IPS BS got an e-mail yesterday asking us to name administrators who are doing a good job and making a difference in IPS. We thought they all got fired, but if there is someone you want to give a shout out to, go ahead.
Donna Lisle, now retired, out in the halls, knows discipline "we have to remember when we discipline students we are still educators". Respectful of every one. Calm and controlled in emergency situations. I was lucky to work with her. What a loss, they should have been down on their knees begging her to stay.
I know three outstanding administrators whom I have had the privilege of working with: Frances Brown, Dr. Phyllis Coe-Martin and Stan Law. As stated in the above posting: calm, controlled, and respectful.
Phyllis Coe-Martin was one of the few good ones!! She is gone now also.....when you look at the ones still on the job...it is a sad, sorry abusive lot. There must be a few good ones out there that I dont know......
Another good one, Teresa Knox, one of the hardest working people I know. Runs an alternative program at Washington Square Mall, really works at getting kids a second chance to make it through school.
There may be an argument on this one but Sarah Bogart is a great worker, and wonderful person, IN THE WRONG POSITION. She should be managing ASSETS not people. She should be in charge of managing every building in the system, the trains would run on time, the toilets would all flush, and there would be pencils and papers when you need them.
Donna Walker is a fine administrator, also. She is always calm, listens to teachers, does not 'put down' others, and is not reactive, but rather is proactive.
SARAH BOGARD ...are you kidding...she cannot even stay awake in important meetings...long past her retirement.....Tech does have two excellent Academic Deans. Bill Jensen and Scott DeFreese
I have worked with three truly caring, professional, and the standard for all IPS administrators: Donna Lisle, Amy Cox, and Teresa Knox. Amy Cox taught me to keep my voice down, calm, and to listen to the students and parents. I taught EH students, and many times as a second year teacher was about to lose my mind. I was forced to take on pull-in's from other special education teachers with a full self contained classroom for four periods per day, while the other teachers worked on their on-line courses. Thanks ladies, you held this poor teacher together when times were hard, thanks Amy, Amy, and Teresa.
I like the way Lon Amstutz is calm, polite and supportive. He learns the students' names and was very caring, yet firm and fair when disciplining students. I never saw him get upset, and he has a wonderful dry sense of humor. We need more like him!
Stan Law?? I had Stan at Broad Ripple High School this year with his bull horn and elf shoes. I almost broke into the song "Lean on me" every morning with Stan yelling at students and he was very unprofessional. Aleast Linda Davis was busy eating her "Dove" bars and keeping an eye on her microwave for food. Stan watch the flirting with the young ladies, not a good example for an administrator.
Administrators have strengths and weaknesses just like teachers. Papish is a good hearted and respectful person, but weak on discipline. Suggs is good with discipline, but disrespectful to teachers.
Note to new teachers: I was just out of school and found out that all the methods classes in the world did not prepare me to 'solo' on my own. I tried and failed and read and leaned on and learned from my principal for support--who I could tell was looking for rigor--but not once was I bullied, threatened or made to feel inferior. I made typical rookie mistakes, but I learned and grew from each one. That Adinistrator? Dr. Phyllis Coe-Martin!
I recently retired after working as a teacher in IPS for 32 years. I have worked under many principals in my 32 years at the high school and middle school level. Mr. Suggs is the best principal that I have worked for in my many years in IPS. Arlington High School will change for the better. Mr. Suggs is very good and he really cares about the students and his staff.
7:24 PM I have had the opportunity to work with Mr. Suggs ( Dr. Suggs) at two different schools, due to force transfers by the district. As an indication of your posting it is obvious that you have not worked with him. He is very demanding of all his staff and students and demands the best from everyone. He is not disrespectful to teachers, but he is not one for making friends. He is very much about the business. Although I will not be returning to work in IPS because I'm moving to Texas, Dr. Suggs is the one principal that I enjoyed working for during my 12 years. He held everyone accountable for their actions.
My sister works for the Department of Education in Missouri and she inquired about Mr. Suggs. She received his education license and transcript to be evaluated, which was submitted by a school district in Missouri for an Assistant Superintendent position for the 2009-2010 school year. He may be leaving IPS. I will find out what school district tomorrow.
Dexter suggs ia an egomanica and a bully!!! I worked with him at his first asst. princ. location. He told he face to face that I need to wise up and get out of the classroom. "The real money is in administration. I take home a fat check and am about to purchase an Escalade." Those were his words to me during my final evaluation. He did buy that vehicle, his checks have gotten fatter each year. so, maybe he is a man of his word!!!
David newman and Phyllis Coe-Martin are the best administrators I have seen in IPS. They treat everyone (teachers, staff, parents, students) respectfully and fairly. Too bad there aren't 100 like them!!!
Margaret Crawford is a wonderful adminstrator. She is now retired but she continues to work every day at John Marshall. She told me that she volunteers because she knows that the kids need all the help they can get. She tells everyone the truth and does not mix words.
After reading all the above comments, it sounds like IPS should rethink its decision to eliminate Phyllis Coe's position as Director of Secondary Instruction.
We have Directors of Secondary Education, but we don't have anyone who is a Director of Secondary INSTRUCTION. There's a vast difference.
You know what is really sad? None of us could name one principal currently working. I'm the poster who listed Stan Law (and got beat up a little bit for it :-), but the reason I listed him is I worked two years with him and never had a nasty confrontation with him. The last four years have been miserable. I am a product of IPS and remember every one of my principals from kindergarten through high school and not one was of the ilk of this group in White's administration. If it wasn't for the children in Indianapolis Public Schools--who I identify with--I would have walked away a while ago.
9:53p.m. - - - I know Suggs, when he came to IPS he was driving an Escalade. Anyone working in education is not making top dollars. If I’m correct, his advancement in pay is the result of his education, and the fact that he continues to get the clean up jobs that other administrators can’t do. 9:35 p.m. - Did you become an administrator?
I think the 'really stellar' administrators do not want to work in IPS. Stellar accomplishments are not viewed positively by our current Administrative regime. Stellar accomplishments are too often viewed as threats to the administrative status quo.
I see IPS becoming more Afrocentric in its hiring practices especially within the administrative ranks. Maybe that's good; maybe it's not.
"Dexter suggs ia an egomanica and a bully!!! I worked with him at his first asst. princ. location. He told he face to face that I need to wise up and get out of the classroom. "The real money is in administration. I take home a fat check and am about to purchase an Escalade." Those were his words to me during my final evaluation. He did buy that vehicle, his checks have gotten fatter each year. so, maybe he is a man of his word!!!"
Are you a teacher or a student? If we are going to post, it is important that we spell check our postings. The creditability of this posting is questionable due to the many grammatical errors.
"You know what is really sad? None of us could name one principal currently working."
What about Robert Faulkens, Yvone Rambo, Jame Whiler, Chris Collier, Julie Bakehorn, Mark Nardo, Dexter Suggs, Chris Kunkel, Jethroe Knazze, Rocky Grismore, Betty Beene, Rhonda Akers, Toni Trice, and Justin Hunter? They are all working principals and are good.
"I think the 'really stellar' administrators do not want to work in IPS. Stellar accomplishments are not viewed positively by our current Administrative regime. Stellar accomplishments are too often viewed as threats to the administrative status quo.
