Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Student: NBEA blog can't handle the truth ... Sarah Elizabeth Hope


I can sympathize with the frustrations of those who feel as though the glory of the school system and the city alike are declining speedily. However, I do not agree with it.
I believe that next year, the high school really will have a better learning and teaching environment. Many disagree with me, which is acceptable, or at least it is their right to disagree.
The teachers union blog has become a place for teachers and community members to voice their frustrations. Although I am a student, I have taken the opportunity of the comments section in order to possibly convince, or enlighten, some of the negative-minded community members.
Several of my comments were anonymous, stating that I was a student only, then once or twice with my identity attached.
Every single time I have done so it has been disputed, especially with my first post, that I was not a student, and simply Superintendent Pia Durkin trying to get support of the teachers.
False. I am a student, and a rather well-performing one. It's shocking. NBHS has good students?
This reaction from negative teachers is not surprising. This simply goes to show the lack of confidence some teachers have in their students.
I am often horrified at the abuse and terrible things some say on that blog. I know this newspaper has probably been getting many other letters to the editor on such issues, but I believe it is appropriate, since it is such a hot topic lately.
For those reading who have been perpetrators of said offenses, I respect your opinion. I just don't agree with the opinion itself, the way you portray it in such profanity on the Internet, or the cruel and inhumane comments set forth about others.
Thank you for your time, and for considering my opinion.

55 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sarah,
I am a community member who has posted on this blog before. I have been acused of being mayor mitchell for some of the pro-mitchell comments that I have made.
I like your self feel that some tof the changes that have been made in the city school system have been a long time in soming.
However unlike you I am not a supporter of Dr. Durkin.
She usses encourages bulling in the school system and has been purposfully decitful when implamenting the new teacher evaluation system.
She also has not fulfilled her promises of more teacher professional development.
I can not imagine my manager or anyone else in a leadership position in my company acting the way that she has.
From a teacher perspective - imagine working at a professional job for 10-15 years going to college, getting your masters degree and then undergoing all of the rapid changes that have hapened in the field of education for the past 3 years. wouldn't you expect transparency and support from your manager?
Sarah,
I would encourage you to do some indepth research on the Brocton Public School System.
They have taken an aproach to early childhood intervention, behavior modification and student expectations that New Bedford should strive to model
Dr. Durkin is a polorizing figure who would rather slash and burn that be a Bridge Builder.

Anonymous said...

Your point being what, Sarah?
You don't believe that good teachers have been let go or forced to resign or have been reassigned for the failure so a system that they had no day about?

You think is is okay to fire teachers one year or two years before retirement? Teachers with excellent evaluations from those same people now holding them accountable for the failure of this school?

You think it fair that these people with valid contracts can have have them declared null and void because of this bad federal law? There has been a school board in place through all of this, former superintendents administering policies and unfunded mandates these teachers tried to implement. Did any of them not have their contracts honored? No they walked away with their salaries. If people are to be blamed ,which I'd idiotic to begin with let's blame the right folks. It starts with the students and the parents. PERIOD! Then you have your school boards, Mayors, superintendents, and lastly those always in sight, the teachers. Fire the bad ones. You want to start over and fire 200 teachers, great, the honor every contract. Then maybe I would believe this was really about improving education and not a ploy to save the city and state money on more expensive, experienced teachers reaching their retirement years, which they have earned.

Yeah your a student, a very young naive one. Wait, get out there and give your life to something and watch it destroyed at the whim of politicians and bad policies. Then talk to me. Louanne Gonsalves

Anonymous said...

Sarah, as teachers, we know there are are good students at the high school. Nobody is disputing that. Speaking for myself, I respect your opinion however it's impossible for you to truly understand all that has happened since PIA took the reigns. I hope, as you do, that things will improve but I can honestly say that I think we may both be disappointed in the end.

Anonymous said...

Does Sarah have anti-union teachers exposing her to their own personal biases? Why would she submit a letter to the editor against the very teachers who have helped her succeed? Why does she assume? Somehow, I don't think she is an expert, but she is most likely a mainstream student on a different tract. I would also like to question her adamant praise of durkin's questionable character and self-serving motives. Something is off kilter here.

