Why are dozens of principals leaving Fairfax Co. schools?

[Anonymous]

No. I'm just tired of every post being about teachers and how awful they have it. It's like toxic masculinity or black lives matter. At some point, people just stop listening. There is never a bright spot, every topic becomes about them, it's too much. This is an optional forum for parents. There is not one teacher that ever needs to come on here. Not one teacher needs to answer for anything anyone says here. It's a parent board. The religious people are tired of having to deal with athiests coming on their board. Well, I'm tired of every parent thread on schools being about how awful parents and kids are. We can't even talk about anything here without this one specific teacher coming on here all the time to bash students and parents. She has no idea why principals are leaving and they aren't even leaving at a greater rate than anywhere else. She's not a principal. She's an English teacher and she occupies every thread on here. She's the same English teacher who complains that she grades all these assignments all the time and we all told her that she was the only one so it wasn't necessary because the other English teachers weren't and she still went on a tirade about how terrible her job was. She has a martyr complex. There are so few essays in FCPS to begin with and anything done at home is worth so little if at all. They are all formative assignments and not summatives. So I smell something fishy with some at-home assignment needing a phone call about plagiarism. Most FCPS teachers aren't even grading formative work, must less checking for plagiarism. Why would this even be an issue in FCPS if they are all about assessments in class for the majority of grades? The story doesn't add up. And why come on a mommy board to make every topic about teacher woes against parents if not to incite? Go on your own teacher association forum. This post is about principals. This "teacher" can't even make their comments about the actual topic at hand.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At least some of them are retiring to get FCPS pensions while collecting a salary in a new division.

I get the impression Reid actually expects some results from principals and the ones who quit were used to Brabrand’s do-nothing style.

+1. I also get a strong sense from community meetings that Reid is out here pushing for real results - especially for the most disadvantaged and those lagging far behind the norm. I think some principals, specifically those closer to retirement, realize it's going to be hard work to fix the failing schools and jumping ship to a system with less expectations is an easy way out.

I agree with this. It's easy to keep swimming along with the stream, especially if you've been doing it long enough to be close to retirement. Do you really care at that point if the system works or if the stream is clean? Do you care if it is a downright toxic environment for a not-insignificant portion of students? Or do you just want to come in and punch a clock and not have to actually manage anyone or be in charge of fixing anything for the next couple of years?

My guess would be just to punch a clock. That's what I'd want to do, but then again, I don't work in a public environment where I'm expected and entrusted to be a guardian working in the best interest of minors. The system stinks, and when you are in charge of managing a stinky system, then you can't afford to just coast through. If you aren't up to right the ship, then the most responsible thing is to jump ship.

And we are. Nobody wants to work with a parent like you that’s going to try to guilt them into loving an almost impossible job.

Okay twinkle toes. Here’s the thing very few people love their jobs. You are lucky if you do, but most don’t. Love has nothing to do with conducting yourself in a capable, competent and professional manner.

If you want to be the adult equivalent of a schoolyard bully, in total control, and not have your actions be questioned or criticized then may I suggest the FFX county Sheriff’s Office. I hear the county is hiring prison guards.

Go work out your anger, aggression and control issues on the career cons. Warning though when they don’t like you they won’t just grumble and complain to the higher ups. They’ll probably just shank you in the kidney and call it a day.

Hope a career spent policing cafeteria food fights and hallway dilly dalliers hasn’t made you soft.

Oops. Three words in and you already lost. You should have saved yourself the effort of typing out the rest of your subsequent BS.

DP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A big part of the problem remains the latent anger parents have from FCPS closing its doors for a year.

The kids are still behind, there is some attempt internally to raise expectations and recover from that, but teachers aren't able to work magic and erase the impact of that lost year.

Teachers are frustrated with the expectations that they alone must fix everything: lagging academics and awful behavior (when they didn't make the decision to shutter in the first place, that was administrative). Parents are resentful because they didn't support the decision to close school buildings that year, and now no one can fix the mess that was made. They aren't eager to give teachers a pass. Teachers feel they deserve one.

Bzzzt! Your COVID card is expired. Time to find a new excuse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No. I'm just tired of every post being about teachers and how awful they have it. It's like toxic masculinity or black lives matter. At some point, people just stop listening. There is never a bright spot, every topic becomes about them, it's too much. This is an optional forum for parents. There is not one teacher that ever needs to come on here. Not one teacher needs to answer for anything anyone says here. It's a parent board. The religious people are tired of having to deal with athiests coming on their board. Well, I'm tired of every parent thread on schools being about how awful parents and kids are. We can't even talk about anything here without this one specific teacher coming on here all the time to bash students and parents. She has no idea why principals are leaving and they aren't even leaving at a greater rate than anywhere else. She's not a principal. She's an English teacher and she occupies every thread on here. She's the same English teacher who complains that she grades all these assignments all the time and we all told her that she was the only one so it wasn't necessary because the other English teachers weren't and she still went on a tirade about how terrible her job was. She has a martyr complex. There are so few essays in FCPS to begin with and anything done at home is worth so little if at all. They are all formative assignments and not summatives. So I smell something fishy with some at-home assignment needing a phone call about plagiarism. Most FCPS teachers aren't even grading formative work, must less checking for plagiarism. Why would this even be an issue in FCPS if they are all about assessments in class for the majority of grades? The story doesn't add up. And why come on a mommy board to make every topic about teacher woes against parents if not to incite? Go on your own teacher association forum. This post is about principals. This "teacher" can't even make their comments about the actual topic at hand.

I wonder how many posters you just lumped into this one “English teacher.”