I see IPS becoming more Afrocentric in its hiring practices especially within the administrative ranks. Maybe that's good; maybe it's not."
Are you saying that a white administrator is better than a black or hispanic administrator?
I don't think that anyone is saying any race will be better then any other race, hopefully we are well past this. Anyone who is evaluating, hiring, or promoting based on factors (sexual orientation, liasons, race, religious or fraternity/soroity membership) other then their effort, and knowledge is doing a disservice to our true employers, the students we serve.
Take notice, this blog will "out you" if you are using these criteria. We need quality educational leaders we can look up to, not the immoral people you have been hiring.
Dr. William Wayson, who has authored many studies on effective schools says an administrator can not be premissive, or authoritarian, but authorative. I for one would love an administrator who I respected for their knowledge, ability, intellect, and caring.
Sad but believable regarding Suggs and the Escalade, thing about our former superintendent who had a picture of a Jaguar over his desk, with a notation about it being the value of an education, and our current superintendent sporting "bling" like a rapper. Jimmy Carter says "In a nation once proud of hard work, strong families, close knit communities, and our faith in God, too many of us now tend to worship self indulgence and consumption. Human identity is no longer defined by what one does but by what one owns."
Martin Luther King must be rolling over in his grave when he realizes that his dream of people being judged by the content of their character, not the color of their skin, looks down and sees that we are now judging (and teaching our children to judge) people based on such superficial things as the car you drive, the name brand of your shoe, what designer label is on you ass, or your stack of cash.
Nixon sucks as a principal she does not know how to listen. My daughter works for Carter at Donnan and she says that the school has gone to hell since Suggs left.
To say that one race of people is better than another race of people as an administrator or teacher in IPS brings up an interesting debate.
Fact many of our students are black. Fact many of our teachers are white females Fact many of our teachers and principals are afraid of the students especially at the secondary level Fact many of our black administrators are excelling; and our young white male administrators Fact many of our white educators are having a problem educating our students
Robert Guffin is to busy making out with teachers and social workers in his office to be an effective administrator. [(Bob are you still flying high on that sticky?)]
jeffrey White and Steve Papesh are two great guys. A suggestion for both of them, Papesh needs bigger balls and White needs a smaller set. Again, two great leaders would be better with ball size adjustments.
Anon: July 26, 2009 7:08a.m.-- I agree with Jethroe Knazze, Jeffrey White, Jennifer Botts,Mark Nardo and Chris Kunkel. You've got to be kidding with Robert " out of the building" Faulkens and Yvonne Rambo??? No way!!!!!!! Betty Beene should have retired--years ago. I went for an interview with her once and she denied saying she said to me she was going to recommend me to HR for the job. Her assistant principal did most of the questioning while she just smiled and sat there. It led me to wonder who really ran the school. Robert Guffin??? My ribs are killing me from laughing so hard. He's a notorius incompetent.
There is no school where Larry Yarrell would be a good administrator. Good administrators do NOT yell and scream at the staff and yell and scream on the PA system. A good administrator follows through with the rules he announces and a good administrator does not lie to or stab in the back the people who are working for him.
To anonymous 8:13 AM Your first two facts are truly facts. The last three are your opinions. I sincerely hope that not many other teachers share those opinions. Are you suggesting that we segregate the schools again and let white teachers teach in the white schools and black teachers teach in black schools? Then would we have to have a whole selection of Hispanic and Asian schools? I am amazed that someone who graduated from college would express such an opinion. Did you miss a whole lot of history classes?
Are you saying that we have excelling white administrators? If so, please provide a detail listing. The one that is at Washington is the worst principal in IPS. He maybe in a tie with the principal at Broad Ripple.
It states: From the union hall to the superintendent's office, there is one point on which just about everyone agrees: Indianapolis Public Schools administrators have done an awful job of ridding the district of poor-performing teachers.
Now here is my happy thoughts question: Who is going to help us weed out the bad administrators???
Does anyone know a building or central office administrator who actually was booted from the district because they were ineffective or incompetent? I don't.
We're not talking principals here, but someone earlier mentioned Donna Walker and I thought I would second that opinion. Also, Theresa Morris is doing a fantastic job of getting things done, getting teachers to step up, but sticking up for us at the same time. Keep it up, ladies!
booted administrator, no way, it is the Peter Principal deluxe, you rise above your level of incompetence. Look at Greenwood, 17 years of declining test scores, less kids graduating, at one point they had to bring Roy Simpson in for a semester to get rid of a drunken teacher she was protecting for years, and now she is working as a supervisor for other principals.
The principals at Washington and Shortridge have replacement principals helping them, at what cost to taxpayers? The problem is Dr. White hates to admit that he is wrong, so it hurts the teachers, students, and the educational community. Dr. White the answer is smiple just don't renew their contracts, let them look for other positions if they are that good, townships will snap them up within minutes, not.
Oh, please Kris Walker-Guess is a Joke. You can’t possibly think that all of your baby fits will solve anything. You have no intention of getting results through this site. Your goal should be to pursue joy, not happiness. You shouldn’t deprive yourselves of the purpose of you’re mission. This spot that all of you covet is exactly what certain people will use against everyone. Thanks for ruining things for everyone who truly want what is right.
quote***Phyllis Coe-Martin was one of the few good ones!! She is gone now also.....when you look at the ones still on the job...it is a sad, sorry abusive lot. There must be a few good ones out there that I dont know......
July 25, 2009 9:26 AM***
I agree about Dr. Coe. On the other hand, why ARE so many of the IPS principals and administrators abusive, crude, and brash? I've never worked in a school district where so many administrators were so blatantly arrogant and self-aggrandizing. This is not the norm for other districts especially in other states.
My lord you mentioned a name of an administrator who was so unprofessional as a Special Education Support Team Member - Cassandra Shipp. That young lady had no idea how to handle the paperword for a manifestation hearing or even the parents. Cassandra is delayed and has no people skills that would benefit the educational community. Who hired the dizzy, lazy and lying young lady? She was to have been in my classroom twice a week preparing a Function Behavioral Assesment, I never saw her once. Ms Amy Cox, Principal called her on the carpet. Then Cassandra told me she didn't have time to work at IPS, she was working on her administrator's degree at home. So, we then hire a lazy, unprofessional, lying, fraud, arrogant and was not a caring teacher. Oh, now we make her an administrator and I heard she is worst than Dr. Greenwood. Ghost employment, fraud, lying, are the key words for Cassandra.
Shipp is one of those teachers who 'practiced education without a real license' for almost eight years. She was unable to pass her PRAXIS exam to teach and had a 'limited' license year after year. IPS is real good about helping get these 'limited' licenses for friends, family, and cronies of central office administrators.
If teachers are unable to pass their PRAXIS exams in their content area, then they have no business being in the classroom teaching. She managed to teach for 8 years without a real IN teaching license, just a 'limited' license. This data is available to the public on the IDOE website under License History.
Now, she is an administrator, a high school Assistant Principal. Either the Principal's Exam for licensing is extremely easy or she had a 'stand in' on exam day.
I agree the bblog isn't helping much. It's not worthless since it is being used to vent, but it could be more effective with suggestions to improve teacher conditions. As I read these posts I can't help but wonder how many teachers here will be applauding White and Giles on August 10TH as they deliver their rhetoric about how great the year will be, and how wonderful ips teachers are.
