Wrongs that parents see, or even hear of, must first pass the muster of "I can't believe this could happen here!" This belief comes from the idea that everyone in the community is "just like me;" therefore people in the school system could only be of higher moral quality than myself. While this idea is noble, it is somewhat misguided in that it falsely believes that we, as individuals, are of a lower self-worth than teachers.
This lack of moral equivalency comes from where we remember the great teachers of the past that challenged us. We fondly remember our kindly Miss Honey of Matilda who saw elementary school children as a source of joy to be gently spurred onward. We remember with great admiration that high school teacher who was so tough that most of the men storming the beaches of Normandy would break down and cry in front of her (because she was probably there with them charging the strafing fire!)
We also look back on how our parents handled school problems, it was usually out of our sight or earshot. This was done in an effort to make certain that we respected our elders. Even more so, some problems were brushed off by our parents as "you need to eat a little crow every now and then."
Nevertheless, some problems rise above these outdated beliefs. Where these types of problems arise, we have yielded our Freedom of Speech to community expediency for the sake of not drawing attention to ourselves or our children. It is our own silence that has afforded these situations to fester to the point that problems are coming out of even the small, down-home school systems.
Who, 20 years ago, would have thought that teachers would be plastered all over television screens, almost nightly, pleading guilty to having sex with students or masturbating in public? Did this nightly montage start with teachers just saying one day, "I sure would like to make love to one of these students?"
Problems of questionable behavior have been occurring for some time. Children have told parents about problems that would fall under the heading of emotional abuse not just sexual abuse. Yet parents are rigidly fearful of teachers or administrators taking more frustration out on their children. This fear has crippled many efforts to straighten out problems; while those parents who speak out are met with resistance. The outspoken parents are made to feel that their child is the only problem in the class. The administrators in one breath claim to advocate for the students but in the next breath protect one of their own from any criticism. This UBER-protection has so emboldened teachers that a few overstep the bounds of public decency.
We must realize that some teachers are not in the profession for the sake of teaching; some are actually in the profession for the unnatural job-security and higher-than-local-average income. Also, we must understand that people are moving into East Tennessee that do not share the morals that many were ingrained with from birth. Finally, we must accept that the teachers of our childhood have been replaced by newer and younger models of teachers who were cast from far different molds.
This is not a deionization of the profession or of the professionals. This is a call to be involved with the school system. When a child reports sadistic, aberrant behavior reminiscent of the teacher that inspired Pink Floyd's Another Brick In The Wall, parents need to make a personal appearance at the school; after all, phone calls are forgotten the moment the call has ended. Parents need to address their concerns in writing as well so that no one can say, "that's not what I was told" or "I was never told about that!" The written word definitively raises the specter of liability within the school system. Parents need to talk to their neighbors and other parents and inform them about problems within the school system or problems with a specific teacher or administrator. Parents need to wake up to the possibility that not every teacher, administrator, or even elected school board member has their children's best interest in mind.
If your concern goes beyond your own child, consider running for the Board of Education in February 2008. With enough parents demanding change, a newcomer could give an incumbent a good challenge. Zone 2 and Zone 4, Charles Temple and John McClure, are both up for re-election and those seats are currently unopposed. Consider filing with the Sevier County Election Commission to run by December 13th, 2007 , you may be elected simply because you are not the same ol', same ol'. If all else fails, just be involved.
-The time is always right to do what is right. Martin Luther King, Jr
-Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it. Ghandi
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User Comments
We desperately need new blood in the school system.
Who wrote this article and why isn't their name on the byline?
On the opinion page it says "by Travis R. McGaha". I think that's the guy that the school board told to shut up when he was airing dirty laundry in front of reporters. At least he's got the 'nads to say it to their faces.
Amen! Amen! Amen! This article is very accurate. School officials would be and have been very quick to deny that such problems occur. Changes are needed in the current system and anyone who cannot recognize that there are growing unresolved problems is truly blind, dumb, and mute! There are many problems to address. Currently these board members meet once a month for approximately 15 minutes (30 minutes is rare) to discuss issues that have already been rehearsed behind closed doors which affect your tax paying monies which primarily fund this system. The public meeting presented is simply to "rubber stamp" what has already been decided by just a few. This is a gross violation of open government. Cronyism, nepotism, and the like, adversely affect many areas of local government, especially the school system, which in turn has a corrosive effect on the student population. The people really do hold the power. These officials must be accountable if they wish to keep their elected seats. If you wish to see change, then act! Our kids are worth the action necessary!
Speaking of schools, does anyone know anything about the rumors of mold at Seymour Intermediate?
I wonder if the board just didnt want to here anything travis had to say or was Jackie Parton SNAPING THE WHIP!!!!
look how many times i submitted a comment!!!! DUHHHHHHH just a little slow. Man Maybe i should run for the school board!!! HAHAHAHHAHAHA
Sounds like we need to get rid of all of them and elect people willing to get rid of PARTON and his cronies. Maybe other schools than Gatlinburg's can get some benefit.
It has come to my attention a Sevier County Bus Drive with 19yrs of driving our children safely home. Has had her bus pulled for no unknown reason. Now they replaced her with a New driver with no experience. Tell me why in the world did this happen??? Its time we all address this ? to Jackie Parton our Superintendent 453-4671, also we have a Transportation Director who's name is Danny Ellis 453-3568. And guess what else we have a newly hired "Transporation Coordinator Jim Kenner" 453-4671. Makes you wonder why our taxes increased huh. Well the people of Sevier County need to do what Knox County has done "take back our right to vote on our Superintendent and also the Board members" its never gonna change until someone takes a stand HELLLOOOO, I bet if you take out all the family members that are employed by Sevier County School System, There would be alot of jobs available for many people to choose from. Yep I even heard the Department of Transportation Son is a New Hire, Remember our Tax increase. Now tell me how anyone can pull a bus from a driver who has drove all her 19yrs for Sevier County Schools. Ponder this could the New bus driver be a Family Member. Personally when I heard this story about them pulling a bus from someone with 19yrs. And hiring some with who knows if the person have ever driven a bus before. I know my opinion I had much rather have my grandkidds ride with the experienced driver. I am sorry this happened to this driver but I feel we all need to stand up and do what is right. Find out ourselves why the Superintendent would make such poor judgement.
Hey all I can say is Shame on our sUperiNTENDant.
Go VolS
I like living in the comfort zone, 19yrs experienced Sevier County Bus Driver.
Kudos to whomever you are
i think the problem is not with the school system but with the parents of the kids
now days the kids run the household and not the parents and then when they come to school it doesn't work that way AND THEN PARENTS want to get involved and say that teachers pick on them or that there child would not do something like that in all let the teachers teach and let the students learn parents support your children and be involved but that does not mean be at the school everyday from K-8 children do not need that school is time away from parents for teachers to fix the mistakes paretns make at home and to get them socialized with others but don't berate the new crop of teachers they are different and are dealing with the new "perfect child" that does nothing wrong and cannot read in 7th grade because bad teachers right no bad kids but i am done now
No, there are no absolutes.
Fault does not lie with only one party....and if one believes this, their ignorance is really shining through!
The problem does not solely rest with the parents. It does not solely rest with the teachers....it does however rest with poor leadership, malaise, apathy, unresponsiveness, and lack of plain common sense on the part of the administration. When it sucks at the bottom, chances are it sucks at the top...and trickles down!
Most accountable businesses are just that...accountable! There is no accountability in the Sevier county school administration. There are problems galore! Peer within the halls of the schools....peer there more than once! Talk with your kids, their friends, as well as the teachers and the administration. I have some tape recordings of ignorant comments made by personnel and administrators of the school system, if you wish to really hear what goes on!
There are teachers who really do bully children in this county! There are teachers in this county who could care a less about whether the child succeeds! There really are teachers who engage in substandard conduct! There really are teachers in this county who harm children, who are not behavioral problems! There are many of us who do expect our children to be accountable, however, if the staff is not held to that same measure of accountability, there is a gross double standard!
If you "ex teacher" really do believe all that you are saying, I am certainly pleased that you are a former....and not a current teacher.
There are those of us who recognize inappropriate conduct by teaching personnel and by the administration, however, it take cahunas to be able to recognize it, admit it, and engage in the action necessary resolve it!