Anonymous said...

She's an adolescent. Let her babble. Hard knocks and life lessons will ensue.

Anonymous said...


When did we say we do not have confidence in our students? We continually advocate for them. This is our career choice!

Anonymous said...

Sarah is an alternate student on the school committee...
Where only one view is held

Anonymous said...

Upcoming coalition so voices can be heard without fear ---- NBparents4schools@aol.com is the email. Parents need to take the lead , create unity with teachers and vote them all out . Period . Other than that nothing can be done. City Council gets hit and holds the purse strings .

Tom Silva said...



Sarah Hope doesn't think much of her teachers. Here is a statement she posted on Facebook.

February 12
"I am getting so sick of the ignorance that is passed around this school system. Some of these teachers need to stop complaining and do their job. Every argument I've heard against Dr. Durkin, is extremely fallacious, one-sided, and biased. Posted a comment sharing my opinion anonymously, and people are denying the fact that it's a student. I know it's crazy how well i articulate compared to the "great" teachers of New Bedford High School."

Anonymous said...

Sarah Hope doesn't think much of her teachers. Here is a another statement she posted on Facebook.

"You are absolutely right. But the school has no control over the English-speaking ability of the students. They have only the power to teach them to speak English. yes Rome was not built in a day, so these ignorant teachers that take any chance to bash the superintendent need to give her time to make changes. By taking away administrative discipline of the misbehaved students so as to encourage teachers to take back their respect as well as control of the classroom."

February 12 at 8:41pm

Tom Silva said...

Sarah Hope doesn't think much of her teachers. Here is a another statement she posted on Facebook.

"This year is the start of the reconstruction of a system, that will eventually be back to it's high prestige. Teacher's do not control the income of SEI students, however they do control the quality of teaching. I understand that the teachers are grieving for their positions, however due to the large income of teachers from other districts that actually want to work at this school, there will be openings in other districts. Hopefully some teachers will consider other professions, since they are clearly not advantageous to the school, the children, or the community."

February 12 at 9:26pm

Tom Silva said...

Sarah Hope doesn't think much of her teachers. Here is a another statement she posted on Facebook.

"I totally understand where you are coming from, and I agree one hundred percent. Of course its a massive inconvenience, whats going on. Some teachers are literally slandering the superintendent however, it's extremely rude and disrespectful, they've simply gone too far.."

Anonymous said...

Very naive young lady. I hope you never have done to you what has been done to these teachers at NBHS.

Anonymous said...

I wonder if this poor young woman has any opinions on vascular surgery...Stents or By Pass....cause I will consult her next time instead of my cardiologist lol

Anonymous said...

I personally attend all of the sc and cc meetings now..
Vote out the sc and the mayor then sanity will return

Anonymous said...

I attend school with her so I'm not surprised by her negativity. She is constantly bad mouthing teachers.

Anonymous said...

Dear Sarah,
I am a phenomenal education top notch teaching skills, great connection to students parents and the administration.
The only reason I am gone this year is I do not have professional status and the person they are replacing me they will be paying 30,000 less a year.
In other areas of corporate America this is called downsizing. At least they are transparent about it. Here it is in a guise of calling people incompetent.
I haven't even been evaluated this year!

Anonymous said...

Sarah Hope is entitled to her opinion. Maybe she likes Dr. Durkin's policies but Sarah has not lived a life long enough to understand the complexities that come along with working in a chosen career. Does Sarah have a job? Sarah, the real world is not being a student. When you are a student your parents will advocate you and support you financially. When you are an adult, which clearly you are not, you will then realize that you have to advocate for yourself as well as provide for yourself financially. You may even have children who are dependent upon you. Do your parents work? If so, do you think they deserve to be treated fairly and with respect. I value the opinions of my students but also weigh it with life experience. I will compare it to parenthood. You may think you know what it is like to be a parent but until you are, you do not have a clue. Even if you have spent time babysitting. It is just not the same. I wish you well but clearly you have life waiting for you. Write again in about 10-25 years.

