Friday, January 30, 2015

Bernadette Coelho to continue as acting Headmaster of New Bedford high school

“New Bedford High School can’t miss a beat and Ms. Coelho has the confidence of the school staff to continue as acting headmaster.” As the graduation rate at New Bedford High continues to improve, much of that progress is owed to building and maintaining relationships among staff and students, which Ms. Coelho has exemplified for the past nine years.” - Dr. Pia Durkin

"I look forward to continuing this important work, collaborating with staff, families and the community to provide our students with the best education possible.” - Bernadette Coelho


Our congratulations to Ms. Coelho.

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Who keeps making these poor hiring choices? The Teflon superintendent!

Anonymous said...

Hmmmm who could have predicted that Miss Dawson wouldn't make the year?!?! Anyone with any knowledge of what NBHS needs that's who! Stop spending money with nationwide searches for incompetent superintendents and headmasters and look at the people who can turn things around right here in the district!! IDIOTS!

Anonymous said...

Miss Coelho knows the staff and the students. She works with at risk students and ran the Twilight a program for years. One does not have to have been in the classroom to work well with others. Student, staff and parents respect her. She will do everything in her power to help NBHS a turnaround. She is an extremely dedicated asset in this district.

Anonymous said...

The graduation rate only improved because they let students go in the summer to make their graduations,which counted and increased data.

Anonymous said...

God bless you Bernadette. I believe in you. It's too bad you can't get rid of the carpetbaggers that are causing the problems at school. Those of us that have been around know the issues. Kids being promoted without passing any classes at the lower levels, Apex rooms at the middle schools, teachers not teaching curriculum they developed, kids not being required to do homework to practice skills. These kids come to the high school where we are expected to fix the problems. A warning: someone better get on attendance. It's out of control!

Anonymous said...

If you people at the high school would stop treating kids as "pass thru middle schoolers," and treat them as YOUR kids, whose presence is paying your wages, we may be closer to solutions. 2600 kids at HS. 20 kids in a middle school Apex class. Sure , that's the problem. Keep telling yourself.

Anonymous said...

I am aware that Katleen Dawson resigned, however does anyone know if there was a deal made to buy out the rest of her year? If she was not bought out, the situation must have been dire for her to walk away from a six figure salary, knowing that it is difficult to find a comparable position half way through a school year. The SC and Durkin should be held accountable for not doing their due diligence in vetting Dawson as a capable headmaster on NBHS.

Anonymous said...

So, Dr. Durkin respects a 9 year employee that has never actually taught a whole class for even 1 year more than 20 year seasoned teachers? Face it, Coelho doesn't make waves and that's why Pia assigned her the new role. Period.

Anonymous said...

These are our kids! We do our best every day to teach content. Along the way we are being required to teach skills they should have accrued in previous grades. About 40 percent of the students in my classes have failed two or more classes in the middle school. Some announce to the class how they sat at a computer and played games yet they came to the high school. If there were 20 in your middle school were there 20 at each of the other middle schools also? Divide those 60 by the four subject teachers at the high school ( that's 15 assigned to each teacher divided into 5 classes) and please remember these kids are now in classes with other kids that are trying to learn. This is not about blaming others. It's about doing what's right with these children and affording all kids the opportunity to do all that they dream.

Anonymous said...

Classroom experience may not be necessary to be a solid administrator HOWEVER, I feel that if you want the staff to work hard for you they have to know that you have been in their shoes. Anyone can claim to understand what a teacher goes through everyday but until you are actually doing it yourself you really have no idea. This district is famous for placing people in positions that have no business being in the position. There are many people in NB that are great teachers and have paid their dues but will never be given an opportunity to do move up..... That's just one reason why we are in the position we are in now . I can ne several that would be great !

Anonymous said...

Of course they gave her a package, she probubly was under a 3 year contract... add her to the list of people we are paying that no longer work there

Anonymous said...

What's the word on principals? Are they talking? Why do they protect Pia? I assume at one point they actually cared about children.

Anonymous said...

Well,we'll well..if ms coelom,worked with at risk students for years,why do we still have a problem!

Anonymous said...

Sorry to tell you but you can not be a good administrator,unless you've been in the classroom,and your also open minded and creative.

This is a big problem in New Bedford especially at the elementary level..we got some real problems there.

Anonymous said...

Agree with the post above coelho brought in because she won't make waves and will do as she's told.

Anonymous said...

Social promotions are thrashing our system. Teachers are not supporting this practice. It's coming from the top. Student failures are a teacher's fault, not the students. Students have no accountability for their own education and sadly enough they know it and take advantage of it. Until social promotions end, nothing will change and the majority of HS students will struggle with academics and behavioral issues. Make no mistake, social promotions occur at every level.

Anonymous said...

Did she act as a teacher on Tuesday when no subs were available? Now that would be leadership training!

Anonymous said...

Did you hear about our new student information system that will allow administrators access to our ongoing grades and the opportunity to change them?
It should be up and running before...............