Anonymous wrote:Dog Whistle calling out our African-American Superintendent for visiting her HBCU alma mater and proposing a collaboration with the HBCU ???
Agreed.
Yup. Get a life. You don't actually care about the travel budget.
Teachers care. Especially the under paid minority teachers who keep leaving mcps.
You don’t really support minority teachers either.
I would think McKnight visiting her HBCU alma mater would be part of an effort to recruit more minority teachers.
Yet she didn’t meet with one single student and got a paid trip home on taxpayers. Fooling you is so easy.
You're acting as though she was taking a vacation and relaxing on a Hilton Head beach, daiquiri in hand and sunglasses on. No! It's for the long-term benefit of our district.
How does this benefit MCPS? If it were a MD state school, I can understand that, but how many kids are going to her HBCU alma mater and how would they help MCPS from a distance?
I'm more than happy to shed color on this. For years , kids from all backgrounds have craved having Black teachers in the classroom. A big reason why these racist incidents have taken place in MCPS is that these mostly White teachers from Jersey and PA, while well-meaning, but may not be able to relate to the kids in terms of creating that culture of respect or working with people who've had diverse experiences or adverse childhood situations. In these incidents, there's almost zero accountability and sometimes even the White teachers join in gaslighting the Black students or being more prone to call security on them for things that can honestly be de-escalated. Sometimes, they even go out of their way to make the BIPOC teachers uncomfortable, leading to a retention issue. The teachers should look like the changing population in the system, case closed.
Before questioning me, I went to East County schools for K-8 and a W for 9-12. I know MCPS processes and secrets inside out. One time, solely because of my little sister's name (she speaks perfect English and we are from an English-speaking country in West Africa), they recommended her for ESOL when she's in adavanced reading. I guarantee you no Black teacher would be quick to underestimate and label her in a away that will last for the rest of her life. It's no secret that we have to advocate for minority students way more.
When Black teachers are in the classroom, the Blacks students stand straigher, and the majority students break stereotypes about who can lead, who is truly worthy in society. Since we lack Black teachers, we are then going to lack Black administrators and beyond -- it's an funnel effect and every subgroup needs specific alleviating measures as they enter and progress through their careers. Black administrators are more likely to get Title I schools in this county or be pushed out or not get as much credit whereas their White peers can fail and immediately get that second chance. It's about a culture of respect and it's a much needed initiative, in my opinion.
You do realize your statement is pretty racist too. And, your comments have no justification as to why she took the trip.
+1 Just because a wrong happened to your sister and your family is from an English speaking West African country, doesn’t mean that wrong happened to your sister because she is black. The same thing happened to my son who was born here in Rockville. English is my first language, but not my spouse‘s. We speak dual languages in our house and my child has never been below grade level in language arts. However, he was flagged for ESOL and he is white. My son was quickly dismissed when they actually saw where he was performing and that he did not have deficits with English.
And that's exactly why racism is more dangerous now. People try to excuse it, skirt around it, and be genteel about it - "oh, we're post-racial". BS. The point of the matter is that they would have NEVER asked a White kid those questions. My parents are diplomats and the Argentine, Chilean, Canadian kids are not being put in those same situations. When some of these teachers see Black and Brown kids, they always try to downplay their abilities or operate knowing that their parents won't push back as much because they're busy working, etc. Sometimes the kids even internalize those mentalities and stereotypes because they're trained that the teacher is always right, which affects their confidence. In MCPS, once your levels are given in ES, they're very hard to shake because we have a history in this school system of academic tracking that still goes on to this day, where the gatekeepers (counselors) can be quite condescending. There are systematic efforts in MCPS to over-label certain kids for ESOL, just as there has been a historical systematic effort to flag Black kids, especially Black males, for special education at very high rates. Look. Both. Of. These. Concepts. Up.
I'm sorry that happened to your child, yet at the same time, we need to be conscious of experiences when it comes to racism/microaggressions, not say that the person was well-intentioned so there's no way it's racist. Bottom line: very few White kids would be treated like that. It's something called "implicit bias", very dangerous, and I encourage y'all to look it up. That ESOL title would affect how people view her for advanced math, magnet, and many other opportunities. Thank God she had the resources and support system around her, because many Black students end up lacking that. When BIPOC share their experiences, they need to be believed.