There are good teachers here as well, but this mentality of the teacher is always the all knowing and omnipotent one, without fault, must go! It hurts the children, who are captive in the school system.
Wake up and smell the coffee!
I do agree with Ms.Gebhardt!!!
Ex-Teacher--- what did you teach? ENGLISH... Who are you? ee cummings? You leave no punctuation! Your grammar is horrible! "there children" should be "their children!" Did Jackie Parton hire you for you superior certification in English? If you were a teacher here, it's no wonder these schools have problems.
By the way, no parent in their (notice my correct spelling of the possessive case) right mind sends their children to school to be socialized. A lifetime exists for socialization. Moreover, very few "socialization" skills from school have applied in adulthood!
I love the fact that people are talking. Way to go, Blake! I am glad that I did not have to point out any flaws.
Seriously though, I have reviewed some of the "report cards" of the school system. If I understand them correctly, INTELLECTUALLY our children are in the 93% of the nation. Only 7% of the school systems in America fare better than us. If our children's intelligence is so HIGH, why aren't our children being BEGGED to attend IVY league schools. Why does Princeton, Yale, Harvard, and Duke not open colleges strictly for Sevier County students. OH wait! IVY League colleges go by GPA and if a teacher wants to screw with kids for not kissing enough backside or doing enough busy-work, they simply hand out crappy grades.
That, my friends, is a sign of crappy leadership. We discourage intelligence at all costs. We provide no motivation to retain knowledge. Yet, we will reward children for simply appearing busy. That is a leadership problem. Our children deserve better!!!
There are currently no leaders in Sevier County - only followers, and gullible ones at that. Wouldn't it be nice to have just one person on the school board that thinks ahead and plans for the future? Vote for change at every opportunity.
We have no leaders in Sevier County Schools, remember the old song "WE ARE FAMILY" there you go.
#18, I do recall a student from Seymour High School was excepted to a Ivy league School. But guess what stopped him from getting there, the so called leadership did not even know he had to have 4yrs of foreign language. So guess what this very intelligent young man ended up going to Carson Newman. Now let me tell ya that suks from the inside out. The system failed again
I say lets vote Bill Clinton in for our new Superintendent. lololololololololololololo
i say elect barney 5
#13 I agree
I have been noticing when I pick my kidds up from school you can't tell the teachers from the students. Teachers wearing flip flops, jeans now come on where are the dress codes? My badd aren't those made up by Jackie Parton and his many directors.
Every pig has a poke and every poke has a pig
If the video cameras are put into the buses for parents to see when their children are acting up, why are some parents not allowed to see those tapes when there kids are kicked off the bus without a subpeona from a court of law? Some people get invited to see the tapes... some of us are told it's a matter of privacy.. but they can kick my kid off the bus based on that evidence. Jack's making up the rules as he goes along when he has something to hide!
There is no way my kid will ever go to public school. She is home schooled and already ahead of most any public school kids her age.
Public Schools are a JOKE these days. Nothing against the teachers, it the "no kid left behind" stuff that has help ruin it. Parents are to busy to teach their kids simple discipline and respect. I see horrible acting brats every day talk to their parents like they are dogs....and they let them! I would no want my child around most of these spoiled brats 7 or 8 hours a day.
Parents....your kids are slipping away and it's your fault.
amen # 28,
I think a child with aspirations of an Ivy League Education should be doing research. I think parents should be involved with the process. However, over and over again, news stories, press releases, radio shows, etc, all berate parents for not being as intellectually astute in the educational processes as "the professionals." Hence parents feel that all teachers, educators have their children's best interests at heart, only to find out at graduation that their child is leaving high school less prepared than the child should be. So perhaps the "professionals" aren't always keeping up with what they should be.
Let's look at "counseling." How many times do children receive a 1-on-1 time with a guidance counselor at high school. A school year, by law, must be 180 days. If only 1 person was the guidance counselor at SCHS and saw 1 student every 10 minutes, that 1 guidance counselor could see all 1900 students almost 4 times in a school year. I don't think my son saw a guidance counselor in his 2 years at SCHS. He was in the Sevier County public schools from K through 10 and never even knew what the superintendent even looked like. Are students even told the steps to see a guidance counselor? Would a teacher even let students out of class knowing that it would interrupt the learning process if the student didn't stay for the entire lecture? So do guidance counselors only see students between classes??? HMMM!
if a child has dreams of ivy league shouldn't him or her and his parents do some research before making four year plans so they know what they have to do in order to be accepted all blame cannot be placed on the system
Apparently the guidance of Sevier County was the reason he did not get in. If the guidance counselor had done what she gets paid to do then this would not have happened to this fine young man. We as parents look to these so called guidance counselors to direct our children and know what is what. Its called keeping up with the program, and that is something Sevier County Schools do not. Taxes go up and pockets get fatter, if not for our tax dollars then Jackie Parton would not get a New SUV every 2 yrs. Take the tax dollars and hire some guidance counselors.
#31
The system did fail. Why do we have guidance counselors for????? Just to take up space.
How does one get involved in making changes rather than venting about the problems in the school system?
well at the time this happened one of the guidance counselors was posing half naked online and the other was this young mans football coach you think he might have said something to him about wanting to go ivy league during all their encounters but just like all parents are becoming now just blame the school as a parent you have no responsibility
actually i think the obviously bright student and his parents did not do their job how is a guidance dept. supposed to know what every student in a school is going to want to go to college and even more how are they supposed to know the requirements of every college in the country it is impossible and they don't even talk about this stuff with the students until they come to them so i would say the blame is still on the parents
Excuse me I could not have said it any better. I think your comment is lolololo,
Looks like the Coach didn't do his job either, all I have to say on that is
Happy Retirement
So you are a kid in your 1st class, you are paying attention to the class but you want to talk to the guidance counselor. You raise your hand and say, "I need or would like to go to the guidance office." Teacher says, "no... not during my class, I don't let students roam the halls." The same thing occurs all day long. In between two classes that are close to the guidance office, you pop in only to be told you must set up an appointment. You ask for an appointment only to be told the counselor is too busy to talk to you to set up the appointment. How many times do you try that before you become discouraged? It is the ADULT'S responsibility and JOB to talk to the students. Students can NOT make an ADULT give them the time of day. Students can get into trouble for arguing with teachers for the opportunity to talk to guidance.
How come when I want to sit in on a class I am more than welcome unless there is some conflict in the class, than I am "interfering with the learning process" or "disrupting the class?" I am asked to volunteer to decorate the grounds but I am unwanted in the room? Go figure. The schools cannot have it both ways they cannot say we want parental involvement then everything turns into a matter of privacy! I DO blame the schools.
Yeah Ron I bet you do blame the school. It is easy to pass the buck for the mistakes that you made in raising your kids.
You blame the school for your child not knowing right from wrong.
You blame the school for child's lack of work ethic.
You blame the school for your child's lack of interest in education and the importance of an education.
You blame the schools for your child's lack of character.
You blame the school for your child's ignorance when it comes to the dangers of unprotected sex.
I can go on and on here with this.
Parents set the foundation for their kids education. It take responsibility and time to raise a child and to build a solid foundation that teahcers can build upon.
Ron, you and other parents, need to raise your children and stop expecting schools to do the job for you.
Can schools do better? Yes. Can Parents do better? Yes.
Instead of playing the blame game, how about Parents and Teachers working together to produce a better quality and more educated person.
Hey! Blame Game!
You missed the whole point... the school wants me to discipline my children based on a teachers say-so alone.
the school wants me to raise my children based on "their" belief of right and wrong.
the school wants me to teach right from wrong and then contradict my instructions. the school wants me to explain that being busy for the sake of looking busy is better than actually learning and holding on to that knowledge or using that knowledge.
This list could go on as well... but when I try to participate in the process, I am told that "I" am the one that is unwelcome. I have been told to leave this to the professionals. Then when parents leave the "education" to the professionals, we get pro's telling children that when they are struck they are to whimper and cry and let the teacher handle the discipline. Then both children get kicked out of school. When parents leave it to the pro's, you get classes on the dangers of unprotected sex including a private "hands on" lessons or even an "oral" exams at night. When left to the pro's, the pro's seem to accommodate certain children from certain families!