I doubt if you see many teachers applauding either of those two. Teachers are polite or they would boo them off the stage. Hoppefully in a few years I will retire. I always tell the new teachers or student teachers to get the hell out of IPS as IPS and especially White treat teachers like dog crap. They usually respond that almost every IPS teacher tells them the same thing....get to a school system that cares
Just the venting on this blog is great for me! I have only been a teacher eight years and it's nice to know you are not in the wilderness by yourself. All this time, I thought it was me. It is very empowering to know it isn't me and makes me less likely to take a load of crap from anybody this fall. My goal this school year is to teach the students (all) I love, attend as few meetings as I possible can ( too much b.s.) and go home. By the way, what is the excuse for us having to go to Tech High School when we could all watch on close circuit television from our locations???????
Keep up the good work!!! Central office is reading the information that is coming forth. Parents and students will also continue to read the comments. Don't back off. Al Wolting must be strong and take our concerns to Gene White. If nothing occurs, go public by telling RTV6 and Fox 59. When will get change to occur...
Hats off to Manual High School for lowering the drop out rate by having students withdraw in the morning for home school, and then in the evening sign up for night school. Also #108 made AYP this year, but the administration made sure that there were not enough special needs students to make up a sub-group to count against them. It seems that just enough of the special needs students misbehaved to be placed in one of the alternative programs. Another version of not ethnic but educational cleansing.
As long as you are mentioning Ken Poole, how about his wife Honey Poole, she wasn't everyone's cup of tea, but she knew where and who to place responsibility, if a kid wouldn't behave she would put them in her car and take them to their parent (at home or at work) and say your kid is keeping others from learning, until you get this straightened out keep him with you.
If Stan Law doesn't watch what he say to his bevy of girls he'll end up with his own boy toy heading. You should hear the girls talk about him behind his back, they believe they have him wrapped around their fingers.
You are right, I used Honey Poole as my reference to Kenny Poole, he laughed and said "if you can work with Honey then you are perfect for Manual". I worked as a subsititue for about one year and I loved School 31, truly nice teachers, staff, and Honey allowed me to teach, but it was hot during the summer.
Here's one we seldom think about but she impacts our ability to do our job and has a national reputation for her quality work, Dorothy Crenshaw, thanks Dorothy for all you do behind the scenes, without drama or favoritism.
Betty Beene needed to retire years ago............she must have a lot of dirty laundry on administration in order for her to keep her job. She is by far the worst Principal I have ever come across.........very hateful, vindictive and unprofessional!!!! They need to prop her in the window at her school building like they did Norman Bates mother............she's about as useful as a corpse!
Jann McMillian and Evelyn Tyler were the best of the best Principals!!! Very classy, professional strong black women who had full control of their school buildings!!! No Nonsense ladies..............we need more of them!!! Politics and down right prejudice(racism) have contributed to the decline of strong black female administrators!!!!
OMG-no one in her buildings would agree to Chris Kunkel--out-of-touch,out of the building, plays favorites, never reaches a decision on anything. Ask the teacher she put on a regular school calendar schedule so she could replace her before the alternative calendar year started what kind of administrator she is. VERY self-serving and self-centered. Wonder how many students' names she knows?
The positive comments here are refreshing and I think make the other posts more credible. This post shows that IPS teachers do not hate all administration, but rather that they rarely have the ability to work with good administrators.
I think IPS could do very well to take a survey on this blog of traits an administrator should have. Then, they should create an ANONYMOUS survey that teachers submit about their own administrator, ranking them in these important qualities. Each school should nominate a teacher they believe to be trustworthy who will collect the surveys, or the surveys should be digitally conducted in a way that does not identify teachers.
I think this would help IPS to show that they are listening to their teachers. If Dr. White wants true change, he needs to fire people who do not perform well. Maybe as it is, school contracts make that very difficult- but if Dr. White would create legal ability for the board to dismiss administrators based upon evaluations, and then ACT on it when administrators are continually ranked poorly, he would gain a lot of respect and help the schools and students a lot.
I'm not a teacher in IPS, but I wouldn't mind a similar system for teachers, either- so long as the administrators were held accountable not only by their superiors, but also by their "inferiors" in the schools. I've heard of too many systems who want teachers to be held more 'accountable' but then they provide no similar system for administrators. That is simply unfair.
I have been with IPS for 29 years. The principals that I think were and are the best: Gene Mosley, Doris Thompson, John Takacs, Deb Brown, Linda Edejuwa, Jennifer Botts Brown and Jennifer Sweeney. All very much on the side of the teacher and giver to all students. They all ran or run a very good building. We need more like them.
Jean Brown, now retired, was a real asset as a Department Chair (back when Dept. Chairs were administrators)for the Special Education Department at Arlington. Jean ran a tight ship, never played favorites, always told it like it was, and never had the Feds or the State come down on Arlington with a Special Education non-compliance issue. Either you really liked Jean or you despised Jean; either way, it did not matter to her. She did her job well, and compliance issues did not arise on her 'watch' at Arlington. Jackie Greenwood attested to that fact when Jean Brown retired two years ago. We miss folks like Jean Brown.
I am excited to see the great thing Brandon Cosby does at Shortridge. It isn't his fault enrollment is down- why should people trust anything IPS is doing; however, when they start seeing the results there, they will come. He has a strong record from his days in Evansville at Reitz and building Signature School, not only one of the top charter schools in Indiana, but in the Nation (listed as the 26th best high school in the Nation in 2009 and the only school in Indiana to break the top 100: www.newsweek.com/id/201160)
I am excited to see the results of the great things Brandon Cosby is doing at Shortridge. It isn't his fault enrollment is down- why should people trust anything IPS is doing? However, when they start seeing the results there, they will come. He has a strong record from his days in Evansville at Reitz and building Signature School, not only one of the top charter schools in Indiana, but in the Nation (listed as the 26th best high school in the Nation in 2009 and the only school in Indiana to break the top 100: www.newsweek.com/id/201160)
The Signature School was a magnet school before it was a charter school. Over 90% of the students were passed ISTEP before it became a charter school. Watch yourself on this one. I know the truth.
John Takacs was decent, I miss his Dognut Fridays, a nice kind way of thanking teachers. Other administrators could learn from this man on how to treat professionals with respect and kindness.
Pam Morris used to come around on payday, and in front of your class hand you your paystub and thank you for your service. Sometimes she's shake your hand, and occasionally she'd give you a little gift. It' been over 15 years and I still have a bendcile shaped like an apple she gave me.
Even a little courtesy and appreciation goes a long way.
Jennifer Sweeney does the same thing at #94. She comes around with your paystub and says "Thank you so much for all you have done with our students...I really appreciate you so much". It just makes you beam and in return..you thank her for being so kind and for listening and being there.
I'd taught at Broad Ripple, moved away, and when my new district called for a referrence the principal (Greg Allen) didn't even know I'd taught there, and didn't know how to find out. We met face to face many times. He really had no idea of who taught what, and much less about what was actually happening in the classrooms. He could hardly be bothered to show up for school.
To respond to previous posts: Thelma McKinney was an insecure bully who drove out most of the best 108 teachers. She's not a great teacher. She's currently on a PIP. Keith Burke does nothing. He often comes in late and leaves early. Even when he's there, we know that Deborah Williams does all the work while he plays computer games. Dr. Williams is not my favorite person, but she works hard.