Going back to Dr. McKnight: as a rising business leader, I understand the crucial nature of not just human capital, but retention. As a BIPOC in the workplace, I know what does and doesn't work, and her trip is a full-proof way to show her seriousness towards these efforts. Make up all the rumors that you want. She has 4 years, and she's using them quite wisely in my book.
I had a black principal tell me she did not like my child’s hair and I needed to cut it. It was regularly trimmed. Other races had similar styles and hair in their face. She also targeted some of the white kids with harsher punishments or only punished the white kids when a group of kids were involved. It’s everywhere.
Again -- very sorry about that. Bias is everywhere, but in this situation, I was speaking about how it especially affects the outcomes of Black and Brown students and how this trip will help her hire a workforce that can combat that. It's about the long-term strategic game and picking up best practices from all places, not a problem that will be solved overnight. If she's traveling down South, she's still working, connected to her schedule, etc. Managers and higher-up C-Suite leaders (pre-COVID) would travel all the time, and it's ramping back up. Y'all are blowing things way out of proportion, as usual.
This trip in no way helps black and brown kids. What would help are smaller classes sizes, more individual attention, better curriculum, doing dyslexia screenings on every child who is not reading by mid 1st grade, text books, more structure, more discipline, higher expectations, parental involvement, however this things would benefit all kids, not just those of a specific race. All our kids regardless of their skin color deserve better.
Her going to visit her college helps no one but her.
I spoke ad nauseum a few replies ago about how a diverse workforce helps all students. Those points you've raised matter, but are totally unrelated to this context and this thread. At the end of the day, I don't speak stupid. You can look for anything to criticize, she'll do the work and do a hell of a job at it.
That has nothing to do with her trip. Some schools are very diverse, others aren't. People also self segregate. MCPS has serious issues and she's off on an MCPS paid vacation.
The trip is to collaborate with her school and other HBCUs to diversify the workforce. What you're speaking about it separate. It's a work trip. I don't know how else to hammer the point.
LOL A work trip to her home town. Right. Try again.
You clearly have never visited Orangeburg, SC
It is HER hometown.
And I think you do not understand what it took for her to climb out of that environment.
Now this is the comment right HERE! I can only imagine what she's seen.
Please share with us what her childhood was like? Clearly someone supported her enough to even be able to go to college. Regardless of race, many students didn't get the same opportunities as her.
Imagine growing up in a state that is still highly divided from the shadows of slavery, so that she doesn't have the social capital or standing to be able to relate with the many White people at the top (didn't grow up going to Aspen, flying on a priv. jet, etc). Imagine growing up in a state where the schools are still quite segregated and public ones don't get as much funding as private ones because the private ones were set up, coincidentally right after slavery or the civil rights movement, so you're selectively locked out as a Black person. Imagine growing up in a town like Orangeburg that is still, sadly, under-resourced and may not have as much positivity around it that says "you can do it" role-model wise. Your town is either 90% Black or 90% White down there because of different racial incidents and the impact that it has on generations to come who still have that fear to this day. Imagine growing up with a mother who loves you but who worked in food services and wasn't a professional, making it harder to get advice. That's a whole lot to overcome, especially being a Black woman where everyone is ready to over-label you yet under-invest in you.
Let's also not forget the self-doubt and stereotypes faced at work that could have deterred her from the larger goal. Trust me, you don't want to walk in a diverse person's experiences. We go through so many little things every day that we don't even notice or just have to quietly put up with so that we aren't called "angry" or "retaliated against".
Oh please, she clearly didn't if she made it as far as she did. You really are out of touch.
And, remind me what that has to do with the topic, which is a trip that could have been done with a zoom call?
It's 3:30. Get some rest. I know I am. We should root for her successes and help her in any way possible to be able to help our kids. Stability is important, especially in a day and age where K-12 leadership roles nationwide are going through a lot of attrition. If we treat her badly, she could get out of town at the snap of a finger.