The first step that parents need to make is get control of the schools back into the hands of the community. Right now, parents are just not heard.
I am not missing the point. It is ovious that your child has gotten into trouble at school and you are not satisfied with the punishment.
Why don't you just describe how you were "wronged" by a school. Expain the situation. You do not have to use names of the people involved, just describe the events that took place.
I take it that you are one of those parents that find no wrong in anything your child does. Your child does not lie to you, so the teacher must be not telling the truth.
You are probably unwelcome at a school becuase of how you approached the situation. Or you have a reputation that preceeds you as being difficult to work with. It sounds, from your postings, that they may be the case but who knows.
"It is obvious that your child has gotten into trouble at school and you are not satisfied with the punishment."
sorry, I did not see the typo
I can tell you some wrongs. I run the http://myhometownpeeps.info website. I have had the privilege of several parents writing to me about specific issues. 1 parent stated that her child was kicked off the bus and that the video was DISTURBING. When she asked to see the video evidence, she was told NO!!! If my child was caught on camera acting "disturbed," I would need to see that evidence so that I can get my child help and even show it to a psychiatrist. DISTURBING imagery should be seen by the parent whose child is being disciplined but of course she was told she could only see the evidence if she could afford a lawyer and get a subpeona.
Another parent stated that her daughter was taken into the hall by a teacher and verbally abused... the parent asked to sit in the class in order to make certain that her child was acting appropriately, she was told NO!!! No parents are allowed to sit in the class.
Other parents came to me out of the Boyds Ck area and stated that their child wanted to quit school and was all upset. The little girl was told by a teacher that children who are FAT will get cancer and DIE!!!
As of this day, I don't think I've heard of any scientific research that exclusively links body mass directly to cancer. This teacher was just throwing out the mantra of the day!
AS FOR YOU, Concerned Parent, the best way to be involved is to TALK to your own children. Then TALK to other people's children. Then TALK to the PARENTS. CALL ON YOUR CHILDREN's teachers. Let them see you face to face. Don't just be there for a problem...be there for the good times too! Most importantly, when you see something wrong... write to your board members (I have their names and addresses on my site). This is the most important: GO TO THE SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS!!! The school board meetings are held (usually) the 2nd Monday of the Month. This month's meeting is coming up on MONDAY. The meetings are conveniently held at 4:30pm while most parents are at their tourist industry jobs working a mid-afternoon or evening shift. If more parents started going to the Board Meetings then Board Members may become more inclined to serve the parents of the community. It is not that they do not serve the interests of the parents, but if 1 person has a problem with some aspect of the school system, the board members will represent the other 2300-plus or minus people in their districts and DO NOTHING to upset the apple cart! When you see a problem, call attention to it... Do not cower in fear that your children will somehow be treated poorly... if they are already being mistreated, they will appreciate the effort. Your interest in their education will mean they are interested in their own education.
#43
I think you have missed the pointlet me put it to you in English. The Sevier County School System wants the parents involved but only in their way. Yes they will take you generosity of landscaping and what ever else you can do. But when it come to questions of the education your children are recieving , they do not want any parent to interfer with thier ethics of teaching. Just as the dress codes in the Schools if you are skinny and wear a skirt lil short to their liking they send them home or call the parents. Now when a another student wears the same shirt there is nothing they can or will do. Why?? It would be discriminating to be told you are FAT. Skinny,FAT no matter what color you are they should all be treated the same. But trust me on this the skinny girls are the ones "called out" and as for kidds being badd. Well I guess you have raised Saints. Wrong again all kidds are mean its what you do to correct the situation, sometimes kidds can be very unruly due to a teachers attitude toward them. I'm sure when you were in school you worn the same shoes as we all do. So you need to think about yourself and "childern" if you have any. Before you voice your opinion and tell people their kidds are all badd. Shame on you I feel sorry for people like you because people like you do not care. That is why our school system is in the bottom of the ditch,.
The school system is not without its problems and frankly the problems do not rest only with parents. This sort of comment is regressive and backward and plainly ignorant. Maybe this is how they functioned in "Tara" and perhaps some here have a "mammy" and a sister named "Scarlett!: Fiddle dee dee! Get real!
The fact that there are problems in the school setting is not what is so PROBLEMATIC!!!!! What is so problematic is that there are individuals in the school system, including board members, who refuse to acknowledge that these problems do indeed exist, therefore, how does one solve a problem which they cannot even admit? Thus, no action is taken and the issues escalate! That is the biggest shame!
For instance, If a parent recognizes a problem and takes no action in an adverse situation, one would wonder what is wrong with the parent? When administrative personnel fail to take action on issues recurrently brought to their attention by many different people, there is definitely something wrong! (If one person tells you that you have a tail, ignore it! If two tell you, turn around and look!)
That idea does not take one proficient and skilled in rocket science! Shame on them!
Why do central office personnel and board members refuse to hear parental complaints in an open forum? I attended the Board of Education meeting in which a parent was literally silenced and told to be "OUT OF ORDER" because he exceeded the UNWRITTEN "five minute" rule, yet another address following this parent, (in this same meeting) lasted 25 minutes. This is a gross violation of open government. This is censorship!
I myself addressed the board three years ago and had 10 minutes on the agenda! I was not silenced. However, no action was taken. The issue was given "lip service" and "taken under advisement." Story of their lives!
There are many political distinctions within the Sevier county school system. These adversely affects many children. There are problems with teachers engaging in preferential treatment within the Sevier county school system and they do so without consequence, as the administrative personnel refuse to acknowledge substandard conduct or God forbid, engage in a corrective plan of action. There are truly so called teachers who thrive on bullying and scaring children. There are abusive teachers shuffled from school to school. There are grown adult teachers who refer to 6th grade kids as "slutty." Let us say the child referred to the teacher in this manner. What would happen then? Why should the teacher be allowed to speak to the child in this manner? The list is long!
There are Board Members who wish to hear only the "positive remarks" about the school system and refuse to acknowledge and correct the deficiencies that truly do exist. Many parents here would appreciate if the officials would get off their dead butts and advocate for their schools as our children deserve better. We as tax paying citizens deserve better too! Remember, to do what is right, is not always popular.
They now are more concerned about appearances than the well being of children.
If you are truly concerned, get involved and stay involved. It takes work. You may not be well liked, but who cares? To do nothing, certainly condems your child!
To act, takes guts! Inaction is a choice!
#46 if you do not mind me asking, what kind of school did you attend? Public? Private? Home School?
I do not think #43 missed the boat. I believe that they were trying to say that there are two sides to every story. As well as their are factors involved in a childs education than just schools, parents, and administrators.
I agree with Ms. Gebhardt. People need to get involved. I can understand, in this day and time, why schools will not allow just anyone to come in and visit. There is a liability issue that has to be of some concern.
I have been at some schools before when some upset parent goes out of their way to make a scene.
#48
There are two sides to every story, but whose side are one to believe. Superintendent and board members always back the teachers no matter what. The only time they back off is when the media gets involved and then the School System hangs'em out to dry. It takes more than one parent to bring the School System down so changes can be made. You need not worry were my kidds went to school you need to be worrying about your own. Yes you missed the boat too.
We moved here from another state where the public schools system is REALLY a joke. My children attended private schools in order for them to get a good education. Their school former school has accredidation with the Southern Association of Colleges and is a two time Blue Ribbon winner and a No Child Left Behind. Their stadanrdized tests schools were in the top 10% of the nation. With that said, since we moved to Seymour my children havew attended public school. They are on the Honor Roll, I have noticed that a majority of the text books they use are the same as the books from their former school with the exception of "Special Tennessee Edition" written on the cover. This puzzles me since I thought math, history, english, etc. are the same from state to state. Also, they very rarely have homework. When I ask them about it, I am told they finished it in class. They further explained to me that many of the teachers barely teach in the classroom. The teachers very briefly go over whatever it is they are supposed to be teaching and then the students their assignments and that's it! I'm used to them having at least an hour of homework every night and I'm uo tachers teaching. I know there are behavior problems with some students because I hear the tales my children bring home. I know mine are no angels but they are respectful and are not disruptive. Many of you have touched on several topics that you see as problems that need change. Can any of you tell me if my quandry is well found or not? Thanks
#50
You have alot to learn, first off take your children and put them back in Private School. Your kidds are telling you the truth there are around 30 students per-class. No time for teachers to teach them they either put the lesson on the board or tell them and it is up to your child to get it done. If your child has a problem with math don't plan on the teacher to shall him/her. They learn it own their on or fall behind. I have several friends who have moved to Seymour so their kidds hopes to play football. Let me tell ya what a mistake they not only didn't get to play football but they had to be privately tutored to catch up. To this day those kidds are in private school and are very intelligent. I say your kidds being on Honor Roll is because they have already been tought what Seymour is catching up. Seymour is AA teaching, blount county is AAA. your ?s follow your instinct, Sevier County is behind time
My child had his book bag ripped off his back by another child and punched in the kidneys. My son turned around and popped him in the face before he could be struck again. This was what the principal told me. But she had to suspend BOTH children because children are not allowed to fight.