Great principals include Annjo Glenn, Jean Evans, Phyllis Coe, Justin Hunter
I would like to know where you are getting your information from. I'm about 99.9% positive that your statement about Thelma McKenney being on a PIP is completely false. You don't even know how to spell her name correctly, so I would be surprised if you are more informed about her status as a teacher than I am.
This is what frustrates me about this blog. It does us absolutely no good to be spreading lies/rumors/misinformation. This type of behaviour is detrimental!
How would you know someone was on a PIP? Why an unprofessional administrator would tell you of course, I've known many administrators that have told me information that should have be confidencial.
Whats really funny about this is there is no such thing as an administrator PIP. Administrators do not get evaluated using the same instruments and teachers do. Get your facts straight!
Dr. williams worked hard at GWCS out of necessity. It's delegation of duties by the principal so he could recline in barcalounger and surf the net comfortably.I understand he didn't sit up and refrain from checking his emails to interview a prospective new hire.
Brandon Cosby??? Just you wait!!! He's a black militant who has stated that "white women should NEVER teach black males!" Temper tantrums...that's an understatement!!!
Great principals I have/had the pleasure of working for: Mark Nardo, Liz Odle, Chad Gray, Honey Poole, and Kelli Marshall. Of these, Mark and Chad are still in IPS. Kelli left to lead a charter school and Liz and Honey both retired. One thing I loved about Honey Poole was that all the teachers in the building were often so scared of her! I remember a teacher commenting how he had better get out into the hallway for supervision duty so he doesn't get yelled at by Mrs. Poole for not doing his duty! I found this so funny! He was worried about Mrs. Poole yelling at him for NOT DOING HIS JOB!! It's like people were scared of her simply because she called them out when they were not doing their job! Wow, how backward is it that some teachers are angry when a principal actually EXPECTS them to do their job! I have to comment on Dr. Hunter: He's what I call a "CYA" principal - Cover-yo-A**" kinda guy.....likes to look really good to central office and to parents but really is disorganized and makes teachers look bad when HE forgets deadlines.
And Doris Thompson - I watched her belittle competent teachers until they were in tears and scared to death of her. I can't say that I ever saw her exhibit good leadership to bring a staff together towards a common goal. She had her favorites like her precious Alexis Johnson and if you weren't in the "in" crowd, she treated you VERY badly. Don't even get me started on Miss Johnson.....
There is a new principal at 107, Brian Sappenfield. He seems very genuine so far and is really proving to be great with kids and families. So far everything he said he would do he has done. He's respectful to adults and is inclusive of our staff making everyone feel part of the team-teachers, custodians, support staff, etc... I really like his kid-centered approach and that it's all about the kids. He's new to IPS. Does anyone know anything else about him?
I have worked under a few very decent principals. I have been in IPS since 1989. I can only think of these three that I truly had respect for...Dr. Helen Cross, Alice Appel, and Julie Bakehorn. I have worked with Chris Collier, and know that she is wonderful also.
Yvonne Rambo a good administrator??? She was, without a doubt, the most unprofessional person I have EVER worked with/for at any job I have ever had! How she still has a job is beyond me!
Jennifer Botts was the best and she deserves her promotion. They did a great job replacing her with Brian Sappenfield. He is very supportive and has a great rapport with teachers, parents, and students.
I am new to this blog. While Dr. Coe-Martin treated teachers respectfully, she was a disaster as a principal because she did not believe in discipline or retention. CSS was once a highly respected school, but the poor discipline of students caused parents to leave in droves! Ask some teachers who worked there!
Minetta Richardson is one talented, wise, caring and completely professional educator -- and a real lady through and through. Add Phyllis Coe-Martin to that list along with Donna Walker and you have a trio of the best!
David Tuttle at BRHS is organized, competent and caring - follows through on what he says he will do and does it all without fanfare. One of the good guys....
Donna Lisle, now retired, out in the halls, knows discipline "we have to remember when we discipline students we are still educators". Respectful of every one. Calm and controlled in emergency situations. I was lucky to work with her. What a loss, they should have been down on their knees begging her to stay.
ReplyDeleteI know three outstanding administrators whom I have had the privilege of working with: Frances Brown, Dr. Phyllis Coe-Martin and Stan Law. As stated in the above posting: calm, controlled, and respectful.
ReplyDeleteStan Law? Please- he must of turned over a new leaf then.
ReplyDeletePerhaps he has since you knew him 8:46 a.m.
ReplyDeletePhyllis Coe-Martin was one of the few good ones!! She is gone now also.....when you look at the ones still on the job...it is a sad, sorry abusive lot. There must be a few good ones out there that I dont know......
ReplyDeleteRetired but still working-Margaret Crawford, a great lady.
ReplyDeleteAnother good one, Teresa Knox, one of the hardest working people I know. Runs an alternative program at Washington Square Mall, really works at getting kids a second chance to make it through school.
ReplyDeleteThere may be an argument on this one but Sarah Bogart is a great worker, and wonderful person, IN THE WRONG POSITION. She should be managing ASSETS not people. She should be in charge of managing every building in the system, the trains would run on time, the toilets would all flush, and there would be pencils and papers when you need them.
ReplyDeleteDr. Phyllis Coe-Martin is the most professional administrator I've worked with in IPS. IPS's loss is the United Way's gain.
ReplyDeleteShe could get more work out of more people by simply being courteous, polite, organized, and totally focused on the job(s) at hand.
Donna Walker is a fine administrator, also. She is always calm, listens to teachers, does not 'put down' others, and is not reactive, but rather is proactive.
ReplyDeleteSARAH BOGARD ...are you kidding...she cannot even stay awake in important meetings...long past her retirement.....Tech does have two excellent Academic Deans. Bill Jensen and Scott DeFreese
ReplyDeleteInspector Gadget was the principal at BRHS, where he is now who knows? Every afternoon out on Compton, and he knew peoples names.
ReplyDeleteJohn Airola was the best....
ReplyDeleteInspector Gadget?? Real name, PLEASE!
ReplyDeletePapish, we called him inspector gadget because of that coat he wore.
ReplyDeletePapesh
ReplyDeleteI have worked with three truly caring, professional, and the standard for all IPS administrators: Donna Lisle, Amy Cox, and Teresa Knox. Amy Cox taught me to keep my voice down, calm, and to listen to the students and parents. I taught EH students, and many times as a second year teacher was about to lose my mind. I was forced to take on pull-in's from other special education teachers with a full self contained classroom for four periods per day, while the other teachers worked on their on-line courses. Thanks ladies, you held this poor teacher together when times were hard, thanks Amy, Amy, and Teresa.
ReplyDeleteI like the way Lon Amstutz is calm, polite and supportive. He learns the students' names and was very caring, yet firm and fair when disciplining students. I never saw him get upset, and he has a wonderful dry sense of humor. We need more like him!
ReplyDeleteStan Law?? I had Stan at Broad Ripple High School this year with his bull horn and elf shoes. I almost broke into the song "Lean on me" every morning with Stan yelling at students and he was very unprofessional. Aleast Linda Davis was busy eating her "Dove" bars and keeping an eye on her microwave for food. Stan watch the flirting with the young ladies, not a good example for an administrator.