Thanks, I work nights... I don't have the luxury of rest.
This trip has nothing to do with us helping her be successful. If she wants to support our kids having the same opportunities she did - you know college, graduate school AND a PhD, then maybe she should spend that money on helping to fix the problems and support struggling students vs. a vacation...
It wouldn't be a bad thing for her to get out of town. Everyone is replaceable, EVERYONE in every job.
Name one positive thing she's done this year?
You help fix the problems by reaching out to different constituencies, which she's doing. It takes time to bear the fruits of that labor. You'd be surprised how downhill school systems have went without strong, stable leadership until recently -- ask PG County, Queen Anne's County, DC, and Frederick how that's going right now. Even if she is replaceable, we don't treat people as such, because how we treat her is going to set the tone for the types of candidates we're going to get in the future. Our schools are half the county budget and the first thing we're known for reputation wise, and we must protect and cherish them.
No, you fix the problems within. You give more training and resources to teachers and staff. You reduce class sizes. You make repairs to the school buildings so kids and staff are safe and comfortable. You reduce violence with more security. You get more mental health resources, as promised. You get more resources for all students - all kids starting in 1st grade who are not reading should get evaluated and extra support. Kids with behavioral problems should get more support. Kids with SN should get more support in terms of 1-1 tutoring, speech therapy, occupational therapy and OT. You get a stronger curriculum. You bring back things like textbooks (or even a novel would be nice).
Do you think she just snaps her fingers and all these things are resolved?? Getting people resources requires job postings, interviews, hiring, and most importantly people who want the job. New curriculum requires evaluation, selection, ordering, and then implementation(which is it own process). Last I checked the Benchmark and Eureka curriculum came with text. People keep talking about reducing class sizes like that doesn’t require additional personnel, space, and equipment. Same folks also complain about trailers and boundaries. Why should all kids in 1st grade be evaluated just because they aren’t reading when research shows that plenty of kids start reading at some point in 1st or 2nd(its not an anomaly)
If your child is not reading by 1st, age 6-8, then you need to get them assessed as its important to catch issues early and give them help rather than waiting till they fail.
Remember once you hit MS and HS, there is no real curriculum and textbooks so kids are learning advanced math, science and more with pretty much nothing. You clearly have little ones where that stuff may work but its not working in older grades. In MS, kids should be reading novels.. remember those?
MCPS already has recruiters and tons of people in central office to handle those things. It really doesn't take that long.
Right now I'd gladly take a trailer with its own HVAC system and bathroom.
Boundaries are an issue if we don't want our kids bussed across town.
If a child is not reading on grade level by 1st grade, MCPS should be flagging them for intervention and testing for disabilities. Windows of opportunities close early for many disabilities. MCPS ignoring such difficulties equates to lives that never reached their full potential.
Remember: a mind is a terrible thing to waste. I wish MCPS would follow that motto no matter what race a child is.
Dr. McKnight received a no confidence vote from teachers and school administrators in January. She is out of touch with what the staff who work with children need.
Students had to Zoom for their education for a year. If it’s a work function, a Zoom meeting should be sufficient. MCPS funds should be focused on services to students in Montgomery County, not bogus trips.
Anonymous wrote:Dr. McKnight received a no confidence vote from teachers and school administrators in January. She is out of touch with what the staff who work with children need.
Students had to Zoom for their education for a year. If it’s a work function, a Zoom meeting should be sufficient. MCPS funds should be focused on services to students in Montgomery County, not bogus trips.
Some students are still zooming for safety reasons and here she is traveling without even basic precautions setting a really bad example.
No sense in criticizing because the deed is done. Only on DCUM will travelling for work be a foreign concept. Let her do her job, y'all can focus on more pressing matters.
Anonymous wrote:No sense in criticizing because the deed is done. Only on DCUM will travelling for work be a foreign concept. Let her do her job, y'all can focus on more pressing matters.
Anonymous wrote:No sense in criticizing because the deed is done. Only on DCUM will travelling for work be a foreign concept. Let her do her job, y'all can focus on more pressing matters.
She is not doing her job if she is traveling.
