In case you wondered what Adell Cothorne, the star of the PBS Frontline special about Michelle Rhee’s cheating scandal, is doing now, she is very happy making gourmet cupcakes. Thanks to reader Linda of Connecticut for finding her on the web. I wish we lived close to Ellicott City, Maryland, so we could sample her cupcakes.
Adell is in business with Bill Kerlina, another ex-principal from D.C.
As you know from reading the posts on this blog, Adell filed a whistleblower complaint against the leadership of the D.C. school system. Chancellor Kaya Henderson denies that there was widespread cheating, denies that Cothorne complained about cheating, denies that Cothorne met with administrative staff, believes that the cheating scandal never happened, and alleges that Cothorne is pursuing her claim for financial gain.
So, we must rely on John Merrow to follow up this story. It matters for Adell Cothorne, but it also matters for the children of D.C. and for educators across the nation, who are sick of being bullied by administrators who tell them to produce higher test scores or get out.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Adell and Bill,
I wish I lived near your store. Do you know of a family, organization or group that could use a donation of cupcakes for an event?
If so will you post here, so I can place an order for them online? I want to contribute to your company and your creativity.
Thank you Adell for caring about the D.C. students. Your story keeps me motivated and focused during these dark days. We support you here in CT. Love to you!
Even though I am trying to cut back since the holidays, I will be paying Adell a visit this weekend, personally thank her if I get the opportunity, and purchase her cupcakes. Sweet! What a courageous person!
I did get the opportunity to meet Adell on Saturday. I thanked her for her courage. She humbly thanked me and pointed to another lady working at the counter. Adell credited this woman as setting an example of courage early in her life. This lady is her mother. They work side by side in the cupcake business. Oh, and the cupcakes? The best I have ever eaten. Adell definitely is a master of flavorology.
I think I love both of you!!
Most administrators are bullies. They do not care about the reality of what’s going on in the classroom. Students being abused, domestic violence and divorce. Children have baggage just like adults. Yet administration does not care about their social emotional well being. Just produce good standardized results, keep your mouth shut and keep pushing more work onto already overloaded kids. And now we want to extend the school day? My poor 6 year olds are fried by lunch because of the amount of work. No snack no dramatic play or social interaction. There are other important lessons these kids need to learn to be good citizens. It’s a frustrating time to be an educator. I’m tired of being under attack by politicians, who NEVER stepped foot in a classroom and the media, who are a bunch of vultures anytime a teacher is caught doing something bad. We all are crucified. It’s time for the teachers to stand up for what is right. We outnumber them.
I have a friend in DC. I’m going to send her some money and ask her to buy cupcakes from me.
Adell Cothorne is an Education Hero!
I’ve challenged Mr. Merrow to have a follow up on FRONTLINE involving a debate where Dr. Ravitch, GF Brandenburg, Adell Cothorne, and Mary Levy confront Michelle Rhee.
Pressure needs to be placed on Merrow to lend the same amount of air time and attention to the follow up as was given to the fraud spotlighting Rhee on Tuesday.
Here is the link
http://takingnote.learningmatters.tv/?p=6070
Firing for retribution. Very common everywhere. I am the only person to ever have LAUSD audited by the State of California. It was in Oct. 1997 for teachers being falsely accused of child abuse for whistleblowing and principals stealing student impress funds. Today the false accusations are worse than ever. This is what it looks like in D.C. The audit is on the California State Auditors website and is Oct. 1997, 96121. I am sure you will find similarities to what is happening there and many other places. Considering that D.C. has about $29,000/student you have to be real bad to have bad results in that district. You really have to try hard to make a mess compared to a district with minimum funding. How are they denying that this took place when it looks as though it is well documented? Will the press print the story? And if not why do they say they will not?
Worst of all, students are watching. They are watching adults closer than we realize. Michelle Rhee and her followers should be nowhere around children.
and right now she is surrounded by her astro turf supporters…billionaires, privatizers and eduvulutures…birds of a feather and the kids are still not safe.
Bill would be an interesting person to talk or interview. He was from Montgomery County. So to was Cary Wright (Omaha super candidate) and Linda Ferrell (former MCPS MIddle School Transformation Super) whom she also hired.
Bill Turque’s Profile of Kerlina
http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2011-06-25/local/35266539_1_principals-attendance-zone-urban-school-district
“Chancellor Kaya Henderson … alleges that Cothorne is pursuing her claim for financial gain.”
Financial gain by honest teachers/principals, ex-teachers/principals is not permitted.
However, financial gain through influence peddling by amoral politician/ex-politicians who funnel our public school money into third party coffers with no accountability, is acceptable.
http://www.prwatch.org/news/2012/11/11883/taxpayer-enriched-companies-back-jeb-bushs-foundation-excellence-education-its-bu
Yes, Kaya, Adell is doing this to…SELL MORE CUPCAKES!! BTW–Merrow has a post all about Adell on Valerie Strauss’ “The Answer Sheet.” (Dated yesterday, I think.) He was challenged to run another Frontline story featuring Adell, but did not answer. I guess it’s easier to just post in “T.A.S.” and let it go at that–an “attempt” at national exposure, but not really, as far more people (and a more diverse population) would have watched Frontline than would read “T.A.S.” Sad.