ReplyDeleteAdministrators have strengths and weaknesses just like teachers. Papish is a good hearted and respectful person, but weak on discipline. Suggs is good with discipline, but disrespectful to teachers.
ReplyDeleteNote to new teachers: I was just out of school and found out that all the methods classes in the world did not prepare me to 'solo' on my own. I tried and failed and read and leaned on and learned from my principal for support--who I could tell was looking for rigor--but not once was I bullied, threatened or made to feel inferior. I made typical rookie mistakes, but I learned and grew from each one. That Adinistrator? Dr. Phyllis Coe-Martin!
ReplyDeleteAt Donnan Suggs was more of an instructional leader than a disciplinarian.
ReplyDeleteI recently retired after working as a teacher in IPS for 32 years. I have worked under many principals in my 32 years at the high school and middle school level. Mr. Suggs is the best principal that I have worked for in my many years in IPS. Arlington High School will change for the better. Mr. Suggs is very good and he really cares about the students and his staff.
ReplyDelete7:24 PM I have had the opportunity to work with Mr. Suggs ( Dr. Suggs) at two different schools, due to force transfers by the district. As an indication of your posting it is obvious that you have not worked with him. He is very demanding of all his staff and students and demands the best from everyone. He is not disrespectful to teachers, but he is not one for making friends. He is very much about the business. Although I will not be returning to work in IPS because I'm moving to Texas, Dr. Suggs is the one principal that I enjoyed working for during my 12 years. He held everyone accountable for their actions.
ReplyDeleteMy sister works for the Department of Education in Missouri and she inquired about Mr. Suggs. She received his education license and transcript to be evaluated, which was submitted by a school district in Missouri for an Assistant Superintendent position for the 2009-2010 school year. He may be leaving IPS. I will find out what school district tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteDexter suggs ia an egomanica and a bully!!! I worked with him at his first asst. princ. location. He told he face to face that I need to wise up and get out of the classroom. "The real money is in administration. I take home a fat check and am about to purchase an Escalade." Those were his words to me during my final evaluation. He did buy that vehicle, his checks have gotten fatter each year. so, maybe he is a man of his word!!!
ReplyDeleteDavid newman and Phyllis Coe-Martin are the best administrators I have seen in IPS. They treat everyone (teachers, staff, parents, students) respectfully and fairly. Too bad there aren't 100 like them!!!
ReplyDeleteWe miss Pat Pritchett!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat about the secretary and the nurse that Dexter had liaisons with?
ReplyDeleteMargaret Crawford is a wonderful adminstrator. She is now retired but she continues to work every day at John Marshall. She told me that she volunteers because she knows that the kids need all the help they can get. She tells everyone the truth and does not mix words.
ReplyDeleteSo folks, basically most of the really fine administrators have retired, or want out.
ReplyDeleteThis is so sad for our students, and certainly not pleasant for us. It breaks my heart.
After reading all the above comments, it sounds like IPS should rethink its decision to eliminate Phyllis Coe's position as Director of Secondary Instruction.
ReplyDeleteWe have Directors of Secondary Education, but we don't have anyone who is a Director of Secondary INSTRUCTION. There's a vast difference.
Phillis Coe will be missed.
You know what is really sad? None of us could name one principal currently working. I'm the poster who listed Stan Law (and got beat up a little bit for it :-), but the reason I listed him is I worked two years with him and never had a nasty confrontation with him. The last four years have been miserable. I am a product of IPS and remember every one of my principals from kindergarten through high school and not one was of the ilk of this group in White's administration. If it wasn't for the children in Indianapolis Public Schools--who I identify with--I would have walked away a while ago.
ReplyDelete9:53p.m. - - - I know Suggs, when he came to IPS he was driving an Escalade. Anyone working in education is not making top dollars. If I’m correct, his advancement in pay is the result of his education, and the fact that he continues to get the clean up jobs that other administrators can’t do. 9:35 p.m. - Did you become an administrator?
ReplyDeleteRE: Anon July 26, 2009 6:28 AM
ReplyDeleteI think the 'really stellar' administrators do not want to work in IPS. Stellar accomplishments are not viewed positively by our current Administrative regime. Stellar accomplishments are too often viewed as threats to the administrative status quo.
I see IPS becoming more Afrocentric in its hiring practices especially within the administrative ranks. Maybe that's good; maybe it's not.
"Dexter suggs ia an egomanica and a bully!!! I worked with him at his first asst. princ. location. He told he face to face that I need to wise up and get out of the classroom. "The real money is in administration. I take home a fat check and am about to purchase an Escalade." Those were his words to me during my final evaluation. He did buy that vehicle, his checks have gotten fatter each year. so, maybe he is a man of his word!!!"
ReplyDeleteAre you a teacher or a student? If we are going to post, it is important that we spell check our postings. The creditability of this posting is questionable due to the many grammatical errors.
"You know what is really sad? None of us could name one principal currently working."
ReplyDeleteWhat about Robert Faulkens, Yvone Rambo, Jame Whiler, Chris Collier, Julie Bakehorn, Mark Nardo, Dexter Suggs, Chris Kunkel, Jethroe Knazze, Rocky Grismore, Betty Beene, Rhonda Akers, Toni Trice, and Justin Hunter? They are all working principals and are good.
What about Jennifer Botts-Brown she is good.
ReplyDelete"I think the 'really stellar' administrators do not want to work in IPS. Stellar accomplishments are not viewed positively by our current Administrative regime. Stellar accomplishments are too often viewed as threats to the administrative status quo.
ReplyDeleteI see IPS becoming more Afrocentric in its hiring practices especially within the administrative ranks. Maybe that's good; maybe it's not."
Are you saying that a white administrator is better than a black or hispanic administrator?
I don't think that anyone is saying any race will be better then any other race, hopefully we are well past this. Anyone who is evaluating, hiring, or promoting based on factors (sexual orientation, liasons, race, religious or fraternity/soroity membership) other then their effort, and knowledge is doing a disservice to our true employers, the students we serve.
ReplyDeleteTake notice, this blog will "out you" if you are using these criteria. We need quality educational leaders we can look up to, not the immoral people you have been hiring.
Dr. William Wayson, who has authored many studies on effective schools says an administrator can not be premissive, or authoritarian, but authorative. I for one would love an administrator who I respected for their knowledge, ability, intellect, and caring.
Sad but believable regarding Suggs and the Escalade, thing about our former superintendent who had a picture of a Jaguar over his desk, with a notation about it being the value of an education, and our current superintendent sporting "bling" like a rapper. Jimmy Carter says "In a nation once proud of hard work, strong families, close knit communities, and our faith in God, too many of us now tend to worship self indulgence and consumption. Human identity is no longer defined by what one does but by what one owns."
ReplyDeleteMartin Luther King must be rolling over in his grave when he realizes that his dream of people being judged by the content of their character, not the color of their skin, looks down and sees that we are now judging (and teaching our children to judge) people based on such superficial things as the car you drive, the name brand of your shoe, what designer label is on you ass, or your stack of cash.
I like Stephanie Nixon, Jacquelyn Clency, Vilvica Carter and Robert Guffin.
ReplyDeleteNixon sucks as a principal she does not know how to listen. My daughter works for Carter at Donnan and she says that the school has gone to hell since Suggs left.