I didn't raise cain about that, what bothered me was that the principal asked me to correct my son for fighting.
I said the punishment of the school is more than enough.
My son has a responsibility to defend himself, first and foremost. He then has a responsibility to defend those who cannot defend themselves. I will not feminize my son to accommodate a modern belief in fighting. My opinion, based on what the principal told me, is that my son was not in a scheduled "duel" where he was a willing participant; he was struck from behind with no way of knowing whether he would be allowed, by the attacking child, to walk away. My children have had "character counts" rammed down their throat since the 1990's. My son had enough "character" to stand up for himself and face the consequences. It takes a lot of "character" to do what is right. Luckily the school system has succeeded in cowing much of the rest of the community to FEAR any form of confrontation.
Ron, if what you state is what happened, your son did the right thing. Kids have to be able to stand up for themselves.
Did your son receive the same punishment as the kid who started it? If so, that just isn't right.
Yes! Both children were given 1 - day Suspension: equally. Like I said, I wasn't mad that they punished equally, I was just bothered that they thought I should dole out 'more' or that I should be "concerned." Boys will be boys as 7th graders and I will not make a girl of mine. But I also understand that if they suspended 1 child maybe another parent may say..."Oh! Not my child... my child wouldn't throw a first punch! I don't believe those other 50 witnesses." But in the same breath, we talk about character as a buzz word but we do not reinforce "real" character!
Way to go Ron, I don't believe in bullies but I also would not want my kidd to take anyones crap. I taught my kidds to not start trouble and not to run from it. Someone does something to them then its kicking some butt
The school sent out a letter about two years ago saying they tested for mold and it came back negative. To reduce the chance of mold, they made a few changes in the building. Any talk about mold is just rumors.
"Kudos", "my gravy", "it doesn't matter", "Just a thought"...
This has to be one person using all these different names. There can't be more than one peson out there that spells like this person does. Whoever it is, allow me to help.
kidd- kid
kidds- kids
badd- bad
recieve-receive
anyones-anyone's
tought-taught
lil-little
That is funny! It could be that same person. The even funnier thought is that if they happened to be 4 different individuals who were educated in the Sevier County School system.
#58
You may be right on that one
#57
Someone out there is gonna thank you for you lesson in spelling.
I believe there are many people who would concur that there are many problems which need to be corrected within the school system. Problem seems to be getting those same people to take action. Talk is cheap! Action is necessary. Action is not always easy. It is often grueling and tiresome....and often one finds themselves talking with brick walls and there are those within the school system who are truly offensive and have the interpersonal skills of a piece of steel wool! It is truly exhausting at times.
Many would like you to believe that all of those in the educational community have your child's best interest at heart. Perhaps back in the "Leave it to Beaver" days, they did. But now, to wholly accept this fallacy is foolish.
There are many of those in the school system who do have children's best interests at heart. But be aware, there are those who do not and there are those who would sell your child up the river to keep the media off their backs.
The educational community speaks out of both sides of their mouth...claims they wish to have parental input. In reality, they wish to have your money and your input insofar as they deem it necessary and as long as what you say is positive. But one finds themselves at odds with many when the deficiencies and abuses are pointed out and worse, pointed out and uncorrected. Constant and persistent emotional abuse is much more scarring that physical abuse! There are teachers who enjoy and thrive on abusing kids and bullying kids. Many parents know it and could tell hair raising stories. Some believe this is not a harmful thing...however, the damage is done long after the child leaves the classroom. If we do not tolerate kids bullying other kids, why do we condone or tolerate adults abusing captive children in the classroom? I for one do not. Why are these abusive teachers allowed to keep their jobs? Why are the disposition of complaints not released to the public when parents ask for personnel records?
There are many questions that go unanswered. I have been told that being from the North, I am sometimes perceived to be direct and "rude." More people then need to be "rude"! We must address the issues, not sugar coat or deny them. How does that solve anything?
The other lesson I learned most effectively early in life is to not ever "argue with an idiot" as passer byers on the street, cannot discern the difference. I try to remember and practice this when resolving conflict with the school system.
There is much apathy and unresponsiveness in current administration of the school system. Only persistent action will change this...perhaps not instantaneously...but any progressive change is definitely for the better!
People need to take a stand and go to the board meetings. All this talk its time to show some action, form a large group let Mr Parton and his underdogs know its time to let the people vote for our Superintendant. I for one will be there
I recall Jackie Parton begging for a property tax increase to help the schools, because we did not get the funds due to lack of the grade. What did our taxes of 25% do for our schools. Only 2% was given to the schools, Jackie Parton created a New job for Jim Kenner he was hired in as an Transportation Coordiator. Now Sevier County already had a Transportation Director. But that was our taxes 25% increase that has funded this position for another buddy in the barn. If you want to see the who"s who list and their ranks. Try reading the Sevier County Board of Education wedsite. You won't be surprised what you will see, you can even find people elected for whatever.
#61 You got it right. How is voting for Superintendant going to improve the schools?
Please go to this website and read about how voting for a superintendent benefits the people.
http://myhometownpeeps.info/wordpress/?p...
The superintendent is supposed to be responsible for the hiring and firing of teachers. The "appointed" superintendent does not have to answer to the people so he/she leaves incompetent teachers in place.
An elected superintendent must seek the approval of the community and if a teacher is seen as incompetent he/she must rid the school of the problem teacher or he/she won't get the votes.
As an "appointed" superintendent, he is a high-ranking, high-paid, certified, and UNION-sympathizing (perhaps even a full-fledged member of either the Sevier County Education Association, Tennessee Education Association, or National Education Association) employee.
As an elected superintendent, he/she is a modestly-paid public servant.
Travis. this sounds good, however our commissioners and school board are elected yet none have the qualifications, experience and training that Dr. Jack Parton has. Are superintendants not appointed and governed by elected people? I see and hear complaint after complaint about the elected people of the county, so I fail to see any real pragmatic improvement occuring as a result of turning over school leadership to the most popular candidate. Do you know what I mean?
#64 Great Job
#65
Tell me how a county commissioner quallifies to be a Transportation Coordinator? We have a Transportation Supervisor. Only 2% of the Tax increase went to the schools. So that left 23% to make jobs at the central office. Other places for family members, if you take all the family members hired with Sevier County then schools would end, no buses would run,and no more teachers, no one to cook. Hummmmmm but don't worry this won't ever happen as long as Jackie Parton is Superintendent. The Dr, doesn't mean a thing he puts his pants on the same way we all do. Travis how about the sunshine law, would that work for Sevier County????
We all need to get off MR.Parton's back. He is one of the best men I know. Also,he is the right person to lead the school system in the right direction!
#65, your point is well ceded, however... should we not change the Presidency of the United States to an appointed position? Why do we make a BIG deal about electing a president? Why worry about it when we elect fine representatives to congress every day. Surely George Bush deserves to stay put forever. Of course others may think the Bill Clinton deserves to stay there forever. It is the rotation of leaders that keeps nepotism from becoming as problematic, not that we have to worry about that in Sevier County.
As for qualifications, I have been taking a good, long look at the level of education and expertise required for what this job entails.
http://myhometownpeeps.info/index_files/...