Keep making up your own fantasies. She's still connected to her laptop and work phone.
Anonymous wrote:No sense in criticizing because the deed is done. Only on DCUM will travelling for work be a foreign concept. Let her do her job, y'all can focus on more pressing matters.
She is not doing her job if she is traveling.
Keep making up your own fantasies. She's still connected to her laptop and work phone.
You are making up fantasies if you think she was actually working via a laptop and work phone. She was on vacation. What exactly came out of that trip/visit? Please, share with us.
Anonymous wrote:Dr. McKnight received a no confidence vote from teachers and school administrators in January. She is out of touch with what the staff who work with children need.
Students had to Zoom for their education for a year. If it’s a work function, a Zoom meeting should be sufficient. MCPS funds should be focused on services to students in Montgomery County, not bogus trips.
OH I know that pandemic that killed millions was so inconvenient!
Anonymous wrote:No sense in criticizing because the deed is done. Only on DCUM will travelling for work be a foreign concept. Let her do her job, y'all can focus on more pressing matters.
She is not doing her job if she is traveling.
Keep making up your own fantasies. She's still connected to her laptop and work phone.
You are making up fantasies if you think she was actually working via a laptop and work phone. She was on vacation. What exactly came out of that trip/visit? Please, share with us.
Let me guess you can't stand that an AA woman is in charge of MCPS?
Anonymous wrote:No sense in criticizing because the deed is done. Only on DCUM will travelling for work be a foreign concept. Let her do her job, y'all can focus on more pressing matters.
She is not doing her job if she is traveling.
Keep making up your own fantasies. She's still connected to her laptop and work phone.
You are making up fantasies if you think she was actually working via a laptop and work phone. She was on vacation. What exactly came out of that trip/visit? Please, share with us.
Let me guess you can't stand that an AA woman is in charge of MCPS?
Dr. McKnight doesn’t get a pass to misuse government money for her own personal gains just because she is an AA woman.
Anonymous wrote:No sense in criticizing because the deed is done. Only on DCUM will travelling for work be a foreign concept. Let her do her job, y'all can focus on more pressing matters.
She is not doing her job if she is traveling.
Keep making up your own fantasies. She's still connected to her laptop and work phone.
You are making up fantasies if you think she was actually working via a laptop and work phone. She was on vacation. What exactly came out of that trip/visit? Please, share with us.
Let me guess you can't stand that an AA woman is in charge of MCPS?
Dr. McKnight doesn’t get a pass to misuse government money for her own personal gains just because she is an AA woman.
True, but this seems like someone is grasping at straws to create a false narrative.
Anonymous wrote:No sense in criticizing because the deed is done. Only on DCUM will travelling for work be a foreign concept. Let her do her job, y'all can focus on more pressing matters.
She is not doing her job if she is traveling.
Keep making up your own fantasies. She's still connected to her laptop and work phone.
You are making up fantasies if you think she was actually working via a laptop and work phone. She was on vacation. What exactly came out of that trip/visit? Please, share with us.
Let me guess you can't stand that an AA woman is in charge of MCPS?
Anonymous wrote:No sense in criticizing because the deed is done. Only on DCUM will travelling for work be a foreign concept. Let her do her job, y'all can focus on more pressing matters.
She is not doing her job if she is traveling.
Keep making up your own fantasies. She's still connected to her laptop and work phone.
You are making up fantasies if you think she was actually working via a laptop and work phone. She was on vacation. What exactly came out of that trip/visit? Please, share with us.
Let me guess you can't stand that an AA woman is in charge of MCPS?
Dr. McKnight doesn’t get a pass to misuse government money for her own personal gains just because she is an AA woman.
True, but this seems like someone is grasping at straws to create a false narrative.
100%. All this fauxtrage over one tweet! There's no there there.
Anonymous wrote:DP - I don't get to visit my old schools on company dime.
How is that a false narrative?
I'm sick and tired of these corrupt MCPS officials.
We have zero evidence of corruption here, and you're stil yammering on about this 10 pages later. There are plenty of real problems that MCPS is facing. How about redirecting your energies to solving one of them?
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