ReplyDeleteJeff White and Steve Papesh are the best principals IPS has ever had.
ReplyDelete"I am not interested in power for power's sake, I'm interested in power that is moral, that is right, and that is good" MLK
ReplyDeleteTo say that one race of people is better than another race of people as an administrator or teacher in IPS brings up an interesting debate.
ReplyDeleteFact many of our students are black.
Fact many of our teachers are white females
Fact many of our teachers and principals are afraid of the students especially at the secondary level
Fact many of our black administrators are excelling; and our young white male administrators
Fact many of our white educators are having a problem educating our students
Robert Guffin is to busy making out with teachers and social workers in his office to be an effective administrator. [(Bob are you still flying high on that sticky?)]
ReplyDeleteStrangely, I didn't see one of my past principals on this list, everybody's pal Keith Burke. He is definitely one to be considered.
ReplyDeleteAnon 7:59 A.M.:
ReplyDeletejeffrey White and Steve Papesh are two great guys. A suggestion for both of them, Papesh needs bigger balls and White needs a smaller set. Again, two great leaders would be better with ball size adjustments.
Phyllis Coe is the best principal and administrator I have worked for in IPS or any where else, for that fact.
ReplyDeleteKeith Burke is too busy playing fantasy football on his computer.
ReplyDeleteAnon: July 26, 2009 7:08a.m.--
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jethroe Knazze, Jeffrey White, Jennifer Botts,Mark Nardo and Chris Kunkel. You've got to be kidding with Robert " out of the building" Faulkens and Yvonne Rambo??? No way!!!!!!! Betty Beene should have retired--years ago. I went for an interview with her once and she denied saying she said to me she was going to recommend me to HR for the job. Her assistant principal did most of the questioning while she just smiled and sat there. It led me to wonder who really ran the school. Robert Guffin??? My ribs are killing me from laughing so hard. He's a notorius incompetent.
Faulkens is in an easy job. Even Larry Yarrell would be a good principal of Attucks.
ReplyDeleteThere is no school where Larry Yarrell would be a good administrator. Good administrators do NOT yell and scream at the staff and yell and scream on the PA system. A good administrator follows through with the rules he announces and a good administrator does not lie to or stab in the back the people who are working for him.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to be a consensus that few folks on this blog want to work with Larry Yarrell.
ReplyDeleteTo anonymous 8:13 AM
ReplyDeleteYour first two facts are truly facts. The last three are your opinions. I sincerely hope that not many other teachers share those opinions. Are you suggesting that we segregate the schools again and let white teachers teach in the white schools and black teachers teach in black schools? Then would we have to have a whole selection of Hispanic and Asian schools? I am amazed that someone who graduated from college would express such an opinion. Did you miss a whole lot of history classes?
Excuse me, but can you name those excelling young black administrators, I know a few, and they don't work for IPS.
ReplyDeleteIPS is far to inbred, it is like a little Peyton Place, time for some hot water, soap, and a good cleaning.
1:06 p.m., Who are they and where do they work?
ReplyDeleteAre you saying that we have excelling white administrators? If so, please provide a detail listing. The one that is at Washington is the worst principal in IPS. He maybe in a tie with the principal at Broad Ripple.
ReplyDeleteBrandon Crosby at Shortridge is a great principal. He may be the greatest of all time.
ReplyDeleteRobert Guffin is the great white hope.
ReplyDeleteThe Burke boyz are Carly Cardwell's legacy, you decide good or bad?
ReplyDeleteWait until Brandon Cosby has one of his temper tantrums and rants and raves and loses control........
ReplyDeleteSomeone needs to video tape Brandon's Cosby temper tantrums and play it back for IEA and the Board Members, if they are awake.
ReplyDeleteYou might want to read the "Penny for your thoughts" posts about Cosby. I've heard they have less then 600 students and 4 administrators.
ReplyDeleteHey guys--Check out this Indystar article
ReplyDelete"IPS Faces Test in Weeding Out Bad Teachers"
It states: From the union hall to the superintendent's office, there is one point on which just about everyone agrees: Indianapolis Public Schools administrators have done an awful job of ridding the district of poor-performing teachers.
Now here is my happy thoughts question: Who is going to help us weed out the bad administrators???
There are no bad administrators, we're all great, just ask us.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know a building or central office administrator who actually was booted from the district because they were ineffective or incompetent? I don't.
ReplyDeleteKris Walker-Guess is doing a good job and her teachers really like her a lot.
ReplyDeleteThelma McKenney was put back in the classroom after she terrorized the teachers at Gambold for way too long.
ReplyDeleteI'm happy to see Thelma McKenney in the classroom again - as far as I can tell she is doing a fantastic job!
ReplyDeleteWe're not talking principals here, but someone earlier mentioned Donna Walker and I thought I would second that opinion. Also, Theresa Morris is doing a fantastic job of getting things done, getting teachers to step up, but sticking up for us at the same time. Keep it up, ladies!
ReplyDeletebooted administrator, no way, it is the Peter Principal deluxe, you rise above your level of incompetence. Look at Greenwood, 17 years of declining test scores, less kids graduating, at one point they had to bring Roy Simpson in for a semester to get rid of a drunken teacher she was protecting for years, and now she is working as a supervisor for other principals.
ReplyDeleteHow about Jim Whisler...
ReplyDeleteThe principals at Washington and Shortridge have replacement principals helping them, at what cost to taxpayers? The problem is Dr. White hates to admit that he is wrong, so it hurts the teachers, students, and the educational community. Dr. White the answer is smiple just don't renew their contracts, let them look for other positions if they are that good, townships will snap them up within minutes, not.
ReplyDeleteOh, please Kris Walker-Guess is a Joke. You can’t possibly think that all of your baby fits will solve anything. You have no intention of getting results through this site. Your goal should be to pursue joy, not happiness. You shouldn’t deprive yourselves of the purpose of you’re mission. This spot that all of you covet is exactly what certain people will use against everyone. Thanks for ruining things for everyone who truly want what is right.
ReplyDeleteHow did Cassandra Shipp ever get to be an administrator? She can't even write a coherent email. Her spelling is atrocious.
ReplyDeleteRE: Donna Walker
ReplyDeleteYes, Donna is a true professional! IPS needs more like her! She is organized, is fair, is helpful, and is never hateful.
Kenny Poole, was a good one.
ReplyDeleteagreed.
ReplyDeletequote***Phyllis Coe-Martin was one of the few good ones!! She is gone now also.....when you look at the ones still on the job...it is a sad, sorry abusive lot. There must be a few good ones out there that I dont know......
ReplyDeleteJuly 25, 2009 9:26 AM***
I agree about Dr. Coe. On the other hand, why ARE so many of the IPS principals and administrators abusive, crude, and brash? I've never worked in a school district where so many administrators were so blatantly arrogant and self-aggrandizing. This is not the norm for other districts especially in other states.
My lord you mentioned a name of an administrator who was so unprofessional as a Special Education Support Team Member - Cassandra Shipp. That young lady had no idea how to handle the paperword for a manifestation hearing or even the parents. Cassandra is delayed and has no people skills that would benefit the educational community. Who hired the dizzy, lazy and lying young lady? She was to have been in my classroom twice a week preparing a Function Behavioral Assesment, I never saw her once. Ms Amy Cox, Principal called her on the carpet. Then Cassandra told me she didn't have time to work at IPS, she was working on her administrator's degree at home. So, we then hire a lazy, unprofessional, lying, fraud, arrogant and was not a caring teacher. Oh, now we make her an administrator and I heard she is worst than Dr. Greenwood. Ghost employment, fraud, lying, are the key words for Cassandra.