Now, this is a bit tongue in cheek but all of us over-glamorize what the superintendent job entails. The super is not the end-all be-all of life as we know it in the school system. I hope some of you will click on the site and see the side by side comparison and think hard why did the UNIONS in Tennessee put up such a fight to change a superintendent from an elected position to a certified, appointed position?
The answer lies not in the need for a paper-pusher. The answer is all about the desire to fire INCOMPETENT TEACHERS! Appointed superintendents are extremely sensitive to the needs of the UNION while an elected super needs the approval of the community!
As for whether MR Parton is a fine man, he may be finer than frog hair. I've only met with him once! He is not unlikable. Then again, I have rarely met a person that I could not sit down with and have a coke and smile.
Travis
I agree all officals need to be elected and they should be held accountable, for all the wrongs in the Sevier County School System. As far as Mr.Parton being a fine man maybe its hidden and we are living in Bunnyland.
#66
you must not know many people, Mr.Parton has no backbone so therefore he needs to do the smart thing and resign. That would be the best thing that could happen in Sevier County.
The question does not seem to be whether Mr. Parton or any central office official... is a nice person or a fine person
How exactly does NICE or being a "fine man" equate with leadership ability? How exactly does being NICE or being a "fine man" equate with being ACCOUNTABLE?
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I was once told by a Sevier county school official that no corrective action was going to be taken on a critical situation, which was affecting many children in the system adversely, because the individual in question was "NICE" and doing the "best they can." I in turn asked that person if I understood him correctly?...that if you brought your child to me in an Emergency Room setting (I am a nurse by trade), that he was more concerned that I am NICE rather than COMPETENT? As if this were indeed the case, they would find themselves in the big middle of a huge case of negligence! Now mind you, I did not automatically jump to this particular posture, this was the response I received after putting these grievances in writing on more than one occasion! This is "good ol boy" mentality...and in the educational system it is nothing short of backward and regressive.
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Leadership takes fortitude...takes guts...takes speaking the truth, takes EFFORT, lacks sugarcoating, ...and true leaders are responsive and accountable for their actions...or inaction. We do not need a school system made up of "good ol boys" who scratch each other's backsides! How exactly does that help the kids in this county? How exactly does that ensure that all receive fair and equitable treatment within the schools across Sevier county? How does harboring dead weight on the teacher payroll in the system help the kids in this county to academically flourish? Not all are dead weight, but there are some who are...and we all know who they are...and the good teachers in the system can identify them too! Why are all of the elements of a personnel record ,such as whether complaints have been substantiated and the disposition of such substantiated complaints, not available for public inspection upon parental request as any other public record? Why are Sunshine laws repeatedly violated? Why do school board members readily accept school budgetary proposals without any sort of dispute or discussion? I attend these monthly board meetings and see this on a recurrent basis! There has even been recent talk that they now wish to televise these public board meetings, which by the way are held at a most inopportune time for many of those in the community wishing to attend, as many are still working at that time of day. Why? Why are these public meetings not held at a more convenient time to the public? As for televising, this appears to be but another attempt to simply "rubber stamp" what has already been decided behind closed doors? (Which is in direct violation of TN Sunshine Laws as this is TAXPAYERS money!) Why go to all the expense to televise these meetings? Why does New Center school not have air conditioning for its gymnasium? They indicate it would be a $60,000 endeavor and only one estimate was provided four years ago! If you were out to install something like A/C in a large structure or building, would you not have more than one estimate done? Is that not what most people would do? (And we wonder why there is seemingly no money?) Why does a central office official (employed by the Sevier county school system) negotiate contracts for the TAXPAYER? Does this seem like a conflict of interest? It is small wonder that teaching personnel is so well insulated and protected...even when engaging in abusive and inappropriate conduct.
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Yet, these folks speak out of both sides of their mouths! Most recently, there has been a lot of talk about the projected 7 million dollar short fall...and that Phil Bredesen is out to "cheat" Sevier county schools due to the lack of funding. Many bemoan the fact and cry loudly that this is a tourist community and that the monies available are not a fair indicator of those who live and work here...due to the amount of tourism. School officials have reported through the media that they have taken these concerns to Nashville to voice these aloud...that many in this community are struggling and this is not fair.
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YET, on the school's own recently REVAMPED website, it indicates Sevier county to be made up many who primarily are MIDDLE to UPPER income families living in this tourist community. Now if that be the case, why do we have many Title One schools? Be aware that "Title One" means a school that receives MORE than average federal funding, because the impoverished population is higher than the average. Well now, let's see....if the impoverished clientele is higher in Sevier county ....and the federal funds allocated to these schools are MORE....how do we perceive that this community is made up primarily of middle to upper income residents? Now one could accurately say that many retirees may reside here...but one cannot be deceptive to their community and to others on the outside looking in....and say something entirely contradictory to officials in Nashville! It is small wonder they look this way wondering what is in our water....and how much we drink of it? Sevier county could indeed find more creative means to help their schools...but one must care enough to speak the truth...and not just be NICE. Looks like the NICE route has got us to where we are now.
/
There are so many unanswered questions. There are issues that are very important that go unaddressed that affect the youth in schools in this county.
/
That has absolutely NOTHING to do with being NICE! We need those who are responsive to the community.... responsive to the hard working parents who fund this set up.... and those responsive and actually CARE about the kids who are the captive audience in this system. Are you telling me that Oak Ridge is the only entity in TN with a backbone to ensure that their schools receive the best they can provide? There are many officials in the Oak Ridge community taking much heat from their community....for trying to do what is right...they need to put a statue in the middle of town honoring these people trying to achieve this endeavor. Do a little internet search on what is going on over there...such as attempts to rid an allegedly abusive TENURED teacher, which takes some fortitude and Backbone! Not everyone in the community supports this position, yet, officials are forging ahead doing what they feel is right! Sounds like something we need here!
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Doing what is right...is not always doing what is popular...after all, Ted Bundy...the serial killer...was a ladies man...and he was supposedly NICE!
Look how far that got him as well as his victims!
#67 #70
Seems like you two have alot of answers for the problems with Sevier County School System. Actions speak louder than words, so what are you doing to get people in Sevier County to change the appointed Jackie Parton. All of Sevier County Schools are family and flunky's scratching each other's back. We have teachers wearing flip flops,dressing inapporate. Its no wonder teachers are sleeping with their students, or doing show and tell in Public. Let's not forget the back seat lesson that was taught to a student. It is sadd not knowing what will happen next. We "most" parents raise our children with morals and respect. I guarantee if a student even thought about having such behavior,they would get punished to the MAXX. With that being said what happened to the dress code?? Apparently it got lost behind closed doors
s
Slam dunk
Jackie Parton still doesn't have a clue of what just happened.
The problem is not singular to getting rid of Jack Parton nor of changing the position to an elected position. As I have seen the posts of the fact that people are angry that he hired his boon companion to be the Transportation "Director" even though the school already employs a Transportation "Supervisor," we refuse to point the finger at the Board of Education Members who APPROVED THE HIRING of a transportation "director." Perhaps this hiring arrangement was part of the back-room plea bargain to get the citizenry's taxes raised. You know, "Hey, I'll get you a cushy office job with the school if you'll help get the taxes raised to cover funding."
I advocate standards. We have standards for children... somewhat. If a student became abusive towards a teacher, the student would be punished. If a teacher became abusive towards a student...well, the student probably deserved it.
However, we have none for teachers.
Imagine this: a brand-spanking-new college graduate hires into a teaching position. He teaches 32 children in 4 classes per day for 2 semesters of College Preparatory ENGLISH. All of his students pass with A's and B's for this teacher's 1st year of teaching. These students leave the class hyped-up, excited and ready to move on.
Then you have a teacher teaching a class that has no bearing whatsoever in college, let's call it DRIVERS ED. This teacher has 20 years of experience with this school system. The teacher is so abrasive and abusive that she cannot get even half of the students to pass above a "D" level while 35% of her class fails. The students leave the class jaded and burned out.
WHICH TEACHER DESERVES MORE MONEY? WHICH TEACHER DESERVES TO KEEP THEIR JOB?
