Sunday, July 21, 2013

A new day for New Bedford By Dr. Pia Durkin

After 35 years in public education — working in urban school districts in Providence, Boston and New York — I've finally found my dream job right here in New Bedford. I find myself energized by the pace of this city, by the challenges of turning around an underperforming district and, most importantly, by the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of deserving children and their families. There is much to love about New Bedford — a refurbished downtown, venues for the arts, tremendous history, an overriding sense of resiliency, and a stable resident population — but our school district struggles with poor student achievement, low morale and a widespread perception of educational inequity.

But I believe great accomplishments are born from great adversity, and this is a pivotal moment, a moment where we must take a hard look at our strengths and our weaknesses and put all our efforts behind improving education for all of New Bedford's children. With the principals, I will be reaching out to all our families. Our communication with the community will reinforce my commitment to transparency and collaboration so that schools may build trust with all our residents. With our district's achievement level ranking second to the bottom in the state, the time for debate has passed. We must act now with a sense of urgency.

It's not about ignoring past problems; it's about raising our collective consciousness so that we can lift ourselves up and move forward together. It's not about having a few good schools; it's about building a system of excellent schools. And it's not about being satisfied with only some succeeding; it's about celebrating when all of our children achieve and go on to futures they never imagined would be possible. We cannot discount New Bedford's fiscal difficulties or the impact that budgetary shortfalls have had on our friends' and families' lives. Nor should we expect to all agree on every issue. We can, however, build relationships and reframe the conversation, asking a simple yet crucial question: "Is this decision based on commitment to school excellence?" By keeping that at the top of our minds, we keep our focus where it belongs — on our children.

We undoubtedly have tough decisions to make and it is human nature to find discomfort in the unfamiliar. But we must not waver in our commitment to reform a school system that has nowhere to go but up. Research shows that the difference between successful and unsuccessful teachers is persistently staying the course, patiently believing that every child can achieve despite repeated frustrations and setbacks. Every adult working in our district — from custodian to principal — must communicate a high level of expectation for all 12,538 students, creating a welcoming, supportive environment most conducive to our teaching and learning agenda.

Toward that end, I will visit every classroom in every school by Thanksgiving. Inclusion is empowerment, and I'm committed to empowering all employees to do their jobs to the best of their abilities, taking pride and ownership in the quality of their work, while holding themselves accountable to colleagues and students. Empowerment also requires a solution-oriented mindset. Identifying a problem is easy; offering viable solutions is constructive. New Bedford Public Schools demands critical, strategic thinkers.

Every school district and its community are irrevocably connected, with each needing the full support of the other to truly thrive. Our city leaders know that New Bedford will not become the vibrant, desirable place we all know it can be without investing heavily in and effectively managing our schools. And vital to that effort is the participation of our community. We must collectively create a strategic vision and then engage in an ongoing conversation so everyone understands the direction we are going and that we expect children to learn every day in every classroom in every school.

Through my conversations with residents, I hope to understand the level of support needed to launch a large-scale reform agenda. I need to hear from all of you who live and work in New Bedford and who have so kindly welcomed me into your community.

Providing our children with a mediocre education is no longer acceptable. All students — regardless of what gifts and difficulties they bring into the classroom — will learn to high levels if given the opportunity and an adult who believes in them. Our children deserve to know they are worthy of this opportunity, that graduating from high school and going to college is not an "if" but a "when," that learning is a life-long process, and that successful careers are not only possible but expected.

It's time for all of us to demand excellence for New Bedford's children. And that effort starts now.

It's a new day for New Bedford.


38 comments:

Anonymous said...

Our savior.

Anonymous said...

Beware of false prophets!

Anonymous said...

I question if this goal is realistic and attainable. Less teachers equals more success? A three year contract equals commitment? Our immigrant population is not going to just surrender trust. Wake up and smell the coffee.

Anonymous said...

Who said they were getting a mediocre education. If students and there parents don't put in the effort they wont get anything in return.

Anonymous said...

If she spent more than 20 minutes writing this we are in deep trouble. To presume that we are second to the bottom for only the reasons she suggests is naive. POVERTY POVERTY POVERTY...ding ding DONG! On her visits I hope she sees the underwhelming technology for student use in our elementary schools.

Anonymous said...

