To NBHS Headmaster:
It is clear to me after yesterday's conversation and even more so, after reading my second evaluation of February 12, that the expectations set forth for me are unrealistic. As I am not re-applying for my position in September, it would be neither fruitful nor wise for me to expend further effort in trying to meet goals that are unattainable. I refuse to be judged only in the negative; it's not what I'm about. It is unfair, inhumane, and goes against every principle that I believe in, to even write a critique in the negative without positive observations. I cannot believe that I have been allowed to remain in the employ of this school system for 14 1/2 years if there is nothing positive or worthwhile about my teaching methods. Moreover, I am extremely uncomfortable with the whole process and know that no effort on my part will render the type of results that the process-- and you as its duly appointed representatives--are demanding.
This being said, I will reiterate my intention not to re-apply for my position and plan to concentrate my further career endeavors elsewhere. I strongly feel that my time and energy, valuable resources to me, would better be spent there.
34 comments:
Respect and trust go out the window when it's CYA time. It's just a matter of how many more will come to the same conclusion as this madness continues. The only people relatively safe right now are those politically connected.
Sad. No teacher should be put in this position. Sanity must prevail. Is it true that over 100 retirements and/or teachers leaving have submitted their intentions?
So very sorry. As someone who has bought back enough time to retire this year, I feel for you. Those of us that have that option are safe. Those of us that are just starting out and do not have a sizeable investment of time in NB can find another start. I feel mostly for your generation, who have given 10 or 15 or 25 years, expecting to make NB your home, your career. And you are being betrayed. We are all betrayed. God bless you, hoping that you will find a new situation where you are valued and treated with dignity and professionalism.
Why would anyone , in their right mind, want to continue working at NBHS - remember when God closes a door He opens a window... I hope you find a school system that will respect and value your contributions to their students ... There is definitely something better out there for you... Hold your head up because you have been through the worst...
My best wishes to you. I walked away earlier this year and did not have enough time to retire. I am still looking but refused to continue to work in a climate of fear. Life is too short. The evaluation system is a complete joke. Good luck to you. You deserve better.
this will help pia's data as she will be able to show the % of teachers "losing" their jobs will be extremely minimized as she essentially bullied a good percentage into leaving
I, too, have tears in my eyes after reading these posts. How very sad for all of New Bedford's students that as a result of this insanity they will end up being the biggest losers. Who will teach them?? I cannot imagine a bunch of inexperienced teachers taking on or succeeding in educating the students at NBHS. I am embarrassed to say that I live in New Bedford and that my tax dollars contribute to paying a "mad woman and her henchmen."
As an educator 15 years vested I regret coming to NB. I came here in 2006 hoping to make a difference in the community I grew up in. What a joke. Those of you who are new, do not stay. There is no loyalty here.
You bet you ass your right about that she and her little principal kiss asses have bullied people right out the door,hope bad luck follows them the rest of their lives....
To anyone with under 10years get out now..apply in the suburbs where they respect their employees,and they aren't back stabbers..
Have no idea who or what will be left at NBHS next year. Hopefully everyone remaining with stay active and involved. The kids are definitely on the losing end of this one!
I suggest you call a private attorney,and see what civil charges can be brought against these individuals who have maliciously targeted you,
Most likely done with the orders and authority of administrators
Thou have no mercy and karma is a bitch!
I started in education in 1999 in a wonderful district and came to NB a few years. Never should have left the first spot. Now I am on high blood pressure meds and antidepressants and am under 40.
Just like the last outsider superintendent, What goes around comes around. Jumps from superintendent job to job. They don't last long in one job. Very Sad. What the teachers are going through.
The callousness of this district has harmed many wonderful people. I would be the first in line with medical documentation to support a mass law suit.
Wondering if turn-coat, @& $&?&@$, will remain intact after all that kissing up?
Before this $$$$ hits the fan, there was a scam occurring behind the scenes. Everyone from Mayor Mitchell, Chester from DOE, Mike Shea, Durkin, Moser of BSU, and SC, and a few other were conspiring with a turn-around plan. They didn't care who they would hurt in the process, whether it be students or teachers.
There are some lessons embedded in their actions: Don't make haste judgements, do unto others..., don't be so quick to jump on the bandwagon, and trust nobody. Most importantly, what goes around, comes around. Even Pia is not immune!
This information was withheld from the City Council, also. Why all the secrecy? We know why...