ReplyDeleteShipp is one of those teachers who 'practiced education without a real license' for almost eight years. She was unable to pass her PRAXIS exam to teach and had a 'limited' license year after year. IPS is real good about helping get these 'limited' licenses for friends, family, and cronies of central office administrators.
ReplyDeleteIf teachers are unable to pass their PRAXIS exams in their content area, then they have no business being in the classroom teaching. She managed to teach for 8 years without a real IN teaching license, just a 'limited' license. This data is available to the public on the IDOE website under License History.
Now, she is an administrator, a high school Assistant Principal. Either the Principal's Exam for licensing is extremely easy or she had a 'stand in' on exam day.
This blog is worthless for this one reason: all posts are anon. Nuff said (from one other anon).
ReplyDeleteI agree the bblog isn't helping much. It's not worthless since it is being used to vent, but it could be more effective with suggestions to improve teacher conditions. As I read these posts I can't help but wonder how many teachers here will be applauding White and Giles on August 10TH as they deliver their rhetoric about how great the year will be, and how wonderful ips teachers are.
ReplyDeleteI doubt if you see many teachers applauding either of those two. Teachers are polite or they would boo them off the stage. Hoppefully in a few years I will retire. I always tell the new teachers or student teachers to get the hell out of IPS as IPS and especially White treat teachers like dog crap. They usually respond that almost every IPS teacher tells them the same thing....get to a school system that cares
ReplyDeleteJust the venting on this blog is great for me! I have only been a teacher eight years and it's nice to know you are not in the wilderness by yourself. All this time, I thought it was me. It is very empowering to know it isn't me and makes me less likely to take a load of crap from anybody this fall. My goal this school year is to teach the students (all) I love, attend as few meetings as I possible can ( too much b.s.) and go home.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, what is the excuse for us having to go to Tech High School when we could all watch on close circuit television from our locations???????
Keep up the good work!!! Central office is reading the information that is coming forth. Parents and students will also continue to read the comments. Don't back off. Al Wolting must be strong and take our concerns to Gene White. If nothing occurs, go public by telling RTV6 and Fox 59. When will get change to occur...
ReplyDeleteAl Wolting retired.......
ReplyDeleteHats off to Manual High School for lowering the drop out rate by having students withdraw in the morning for home school, and then in the evening sign up for night school. Also #108 made AYP this year, but the administration made sure that there were not enough special needs students to make up a sub-group to count against them. It seems that just enough of the special needs students misbehaved to be placed in one of the alternative programs. Another version of not ethnic but educational cleansing.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Kenny Poole, I did my student teaching at Manual High School and Mr. Poole was a professional administrator with heart and soul.
ReplyDeleteAs long as you are mentioning Ken Poole, how about his wife Honey Poole, she wasn't everyone's cup of tea, but she knew where and who to place responsibility, if a kid wouldn't behave she would put them in her car and take them to their parent (at home or at work) and say your kid is keeping others from learning, until you get this straightened out keep him with you.
ReplyDeleteIf Stan Law doesn't watch what he say to his bevy of girls he'll end up with his own boy toy heading. You should hear the girls talk about him behind his back, they believe they have him wrapped around their fingers.
ReplyDeleteYou are right, I used Honey Poole as my reference to Kenny Poole, he laughed and said "if you can work with Honey then you are perfect for Manual". I worked as a subsititue for about one year and I loved School 31, truly nice teachers, staff, and Honey allowed me to teach, but it was hot during the summer.
ReplyDeleteAnother wonderful old time adminstrator Woodie Litz, School 15, cared about kids and teachers.
ReplyDeleteHere's one we seldom think about but she impacts our ability to do our job and has a national reputation for her quality work, Dorothy Crenshaw, thanks Dorothy for all you do behind the scenes, without drama or favoritism.
ReplyDeleteSo true 12:40pm its sad that we don't have more Dorothy Crenshaws in I.P.S.
ReplyDeleteBetty Beene needed to retire years ago............she must have a lot of dirty laundry on administration in order for her to keep her job. She is by far the worst Principal I have ever come across.........very hateful, vindictive and unprofessional!!!! They need to prop her in the window at her school building like they did Norman Bates mother............she's about as useful as a corpse!
ReplyDeleteJann McMillian and Evelyn Tyler were the best of the best Principals!!! Very classy, professional strong black women who had full control of their school buildings!!! No Nonsense ladies..............we need more of them!!! Politics and down right prejudice(racism) have contributed to the decline of strong black female administrators!!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is the 100th comment!
ReplyDeleteOMG-no one in her buildings would agree to Chris Kunkel--out-of-touch,out of the building, plays favorites, never reaches a decision on anything. Ask the teacher she put on a regular school calendar schedule so she could replace her before the alternative calendar year started what kind of administrator she is. VERY self-serving and self-centered. Wonder how many students' names she knows?
ReplyDeleteThe positive comments here are refreshing and I think make the other posts more credible. This post shows that IPS teachers do not hate all administration, but rather that they rarely have the ability to work with good administrators.
ReplyDeleteI think IPS could do very well to take a survey on this blog of traits an administrator should have. Then, they should create an ANONYMOUS survey that teachers submit about their own administrator, ranking them in these important qualities. Each school should nominate a teacher they believe to be trustworthy who will collect the surveys, or the surveys should be digitally conducted in a way that does not identify teachers.
I think this would help IPS to show that they are listening to their teachers. If Dr. White wants true change, he needs to fire people who do not perform well. Maybe as it is, school contracts make that very difficult- but if Dr. White would create legal ability for the board to dismiss administrators based upon evaluations, and then ACT on it when administrators are continually ranked poorly, he would gain a lot of respect and help the schools and students a lot.
I'm not a teacher in IPS, but I wouldn't mind a similar system for teachers, either- so long as the administrators were held accountable not only by their superiors, but also by their "inferiors" in the schools. I've heard of too many systems who want teachers to be held more 'accountable' but then they provide no similar system for administrators. That is simply unfair.
I have been with IPS for 29 years. The principals that I think were and are the best: Gene Mosley, Doris Thompson, John Takacs, Deb Brown, Linda Edejuwa, Jennifer Botts Brown and Jennifer Sweeney. All very much on the side of the teacher and giver to all students. They all ran or run a very good building. We need more like them.
ReplyDeleteYes, Gene Mosley was a very effective and caring teacher and principal!
DeleteDoris Thompson--yes!!!!! How could I have forgotten her! Great leadership.
ReplyDeleteJean Brown, now retired, was a real asset as a Department Chair (back when Dept. Chairs were administrators)for the Special Education Department at Arlington. Jean ran a tight ship, never played favorites, always told it like it was, and never had the Feds or the State come down on Arlington with a Special Education non-compliance issue. Either you really liked Jean or you despised Jean; either way, it did not matter to her. She did her job well, and compliance issues did not arise on her 'watch' at Arlington. Jackie Greenwood attested to that fact when Jean Brown retired two years ago. We miss folks like Jean Brown.
