Dear Superintendent Durkin,
It is with regret that I will not be returning to teach at the high school next year. My students are genuinely devastated by the news, but they understand that it is an unhealthy environment.
It is my belief that there are other districts that value, respect, support, and appreciate teachers. The trauma I experienced at NBHS is inexcusable. We have little to no resources, filth, poor administrative leadership and professional development, and lack of accountability at all levels. This district seems to attract and hire the worst of the worst without background checks. This is a red flag for me. There have also been instances in which I sought out the support of my administrators, only to be met with resistance. Additionally, to know that my colleagues have tried to sabotage each other during this trying time, and that the ball was dropped by union representatives, leaves me baffled. I am a professional and have too much self respect to continue on this path of destruction. I deserve so much better and that is why I choose to teach elsewhere. This experience has made me wiser, stronger, and more selective. I now know what to avoid.
Sincerely,
A New Bedford High School Educator
11 comments:
The problem with Dr. Durkin is that she is flying so low below the radar she can't see what is in front of all of us at New Bedford High School. I did not reapply for my job at the High School either after a long tenure working with some of the lowest performing students. If these students could read and understand all the politics, they would feel humiliated. In my opinion, Dr Durkin, you have no interest in the students. Where is the technology, the books, the discipline, the administration? Qualified, professional teachers are easy to come by just as in any other profession but good, caring and dedicated teachers are a rare find.
Dear Mayor Durkin or is it Superintendant Durkin? I cannot believe the people of the City of New Bedford have allowed you to destroy not only the High School but the reputation of the City of New Bedford.
what is on your mind?
Do not blame only Dr. Durkin for this mess. She is just doing what is expected of her. When you let the devil in your house, you better expect that they'll bring hell with them. This is on the shoulders of Mayor John Mitchell. Mayor Mitchell pushed the search committee to abandon their real choice and pick Dr. Durkin instead. This hack of a mayor, who somehow ran unopposed, has brought this upon his city. Please, citizens of New Bedford be more careful in 2015. Make sure that you ask all of the hard questions of your candidates so this never happens again.
the high school was failed by the administration that came before Durkin. They led you into the storm, hired and ignored administrators they knew or not up to the task, and were more concerned with their own pet issues and their own personal progress on the ladder. That's not leadership. But look at the School Committee. They ignored or did not know what to do about these problems. Everyone had a sense that something was wrong but they focused on easy answers. Hire Bonner because a middle-class woman from Connecticut knows all about urban students, they said. Never hire the superintendent from inside they said, before they hired a 25-year insider and a 10 year insider for district and high school respectively. Neither was asked to develop a plan and neither was ever monitored. The teachers reapplying in February put together more of a plan than these two district leaders. How ironic.
Did the principal make one single improvement to the building in his time there? did he even ask for any superficial upgrades? I am glad you brought that up. The answer is No! What does that tell you about what has been going on? What does that tell you about what kind of leadership we have had? Lang Pollock Ussach Clark Fletcher did this. I have no great love for the current mayor and superintendent but they did not create this mess. It makes me laugh when I see the former headmaster of the high school also believes his hands are clean. You are correct that teachers are the victims. But put the blame where it lies.
The current mayor and school administration created the false teacher effectiveness crisis. They also put a black eye on our students, alumni, and district. The mayor believes that we should shoulder the brunt of "change" because we are not able to provide "rigor" and we are in favor of the "status quo"....scr*w him and Pia.
I understand that the currents are not exactly Ghandi, but you are ignoring more than you are revealing by focusing on them. If Cash had been appointed and Cabral had become mayor, what would happen? Play it out for me...........
Cash would be a tool too
You are absolutely right there are other districts who value educators. I worked in one for 7 years and was shocked with the inept planning and resources NBPS provided. I couldn't believe the lack of planning for days such as those "professional development" days. I couldn't believe the out right rudeness of administrators. They are not there to help but to micro manage. If I had a crystal ball I would never have left my position at that other district. I tell all NBPS educators whether you are safe or not...go looking. See what is out there. We need to let them know downtown that we are not scared at that there is light at the end of the this tunnel!
Our Administrators do not value professional development, rarely attend, and when the do, behave badly.
Post a Comment