Here we go again. A new comer in to save the day! When someone declares that they have worked in Providence, Boston and New York (not mentioning the other districts they have landed) one must question why is she so transient? Is she going from district to district saving all of them from their own demise? Are all these districts at the top now and she feels the need to come by and throw her goodwill toward us? Or is it that the N. Attleboro school system let her go and well she needed a job? I wonder about her commitment to the community when she had the district that made children throw out their lunches because the PARENTS had not paid the bills. How dare she state that the children are receiving a mediocre education. Remember, she has yet to step foot into the classrooms. Visiting every classroom before Thanksgiving that is ambitious but shouldn't she be really handling the budget issues and getting to know her role a bit better. Sorry but I agree, a three year contract is no comparison to the years some of us have put in education these children. We forget to talk about our successful children. Somehow they do not seem to matter. We only talk about the ones who have not made it. We blame the teachers all the time. Pia Durkin was let go from her previous post. Someone want some lemonade? I think we just received a shipment of lemons from a district. I guess we will have to make lemonade.

Anonymous said...

The $185,000 woman is getting $25,000 more then Mr Shea received as superintendent. Go figure!

Anonymous said...

Jon Mitchell is a financial genius except when it comes to properly funding the school system.

Anonymous said...

To the person who posted the previous post: Please don't use the words genius and Jon Mitchell in the same sentence. The guy is a moron.

Anonymous said...

She was thrown out of Attleboro but she knows how to save New Bedford, amazing.

Anonymous said...

Pia Durkin is a l shade of Portia

Anonymous said...

I also have to ask why there are never any write-ups about blaming teachers for all the successful children who go on to college or other vocations. Why don't they put the blame on us then? No, we do not get that credit. When coming from another district, I think a leader should stand behind the teachers. Inform the public of the enormous responsibility that teacher's have and demand help from the parents. They really need to stress the importance of a stable home life that supports and is conducive to learning. The reason they don't is because they know full well, it is easier to blame the teachers.

Anonymous said...

Just imagine what we could accomplish,and the audience we could reach with better technology! We need critical literacy skills for 21st century!

Anonymous said...

Look to action research and strong district-wide literacy program,Superintendent! We are a level 4 school!

Anonymous said...

he, he, he!

Anonymous said...

Really???

Anonymous said...

The person who posted last is right. Why aren't we blamed for our successes?

Anonymous said...

we work hard for our students as we are committed professionals.

Anonymous said...

To bad some don't notice! Walk a mile in our shoes!

Anonymous said...

I honestly believe that as long as bob Unger is the editor of the standard times, teachers will be blamed for all of societies problems.

Anonymous said...

Spend it on restructuring. No-brained!

Anonymous said...

Blah, blah, blah. They are not listening. Teachers' opinions are not valued!

Anonymous said...

Let's get rid of Superintendent of Diversity and Equity, and member of Education Round Table. We could recoup a big chunk with the elimination of her position!

Anonymous said...

Welcome to a paradigm shift. It happened before, and it will happen again!

Anonymous said...

Actually, there are dozens of articles that highlight teachers, fairs, events, projects, awards and so on.

Anonymous said...

Durkin is one of the least transient superintendents in New England.

Anonymous said...

Residents with income below the poverty level in Attleboro(2009)

8.7%

Residents with income below the povery level in New Bedford(2009)
28.6%
Children living in poverty 6.3% in Attleboro.
Children living in poverty 30.8% in New Bedford.

FEMALES LIVING IN POVERTY 69% in New Bedford.

We are not battling mediocrity---we are battling POVERTY.

Pia, lift up your teaching force! Stop attacking the heroes in this community. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Did she submit this, herself?

Anonymous said...

I agree that we should look to models and exemplars of other districts.

Anonymous said...

There are many behind-the-scene heroes in this district that have gone above and beyond due to a fierce commitment! I am ashamed of city and NBPS!

Anonymous said...

His biases are pure BS!

Anonymous said...

Oops,no-brainer!

Anonymous said...

When is the School Committee going to use some of the extra millions they are getting in new Chapter 70 funding to hire back the laid off teachers? Many of these teachers are already getting hired by other districts.
Also, why does the interim finance chief Barry Haskell get to change funding percentages from the current 81% for educators to 76% all in one year.
My math tells me that shift is equal to about $5.5 million and as reported by WBSM, New Bedford is receiving $4 million more in Chapter 70 funding than they thought. So, why isn't a good portion of that $9.5 million being used to bring back all of the laid off teachers, paras, custodians, and secretaries?

Anonymous said...

"Reported by WBSM"

Anonymous said...

I'm happy to see people paying attention during the summer. Pia and Her Principals are ready for their opening number-and teachers will be forced to listen to the unpleasant sound that comes from assumptions and arrogance. The crop of principals we have now have no intestinal fortitude.

Anonymous said...

I hope we get to see some of the money returned to our schools, but some of the damage can't be reversed. Many of the excellent, young teachers at Normandin who got laid off have already found jobs in other districts. Really bad scene at this school.

Anonymous said...

Is it true that Dr. Durkin instructed principals to copy this and distribute to all teachers?

Anonymous said...

They have copy paper...lol...