Anonymous said...

Sarah? Do you hear the helicopters flying over the city? They are from the Massachusetts State Police Air Wing Division. They are flying overhead because the NBPD has requested an increased police presence due to the increase in crime happening in our city. Please research how much it costs to get a chopper up in the air. Do you think they would be spending this money if crime were on the decline? You have the gift of youth on your side. However with that gift also comes a naive opinion.

Anonymous said...

It shocks students to hear freedo m of speech other than their own F bombs. The concept of respect for elders does not start till they pay their own bills.

Anonymous said...

Sarah appears unhappy with herself. She should not be taking on adult issues that do not apply to her. Sarah, focus on what young people your age normally do and stop taking your misplaced animosity out on the wrong people. Breathe. Refocus. Release your unfounded anger. Revisit empathy and get off your high horse. You are out of your element, kid.

Anonymous said...

Sarah has always been an odd duck.She has very few friends. We don't appreciate the way she bashes our teachers who are always there for us and give so much of themselves.

A NBHS Student

Anonymous said...

Her FB posts alienate and discourage rather than inform. She'll end up isolating herself because her peers are fed up with her bad attitude.

Anonymous said...

Sarah, if you don't agree with comments on this blog, the exit link is just a click away. Your energy should be focused on graduating..not teacher-related or union issues. Mind your manners.

Anonymous said...

Why is she lumping her former teacher and union president in her bashing tirade? Has Lou personally offended her, imagined or perceived? That's not his style. He is a consummate professional.

Anonymous said...

Sarah, are you up to presenting your superintendent with a superhero award? And, while your at it, maybe throw in a speech about teachers of English learners who serve no purpose but to teach them a few words. Hope the Dean does not assign you to any of these classes as a peer mentor with that chip on your shoulders.

Anonymous said...

She's an expert on urban crime. Cut her some slack.

Anonymous said...

She just raised the crime rate by verbally assaulting teachers.

Anonymous said...

Time to build an effective coalition .
Blog is coming --- email is NBparents4schools@aol.com

Anonymous said...

Current Events Quiz

Who said the following – Sarah Hope or Sarah Palin?

1. “I want to help clean up the state that is so sorry today of journalism.''

2. “By taking away administrative discipline of the misbehaved students so as to encourage teachers to take back their respect as well as control of the classroom."

3. “Well, let's see. There's of course in the great history of America there have been rulings that there's never going to be absolute consensus by every American''

4. “This year is the start of the reconstruction of a system, that will eventually be back to it's high prestige.”

5. “I'm not politically correct. I am not one to be a word police.”

6. “I know it's crazy how well i articulate compared to the "great" teachers of New Bedford High School."


With great minds like Sarah’s and Sarah’s at work, our future is in good hands.

Sleep well, New Bedford.

Anonymous said...

Ironic here that all of your comments bashing Sarah, obviously a young, caring and brave student of NBHS only go to prove her point of the toxic nature of this blog and bloggers. Sarah, I admire your courage to speak up and voice the opinion of the silent majority of our community.

Anonymous said...

Sarah, I think the Standard-Times is also concerned about the increases in the shooting here in NB as the paper had a good size article in it the other day.

Did you read the article?

Do you feel much safer now that the State Police have helicopters flying in certain areas of the city?

Anonymous said...

Students have different opinions than their teachers. It is not our job to slam our opinions down their throats. It is our job to educate and support open discourse, even when we disagree. I sincerely hope this bashing is not happening in school against Sarah as it is happening here in this blog. Of course students would feel differently than teachers about what is happening - their experiences are from teacher perspectives. Invading and quoting her facebook as a way to attack her publicly here shows a complete lack of compassion for a child. Good teachers only want to teach students who agree with their points of view? Is that democratic education? Are you all the teachers who should stay at NBHS because you care so deeply about all students? Or all but this one? Because this is cruelty. She is trying to discuss the ideas and the attack is against her person. I wish the moderators would see this as it is.

Anonymous said...

