This teacher began her second career during the Bloomberg era.
She writes:
“I started working as a teacher for the NYCDOE during the Bloomberg regime (“second” career). It is, unfortunately, the ONLY regime that I worked as a teacher in. Previously, I had worked in the corporate world.
“From the beginning, it was obvious to me what Bloomberg was trying to do. I had seen it in the business world. “Starving” schools of programs, supplies, books, etc. It’s a tactic used by retail chains and corporations that want to close unproductive stores or offices ( in terms of sales). When I mentioned this to people I had worked with, many did not believe that what Bloomberg was doing could actually happen.
“And, it did- closure of many public schools, staff and students displaced, strong arm “business” tactics used, by skewing “data” to make it appear that schools were “improving” under this arrogant and distasteful Mayors’ policies, while trying to break the union and underserving the students.
“What surprises me most of all is how so many people acquiesced to all this, though there are a few groups that did not, and attempted to fight this Bloomberg juggernaut.
“Frankly, I’m tired of it all, and am looking forward to retiring in three years. If the next Mayor of NYC truly values education for the citizens of this city and the nation, the first step would be to undo ALL of the Bloomberg “reforms” and make the PUBLIC schools what they should be, places where the PUBLIC truly has input and say in how the schools are run, and let educators do their jobs unfettered without fear of reprisal and fear of losing their jobs.”
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Diane, I really appreciate the posts of late from people in the business world (hedge fund managers and others) who are shining the light on these detrimental “business” practices and goals that are ripping apart public education.
I think their exposure is invaluable.
Thank you.
Actions truly speak louder than words. It’s a shame that the public no longer holds people responsible for their actions but will base entire opinions off soundbites and recycled rhetoric. So sad we’re losing teachers because of it.
“Winning isn’t everything. It’s the only thing.” [attributed to legendary football coach Vince Lombardi]
Way down the list of priorities: developing moral character, grit, empathy, creativity, courage, good citizenship, and the beat goes on…
When the leading charterites/privatizers declare that they are ‘in it to win it’ they mean it. In their world view there are a few winners and a lot of losers.
They are determined to be in the group that has only a few members and rub it in everyone else’ faces.
“It has always been a mystery to me how men can feel themselves honored by the humiliation of their fellow beings.” [Mahatma Gandhi]
Bet that wasn’t on the bubble-in test.
🙂
Pioneer Instiute in Boston: “Study Calls on U.S. Dept. of Education to Stop Using Adoption of Common Core as Condition or Incentive for Receipt of Federal Funds and Waivers”
In preface, Iowa’s U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley says education policy best made at level of government closest to students, parents
Sandra Stotsky article: “Schizophrenia in the New York Times Editorial Office (by Sandra Stotsky)
The New York Times is suffering from a split personality about what the quality of public education should be. It claims it likes rigor. At the same time, it supports Common Core and its even poorer relative in the standards arena, Next Generation Science Standards. The NYT has apparently infected its education reporters with the same schizophrenia. Kenneth Chang is the latest victim.”
Krazy TA thanks for saying it in another way “Winning is everything.” Until educrats learn this they will lose as they have been. Educrats play tiddly-winks, except CTU and apparently not Philadelphia after the pictures I saw of them recently, while they play thermonuclear warfare with 10 MIRV warheads on each missile. Who do you think will win when the war breaks out as it has? Not even a question, tiddly-winks loses. When you cannot reason with someone and they have a gun at you it is time to bring out the hardware and bulletproof vests. They are playing for keeps and you had better also.
This is what Krazy TA is also saying. He knows what he is talking about. Listen and act.
Bloomberg is nothing more than an autocratic bully. The author was right, it was very easy to implement all of these policies because everyone gave in. But, It has become evident that his policies are worthless failures.