Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Never A Dull Moment

 I'd much rather see a superintendent who can work with the teachers and build consensus among stakeholders. Ruling with an iron fist and forcing an agenda is not and will likely never be successful, particularly in this city.

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Perhaps this is why Attleboro did not renew her contract.

Stayed in my Seat said...

Pia has a convincing facade of being warm and caring. Those of us who have dealt with her behind the scenes know that she is rigid and inflexible.
All the teachers that gave her a standing ovation on Tuesday have much to learn.

Anonymous said...

The S-T, Superintendent, Larry Finnerty and other School Committee members, and Mayor are out to give the teachers and union a blackeye.

Anonymous said...

ALL the teachers stood up because they obviously support her and want change. As a matter of fact, I even saw the NBEA President standing and clapping.

Anonymous said...

^teachers will not support a tyrant. Applauding was the right thing to because the applause was for the office.

Anonymous said...

It won't be long before the lovefest is over.

Anonymous said...

I applauded to be polite but I can see right through her bs. She was blaming us for the low rest scores without any regard for the circumstances. Her 40% goal is not achievable in one year. I know it and so does everyone else

Anonymous said...

When will the hate fest be over?

Anonymous said...

Yearly change has been forced upon us without a clear consistent direction, training or the tools to do it with. If we had that, perhaps we would be where we should be already. Am I optimistic? I am trying to be optimistic that I will live long enough to retire! This profession that I use to love has taken its toll on my health. The only thing that gets me up each morning is knowing despite all we continue to go through, my children leave me as responsible learners. With a love for themselves, others, and the world. For self preservation, I am keeping my "eyes on the prize". The smiling faces I see each morning when I walk into my classroom and the reason I chose this profession.

Anonymous said...

I thought the ovation was a bit over the top for a solid but average speech. She can string together all the buzz words well.

Anonymous said...

To the person that asked when the hate fest will be over.....it's not about hate. It's about being sold a bill of goods over the last 5 years or so and I ,personally, am more than sick of it!!! Promises that NBPS had found the person that could turn us around only to have all that confidence "bought out" a year or two later. The mayor and most of the SC all need to go!

Anonymous said...

Did anyone else notice Marlene Pollack walked out before Pia finished her speech? Is there already some dissension?

Anonymous said...

People, lets give her a chance. It's not that I'm ready to drink the Kool-Aid just yet; but if we go into the school year with a negative "here we go again" or "they're out to get us" attitude; we will not be doing our students, or ourselves, a bit of good. I'm going into this year with a good deal of cautious optimism and with my eyes wide open. I've spoken to people from Attleboro ever since she was hired and the consensus is that she's "tough, but smart". She could be just the "swift kick in the butt" we require to remove the negative or complacent attitudes that this district has suffered from for the past decade. Of course, the real test will come later in the year when Dr. Durkin will want to do something that does not meet with the political agenda of Marlene Pollock and Co. If she can weather that potential storm, then we'll know that we've got a Superintendent that is going to be here for the long haul.

Anonymous said...

Her blame cartoon was missing something....her blaming all of us for many things beyond our control. More blanket statements that apply to very few of us do not inspire-they deflate and diminish us.

Anonymous said...

Her demeanor changed when she addressed the NBHS staff. It was all about being the flagship.... If we are the flagship why is it that we suffered the greatest losses. Right now we do not have classes to fill schedules. Tuesday will be interesting!

Anonymous said...

Good point...if we keep the original number of freshman, there's a staff shortage...she wants competing things to happen-sustain student population with fewer teachers and support staff, and improve high stakes test scores. We are human beings that currently perform superhuman tasks, but this is all leading to abuse and burnout that is unnecessary.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, left her morning session with just nbhs staff feeling nauseous. Seemed like she blamed us for all society's ills... I thought we should focus on what we have started to be successful with... mcas scores up, attendance rates better...

Anonymous said...

graduation rate down