We Are in the Most Amazing Profession!

For all those in need of encouragement, renewed strength, sense of pride in what we do, not to mention a good cry…

You must take the time to watch PBS’s Point Of View documentary, The Principal Story. It is the story of two principals and their daily struggles to improve their schools over the course of a year. It is definitely worth 55 minutes of your time. I missed it last Tuesday but I am very thankful I found it online. There are also many other valuable links on the Principal Story site. I especially liked the Top Ten Advice to Principals Starting Their First Year by Kerry Purcell (one of the featured principals in the documentary). Watch, be blessed, and let me know what you think!

The site also contains a quote from Arne Duncan, U.S. Secretary of Education: “We have no good schools without good principals.” What do you think? When all is said and done, does the success or lack of success begin and end with the principal?

I Can't Believe This Is Really Happening!

I am astounded! Check out the article, "The Rubber Room: The Battle Over New York City's Worst Teachers" published in The New Yorker recently.

Perhaps you already know about Bloomberg's Rubber Room. I was shocked last week to hear about the 12 "reassignment" locations in New York City for ineffective teachers. No windows, no electrical outlets, no internet connections, no duties, no student - just tenure and a paycheck! What do you think about this?

Does North Carolina need "relocation centers"? If not, what should we do with teachers that have tenure, yet are ineffective in the classroom? Will the new N. C. Teacher Evaluation process help? The article refers to education as a "system that rarely calls anyone incompetent". Do you agree?