XXX Rating on Dallas Museum of Art
Sep 29th, 2006, 03:56 AM
#102
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You guys do realize you're only getting ONE side of this story, right? The teacher can call news conferences and blab all she wants, but the school district is bound by privacy laws not to divulge the "ongoing problems" with this teacher.
I will be surprised if OO is permitted to print that response, especially if there are any private details in it.
Budman is SO right, jorr. The Bush bashing (at least in my two daughters' college) is at fever pitch (and they've never seen any right wing propaganda, only left - yet). But at least they're old enough to see it for what it is - what about those grade schoolers taking it for "fact"?
I will be surprised if OO is permitted to print that response, especially if there are any private details in it.
Budman is SO right, jorr. The Bush bashing (at least in my two daughters' college) is at fever pitch (and they've never seen any right wing propaganda, only left - yet). But at least they're old enough to see it for what it is - what about those grade schoolers taking it for "fact"?
Sep 29th, 2006, 04:54 AM
#103
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<< but the school district is bound by privacy laws not to divulge the "ongoing problems" with this teacher.>>
Apparently, this 28 veteran was awarded "teacher of the year" two years ago. I suspect the "ongoing problems" pitch is a legal CYA.
Apparently, this 28 veteran was awarded "teacher of the year" two years ago. I suspect the "ongoing problems" pitch is a legal CYA.
Sep 29th, 2006, 05:32 AM
#104
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What truly amazes me the most about this story is that when I see how our youth dresses, and the absolute garbage on TV, and some pop singers, how trashy it all is, and then I see a nude in a museum, a beautiful sculpture, to me there is no comparison.
One is such a celebration of the human spirit, the human body, it is almost as if you can see their soul in these sculptures. So much peace, so much life.
And then you turn on our tv's, walk past the magazines as you check out at the grocer and it's all trash, so degrading. I am embarrassed our youth has to witness it. What a message our youth gets, that they think that is what they are supposed to look like.
It all seems so backwards to me...
Give me the sculptures anytime, that is what I want my nieces to look at, not Brittany Spears.
One is such a celebration of the human spirit, the human body, it is almost as if you can see their soul in these sculptures. So much peace, so much life.
And then you turn on our tv's, walk past the magazines as you check out at the grocer and it's all trash, so degrading. I am embarrassed our youth has to witness it. What a message our youth gets, that they think that is what they are supposed to look like.
It all seems so backwards to me...
Give me the sculptures anytime, that is what I want my nieces to look at, not Brittany Spears.
Sep 29th, 2006, 06:37 AM
#108
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I have enjoyed reading the comments on this thread.
For all you who are outraged at the censorship inherent in the schoolboard's decision, remember censorship is alive and well in many forms. However it's National Banned Book week (a way to oppose censoring books by reading them). Check out a banned book with your kids and expose them to the "filth" of "To Kill a Mockingbird" , "Of Mice and Men", "The great Gatsby" or "1984"
I LOVE getting a list of banned books and reading them and sharing them. But then I am rather contrarian--if I lived in TX I would promptly be taking a Sat. to visit all this offensive art with as many kids as possible in tow!
For all you who are outraged at the censorship inherent in the schoolboard's decision, remember censorship is alive and well in many forms. However it's National Banned Book week (a way to oppose censoring books by reading them). Check out a banned book with your kids and expose them to the "filth" of "To Kill a Mockingbird" , "Of Mice and Men", "The great Gatsby" or "1984"
I LOVE getting a list of banned books and reading them and sharing them. But then I am rather contrarian--if I lived in TX I would promptly be taking a Sat. to visit all this offensive art with as many kids as possible in tow!
Sep 29th, 2006, 06:40 AM
#109
She did give her OK to posting her response. Evidently it is all public knowledge at this point. Her reply:
"There is more to this than is being reported. A school district is at an extreme disadvantage in the area of personnel matters due to issues of employee privacy and ethical considerations.
However, since an employee of the district has chosen to express her concerns publicly in a hearing and in the media since that time, it seems fair that a school district can at least point to facts that were stated in that public hearing. Much has been misrepresented.
This is not about a field trip to an art museum. The timing of circumstances has allowed the teacher to wave that banner and it has played well in the media. FISD is a strong supporter of the arts and the Dallas Museum of Arts – our art program is rich and award-winning.
At issue here are performance concerns and the ability of a supervisor to address these concerns. As early as May 2005 the principal verbally brought to the attention of the teacher that there were some areas for improvement. She suggested at that time that a field trip experience might be a way to strengthen the art program and the Dallas Museum of Art was discussed as a viable option – it was not mandated as has been reported.
During the spring of the next school year, 2005-2006, when the teacher began planning the field trip, the principal suggested that the field trip be delayed until the next school year because she was concerned that the planning process was not sufficient.
