This reader has some ideas for Michelle Rhee and an invitation:
| As a teacher from a small city in Ohio, I resent Michelle Rhee making statements about my teaching based on a small sample set from inner city schools hundreds of miles away. The next question is- What sort of administrative support did these “poor experienced teachers” receive?Dear Michelle- You came from northwest Ohio. Why don’t you come back and talk to some of us? Talk to the many outstanding public school teachers who do great things every day. The one thing we have here is support. We support each other as fellow teachers where there is no or little administrative support. We can identify strengths in each other when YOU and so many others try to beat us down. When, due to your example, administrators tell teachers that, as a building, they are broken, we are able to look at each other and lift each other up again. That is what makes great teachers. We also have parents who support us, in spite of our administrators. Did your sample set have this?
It is disheartening to speak with younger teachers this summer. They are away from each other, and many are not looking forward to the new school year. Why should they? When they come together for convocation day, they will be put down by their administrators, told they are broken, and need to change or get out. Who, in any job, would want to work under those conditions? But they will. And when the administrators are gone, the teachers will again lift each other up, and remember why they are there- for the children. They will squeeze in ‘real teaching’ in between testing teaching, when the administrators aren’t looking. What part of this looks like freedom, or the United States I grew up in? How different would our country be if all of us and our children saw our leaders complimenting each other rather than bullying each other. What if they could model working together for all of us? And isn’t it sad that this will never be anything but a dream? |
Diane Ravitch's blog 
I always wonder what kind of message it sends to kids when they watch adults like Michelle Rhee and Campbell Brown bullying teachers. How can we teach students that bullying is not okay when we, as a society, are okay with adults bullying other adults?
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How true! I have noted a lack of respect on the part of parents in the past few years and some bullying by them.
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Let’s face it, the “game” is rigged. It is a shame to see so much propaganda every single day. We keep tying to fight it, but it seems Diane Ravitch is about the only one who has not sold out (i.e., sold her soul); even the once strong AFT sold out along with other supposed teacher unions and organizations. We can’t get the media coverage we need. There is no one to speak the truth and be heard.
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there’s you and me and 3.5 million teachers and about 80,000 principals. That’s a start. there are probably no more than 10,000 “reformers.”
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Please do not assume that administrators are not every bit as disheartened as teachers at what is happening in public education. I am a principal. I taught for over 20 years. I became a principal because I knew that teachers need administrators who know how hard they work, how dedicated they are, and how much they give to the children in their classes. I became an administrator to ‘stand in the gap’ and allow teachers to teach, even in this high stakes testing, anti-teachers environment. It breaks my heart every single day to see what is happening to our schools. Every day my goal is to help the teachers in our school build the learning environment where our kids find joy in learning and our teachers find joy in teaching. And trust me, it is not easy. Sometimes I feel like the only way to DO my job well is to put my job on the line every day.
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I am so glad you are willing put your job on the line everyday for the sake of your teachers and students. The administrators in my district all speak in unison because they are afraid to rock the “central office boat”. You are making a huge difference during a difficult time. This is not a small thing.
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If Rhee came to my school, I would gather all the kids very quickly and practice our lock down drill. Hide all the tape, rulers and brooms!
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:0
That’s funny!
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I had a wonderful principal once. A friend of mine–a young teacher, but a master teacher–is also serving her students with the support of a fantastic principal.
Many more master teachers, like yourself, should become principals, should sacrifice themselves and leave their kids to “stand in the gap,” but unfortunately, not only do they run out and leave the field, they leave their fellow teachers, but they leave teaching in their early and mid-fifities.
I know several who are “retired” at the AGE of 55?!? Like you, they should have stayed in the fight, and our profession would be the better for it!
As another poster stated, “counter-terrorism” can be an effective tool for those of us in the “trenches.”
Bravo, your teachers are lucky to have you!
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Just plain wrong. Didn’t anyone teach them to play nice in the sandbox, or just how to position yourself to get a controlling interest in the sandbox, pee in it and make all the other kids dance for the chance to play?