I figured out this conspiracy long ago. Certain teachers were targeted. The high school was "set up to fail" to be eligible for federal funds. All the people mentioned in the above post have their hands in this dirty mess. Unfortunately, the students are the losers. One of our teachers who received "Teacher of the Year Award" representing the South Coast area is leaving the high school. . . . . . . . .she's had enough! I have one textbook for 60 students, which was copyrighted in 1990! None of the material is relevant and so I'm constantly on the Internet looking for info. to share with my students or scanning newspapers.
What a shame.....I hope the superintendent, mayor and sc are proud of themselves. Not a single one of them values the teachers in this city. I hope those leaving find a job in a community that treats them like the professionals that they are. The superintendent will continue to bring in more people from outside the community and more federal funds with strings attached to further destroy our schools.
The bully is getting what she wanted. Many Teachers, myself included have found the exit door. No need to be treated like this, always living in fear. Never doing anything right. Not able to meet unrealistic expectations. So, she gets to bring in more outsiders and the "data" will work in her favor. So many good educators and more importantly good people are leaving. Many more will do so as they realize it is not like this everywhere. It truly isn't. My career dreams were shattered. Now my life is in disarray, but mentally I had to go. This is what they wanted. This regime has brought a once proud city and school system to its knees. Best wishes to those who have left and encouragement to those that remain. I am proud to say that I was one of you. I just had to take care of my mental health. God Bless.
Something MUST be done, but what can anyone do, really? What are the next steps to saving our sanity?
Your friends and mentors today may be your enemies tomorrow.
Just the thought of looking around the auditorium at the August PD day and not seeing the faces of my dedicated colleagues has me considering therapy. What a sick, twisted, petite tyrant we have for a leader. She claims to demand highly effective teaching at the same time she is recruiting cheap TFA employees, and hiring administrators from "out of town" at bloated salaries. Please-CITY COUNCIL do not honor requests for more money that never trickles down to help us!
Can't wait for fate to find her...negative everything
I'm so sorry for you and how you have been treated,but just find solace in the fact that those who hurt you will have terrible futures and will be judged some day.
They are conniving,low life ,bi.....es., who have no conscious...they will have to repent for their injustices to others some day.
My anger is directed at the School Committee that was elected to oversee the schools that I love! These are the people, the mayor included, that do not have the ability to see through the superintendent's baloney and are affording her the opportunity to do as she wishes with those she wishes. On Monday, we will be told who the new messiah's of the high school will be. These people are coming from the outside of the district because those of us in the district do not have the knowledge or capabilities to turn around my high school. These people will come in "with a fire in their bellies" and show us, those of us who have given our lives to our community, how to do the jobs we have been doing for years. They will devise plans for summer institutions to give 8th graders support in Math. They will afford common planning to all teachers. Teachers will be in teams! Our budget is going up and there will be money for a technology person, technology that matters, books, materials.... I've died and gone to heaven! Oh wait, these are proposals. Haven't we done some of these things before? Weren't thing cut due to lack of funds? Didn't we loose 52 teachers last year to a missing $3,000,000? This is crazy. Parents be aware. Make sure you are watching your children's credits and schedules. Magic is happening in our IPass system! You heard it here first. Don't wait. Your child's future is at stake!
Is it too late for a no confidence vote for superintendent, mayor and SC? This is complete lunacy. It is all about money and completely neglects the needs of the city's kids!
TFA recruits are transients and lack credentials. They lack the capacity to raise test scores, so why do it? Their loans are eradicated. Good deal, right? This will backfire on Pia. I can only imagine the impact this will have on our students next year...a sea of unfamiliar faces who are not invested in their academic success. Our students will challenge TFA and give them a run for their money. They relied on our trust, consistency, familiarity. No longer will they have a safe place...a trauma sensitive support system as their teachers who know them best will be gone.
There should have been a vote of no confidence long ago. This has gone on far too long and now as the school year comes to a close, it will have less effect. Something needs to be done and soon. Other communities would never put up with this lunacy!
Remember the last union meeting, when we were urged to postpone a vote of no confidence? We were going to work with her, give her our grievances. How is that working out?
The people who should really be wary or the TFA are our dedicated paraprofessionals. These people have supported teachers and our students for years yet do not even make enough money to support themselves, and they are the ones that TFA will really replace. I hope the paraprofessional union is keeping an eye on this. The TFA program is a disgrace that exploits young, idealistic people, most of whom have NEVER taken an education course
Just want to let you know Voc is hiring. Look on their website.
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