The Sevier County teacher's union (SCEA) says that the teacher with 20 years experience deserves (ball park figure) $45,000 per yer salary. The new teacher that does an excellent job only deserves $29,500. The UNION says that teachers only deserve raises based on the numbers of years that they teach and the degrees in education that they hold. GOOD PERFORMANCE IS NOT MANDATORY FOR UNION PROTECTION! The horrible teacher deserves to keep her job, after all, she has tenure! There is no doubt that the good teacher will return to the school if he so chooses, but he COULD be fired by the superintendent and the community would never be allowed to know why.
Ever wonder why there aren't ANY national banks in Sevier County? You don't see a national movie theater in the county either. It is the same with the school board - it's all real local and tight knit. There hasn't been any new blood or new thinking in this county in a long time.
#74
Do a little research and you may be surprised who all is involved with the banks in Sevier County, yes I agree it's the same way as the Sevier County Board Members. We needs some changes and its going to have to start with the Board Members, also don't forget about the Sevier County Commisoners we vote to put in office. We all need to start voting a New Face in there also. They are all one big Happy Family filling their pockets with the big bucks. Jackie Parton is the rabbit and the rest are the hunters. Pat my back I will secure your job. If the Central office of Sevier County Board of Education could talk, what a best selling book we all would pay to read.
Yes I would buy the book especially the behind closed doors of meetings between the Politicans of Sevier County
Although there may be some problems withing the Sevier County School System, those that I have seen advocating change might need to start at home. Some students that I have take advantage of the fact that their parent bullies the teachers and threatens to go to the school board if their child is not allowed to make up work after missing 30 or more days of school. Even those teachers that allow this to happen, who give this type of student one more chance to pass the class when other students do the work on time and turn it in on time, feel threatened by these parents who are basically bullying the teachers into passing their child who is old enough to know better, who somehow always has these absences excused, still doesn't complete the work! Maybe the problem lies with both parties in some cases, but regardless, it starts at home. Get your kids to school, stop treating them like babies and teach them about self-accountability and resposibility, or they will be living with you when they are 40 years old still wanting you to get them what they need instead of doing it themselves.
Sorry for the typo in the first sentence. It should be "problems within". For those of you who are critical about one's education if they make a typo on this post. I attended Maryville College as well as The University of Tennessee, and I am highly-qualified to teach what I teach.
Concerned Parent and Teacher
What makes you "highly-qualified" or what makes a person "poorly-" or "lowly-" qualified?
I agree with you on the accountability side. Is it safe to say that if a child misses 30 days, the child should no longer be allowed to attend the rest of the school year so as not to interrupt the learning process?
Are you saying that education is NOT about what a child "learns?"
Are you saying that education is about what a child "does?"
If the standards for the grade (let's say kindergarten) are:
recognizing and writing the digits 0-9,
recognizing and writing the 26 letters of the alphabet,
recognizing and drawing a circle, square, triangle, 5-pointed star, rectangle, and a cone,
recognizing and coloring with the appropriate crayons - blue, yellow, red, orange, purple, green, black, and white.
I know this is an oversimplification, but if a child could know this material and PASS A TEST on this material, should this child retake KINDERGARTEN because he did not hand in some sheets of paper?
I guess this is one of my peeves. In Sevierville, a child who may take a cumulative final test and pass with an A may flunk an entire course, not because the child does NOT know the material (because the test proves that the child CLEARLY learned everything necessary) but because he/she did not hand in enough pieces of paper to satisfy the teacher.
Perhaps I am the one that is wrong. Perhaps I need to be the one that gives up. I see our children as losing in their ability to retain knowledge and think based on the idea that they are to simply stay busy.
When you were in college how much homework received a grade? My professors only counted tests. If you couldn't perform it on a test you didn't receive a high grade. Yet in Sevier County, 1/3 of the grade is what you learn (tests) and 2/3 of the grade is what your friends know (homework.)
AND ONE MORE QUESTION: Why did the kindergartener cross the road???
ANSWER: To get to the other side of Veterans Blvd!
If you are wondering about this,
http://myhometownpeeps.info
Let me tell you something. I teach a high school vocational class that is almost completely based on higher-thinking assignments. The students rarely ever have homework, that is of course unless they are NOT attending class. When I give instruction in a lab setting, it is very difficult to "make-up" that learning when the student is not there. And my certification from the state of Tennessee is what makes me "highly-qualified". Maybe you should start looking at what the state of Tennessee requires of it's teachers. Maybe all of these problems actually stem from the state not just the county. I have taught in Knox County as well as Sevier. They are not much different. Also, how do you suppose I assess the students retainment of their learning? They have to be able to show me they have mastered the standards required by the STATE somehow. How do you suppose we do that? If I gave one test for each 6 weeks, or even one semester, parents would be calling left and right asking why their child does not have more grades. We are required to have a minimum number of grades documented for each 6 weeks. Did you know that? I tell my students, many of which may not even go to a post-secondary school, that in college their grades are based soley on maybe one or two tests. That's it. I usually get a response like, "well I am not going to college anyway...", or "that's not true...". In the years I have been teaching, I have tried to teach these kids that they need to be able to come to conclusions about different things on their own, they need to be able to write, and they need to be responsible for their own actions or lack thereof. When parents enable their children to play the system as some of them do, by allowing them to miss days on end of school, how are they to ever learn that it is their responsibility to be a contributing member of society? Seeing teachers bashed on TV every evening on the local and national news makes those of us who teach because we care about the kids even when they don't care about themselves sick. What about the stories about those teachers who are changing students lives? There is a never-ending stream of negativity toward public education and it is disheartening and discouraging when I am trying to do the best job I possibly can with the way the students and parents and administration can be. This is not about "homework" or "giving up". The grading system you speak of in Sevier County is the same in the entire state with maybe a few differences. If you want to change things for the better, go to the state, forget the county level. Did you know that in the state of Tennessee, we are only allowed to teach abstinence, and nothing about safe-sex? Do you know how many students I have who are pregnant, or have been pregnant? That can't be good for their education...Also the amount of baggage the kids come to school with like they are living with a friend because they got kicked out of the house, or they are in state custody because of something their parents did. These kids aren't thinking about school. they are wondering "where am I staying tonight?". Before I started teaching, I thought it would be so easy. It has been one of the most challenging and rewarding and discouraging things I have ever had to do. No Child Left Behind doesn't help either. We seem to have to lower our standards so that "every child" can learn. Great concept, doesn't work in reality. I think maybe you should do a little more research on what is required of teachers by the state and county levels before you decide how you feel about the educational system in Sevier County. Sure there are issues, there are everywhere. But where does the line between what the parent is responsible for and what the teacher is responsible for lie? It gets blurrier every year. It honestly makes me sick to my stomach to read some of these comments. Come sit in the classroom sometime. I would let a parent. As far as I know, our shool has no problems with a parent sitting in. Look to the state and the parents a little more.
# 78 Concerned "partent" and teacher who is highly qualified and attended Maryville College and University of Tennessee.....
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I am also a concerned parent who works and raises four children alone. I do not take a lot of guff from kids or adults. Ask anyone personally acquainted with me. I do agree with teaching kids accountability at home. However, I do advocate for standards in the school setting and equitable treatment for all. If you wish to be recognized as professionals, act like it!
Being the parent of four children in Sevier county schools, (three now, I had one graduate from Gatlinburg Pittman not long ago), I can certainly attest to the fact that children do not become ill on the "teachers schedule" nor do they all conveniently become ill at the same time. There are some that kids (as well as adults) that truly have legitimate and recurrent health issues. I have a child in this category who is on a legitimate 504 plan, which by law is supposed to be followed by all of his instructors as is decided by the educational "team", and this plan is not just for those who wish to use it when convenient. Yes, the problems do go both ways! I have desired communications from teaching personnel before...and had to raise the roof before receiving even a return call back. Does that sound accountable to you? I do teach my children accountability and responsibility, however, the teacher should be held to the same standard. One cannot expect a child to perform and act at certain levels when the instructor can not or will not do the same. This is a double standard don't you think? As long as the work is ultimately made up, why would the teacher have issues as to whether a child is legitimately ill with an "excused" absence? Most teachers that are worth their salt, wish to see all succeed and can individualize the circumstances. To not do this, lacks sensitivity and plain common sense! Would you rather the child attend school ill, exposing all others, including the instructors to potential illness and infection? Or would you rather the child attend your class sicker than a dog....and run the risk of becoming more ill? If you do not like the current policy, work to change it. I believe there are some who wish to be a greater part of the problem..than the solution and these are the ones making this issue divisive. Making this issue divisive...and blaming all parents for your woes, will not bring about solutions anymore than parents who solely blame teachers for all of their woes. One needs to see that there are no absolutes and it takes a combined effort to solve problems. Poor communication is not new to this school system. To deny this fact is plainly ignorant, regardless of what degree one holds or what school they obtained it from! Furthermore, there is much difference between a bully and an advocate. I think Webster's defines it nicely. Look it up!
