on the classroom.
bootney farnsworth
February 15th, 2013
4:38 pm
@ Claudia
I feel you. many of us from GPC stayed through much the same, only to be dumped on our butts with not so much as a I’m sorry first.
unless a DCSS has a very compelling reason to stay, I urge them to take the first professional train out they can ride on. what happened to GPC is almost certainly gonna happen to you.
Lee
February 15th, 2013
4:56 pm
Seems to me, controversy in Dekalb is the best thing that has happened to Mr Schutten’s organization. Per the ODE website, their membership has grown exponentially in the past few years to about 1700 members. Dues for a certified teacher are $48/month.
So, ODE is making money off educators, but he thinks my opinion doesn’t matter because I post under an pseudonym?? Give me a break.
And to those who boast “I blog using my real name.” Really? A) How do I know that and B) do you realize how easy it is for some psycho to find out about you, including driving directions to your house complete with a street level view of your front door?
————————————-
“All prospective administrators should be required to be required to take and achieve a high score on a writing test before being eligible for promotion.”
LOL. Oh wait, you were serious. What happens when whites pass “the writing test” at a greater rate than blacks? Look up the promotion tests the City of Atlanta used to give to the police and firemen. I think they did away with them back when Andy Young was mayor, or at least dumbed them down so that anyone with a 75 IQ could pass.
————————————–
I do agree that the lack of educational experience of Thurmond does not bother me. Heck, it might even be an asset. The best thing Thurmond has going for him is the prefix “interim”.
William Casey
February 15th, 2013
5:06 pm
@BEVERLY: With the exception I listed, using one’s real name DOES stand up to LOGIC and REASON in the world of ideas. Ms Augustine used her name because SHE HAD NO CHOICE. I don’t know why you keep bringing that up! I ALWAYS consider the source when evaluating information. Anonymous blowhards are useless. Stand behind your opinions! (Exception for those upon whom retaliation might be visited.)
waltbellamy
February 15th, 2013
5:10 pm
@ Prof
If you have checked every single blog comment in every section of the paper since the transistion began that still does not mean that someone did not sign up using your handle and has yet to post a comment. I will keep a good thought for you.
YMMV
William Casey
February 15th, 2013
5:11 pm
@ALREADYSHEARED: Check out my record as Dean of Students at Chattahoochee H.S. 1993-97. I didn’t have a vested pension then. What’s your lame excuse?
LOGIC
February 15th, 2013
5:22 pm
I personally don’t think that the switch to the new blog format will be an issue. 90%+ of us are intelligent, respectful and well-versed and I know that Maureen’s blog is read by both state and local educators.
Now, back to DCSD. Several folks mentioned “what choice did McMahan have?” He had the choice to choose logic as did Speaks and Jester who sat out. Towing the line with the Board “leadership” has disgraced McMahan permanently. How in the world does it make sense to have THREE individuals at Superintendent level salaries on the DCSD payroll??? We are still paying Atkinson, folks. She needed to be fired with cause for being incapable of fulfilling her duties. Wait, we are paying lawyers to defend her to see whether or not she is – we are waiting for due process. Hmmm….if that is the case, why get another Superintendent and one with no ed policy to boot, to run the system. Sounds like a great idea.
AND, even better, Mr. Thurmond can now go to the State to try to keep this Board in place as he works miracles on a system that is hemorraging cash, including on his own salary. IF he had the best interest of the county at heart as he was in discussions, he would have said, hire me but get the other folks off the payroll ASAP. Alas, he did not. NOR, were our new and supposedly more intelligent and wonderful reps vocal on what to do, but they kept quiet.
The status quo continues and I am disappointed in the local groups who fail to get well organized to drive change that matters. Folks went “to the mat” for people like Orson and McMahan who are turning out to be more of the same based upon the votes thus far and a state investigation. So sad.
We need to salvage our good schools and have a grass roots effort to insulate them from the heinous behavior and actions that this Board and school system will continue to impart upon our children and teachers. Unfortunately, this type of change would require a strong and uncompromised leader and DeKalb does not have folks stepping up to the plate even though they are “training” DeKalb Leadership.
We want to stay in our great community, but unless we stop the victim mentality, the tailspin will continue.
Nikole
February 15th, 2013
5:24 pm
I’d like to speak to the point of blogging under your own name. As a teacher, I think that we are in the mess we are in because far too many of us are SCARED to say anything. If you speak the truth, you have nothing to worry about. I am probably the only “Nikole” working for Dekalb, so anyone that wants to contact me could do so. But I am not worried about that because I never post gossip, confidential student info or anything that could be considered disrespectful. I have have however, been very critical of county decisions that I feel are not in the best interest of students. I wish more teachers would SPEAK UP! It’s the only way our voices would be heard.
OAN: The comment about kids sitting still for too long is definitely a hit at SFA.
Old timer
February 15th, 2013
6:19 pm
Serf…I remember the days real learning took place in my classroom. Classes were fun to teach, students sat quietly and learned facts. They could then write essays and incooperate said facts into their essays. They could think critically. I am glad I am retired and my children are through public schools. I think the educational goals nodays is create good worker bees….not think citizens.
Beverly Fraud
February 15th, 2013
6:25 pm
Re: I personally don’t think that the switch to the new blog format will be an issue.
Except for the fact that the layout is so visually unappealing.
Perhaps the eye gets used to it in time…
Prof
February 15th, 2013
7:12 pm
@ waltbellamy. LOL!
Jack ®
February 15th, 2013
7:41 pm
To distill the opinions offered here is to say there is no discipline in the schools.
waltbellamy
February 15th, 2013
7:43 pm
@ Prof
Glad you enjoyed that. A little levity helps avoid depression over the state of DeKalb County.
waltbellamy is available if anybody wants it. I have been considering switching to zelmobeaty for a while.
Have a great weekend all!