Dear Sarah - You have no idea what it feels like to be forced out of your career knowing that you have done the best job possible and it is still not good enough. I hope that the teachers you have had as a student in NBPS have treated you with more kindness and understanding than you are giving them. You mention that teachers are disrespectful to the superintendent....YOU are disrespectful to teachers. And if you don't like what people are writing on this blog and it offends you....don't read it.

Anonymous said...

Please keep in mind the following points:
1. The objective of the satirical “Current Events Quiz” is to point out that those who would pontificate should at least have a good grasp of English grammar and syntax.
2. All quoted material came from Sarah and Sarah. How they use the English language indicates a lack of linguistic sophistication, which brings in to question their intellectual grasp of the issues at hand. No one is “bashing” Sarah or Sarah. That is unnecessary given the written/spoken record.

3. If you do not know what irony is, please consult an English teacher.

4. No one asked for Sarah Hope’s opinion. If she wishes to voice it in an open forum, she and her supporters should be a big boys and girls and accept the criticism as well as the praise.

One of Sarah's Teachers said...

I'm tired of people using the cloak of childhood for our misinformed students who decide to shoot-off their mouths and enter the public arena. Since Ms. Hope has posted on the NBEA Blog, has an open Facebook page, and writes to the newspaper, she is fair game for criticism.
Ms. Hope has evidently decided that she has much to gain by aligning herself with Mayor Mitchell and Pia Durkin.
Sarah was one of my students. She is condescending and borderline disrespectful. I had to draw the line early with her.

Anonymous said...

Arrogance should not be misinterpreted as maturity. Having an opinion and writing it down should not be interpreted as literacy.
Yes, I have cringed at some of the less than grammatical posts on this blog. It never "billed" itself as a literary circle. Have some of the posts been rather crass, even vulgar? Yes. I guess that is to be expected in an anonymous public arena.
Are some of these posts "cruel" to Sarah? Blunt and perhaps crude, maybe. But this being a New Bedford Educators blog where hurt, discouraged, and sometimes "recently unemployed" educators vent, I would assert that she posts at her own risk. Surely she knows her opinions are in the minority here. If she can't stand the heat, then let her out of the kitchen.

Anonymous said...

Go back and check your work . Please reread before you push send . Apparently spelling and grammar are not part of common core .

Unknown said...

To the current events quiz poster:

Who said the following? Barack Obama, Joe Biden, or a NBHS teacher?

"We've been to what...57 states now. Just one more to go!"

"It's all about a three-letter word...J-O-B-S....jobs!"

Keep attacking this young lady who disagrees with most of you. It's a great way to make friends and influence people.

And congratulations, Sarah, for having the courage to sign your name on your letter, unlike all your anonymous detractors.

Anonymous said...

Mike, do you get your jollies from trying to "one up you?" Really? It is just a job to us? You need a wake-up call as you are ignorant and callous. Plus, you just earned your gold membership into the Pia fan club. Grow up and get your facts straight.

Unknown said...

Now perhaps you understand how ignorant you (posters) sound by writing such childish stuff comparing the two Sarah's. Beating up on a teenaged girl anonymously is "ignorant and callous". Real brave. As to your asinine statement about me being a member of the Pia fan club, you obviously missed where I wrote after the punk threw a chair at the teacher and received that memo about possible termination that Mitchell should fire Durkin and the headmaster, then resign himself. I have thought from the beginning that Durkin is a disaster, but lately after reading how supposedly intelligent, professional educators behave when they don't have to be accountable for their words, I'm having second thoughts.

Anonymous said...

I know good old Mike. Quite stuck on himself. Not too fond of him and I am not a teacher! I guess others know that Mike is a real a buffoon .

Anonymous said...

Great post!!!!!

Unknown said...

I never realized how many people in the NB area were named "anonymous". Now I can understand teachers posting here having concerns about revealing their identities, although if they argued the merits of their concerns and refrained from personal attacks, there should be no fear of reprisals. But you say you're not a teacher. So what's your excuse, other than being a coward, of course?