# 79, Travis, yes, the child who recently left the Primary school was UNNOTICED when he left the primary school, crossed the road, crossing six lanes of traffic, to get to the other side of Veterans Blvd. Now who do we blame for that and what schools did they attend?
I do wish to see all of my students succeed, FAIRLY. If you are having issues, why not homeschool, would the student not receive better instruction instead of none? What do you expect the teacher to do when the problem is not the fact that the student is sick, that is fine, and thank you for not sending the student to school that way. But, at some point, the student and/or parent needs to be accountable when the teacher has given multiple chances to catch up, and the student doesn't take it. Then what? This has nothing to do with a degree, or certification, it is about resposibility. You can communicate until you are blue in the face, but if a parent sees no fault in the student, what should we do? Desiring communication and then making threatening comments when they communicate might push the teacher to not wanting to communicate with you. Did you ever think of that? There is a difference between doing what is best for your child and enabling them to play the system.
I asked what makes you a "highly" qualified teacher to make a point about the terminology. All teachers "appear" to be highly qualified to teach. After all, no teacher is allowed to teach in the state of Tennessee until they meet the educational requirements for teaching. I would hate to be in Jack Parton's position and have an application come across my desk stating "Teacher Certification: Poorly Qualified." I would have to laugh that teacher out of the office. "It says here that you are poorly-qualified, I'm sorry, I can't do anything for you. I have a big stack of people wanting to teach here who are HIGHLY-qualified." If you or any other teacher graduated with a C or 2.0 average from a college with a degree in teaching, would you be considered "poorly" qualified since you did not pass with a 4.0 average. The term "highly" qualified is something that I NEVER heard growing up. The term "highly-qualified" is a throw-back to the NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND paperwork scam. It makes politicians feel sooooooo good to say to the electorate, "hey! we passed legislation to state that teachers had to be HIGHLY QUALIFIED to teach in schools."
As for going to the state, the following reply is from CHRISTY BALLARD of Tennessee Department of EDUCATION:
As to your concerns about xxx's teacher, although the State Department of Education has some regulatory authority over local education agencies with regard to certain issues, it is a common misconception that the State Department of Education has supervisory or administrative control over all local school systems. The Department gets many calls, letters and e-mails requesting assistance on matters that are of local control but the Department only has the legal authority to intervene in areas where it has been given that specific authority by the Tennessee General Assembly.
Pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated, § 49-2-203, a local board of education has the authority to "manage and control all public schools established or that may be established under its jurisdiction." Also, Tennessee Code Annotated, § 49-2-301, states specifically that, each local board of education is authorized to employ a director of schools." Local school district employees, including teachers and principals, are hired by the local director of schools and are not state employees.
In other words, all standards are LOCAL. No standards at the local level means anything goes.
As for grading, I'm glad that you asked how to assess children and be able to answer parents:
1. Take up any homework assignments and KEEP THEM for an entire semester!
2. Give tests. (Strangely enough, I had an Algebra Teacher who gave a test every single Friday that was 6 tests per 6 weeks the Swiss Army set their watches by the time that teacher began the first test of every Friday.)
3. Give a six-week final.
4. When a parent says, "why is my son failing?" Show them the TESTS!!! If that doesn't satisfy the parents, whip out the homework and show how the tests and the homework coincide. If the child has no homework...show the parent that in 6-weeks, you received no homework. By the way, if you have only 1 child not turning in homework at all or 1 child per class failing...do you, or would you, just pick up the phone and call the parent?
As for changing the state: Let's lead by changing this community's education system 1st and making it the best.
As for the grading policy... it is NOT the state's policy if it WAS the state's policy then other systems could not or would not modify it. My son got a rude awakening in another school system, one of the teachers told him that grades come from tests. WOW! He couldn't depend on buddies to do a group effort.
As for TEEN PREGNANCY: When I was in high school, I knew quite a few girls who got "knocked up." Most of them ended up married. And the one's I talked to have stayed married to their "donor." SO are these women's lives so diminished because some have doting husbands, children, and providing for a happy family life.
Are the girls in your classes pregnant because they have never heard of safe=sex? I've seen condom commercials since the late 80's / early 90's and I'll guarantee that most if not all tv shows since the 90's have tackled the issue of safe-sex.
By the way, how many practitioners of abstinence have actually ended up pregnant? OH! SO IT DOES WORK WHEN APPLIED! Does any scientific evidence show that if a teacher is "highly-qualified" and teaching safe sex that girls/young women get pregnant in lower numbers?"
OK. First of all, I kind-of got your point about the "terminology". But again, that is something I have no control over, the STATE does (or NCLB). I don't know what profession you are in, but did you have a personality test or have a psych eval.? What qualifies most people to do what they do in their profession?
As for the state's influence on the local education system, you are limiting this to hiring and firing. What about what the state holds the local school system accountable for?
And on the grading, one teacher from a different school system told him his grade was based on tests only. Well, that may have been allowed at that particular school, but as far as the numerical grading scale, they are all the same if not similar within the state. And the state required that the students take all of these tests to determine assessment. So in turn, the teachers can't teach the kids about the subject, they are teaching to the test that keeps the schools open that are required BY THE STATE.
And if Oak Ridge schools are so great, why didn't they make the "top list of high schools" that was just released?
I think you are only sounding like a broken record when you talk about the local administration and hiring and firing. There are other factors in your equation of faults within the school system that you are not including.
And by the way, I am NOT a member of the TEA or the dreaded UNION you speak of.
As far as the student that might be failing, of which that student is not the only one, I have communicated with the parent to no avail.
So are you saying that teen pregnancy does not affect a person's education? Also it seems you are implying that I used the terminology that you have in quotations. Far from it. So are you saying, "kids just watch TV if you want to know about safe sex 'cause you won't learn it in school." And on the stats, I am suprised you don't know what the numbers are. The last comment made so much sense and you only commented on a few things that I made points on.
#82, I do understand the frustration involved in obtaining make up work from the teachers perspective. But do you understand the student's? One must realize that there is makeup work to be done in all classes. This is really an issue to discuss privately with the parent. That is the professional thing to do. My child, for example has been inundated with much work from all classes when absent for illness...and from some teachers I cannot even elicit an answer when asking the teacher to prioritize the work, as I am certain that not all of it equates and weighs evenly. For example, one assignment, may weigh more than another, and why try to weigh someone who has been legitimately ill down with unimportant or extraneous material? I am not saying that YOU do this, as I do not even know you nor have you even identified yourself however I can attest that just this year, I have asked my children's teachers to please call me.... (in addition to the email correspondence that may have occurred between us.) Many of these teachers have and even in a vocational arts class, the teacher thought "outside of the box" to create an alternate assignment or assignments that the child could do to get the credit... and this was much appreciated. However, one teacher has not even bothered to call despite parental requests. If that one teacher has not contacted me because that one feels threatened in some way, I would say that this is the teacher's individual problem, as the other teachers certainly, call, as does the principal (which is quite a switch from the former principal who would not call unless one out and out called the central office complaining)....these do not act like they are being intimidated when discussing my child's work. I really am not that scary.This fear of being intimidated seems to be projected. Have you ever literally talked with this parent on the phone or in person? I believe that open communication is imperative to the child's success and if a teacher refuses to contact a parent because they "feel threatened", when THEY THEMSELVES have not been out and out threatened by the parent, that is not necessarily the fault of the parent. It is simply an excuse to avoid parental contact. Not all parents are quiet, submissive, and feel that the teacher is omnipotent. I do however feel that many of my children have teachers who have their best interest at heart and do go the extra mile and I am the first to tout that from the rooftops. But to say that they all do...and that they all tow the line in their job of teaching, is foolish. Now issues like what you are describing should really be discussed privately and not in an open forum, for the sake of professionalism, especially when one does not identify themselves. Reading this, it makes me wonder what goes on ...on the inside of some classrooms when the parent is not there looking. What really is your issue and is it with someone specific...and/or someone you do not even know? Is it possible that some teachers find it necessary to be a "busy body" when they do not know the facts, nor do they wish to directly communicate with the parent...or the child for that matter?