ReplyDeleteI am excited to see the great thing Brandon Cosby does at Shortridge. It isn't his fault enrollment is down- why should people trust anything IPS is doing; however, when they start seeing the results there, they will come. He has a strong record from his days in Evansville at Reitz and building Signature School, not only one of the top charter schools in Indiana, but in the Nation (listed as the 26th best high school in the Nation in 2009 and the only school in Indiana to break the top 100: www.newsweek.com/id/201160)
ReplyDeleteI am excited to see the results of the great things Brandon Cosby is doing at Shortridge. It isn't his fault enrollment is down- why should people trust anything IPS is doing? However, when they start seeing the results there, they will come. He has a strong record from his days in Evansville at Reitz and building Signature School, not only one of the top charter schools in Indiana, but in the Nation (listed as the 26th best high school in the Nation in 2009 and the only school in Indiana to break the top 100: www.newsweek.com/id/201160)
ReplyDeleteThe Signature School was a magnet school before it was a charter school. Over 90% of the students were passed ISTEP before it became a charter school. Watch yourself on this one. I know the truth.
ReplyDeleteDonna Lisle--a great teacher!
ReplyDeleteJohn Takacs was decent, I miss his Dognut Fridays, a nice kind way of thanking teachers. Other administrators could learn from this man on how to treat professionals with respect and kindness.
ReplyDeletePam Morris used to come around on payday, and in front of your class hand you your paystub and thank you for your service. Sometimes she's shake your hand, and occasionally she'd give you a little gift. It' been over 15 years and I still have a bendcile shaped like an apple she gave me.
ReplyDeleteEven a little courtesy and appreciation goes a long way.
Jennifer Sweeney does the same thing at #94. She comes around with your paystub and says "Thank you so much for all you have done with our students...I really appreciate you so much". It just makes you beam and in return..you thank her for being so kind and for listening and being there.
ReplyDeleteI'd taught at Broad Ripple, moved away, and when my new district called for a referrence the principal (Greg Allen) didn't even know I'd taught there, and didn't know how to find out. We met face to face many times. He really had no idea of who taught what, and much less about what was actually happening in the classrooms. He could hardly be bothered to show up for school.
ReplyDeleteThe Signature School had 75 handpicked students.
ReplyDeleteTo respond to previous posts:
ReplyDeleteThelma McKinney was an insecure bully who drove out most of the best 108 teachers. She's not a great teacher. She's currently on a PIP.
Keith Burke does nothing. He often comes in late and leaves early. Even when he's there, we know that Deborah Williams does all the work while he plays computer games. Dr. Williams is not my favorite person, but she works hard.
Great principals include
Annjo Glenn, Jean Evans, Phyllis Coe, Justin Hunter
Re: 7:45 PM
ReplyDeleteI would like to know where you are getting your information from. I'm about 99.9% positive that your statement about Thelma McKenney being on a PIP is completely false. You don't even know how to spell her name correctly, so I would be surprised if you are more informed about her status as a teacher than I am.
This is what frustrates me about this blog. It does us absolutely no good to be spreading lies/rumors/misinformation. This type of behaviour is detrimental!
How would you know someone was on a PIP? Why an unprofessional administrator would tell you of course, I've known many administrators that have told me information that should have be confidencial.
ReplyDeleteWhats really funny about this is there is no such thing as an administrator PIP. Administrators do not get evaluated using the same instruments and teachers do. Get your facts straight!
ReplyDelete3:50-Thelma was removed from her teaching position because she was so destructive. She is now a classroom teacher, so she can be on a PIP.
ReplyDeleteIn response to--July 28, 2009 7:45 PM
ReplyDeleteJustin Hunter was the next great hope. Bet IPS will run him out within a year.
Responding to July 28th @ 7:45pm
ReplyDeleteYou have got to be kidding. When did Williams work hard? I don't disagree with the Burke comment.
Dr. williams worked hard at GWCS out of necessity. It's delegation of duties by the principal so he could recline in barcalounger and surf the net comfortably.I understand he didn't sit up and refrain from checking his emails to interview a prospective new hire.
ReplyDeleteBrandon Cosby??? Just you wait!!! He's a black militant who has stated that "white women should NEVER teach black males!" Temper tantrums...that's an understatement!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat principals I have/had the pleasure of working for: Mark Nardo, Liz Odle, Chad Gray, Honey Poole, and Kelli Marshall. Of these, Mark and Chad are still in IPS. Kelli left to lead a charter school and Liz and Honey both retired. One thing I loved about Honey Poole was that all the teachers in the building were often so scared of her! I remember a teacher commenting how he had better get out into the hallway for supervision duty so he doesn't get yelled at by Mrs. Poole for not doing his duty! I found this so funny! He was worried about Mrs. Poole yelling at him for NOT DOING HIS JOB!! It's like people were scared of her simply because she called them out when they were not doing their job! Wow, how backward is it that some teachers are angry when a principal actually EXPECTS them to do their job!
ReplyDeleteI have to comment on Dr. Hunter: He's what I call a "CYA" principal - Cover-yo-A**" kinda guy.....likes to look really good to central office and to parents but really is disorganized and makes teachers look bad when HE forgets deadlines.
And Doris Thompson - I watched her belittle competent teachers until they were in tears and scared to death of her. I can't say that I ever saw her exhibit good leadership to bring a staff together towards a common goal. She had her favorites like her precious Alexis Johnson and if you weren't in the "in" crowd, she treated you VERY badly. Don't even get me started on Miss Johnson.....
David Keller was an Assistant Principal at Washington.
ReplyDeleteThere is a new principal at 107, Brian Sappenfield. He seems very genuine so far and is really proving to be great with kids and families. So far everything he said he would do he has done. He's respectful to adults and is inclusive of our staff making everyone feel part of the team-teachers, custodians, support staff, etc... I really like his kid-centered approach and that it's all about the kids. He's new to IPS. Does anyone know anything else about him?
ReplyDeleteI have worked under a few very decent principals.
ReplyDeleteI have been in IPS since 1989. I can only think of these three that I truly had respect for...Dr. Helen Cross, Alice Appel, and Julie Bakehorn. I have worked with Chris Collier, and know that she is wonderful also.
Oh, how I miss Carole Craig. I'll always love my angel. Maybe she'll hire me to work for her new business?
ReplyDeleteYvonne Rambo a good administrator??? She was, without a doubt, the most unprofessional person I have EVER worked with/for at any job I have ever had! How she still has a job is beyond me!
ReplyDeleteJennifer Botts was the best and she deserves her promotion. They did a great job replacing her with Brian Sappenfield. He is very supportive and has a great rapport with teachers, parents, and students.
ReplyDeleteI am new to this blog. While Dr. Coe-Martin treated teachers respectfully, she was a disaster as a principal because she did not believe in discipline or retention. CSS was once a highly respected school, but the poor discipline of students caused parents to leave in droves! Ask some teachers who worked there!
ReplyDeleteMinetta Richardson is one talented, wise, caring and completely professional educator -- and a real lady through and through. Add Phyllis Coe-Martin to that list along with Donna Walker and you have a trio of the best!
ReplyDeleteDavid Tuttle at BRHS is organized, competent and caring - follows through on what he says he will do and does it all without fanfare. One of the good guys....
ReplyDelete