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I'd like to see Mayor Mitchell visit schools at each level.I'd like to hear what advice he can give us with the students who don't care about each and every class they have and the students who are habitual offenders.
Mitchell is just like the rest. He wants something done quickly, but our new mayor isn't sure what to do.
Maybe he can draw upon his vast experience as a "former federal prosecutor." That is usually the stock phrase Mr. Mitchell uses when responding to most questions.
I believe he wasn't prepared to be mayor.
I know Mr. Mitchell reads this blog. He should really just ask the teachers and ignore the UIA/Education Roundtable.
I would also like to see Mayor Mitchell visit the high school in plain clothes and observe for several days. Please Mr. Mayor come and see for your self. Don't let administration lead you around. Let the teachers show you what you need to see. We will show you what the problems are. Only then can you even begin to figure out what the solutions are.
People should watch last night's school committee meeting on TV. Mitchell made a remark during his opening statement that is so outlandish and insuting to teachers I won't even repeat it.
Truly anyone who thinks they can come in here and fix things needs to spend some time first... then how about engage those who are in the trenches daily and ask their opinion? Haven't heard that the new mayor has set up any appointments...
A few year ago during the Public Comment section of the S/C meeting I invited the members of the School Committee, Mayor, and Superintend Bonner to teach in their discipline a for a week in New Bedford High School. The only way any elected official can even attempt to solve the problem is to experience it first-hand. Sitting on the sidelines and calling what should have been done on the field of play won't win the game. Many Monday night quarterbacks. To the best of my knowledge, not one person took me up on the challenge.
According to Mitchell, "Concerned about the performance—and sometimes the safety—of our schools, some families have lost confidence and are leaving New Bedford."
Where is the evidence to support such a stupid statement?
It will be interesting to see whether the new mayor is serious about the discipline problems in our schools. At Normandin, the students are out of control, misbehaving with impunity; they know they will not get into significant trouble unless they offend the principal to her face. Substitute teachers routinely say they have seen nothing worse. The administration recently needed to change the lunch schedule because they could not "handle" the children. Serious students are increasingly complaining that the school is run by the kids who know the consequences for even outrageous behavior will be minimal. Morale among teachers is at an all-time low (I have been there more than 10 years). Throw in the fact that the principal believes bad grades are a function of a poor teacher rather than a lazy or misbehaving child, parents who don't care, etc. -- and you have a disturbingly dysfunctional institution. Staff is quietly hoping for a change.
Speaking of the principal at Normandin, the mayor should look into the fact that she has had more grievances filed against her than any other administrator in the city. She couldn't manage a McDonald's let alone a middle school.
And then there's the ugly issue of nepotism at Normandin. Too bad all of this commentary has to be anonymous. But that's what happens when a vindictive principal creates and presides over such a repressive educational atmosphere. Missing my last school more and more.
I had to take a personal day the other day. Upon my return, I received a note from the sub who covered my class. He wrote of the one class that was 100% excellent, followed all the rules, participated and were on task. He said it was the first time that not even one student was silly or misbehaving or refusing to do the assignment. Then he wrote of another class that was the opposite. Majority goofed off and were rude , disruptive and refused to do the assignment. What is the difference? I am the same teacher, teaching the same lessons, expecting the same rules be followed- consistent in every aspect of my job. The issue becomes, when you look at the attendace of these two compared classes. The first almost perfect attendance for almost all students. The latter, over fifty percent absenteeism- whether not coming to school or just not coming to class. Mr. Mayor- we aren't the ones who need fixing...
First of all, I miss Scott Lang. Secondly, teachers are evaluated by administrators regularly but what is REALLY missing is a process where teachers can evaluate administrators through an official process. Teachers are blamed for everything, but really have very little say in how their school is run. The superintendent and mayor should have access to evaluations of administrators from the teachers who observe how things are really run in their school and the day to day enforcement of disciplinary issues, Special Education procedures, etc. Teachers are micromanaged and lack the flexibility they need to make any significant changes.
Mayor Mitcehll- you want to fix things? Attach the housing waivers and transitional assistance checks to student attendance and behavior... you get things fixed fast!
18 comments:
I'd like to see Mayor Mitchell visit schools at each level.I'd like to hear what advice he can give us with the students who don't care about each and every class they have and the students who are habitual offenders.