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Generally speaking, there is much to improve in Sevier county schools and many here and elsewhere in the community and surrounding communities do attest to that fact. Is the solution about placing blame? Blame the parent? Blame the teacher? Blame Mickey Mouse? Honestly, we all should be on the same side.
I am on the attack... always asking and first to refute. The terminology may be out of your control, but I couldn't help but pick up on the fact that you love to use it and tout it. You say that you are a teacher, outside of your friends and or peer group, who have you told about the problems at the state level? I would LOVE to know why it is that children who are so enthusiastic about education lose that enthusiasm in high school. I have seen the countless number of shows about hormones and social status but something occurs inside of schools (some schools more so than others) to cause children to lose interest.
You say "come sit in the class."
The school says,"you are unwelcome inside the class."
I say, "an adult inside the class may be more welcome than anyone realizes." If a teacher says, "I'll call your parents if you don't straighten up!" a child might think, " yeah! right! I've seen you bolt for your car at 3:30." But if someone else's mom or dad is sitting there, a child might think twice about acting up.
As for being in the UNION, Have you ever walked into a super's office and said, "I'm bucking the system, I don't want the "negotiated contract." I'm better than a union teacher. I'll take a thousand dollars per year less as part of my regular salary to prove it, but for this concession, I want a $1,000 bonus for each class that passes 100% and those students can pass a state level aptitude test on my subject.
I need more time to cover this stuff, and I WILL...
as for safe-sex...my whole point about it is that it is in the public eye DAILY! For someone not to know about it is possible and believable... but the info is out there regardless of scholastic involvement.
I recall using the term "highly qualified" once. Is that touting?
You still didn't address how you are qualified for your own profession. Maybe you should take up teaching?
You gave credentials followed by the phrase "I am highly-qualified to teach what I teach" as though that were some justification to have greater authority to discuss education. Would being "poorly-qualified" still be qualified "enough" to teach?
As for my profession, the US Government trained me. When I left government service, I was no longer "qualified" to perform that same function. I had to receive blessings from the state I reside in to continue in the profession. Then before I could participate in my profession, I had to submit to the will of the various insurance companies who have stringent policies about this profession. To maintain my qualification, I must submit myself to the government at regular intervals. I must also submit myself to MD's to determine my fitness as proof to Federal, State and Local agencies. I am reviewed more than 1 every 5 to 10 years and I may be subjected to review randomly 3 to 4 times per year. AND as an added bonus, the state of Tennessee has NO LAW that states after 3 years of successful employment, I must be permanently employed forever (tenure).
By the way, which course do you teach?
I found the following information on "highly qualified" teachers. My thoughts are CAPITALIZED!
How do states determine their "highly qualified" teacher provisions?
In general, under NCLB, a "highly qualified" teacher must have:
* a bachelor's degree; (IF I AM NOT MISTAKEN, DON'T ALL TEACHERS HAVE TO HAVE A BACHELOR'S DEGREE JUST TO GET CERTIFICATION? HOW HAS THIS ASPECT OF THE LAW AIDED MAKING CERTAIN THAT TEACHERS ARE BETTER AT TEACHING.)
* full state certification (no emergency certification) and licensure as defined by the state; and (HOW MANY TEACHERS HAVE BEEN HIRED IN THE STATE OF TENNESSEE THAT HAVE NOT MET STATE CERTIFICATION? HAS THERE BEEN ANY?)
* demonstrated competency, as defined by the state, in each core academic subject he or she teaches. (COMPETENCY AND PASSION ARE TWO DIFFERENT WORDS. A TEACHER MAY BE COMPETENT IN EVERY ASPECT OF THE SKILL SET BUT IF THEY ARE NOT PASSIONATE ABOUT WHAT THEY TEACH ARE THEY GOING TO BE GOOD AT TEACHING. MOREOVER, I SEE NO REQUIREMENT THAT STATES THAT A TEACHER MUST BE PROVEN AS SOMEONE WHO CAN PASS INFORMATION ON TO OTHERS. IT'S KIND OF LIKE HOW BAPTISTS DON'T LIKE WOMEN PREACHERS AS DETERMINED BY THE PHRASE "HUSBAND OF ONE WIFE" BUT ARE PERFECTLY CONTENT WITH 18-YEAR-OLD PREACHERS EVEN THOUGH THAT SAME BIBLE STATES THAT THE PREACHER SHOULD HAVE FULLY-GROWN WELL-BEHAVED CHILDREN AS PROOF OF COMPETENCY IN THE HOUSEHOLD.)
The state has freedom to define certification as it sees fit (NOW WE CAN THROW NCLB OUT THE DOOR BECAUSE STATES CAN DEFINE CERTIFICATION ANY WAY THEY CHOOSE), and can use this opportunity to streamline its certification requirements to the essential elements. It can also create alternate routes to certification. States are provided with flexibility (SO THESE LAWS ARE JUST FEEL GOOD WRITINGS SINCE STATES HAVE "FLEXIBILITY.") to design ways to demonstrate competence in the subjects the teacher teaches, especially for core academic teachers with experience. There are also requirements within the law to consider the differences between elementary, middle, and high school teachers, as well as between newly hired teachers and those with experience.
END OF INFO
I guess what bothers me is that no formula exists to say that a teacher is good at the profession. I love hearing academics referring to the "science of education." If education was an exact science, then we would never have failing students under ANY circumstances. I feel like there is a human element in teaching that is lost sometimes and we gloss over it saying, "It's the children's fault," or "It's the parent's fault." What do teachers do to weed out the abusive incompetents in their own ranks? STONE SILENCE!!!
I say parents need to be involved more than they are now. I cannot help that teachers cannot teach safe-sex in Underwater Basket Weaving or even a health class. My emotions are mixed about teen pregnancy. I studied a story about a teeny-bopper who got knocked up. She was an outcast in her community and had to go live with distant relatives. Television and movies have traditionally portrayed her as "matronly" and "old" yet in that day, the average age of marriage and child-bearing was 14-years-old for women. The point is we, as a modern society, have not created the idea of teen pregnancy. Instead we have downplayed the notion of teen marriage to older men through arranged contracts. The last thing a pregnant teen needs in a vo-tech course is lecture about safe-sex (that comes off as smarmy condescension rather than insightful instruction). I think our girls are smarter than that and deserve better.
As you are the professional, what can parents do to help? Leave you alone completely or show up more often. Are ALL confrontations when parents are concerned bullyish or threatening? Why would a child feel bullied by teacher? Would the teacher be punished for bullying a student? Why would the teacher feel bullied by a student? Would the student be punished? Why would a teacher feel bullied by a parent? ARE ALL TEACHERS AS GOOD AND FAIR AS YOU?
First I would like to apologize for the tone I guess of my previous entries. Reading over them I seem to come off a little aggressive.
As for what I teach I would rather not say. What I will say is that it seems that to receive vocational certification is a little more about knowledge and experience in the subject rather than simply a Bachelors degree in education. You must have 5 or 6 years of job experience within your field or subject to even qualify, which I think should be a requirement for regular ed. teachrs as well. As for being evaluated, this will be my 6th straight year of evaluations because after earning tenure in Knox County, I transfered to Sevier County and the process starts over. Our evaluations are quite difficult, with 3 scheduled evaluations per year for three years to gain "tenure". Administrators also do walk-in evaluations at any given time regardless of tenure status. Honestly I don't believe tenure really means what it used to mean. If they want rid of you, you will be gone. I have witnessed the transfer of those teachers who should have been fired for inappropriate conduct to another school within Knox County. There are problems within all systems.
I am a part of the teen pregnancy assistance group at one of the high schools. We would meet once a week and help the girls with information about different aspects of their pregnancy from during pregnancy to after. It seems that the concept of being pregnant so young and many times without the father involved, is that the mothers of these young women