As 2012 draws to a close, Whaling City Watch is taking a look back at some of the more notable personalities and issues that made headlines in our city.
The Gang of Four at Whaling City Watch has voted “Education in New Bedford” as our Top News Story of 2012. The swearing-in of Mayor Jonathan Mitchell set-off a series of events that has had a profound impact on our school system.
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http://whalingcitywatch.com/2012/12/31/the-2012-person-of-the-year/
The 2012 Person of the Year…
As 2012 draws to a close, Whaling City Watch is taking a look back at some of the more notable personalities and issues that made headlines in our city.
As “Education in New Bedford” was selected as the Top News Story of 2012, it is only logical that our Person of the Year be connected to our public schools. There is one individual that has consistently supported strengthening the New Bedford Public Schools, has been an articulate advocate for its teachers and students, and provided real leadership when our politicians/district administrators faltered. Whaling City Watch is proud to name Mr. Louis St. John, the President of the New Bedford Educators Association, as our 2012 Person of the Year.
Mr. St. John is a New Bedford success story. When he and his family immigrated from the Azores, Lou spoke almost no English. Not only did our school system help him to learn a new language, it also gave him the skills necessary to earn a college degree from UMass Dartmouth. After graduation, Mr. St. John returned to the New Bedford Public Schools to serve as a teacher in the district. He also became active in the New Bedford Educators Association and has served as its president for six years.
It would have been easy for Lou to merely serve as a union president, but he has become much more. Mr. St. John is a vocal opponent of charter and charter like schools that seek to invade our city and steal scarce dollars/resources. He has become a one man truth squad exposing the poor performance of the Global Learning Public Charter School. Further, Lou has consistently spoken out against MCAS testing and the harm that it does to our students and the curriculum.
Mr. St. John has made New Bedford’s educators a part of the community through his involvement with organized labor and community groups. In fact, he is one of the founding members of the Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island Coalition to Save our Schools. This new group has the potential to serve as a model for coalition building/organizing and could be a real player in the education debate.
During January through May of 2012, it had become quite fashionable to bash the New Bedford Public Schools. Mayor Mitchell, the School Committee, DESE, and misguided people in our community did all they could to tear down our school system. Lou acknowledged there were problems and encouraged all to build on the successes in the district. His leadership was the only beacon of hope during a dark and stormy time.
St. John is a master consensus builder and politician. He is thoughtful, engaging, and affable. However, one should not dismiss his easygoing manner as St. John has had the courage to speak out against those who would harm our public schools, its teachers, and students.
Whaling City Watch wishes Mr. Louis St. John good health and continued success in 2013.
Coming Wednesday: Mitchell’s Mid-Term Report Card…
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