Not everyone at BREC is a moron. Some teachers can actually think for themselves.

Anonymous said...

The problem with statistics is that they provide a snapshot that is interpreted and manipulated. Klein and Bloomberg bank on that and that's how they convince the public and the media that they have had a positive impact on the school system.

Sickening.

Although BREC did deserve an F, and the test scores themselves don't lie, the issues figuring into it are not simple. This year has been my most frustrating year because I have never had so many students who don't care- not just about learning, about anything. Parent teacher conferences were horrendous, and there is that impression that many of the parents who showed up (at least they did that) would rather blame a teacher than take an active role in shaping their kids. So what do you do? You do your best- hopefully. I know I do- I did into my "bag of tricks" to try to identify things that will engage and intrigue the kids to pursue the content. I feel less successful this year than in the past. But, not all veteran teachers are good or bad. Likewise, not all new teachers are good or bad. The young teachers are naive and might not truly see the political undercurrents, and you can't fault them for that. After all, there was a time that you had to learn the ropes in the working world. Since what you write expresses that you believe that only minority teachers can teach minority kids effectively, I would also like to point out that I've also heard some of the young teachers of the same ethnic groups as our students speak incredibly inappropriately to the students- cursing at the kids and using the most unbelievably atrocious grammar that the kids use. But, I've also seen teachers of all ethnic groups treating kids respectfully and having thoughtful conversations. Regardless, the school has been failing.

I guess my point is that what has happened to the school is tragic, but that when you're inside, the numbers speak volumes and you have to hope that there is some opportunities to convey that and to actually address the issues rather than spit numbers out.

November 16, 2008 8:08 PM
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I appreciate your input to this blog. I can work with you regardless of your skin color, ethnic background and or lifestyle.

I think you misunderstand me. I have never stated that white teachers should not teach students of color. I have never said that white people can not reach African-American, Latino and Asian children. We all have something to offer that is why we came into teaching to begin with.

What I like for you to notice is how the turd that was once principal went after veteran teachers, particularly, strong minded and independent minded Latino males such as myself. You can not deny that the school has less people of color on its staff now as opposed as to when the turd took over. The fact that he is a white Puerto Rican is the subject for another entry to this blog on self-hatred and intra-ethnic-racial bigotry.

I agree with what you say about the grading system as it is used by the mayor and his right hand man-Joel Klein. Sadly for BREC the grade is well deserved. I don't think anyone with half a brain and who has been there for some time can deny that. Even though you will still have many of the young white teachers who will defend him because of economic self interest and the fact that he promise to make them all administrators!

If you read my blog carefully you will also read that I also chide "bad teachers". You know the ones that don't have a lesson plan, let the kids get away with bad behavior and language and are always late and excessively absent. My contention is that these teachers exist because "corrupt" principals let them exist because the curry favor with a principal that makes decisions based on personal friendships, bigotry and perceived enemies.

I understand your frustrations I share them and have had them for the 10 years I have been at BREC. Of course they have gotten worse because of the tenure of the turd. As far as letting the young teachers off the hook about the political side of the job I disagree with you. Many young good teachers have left BREC because they realized what an unethical and inappropriate individual the turd is. By the same token many unethical and inappropriate young people stayed and returned to BREC because they knew they could get away with having 3 and 4 day weekends no questions asked, having "affairs" with other colleagues and being so bold as to let the children know about it , being treated "special" because the turd had a "fetish" for young white males and being able to teach one or two classes a day because they were being "groomed" for positions of leadership. We all have college degrees in that building. I would think we are all able to observe and think critically and independently. If not, than what do we have to offer the students from an educational standpoint and a moral values one?

On sabbatical from "teacher death row" this is...