When the teacher received her evaluation conference, which was in mid May and after the field trip, some issues of concern, unrelated to the field trip, were discussed and the teacher stated that she didn't think it was fair to evaluate her on expectations that had not been clearly communicated to her in writing. The principal did then document the performance areas that needed to be addressed – at the teacher’s request – but the documentation was not brought on by the field trip; the field trip was not a catalyst for anything or the final straw to get her in "hot water." She was never told there would not be a next year for her or that she was not “Frisco material” as has been reported. No teachers’ job status would be jeopardized based on students’ incidental viewing of nude art.
After the memo was provided as requested, the teacher did file a grievance and also asked to be transferred if there was an opening in the district. The transfer was denied because the central administration felt that if you allow a teacher to transfer after a supervisor has given them guidelines for improvement then you have weakened a supervisor's ability to address performance issues by essentially giving the teacher an "escape hatch" to avoid meeting the expectations of the supervisor.
What is getting lost here is that this is not about a field trip, censorship, or a parent complaint. It is not about age, tenure or salary level as has also been suggested in the media. This is about a school administrator working to help an employee improve her job performance and to improve the educational experience of students. Even someone who has taught for a long time can still have opportunity for professional development. Teachers were never directed to “ostracize” her as has been reported and she was never directed to not discuss her “plight.”
As an aside, the Star Award that is being mentioned in the context of the teacher being an award-winning teacher or Star Award Teacher of the Year 2004 is a recognition that took place periodically in the local paper because a local business wanted to sponsor the monthly ad to show support for teachers in the community – someone from each campus was usually represented. There was no set way employees were chosen at each campus for this ad. Some campuses went by tenure for inclusion, others selected based on something that had occurred that month. Teachers were recognized, as were volunteers, custodians, receptionists, others. FISD does not conduct the Teacher of the Year program.
At this time, the teacher has been placed on administrative leave with pay. The Administration and the Board felt that this was the best action for all concerned. A recommendation for the non-renewal of her contract will be forthcoming from the superintendent.
"There is more to this than is being reported. A school district is at an extreme disadvantage in the area of personnel matters due to issues of employee privacy and ethical considerations.
However, since an employee of the district has chosen to express her concerns publicly in a hearing and in the media since that time, it seems fair that a school district can at least point to facts that were stated in that public hearing. Much has been misrepresented.
This is not about a field trip to an art museum. The timing of circumstances has allowed the teacher to wave that banner and it has played well in the media. FISD is a strong supporter of the arts and the Dallas Museum of Arts – our art program is rich and award-winning.
At issue here are performance concerns and the ability of a supervisor to address these concerns. As early as May 2005 the principal verbally brought to the attention of the teacher that there were some areas for improvement. She suggested at that time that a field trip experience might be a way to strengthen the art program and the Dallas Museum of Art was discussed as a viable option – it was not mandated as has been reported.
During the spring of the next school year, 2005-2006, when the teacher began planning the field trip, the principal suggested that the field trip be delayed until the next school year because she was concerned that the planning process was not sufficient.
When the teacher received her evaluation conference, which was in mid May and after the field trip, some issues of concern, unrelated to the field trip, were discussed and the teacher stated that she didn't think it was fair to evaluate her on expectations that had not been clearly communicated to her in writing. The principal did then document the performance areas that needed to be addressed – at the teacher’s request – but the documentation was not brought on by the field trip; the field trip was not a catalyst for anything or the final straw to get her in "hot water." She was never told there would not be a next year for her or that she was not “Frisco material” as has been reported. No teachers’ job status would be jeopardized based on students’ incidental viewing of nude art.
After the memo was provided as requested, the teacher did file a grievance and also asked to be transferred if there was an opening in the district. The transfer was denied because the central administration felt that if you allow a teacher to transfer after a supervisor has given them guidelines for improvement then you have weakened a supervisor's ability to address performance issues by essentially giving the teacher an "escape hatch" to avoid meeting the expectations of the supervisor.
What is getting lost here is that this is not about a field trip, censorship, or a parent complaint. It is not about age, tenure or salary level as has also been suggested in the media. This is about a school administrator working to help an employee improve her job performance and to improve the educational experience of students. Even someone who has taught for a long time can still have opportunity for professional development. Teachers were never directed to “ostracize” her as has been reported and she was never directed to not discuss her “plight.”
As an aside, the Star Award that is being mentioned in the context of the teacher being an award-winning teacher or Star Award Teacher of the Year 2004 is a recognition that took place periodically in the local paper because a local business wanted to sponsor the monthly ad to show support for teachers in the community – someone from each campus was usually represented. There was no set way employees were chosen at each campus for this ad. Some campuses went by tenure for inclusion, others selected based on something that had occurred that month. Teachers were recognized, as were volunteers, custodians, receptionists, others. FISD does not conduct the Teacher of the Year program.
At this time, the teacher has been placed on administrative leave with pay. The Administration and the Board felt that this was the best action for all concerned. A recommendation for the non-renewal of her contract will be forthcoming from the superintendent.
