Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Focus People
IPS B.S. is very appreciative that so many teachers are reading this blog, but we need to focus a little more. Some of the comments are getting ridiculous and are distracting from letting the public know what's going on these schools that impacts their kids and the administration won't tell them. If this turns into a giant, petty gosssip board we will lose our effectiveness. We've already got the Central Office worried about us, so we have to keep the pressure on.
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Some of this gossip serves a purpose, as I said in another thread these "secret" relationships are like nepotism, who is involved with who, who is in a special "group" that affects hiring and placement, are all relevant topics for discussion or at least airing. It has long been thought that Dr. White loves to hire his fraternity brothers, and this was used as justification by a principal to hire her chums.
ReplyDeleteQuite frankly when Denny Rohrbach introduced
Bridgewater as her "partner" and as her "room-mate" at least she was open about it, you knew what you were dealing with, it is the secret liasons that are the problem.
I was a long-term substitute in many IPS schools. I've seen way too much and have heard way too much to keep quiet. The administration in these schools is terrible. I couldn't believe the poor grammar, slang talk, and disrespectful language used by many of the principals. It was terrible! Also, the dissension amongst the staff in these buildings is horrible! I believe all the tension and disconnect comes from the top- the central office, starting w/ Dr. White. I have met plenty of great administrators, but can't do what they need to due to Dr. White's authority. The bad administrators that I have worked w/ are always one of Dr. White's buddies! Isn't that ironic!?! Really, I just feel so bad for the good administrators, the fabulous teachers, and staff that are trying to make a difference, not only does it effect these people, but most importantly it effects the children! It's so sad to me. I just can't believe how bad it truly is!
ReplyDeleteInteresting point and thanks for posting it, one of the hallmarks of good teaching is modeling proper speech patterns, they call it staying in formal register. And I too have witnessed administrators using atrocious language, my favorite example is the former principal at Coleman who use to close the announcements by saying "Peace out, Dogz"
ReplyDeleteOne of the problems our students have is that standard English is not their first language, and this makes writing in standard English difficult. It is about what is best for students, not what is cool for "hip" administrators.
Does anyone know the story behind School 14 Principal, Liz Odle's sudden retirement?
ReplyDeleteRe: Liz Odle
ReplyDeleteI was shocked and so were several principals I know! I told t hem maybe she is just tired of the IPS-BS :-) Good for her.
Who knows the real deal on this new principal at John Marshall? Also, is thisa set up to close the school next year.
ReplyDeleteHis name is Michael Sullivan, and that is all I know.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know anything about this man and his leadership/administrative abilities?
What can the John Marshall teachers expect from him?
anonymous 3:08 check the thead titled Bridge over troubled waters, posts at July 16, 7:10 and same day, same thread 8:04. Things don't look promising.
ReplyDeleteIs Michael Sullivan the former Coleman principal who used to close the morning announcements by saying "Peace out, Dogz"? Oh, we at Marhsall hope not.
ReplyDeleteFrom the 'Bridge over Trouble Waters' thread and RE: MICHAEL SULLIVAN the newly hand picked Marshall principal:
ReplyDelete"How did a principal with 5 years teaching experience, 18 months as a vice-principal and one year as a principal end up with John Marshall? I hear Michael Sullivan yelled and disrepected teachers so often that even the students complained. He regularly sent teachers who displeased him home. The media never heard about the massive fight between KIPP and Coleman. They had students with between 80-92 discipline referrals who were not put out of IPS until Jethroe Knazze who is an excellent administrator did so when these thugs were finally transferred to New Horizon.
July 16, 2009 7:10 PM"
So it sounds like Michael Sullivan is Dr. White's silver bullet to cure Marshall's problems. I don't think so, not after reading the above comment. Sounds like Michael Sullivan has a real ATTITUDE against teachers. How quickly these new administrators 'forget' where they came from---the classroom.
We are in a war, trying to educate students who don't necessarily value education, trying to open doors for them that they don't even know they might want to go though. Instead of working with us the administration seems to be working against us. They never consult with the front line troops in this war, instead our "leaders" announce that the reason we are losing this war is the troops at the front line; if those dang fools would just be more willing to jump up and take a bullet, if more were willing to die, if they just needed less and fought harder we might win. Were back at the rear of the battle, sitting in our clean nice tent, it is not our strategy that is the problem, it is those who simply aren't willing to die for our plan.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry but this is an unacceptable attitude on the part of these leaders, they need to get out in the schools and listen to those in the trenches, heck they need to climb into the trenches themselves.
I worked with Michael Sullivan. It's his way or the highway!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat I Heard About Sulivan:
ReplyDelete1. Best friend of Reginald White.
2. Formerly taught English at North Central.
3. Heard he taught in Pike Twp. a year.
4. Mother teaches at Crispus Attucks.
5. Lawyer for two years ( Ice-Miller).
6. Created a hostile work environment at Coleman.
7. Has a very nice side that does not last long; comes in in the morning in a nasty mood.
8.Sends nasty emails and daily notes.
9. Never had daily announcements, so he was not the " Peace out, dogz" principal.
10.Openly argues with Barb Pipher, school psychologist and told her to get her stuff and leave the building. Another psychologist ( Dennis Bowman) was assigned. Lots and lots of dishearteneing stories.
He set a tone at the first PBA meeting when he went on a rant against the teachers accsuing them of not teaching and stating he felt like just sending them home.
I wish I knew what he was like a Shortridge and his other school. Maybe he was trying to prove himself as principal.
Re: Michael Sullivan
ReplyDeleteIs his mother Mattie Sullivan, English teacher at Attucks?
Re; 6:45p.m
ReplyDeleteYES!
Re: 8:56 PM
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info. Sounds like he's an example of the "apple not falling far from the tree".
"Maybe he's trying to prove himself as a principal"
ReplyDeleteMaybe this is the attitude and belief that is being promulgated by downtown. I've taught in this system for over 25 years and never imagined how awful it could become. There is no educational leadership, only bullying and threats. Pat you follow this blog, does this break your heart like it breaks mine? Doesn't the board realize how this attitude is hurting our students?
He sounds like a "mini Eugene White"....
ReplyDeleteI bet Eugene White's mother did NOT raise him to behave like he does. Where are his manners?
ReplyDeleteLiz Odle at School 14 decided to retire and become a United Way Director that will be working with the Bridges to Success program at some IPS schools and at other township schools. As for whether her decision had to do with all the mess of downtown, only she can say that!
ReplyDeleteQuote: [Anonymous said...
ReplyDeleteI worked with Michael Sullivan. It's his way or the highway!!!
July 22, 2009 5:47 PM[ End quote
I worked with Michael Sullvan's mother, Mattie Sullivan, who is an English teacher at Attucks. I truly hate to mention another teacher on this blog, but if Michael Sullivan is the least bit like his mother, then all who work with Michael should be aware of his background and how he was raised.
so you're saying he has no respect for diversity? Isn't respecting diversity one of those cultural imperatives.
ReplyDeleteWith Michael Sullivan as principal, Marshall will continue to make headlines this year and they will not be positive ones. I predict major principal-teacher clashes and major racial tensions. It is his style.
ReplyDelete