Zia Response
Someone posted that teachers at Zia write letters to get their way. No one I know of (and since I work there I know a lot) ever wrote a letter to have any administrator moved. Even if one or two letters were written, it was not all the staff at Zia. Zia staff has put up with drastic changes in administration over the past few years, yet we still keep the children the focus. However, when our Constitutional Rights are violated, or when we feel NEA needs to get involved, we will call on NEA for help. That is why we pay dues. Are we wrong to want to be treated fairly? Is it wrong for us to expect to be treated like professional adults? Does working for a school mean we have to become sub-human? I think all of this chaos is the district is only going to drive away good teachers who want to teach instead of play politics
posted by LCPS1 @ 6:02 PM
2 Comments:
ZIA - A Short HIstory
Since Karen Arnold resigned as principal at Zia Middle School, the teaching atmosphere has been in a steady decline. The Stuart and O’Hara leadership team systematically purged the school of many competent and experienced teachers. Those of us who survived their reign of terror witnessed the humiliation of colleagues, and endured lies, verbal abuse, threats, intimidation and an overall atmosphere of fear. Yet, we kept teaching the children to the best of our ability. LCPS administration made half hearted attempts to attend to staff concerns. Given their queries were conducted within the walls of the school where fear of reprisal was rampant, it is not surprising that little information was gained that would indict the two administrators. Strangely, when they finally were removed, they received promotions to the central office. LCPS has a twisted view of rewarding administration for abusing staff.
Initially, Thacker was like a breath of fresh air. We were hopeful that Zia could return to the great school it had been. Unfortunately, that great hope was short lived. Although a charming lady, she is sadly lacking in administrative competence. Thacker is full of many great ideas, so many in fact, that she can’t focus on any one of them without jumping to another. The staff was quickly burned out by her flippant administrative style. She inherited a faculty suffering from abuse and she was quickly seen as an abuser in her own way. Long range planning, consistency and order, absolutely necessary to the classroom, are essential elements in administering a school. Zia struggled under her leadership. Gomez did little to enhance the learning atmosphere. His remote, seemingly disconnected, attitude contributed little to the work environment for teachers and students. Again, two administrators are removed., or are they? We continue to teach the children to the best of our ability even though many of us have worked for years without support or acknowledgment in an environment that has ranged from poisonous to insane. It is testimony to the great teachers of Zia that education has continued in spite of rather than because of building administrators.
We are good strong teachers, but the time has come for a resolution to the Zia lack of administration. Too many errors have been made, just like in the Superintendent’s office. The time has come to get it right. I do not think morale could get any lower.
There seems to be the opinion that Zia teachers are out of control. I am not exactly sure who said what when, but let's set the record straight. Zia teachers have the same focus that most teachers in this district have-that is to teach children. What seems to be out of control is the rumor mill that is running high speed in the district. I personally feel that we should all act and be treated as adults. That includes informing staff of changes that will affect not only them but the students as well. I don't want all the details; just tell me the truth as to what is going on in my school and my district. It is very discouraging to get up and drag myself to work every day not knowing what I am walking into. The students know that there is something going on. Some know a little, others know a lot. At any rate, the students are beginning to take advantage of all the chaos. Let's all take a step back, breathe deeply and join forces to make the best out of what is left of this year.
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