Mitchell is just like the rest. He wants something done quickly, but our new mayor isn't sure what to do.
Maybe he can draw upon his vast experience as a "former federal prosecutor." That is usually the stock phrase Mr. Mitchell uses when responding to most questions.
I believe he wasn't prepared to be mayor.
I know Mr. Mitchell reads this blog. He should really just ask the teachers and ignore the UIA/Education Roundtable.
I would also like to see Mayor Mitchell visit the high school in plain clothes and observe for several days. Please Mr. Mayor come and see for your self. Don't let administration lead you around. Let the teachers show you what you need to see. We will show you what the problems are. Only then can you even begin to figure out what the solutions are.
I am not a politician. remember that?
People should watch last night's school committee meeting on TV. Mitchell made a remark during his opening statement that is so outlandish and insuting to teachers I won't even repeat it.
What did he say?
Truly anyone who thinks they can come in here and fix things needs to spend some time first... then how about engage those who are in the trenches daily and ask their opinion? Haven't heard that the new mayor has set up any appointments...
A few year ago during the Public Comment section of the S/C meeting I invited the members of the School Committee, Mayor, and Superintend Bonner to teach in their discipline a for a week in New Bedford High School. The only way any elected official can even attempt to solve the problem is to experience it first-hand. Sitting on the sidelines and calling what should have been done on the field of play won't win the game. Many Monday night quarterbacks. To the best of my knowledge, not one person took me up on the challenge.
According to Mitchell, "Concerned about the performance—and sometimes the safety—of our schools, some families have lost confidence and are leaving New Bedford."
Where is the evidence to support such a stupid statement?
It sounds like Mitchell is working for the education roundtable.
After watching Mitchell's behavior at the school committee on TV this week, I'm sorry I ever voted for that man.
It will be interesting to see whether the new mayor is serious about the discipline problems in our schools. At Normandin, the students are out of control, misbehaving with impunity; they know they will not get into significant trouble unless they offend the principal to her face. Substitute teachers routinely say they have seen nothing worse. The administration recently needed to change the lunch schedule because they could not "handle" the children. Serious students are increasingly complaining that the school is run by the kids who know the consequences for even outrageous behavior will be minimal. Morale among teachers is at an all-time low (I have been there more than 10 years). Throw in the fact that the principal believes bad grades are a function of a poor teacher rather than a lazy or misbehaving child, parents who don't care, etc. -- and you have a disturbingly dysfunctional institution. Staff is quietly hoping for a change.
Speaking of the principal at Normandin, the mayor should look into the fact that she has had more grievances filed against her than any other administrator in the city. She couldn't manage a McDonald's let alone a middle school.
And then there's the ugly issue of nepotism at Normandin. Too bad all of this commentary has to be anonymous. But that's what happens when a vindictive principal creates and presides over such a repressive educational atmosphere. Missing my last school more and more.
Mayor Mitchell should go back to Dartmouth
I had to take a personal day the other day. Upon my return, I received a note from the sub who covered my class. He wrote of the one class that was 100% excellent, followed all the rules, participated and were on task. He said it was the first time that not even one student was silly or misbehaving or refusing to do the assignment. Then he wrote of another class that was the opposite. Majority goofed off and were rude , disruptive and refused to do the assignment. What is the difference? I am the same teacher, teaching the same lessons, expecting the same rules be followed- consistent in every aspect of my job. The issue becomes, when you look at the attendace of these two compared classes. The first almost perfect attendance for almost all students. The latter, over fifty percent absenteeism- whether not coming to school or just not coming to class. Mr. Mayor- we aren't the ones who need fixing...
First of all, I miss Scott Lang. Secondly, teachers are evaluated by administrators regularly but what is REALLY missing is a process where teachers can evaluate administrators through an official process. Teachers are blamed for everything, but really have very little say in how their school is run. The superintendent and mayor should have access to evaluations of administrators from the teachers who observe how things are really run in their school and the day to day enforcement of disciplinary issues, Special Education procedures, etc. Teachers are micromanaged and lack the flexibility they need to make any significant changes.
Mayor Mitcehll- you want to fix things? Attach the housing waivers and transitional assistance checks to student attendance and behavior... you get things fixed fast!
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