New Shepherd principal resigns

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a parent - we have no power - other than voting for a new mayor.

What do you mean "you have no power"? That's how it works. Voters don't run individual schools. You elect leasers who run the schools. That's how it works...EVERYWHERE.[/quote

Well, in most places, people elect a school board and mayor separately, so greater ability to delineate school issues from crime, economy, etc.

Yes, but the UMC up here keep voting for someone who likes it this way

[Anonymous]

I don't think Bowser "cheats" for Shepherd, but it is hard for me to imagine her allowing someone to be put into an interim role (which she essentially has full control over, so no bad optics or need for spin) that isn't very well thought of in DCPS. In fact, look at the last interim who was fantastic.

That said, the new interim's credentials give me great pause. Savoy is pretty much always on the list of the worst performing schools in DC. I don't think that's the admin's fault, but I don't think being at a school like that for a long time prepares you to be the Principal of Shepherd very well either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a parent - we have no power - other than voting for a new mayor.

What do you mean "you have no power"? That's how it works. Voters don't run individual schools. You elect leasers who run the schools. That's how it works...EVERYWHERE.

That response was to someone earlier stating:

"Parents have the power to bring so much change to the actual system in DCPS. You guys are just not seeing the actual system for what it is. A total wreck"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think Bowser "cheats" for Shepherd, but it is hard for me to imagine her allowing someone to be put into an interim role (which she essentially has full control over, so no bad optics or need for spin) that isn't very well thought of in DCPS. In fact, look at the last interim who was fantastic.

That said, the new interim's credentials give me great pause. Savoy is pretty much always on the list of the worst-performing schools in DC. I don't think that's the admin's fault, but I don't think being at a school like that for a long time prepares you to be the Principal of Shepherd very well either.

No one wants to work in DCPS. Period.
Bowser cannot pull strings or cheat when there are ZERO applicants.
And for the people who thought Hedlund was fantastic (I disagree, but that is beside the point) and you agree with the narrative that she quit (many of us in the building see it otherwise) did you ask her why? This is where change starts. Figure out why the people you think are good are leaving.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think Bowser "cheats" for Shepherd, but it is hard for me to imagine her allowing someone to be put into an interim role (which she essentially has full control over, so no bad optics or need for spin) that isn't very well thought of in DCPS. In fact, look at the last interim who was fantastic.

That said, the new interim's credentials give me great pause. Savoy is pretty much always on the list of the worst-performing schools in DC. I don't think that's the admin's fault, but I don't think being at a school like that for a long time prepares you to be the Principal of Shepherd very well either.

No one wants to work in DCPS. Period.
Bowser cannot pull strings or cheat when there are ZERO applicants.
And for the people who thought Hedlund was fantastic (I disagree, but that is beside the point) and you agree with the narrative that she quit (many of us in the building see it otherwise) did you ask her why? This is where change starts. Figure out why the people you think are good are leaving.

But there weren't zero applicants for the principal position...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think Bowser "cheats" for Shepherd, but it is hard for me to imagine her allowing someone to be put into an interim role (which she essentially has full control over, so no bad optics or need for spin) that isn't very well thought of in DCPS. In fact, look at the last interim who was fantastic.

That said, the new interim's credentials give me great pause. Savoy is pretty much always on the list of the worst-performing schools in DC. I don't think that's the admin's fault, but I don't think being at a school like that for a long time prepares you to be the Principal of Shepherd very well either.

No one wants to work in DCPS. Period.
Bowser cannot pull strings or cheat when there are ZERO applicants.
And for the people who thought Hedlund was fantastic (I disagree, but that is beside the point) and you agree with the narrative that she quit (many of us in the building see it otherwise) did you ask her why? This is where change starts. Figure out why the people you think are good are leaving.

But there weren't zero applicants for the principal position...

Sigh.
There were 3. We hired 1 and she quit. Already
You guys have gotta come to grips with how bad things are

[Anonymous]

What’s bad? Shepherd in particular? Why?
DCPS? (I know why)
Being a teacher? (I also get it)

As a parent I would love actionable items to work on to make DCPS better besides emailing and screaming into the void.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think Bowser "cheats" for Shepherd, but it is hard for me to imagine her allowing someone to be put into an interim role (which she essentially has full control over, so no bad optics or need for spin) that isn't very well thought of in DCPS. In fact, look at the last interim who was fantastic.

That said, the new interim's credentials give me great pause. Savoy is pretty much always on the list of the worst-performing schools in DC. I don't think that's the admin's fault, but I don't think being at a school like that for a long time prepares you to be the Principal of Shepherd very well either.

No one wants to work in DCPS. Period.
Bowser cannot pull strings or cheat when there are ZERO applicants.
And for the people who thought Hedlund was fantastic (I disagree, but that is beside the point) and you agree with the narrative that she quit (many of us in the building see it otherwise) did you ask her why? This is where change starts. Figure out why the people you think are good are leaving.

But there weren't zero applicants for the principal position...

Sigh.
There were 3. We hired 1 and she quit. Already
You guys have gotta come to grips with how bad things are

Central always routes 3 candidates to be considered for each principal vacancy. They select those 3 from the system-wide pool.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think Bowser "cheats" for Shepherd, but it is hard for me to imagine her allowing someone to be put into an interim role (which she essentially has full control over, so no bad optics or need for spin) that isn't very well thought of in DCPS. In fact, look at the last interim who was fantastic.

That said, the new interim's credentials give me great pause. Savoy is pretty much always on the list of the worst-performing schools in DC. I don't think that's the admin's fault, but I don't think being at a school like that for a long time prepares you to be the Principal of Shepherd very well either.

No one wants to work in DCPS. Period.
Bowser cannot pull strings or cheat when there are ZERO applicants.
And for the people who thought Hedlund was fantastic (I disagree, but that is beside the point) and you agree with the narrative that she quit (many of us in the building see it otherwise) did you ask her why? This is where change starts. Figure out why the people you think are good are leaving.

But there weren't zero applicants for the principal position...

Sigh.
There were 3. We hired 1 and she quit. Already
You guys have gotta come to grips with how bad things are

Central always routes 3 candidates to be considered for each principal vacancy. They select those 3 from the system-wide pool.

I don’t know why you’re sighing. Are you a teacher? Do you not understand how Principal selection works? There weren’t only 3 applicants (and Shepherd would get way more interest than that if every qualified candidate was allowed to panel for any schools they wanted). DCPS always selects 3 (+interim, if they exist) for each school. Principals can pass on particular panels but can’t be guaranteed panels they want. It’s weird that your lecturing parents when you appear to have no understanding at all of process.

[Anonymous]

Our new AP quit too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our new AP quit too.

Who is “our”? Shepherd?

[Anonymous]

If the new AP quit too then that indicates there are big problems or issues at the school. Two new leaders quitting before the school year even starts is not common.

There seems to be a vacuum with no leadership at the school which makes me question why? It must be something significant for people to quit before even giving it a trial.

[Anonymous]

^^ don’t worry! As another PP said there are plenty of people who want these jobs!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^^ don’t worry! As another PP said there are plenty of people who want these jobs!

What rock are you living under???

DCPS cannot get quality candidates into the school system. This is why they do a lot of shuffling and jiggling moving people around which is terrible for the stability of a school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^^ don’t worry! As another PP said there are plenty of people who want these jobs!

PP was saying it was inane to say only 3 people wanted the Shepherd job because 3 people paneled. And they’re right; to claim that means you have a fundamental misunderstanding of how Principal selection works. That said, the situation at Shepherd is now obviously very troubling and DCPS does have a hard time attracting quality outside candidates.