And to the real teachers on this site, irrespective of what this anonymous coward has written in his/her last two responses, I'm on the teachers side in this mess that has transpired since the hiring of Pia Durkin. I was educated in the NBPS system, as was my child, and have great admiration and respect for those teachers who were a profound positive influence on us both. You are trying your best under increasingly difficult circumstances, and most of us in the community appreciate and respect the good work you do.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for showing all the wonderful things in the budget video Dr Durkin ------engineering, technology, SRA Math .... so you want our taxes to go up so Durkin can fill every single new position with carpetbaggers of her choice ? She's already getting 2.4 million from the state and how much PD will teachers be getting ? How much more planning time ?


NBParents4schools@aol.com

Anonymous said...

To Blogger Mike Pappas said...
I never realized how many people in the NB area were named "anonymous". Now I can understand teachers posting here having concerns about revealing their identities, although if they argued the merits of their concerns and refrained from personal attacks, there should be no fear of reprisals. But you say you're not a teacher. So what's your excuse, other than being a coward, of course?

I am not a coward nor a teacher and I have posted to this site many times. I do not have a Google Account and I find it's easier to just hit anonymous when posting.

So sorry that you have to attach a name to a posting. Name or Anonymous what difference does it make.

But here you go...now you know who one of the anonymous people are. Does it help???

Sandra Sylvia

Unknown said...

You don't have to do anything.

What difference does it make? Wasn't it Hillary Clinton who made that statement recently?

If anonymous posters attack people personally rather than debate the merits of the topic at hand, they are cowards.

Many if not most people who post here do it constructively and respectfully. It is most outrageous to attack a young girl for expressing her opinion, and even going so far as to cut and paste from her Facebook page, particularly when teachers do it. It would be more productive for a group of teachers to meet with the young lady and encourage a dialogue whereby both sides could express their concerns and gain a mutual understanding of how to improve matters. This is precisely what I did when I was an elected parent member of the NBH School Council. A group of students came to me with some concerns, which I brought to the attention of then Headmaster Longo. We then all met with the teacher members of the school council and had some very productive discussions.

But perhaps at this point,maybe you're correct. What difference does it make?

Let's all just hide behind a computer screen and throw grenades at each other. It may not improve the graduation rate and test scores, but it sure will make us feel good.

I can't wait for the accusations that I just went from a gold to platinum membership in the Pia Durkin fan club.

From someone by the name of "anonymous", of course.

Anonymous said...

Pappas, if you di not agree with our posts, you can gladly exit. You are not worth a debate.

Anonymous said...

^Someone likes to toot their own horn.

Anonymous said...

What is up with guy writing we hide behind a computer screen? Do he not understanding the purpose of a blog? He's a shovenistic ass.

Unknown said...

Your petty, childish behavior is exceeded only by your poor grammar and spelling. It's hilarious how one poster actually has the gonads to make fun of writings by Sarah and Sarah considering the butchering of the English language by some on this blog.

You couldn't debate your way out of a paper bag.

I've come to the realization that there is simply a small (both is number and intellect) minority of teachers who post here and whine and complain about everything and everyone, even those who support you. The devoted teachers spend their time far more productively.

And to Sarah: Don't let this small minority of chronic complainers intimidate you. Most teachers in the NBPS system care, and have the best interests of their students at heart. You and your other classmates should support them and recognize when the administration treats them unfairly. Don't ever think they are all like what you see here. Aside from your parents, your teachers are going to be the greatest influence in shaping the person you become as an adult. Give your unconditional support to the good ones, but don't be afraid to criticize the poor ones. But most importantly, always be respectful.

Anonymous said...

Hey, Mike…..Find another hobby!

Anonymous said...

Parent coalition to help out teachers out --- twitter -- @nbp4schools follow and retweet professional ideas, thoughts, and suggestions to help get this coalition going --- email NBparents4schools@aol.com

Anonymous said...

ok mike I am going to say this yet again...
I am a community member who posts on here and I frequently have tyops...
BECAUSE I AM POSTING ON MY SMART PHONE>>>

Anonymous said...

Sarah
Can you please compile a survey on the increased gun violence in New Bedford!