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This reminds me of the poster in the teachers lounge that says something like… “everything I need to succeed in life, I learned in Kindergarten…”
It makes me sad to hear teachers talk about their experiences with administrators who are unsupportive and difficult to work for. I became an administrator because I wanted to create a school environment that supports students and teachers, and welcomes parents. I work with a great team of teachers who bring their best game every day. I try my best to support them and their students. We are always working to improve. We all have a tough job. I hope that when I can no longer do this job that there will be a new batch of leaders behind me. I try to be a role model for the students and the adults. They may not always agree with my methods, but I hope they can respect my efforts. We can overcome these ED Deforms. We have to work together.
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Thanks Diane for reposting. Is there anyway to get the press to tell the truth? Or are they also being held hostage? What can we do, as a group?
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Be creative. Educate the public. Demonstrations. Teach-ins. Use your imagination. The power is in your hands.
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Thank you, Diane, for every word you write, for your energy and brilliance and absolute inspiration.
And you’re right. When I view, or hear, or read a news item that “has it wrong” on an education issue, I call the reporter ASAP, and very politely and specifically point out what he or she overlooked or misstated. I’m professional. I show them respect, but I’m very clear with what they could have done differently and better.
Two local television stations have consequently issued invitations for me to be interviewed, and/or participate in their next panel discussion on education.
I helped my school’s PTA pass a resolution against charters and vouchers. I (kindly and gently) meet with school board members and state legislators to remind them that we parents need to be listened to, and to stop framing this as a “Teachers Union vs. Reformers” debate. It’s not, and that message must be carried forward.
These are just some examples of what one single person can do. They have money. We have people. They have bitterness and hatred. We have love and passion—for our schools, students, families and teachers.
And if you want one more sign of hope and optimism, notice the increasingly angry, vitriolic and desperate tone of the education “reformers” and their paid functionaries. A lot of them have even been very clear and specific, complaining bitterly that “in the past year or so, we can’t even talk about education reform without someone criticizing us.” Or, “All of a sudden, people are telling me that I’m part of ALEC and selling out our kids just for money.” With some others still try to change the conversation by chastising critics for our “lack of civility” and “mutual respect”.
They’re nervous. And with good reason. Now is the time to “step it up” and bring more people along with you!
Keep the faith. We’re going to combine our forces and MAKE a better day!
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“You came from northwest Ohio.”
Well, now we know who to blame!
Actually she was “planted” there by the North Korean Intelligence Agency to destroy American education.
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So true.
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It is true, that we as educators have an obligation to stand up and be the advocate for our children, however, as a 28 year veteran teacher, I can attest, that each year, it gets more and more challenging. I have always told myself that when I stop doing what’s right for kids, it’s time for me to get out. I’m not there yet. Each and everyday, I remind myself that I teach because I LOVE THE CHILDREN and the opportunity to work with them. 🙂 I would agree that with the role models that have been discussed, make it hard to teach our youth that bullying and bad mouthing is not OK! Look at our government leaders-they bash each other because of the party the others represent. It’s not about that. They’ve all been elected to represent the people. Why don’t they do that- put parties and sides aside and just do what they were elected to do! Represent the people without “dissing” each other, hmm that would be a new concept.
To the administrators who stand up for our students and we teachers-THANK YOU!
My administrator who stood up for kids and teachers, was dismissed last year in our downsizing of faculty. My new principal told me I needed to become a bobble-head and keep a low profile. He would sell his soul to the devil and dance with the devil if he had to and I should do the same. I told him I would never give up my integrity and never apologize for doing what was right. It was a hard first year with him and this year will be no different, but…. it’s about the kids and somebody has to be their advocate. 😉 Thanks or this post and all that participate. It makes my light of hope glimmer a bit brighter. To the younger teachers- remind yourself often as to why you entered this profession. The external kudos are becoming few and far between, but the intrinsic ones are there everyday- when your student gets that bright twinkle that says: “Now I get it!!!” Those are the moments I savor on the days that my colleagues and I are told that we are broken and we are no good. My teammates and I go back to our classrooms and remind each other that we are making a difference and cite examples of how we do with our students. We must stay strong, and be the voice that needs to be heard.
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