Removal of Eaton Principal Steven Eskay

[Anonymous]

100% of staff signed a petition for removal of Principal Steven Eskay after just 1 year in the role. The letter alleges serious issues such as racism, misogyny, and breaching confidentiality.

Is DCPS in some sort of Principal crisis? What is happening? How can a person who worked with incarcerated children and special needs meds it up so badly in just one year?

“ Dear Eaton Elementary School Community,

I hope this letter finds you all in good health and high spirits. As a longtime member of the Eaton Elementary School community, I have been entrusted with the responsibility of conveying some important information to our valued community. Our dedicated teachers have expressed their concerns regarding the current workplace conditions we are facing, and they have asked me to share this information with you.

First and foremost, I want to emphasize that our teachers are deeply committed to providing the best possible education and care for our students. They work tirelessly to create a nurturing and stimulating environment where children can thrive academically, emotionally, and socially. However, it is essential to shed light on the challenges we face in fulfilling this mission due to the existing workplace conditions.

Attached to this email, you will find a document in which 100% of staff supports the decision to remove Principal Eskay as the principal of Eaton Elementary School. This decision has been reached after careful consideration and in the best interest of our students and staff. We believe that a change in leadership will bring new perspectives and approaches to address the challenges we face.”

[Anonymous]

Whoa. That is crazy. Especially at this time of year, when panels have already been done.

Eaton was a great school for my now-high-schoolers. I think transitions are always so hard.

[Anonymous]

I have a child at Eaton and I must be completely checked out this year from Eaton since I had no idea there were any issues until I received this. Or maybe I was too concerned with the issues at Hardy that my other child has been facing to have the bandwidth….

[Anonymous]

I also had no idea there were any issues. Are there any Eaton families here that knew something was amiss?

[Anonymous]

We’re an Eaton family too. Given that all the staff signed it I am of course 100% behind them. And shocked! But I think being shocked is a testament to how the teachers have still managed to do a phenomenal job this year inspite of a hostile workplace. Hoping they get a boss they love for next year.

[Anonymous]

Omg. They should have done this earlier, all the good principal candidates will be matched by now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Omg. They should have done this earlier, all the good principal candidates will be matched by now.

Our AP seems pretty great. Maybe she can step in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But I think being shocked is a testament to how the teachers have still managed to do a phenomenal job this year in spite of a hostile workplace.

100% this. I had no clue anything was amiss.

[Anonymous]

Eaton family here - some of these allegiations seem hyperbolic. How do we know this wasn't just a few teachers who then pressured the rest to sign? Call me crazy, but after the COVID era, it's hard for me to completely trust DCPS teachers 100%.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Eaton family here - some of these allegiations seem hyperbolic. How do we know this wasn't just a few teachers who then pressured the rest to sign? Call me crazy, but after the COVID era, it's hard for me to completely trust DCPS teachers 100%.

If they didn't get 100% of teachers, I would suspect this too. But ONE HUNDRED PERCENT? That's crazy.

[Anonymous]

This guy had such a good reputation at Payne. He was beloved. I am literally flabbergasted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Eaton family here - some of these allegiations seem hyperbolic. How do we know this wasn't just a few teachers who then pressured the rest to sign? Call me crazy, but after the COVID era, it's hard for me to completely trust DCPS teachers 100%.

What are the allegations? Can you give a few examples?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Eaton family here - some of these allegiations seem hyperbolic. How do we know this wasn't just a few teachers who then pressured the rest to sign? Call me crazy, but after the COVID era, it's hard for me to completely trust DCPS teachers 100%.

What are the allegations? Can you give a few examples?

It’s a lot - racism, misogyny, public sharing of student information, making degrading remark about students and teachers, proving teacher impact scores to other teachers, etc. it was a long list of accusations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Eaton family here - some of these allegiations seem hyperbolic. How do we know this wasn't just a few teachers who then pressured the rest to sign? Call me crazy, but after the COVID era, it's hard for me to completely trust DCPS teachers 100%.

What are the allegations? Can you give a few examples?

It’s a lot - racism, misogyny, public sharing of student information, making degrading remark about students and teachers, proving teacher impact scores to other teachers, etc. it was a long list of accusations.

Thanks... and woah.

[Anonymous]

Another Eaton parent here who was shocked by this letter and whose kid has had a really great year. The allegations are extremely serious (mocking disabled children and calling them names when referring to them to other staff and saying it’s a “waste of manpower” to manage disabled children, saying that women are “too emotional” and that it’s “unfortunate” that education is female-dominated, tearing down children to other parents and teachers and saying kids “don’t get depressed,” yelling at teachers, the list goes on and on. We support the teachers 100% and hope he resigns.