The Lies People Tell

On May, 18, parents, teachers and  education advocates attended a “Fight for Their Future” forum. Also in attendance was city School's Chancellor Carmen Fariña. She heard many complaints, and real life issues the DOE faces. Many of the attendees came prepared with important questions.

Fariña addressed many concerns and responded with her "big-picture plans" and added that these reforms would "take at least two years from when she was appointed to see meaningful improvements from her changes."

She admitted that the system needs revamping and answered all the questions posed. When some parents said their special needs children were not receiving the services mandated by their IEP, Fariña told the parents they should email her with their concerns. She made the statement several times yet, she did not give out her email.

You see, the email for the chancellor is right on the DOE website. It is not hidden, nor do you need a special code to get it. I should know. I have been writing to the Chancellor's office for four years now.

Yet, I have yet to receive a response. I haven't even received an automated response acknowledging receipt. I have no idea how to get in touch with the Chancellor. 

Yeah, I can't reach my boss.

Errol Louis, the moderator prompted her to give her email address, but Fariña avoided the question.

For the full article Fariña.

The DOE

I have been downtown three times the past four weeks: step two grievance, EEOC, and to answer allegations. Yup, it's been quite a ride. I'm resilient. I fall and get up no matter what.

I am up.

I have several APPRs waiting to be reviewed. The last one hasn't been acknowledged by the principal yet. And, it was given to her two weeks ago. That's OK.

Like I said, I am up.

I thought that simply following her misguided teaching "recommendations" would keep her off my back, but that has not been the case. They still say I am not doing it correctly. The other day, the ELA coach gave me feedback on how to write my assessment so they would get it. Well, I did.

Their response was comical. "This is not an assessment. You must follow the LT (learning target) and CFS (criteria for success) and connect it to the task. Then, mumbo, jumbo, hippity hop..."

So, I told the coach and he shook his head.

Two network coaches came in to do PD. They questioned why we wrote our LTs the way we did.
"This is how she wants them."
Coach: "These are not LTs." HAH...

But, God don't like ugly. The superintendent came in to rate her on Thursday. She was quite the arrogant bitch. (No wonder she has never responded to my letters. I can write an entire post just on that visit.)

She questioned everything in every classroom she visited. Then said, "I saw nothing today that is more than developing." HAH...

Well, everything she saw follows what the principal wants to see in every classroom. We are following her format to a T.

"DEVELOPING."

It's been a rough year, but it's almost over. I'm desensitized and don't seem to care any more. But, I am up.