[Anonymous]

Only the ones that talk about English and crazy parents and kids and how she has so much work all the time. She's posted on multiple threads in the past week. Why would many English teachers be on here talking about grading and principals? These aren't English topics. It's repetitive and easy to tell. She always has something to say regarding writing and how much work it is and how she's disrespected. She doesn't realize she's basically getting back what she expects. It's a self-fulfilling prophecy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At least some of them are retiring to get FCPS pensions while collecting a salary in a new division.

I get the impression Reid actually expects some results from principals and the ones who quit were used to Brabrand’s do-nothing style.

+1. I also get a strong sense from community meetings that Reid is out here pushing for real results - especially for the most disadvantaged and those lagging far behind the norm. I think some principals, specifically those closer to retirement, realize it's going to be hard work to fix the failing schools and jumping ship to a system with less expectations is an easy way out.

I agree with this. It's easy to keep swimming along with the stream, especially if you've been doing it long enough to be close to retirement. Do you really care at that point if the system works or if the stream is clean? Do you care if it is a downright toxic environment for a not-insignificant portion of students? Or do you just want to come in and punch a clock and not have to actually manage anyone or be in charge of fixing anything for the next couple of years?

My guess would be just to punch a clock. That's what I'd want to do, but then again, I don't work in a public environment where I'm expected and entrusted to be a guardian working in the best interest of minors. The system stinks, and when you are in charge of managing a stinky system, then you can't afford to just coast through. If you aren't up to right the ship, then the most responsible thing is to jump ship.

And we are. Nobody wants to work with a parent like you that’s going to try to guilt them into loving an almost impossible job.

Okay twinkle toes. Here’s the thing very few people love their jobs. You are lucky if you do, but most don’t. Love has nothing to do with conducting yourself in a capable, competent and professional manner.

If you want to be the adult equivalent of a schoolyard bully, in total control, and not have your actions be questioned or criticized then may I suggest the FFX county Sheriff’s Office. I hear the county is hiring prison guards.

Go work out your anger, aggression and control issues on the career cons. Warning though when they don’t like you they won’t just grumble and complain to the higher ups. They’ll probably just shank you in the kidney and call it a day.

Hope a career spent policing cafeteria food fights and hallway dilly dalliers hasn’t made you soft.

Oops. Three words in and you already lost. You should have saved yourself the effort of typing out the rest of your subsequent BS.

DP

What exactly do you not agree with in the post? Do you agree that most people don’t love their jobs? Teachers are not unique in that respect. They also complain when anyone criticizes them. If they want a job where they aren’t criticized, look elsewhere but that would be hard to find.

[Anonymous]

This thread is about principals. Start a new topic on teachers or stick to the topic

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At least some of them are retiring to get FCPS pensions while collecting a salary in a new division.

I get the impression Reid actually expects some results from principals and the ones who quit were used to Brabrand’s do-nothing style.

+1. I also get a strong sense from community meetings that Reid is out here pushing for real results - especially for the most disadvantaged and those lagging far behind the norm. I think some principals, specifically those closer to retirement, realize it's going to be hard work to fix the failing schools and jumping ship to a system with less expectations is an easy way out.

I agree with this. It's easy to keep swimming along with the stream, especially if you've been doing it long enough to be close to retirement. Do you really care at that point if the system works or if the stream is clean? Do you care if it is a downright toxic environment for a not-insignificant portion of students? Or do you just want to come in and punch a clock and not have to actually manage anyone or be in charge of fixing anything for the next couple of years?

My guess would be just to punch a clock. That's what I'd want to do, but then again, I don't work in a public environment where I'm expected and entrusted to be a guardian working in the best interest of minors. The system stinks, and when you are in charge of managing a stinky system, then you can't afford to just coast through. If you aren't up to right the ship, then the most responsible thing is to jump ship.

And we are. Nobody wants to work with a parent like you that’s going to try to guilt them into loving an almost impossible job.

Okay twinkle toes. Here’s the thing very few people love their jobs. You are lucky if you do, but most don’t. Love has nothing to do with conducting yourself in a capable, competent and professional manner.

If you want to be the adult equivalent of a schoolyard bully, in total control, and not have your actions be questioned or criticized then may I suggest the FFX county Sheriff’s Office. I hear the county is hiring prison guards.

Go work out your anger, aggression and control issues on the career cons. Warning though when they don’t like you they won’t just grumble and complain to the higher ups. They’ll probably just shank you in the kidney and call it a day.

Hope a career spent policing cafeteria food fights and hallway dilly dalliers hasn’t made you soft.

Oops. Three words in and you already lost. You should have saved yourself the effort of typing out the rest of your subsequent BS.

DP

What exactly do you not agree with in the post? Do you agree that most people don’t love their jobs? Teachers are not unique in that respect. They also complain when anyone criticizes them. If they want a job where they aren’t criticized, look elsewhere but that would be hard to find.

Are you for real?

That PP bolded the first three words for a reason. Referring to someone as "twinkle toes" is offensive. It is a derogatory term that is inherently homophobic.

You honestly thought that was an appropriate term to use? Even if you thought it was being used to refer to a dancer, that would be a bizarre use of it in context. It was clearly used in a derogatory manner.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And let these "teachers" go get their dream office job. So tired of it. Many of them work in the summer and after school tutoring and make another $20k. That's $75k for a first year job.

What crack are you smoking? It has to be AH-mazing for you to come here with a straight face and say that first year teachers (or any teachers!) are making $20K over the summer and after school. Have you ever met a first year teacher?

[Anonymous]

This is a long thread but it's hard to tell from what's been posted recently if there is really an unusual uptick in principal departures.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is a long thread but it's hard to tell from what's been posted recently if there is really an unusual uptick in principal departures.

This is copied from Page 4 of this thread:

So, 53 over 3.25 school years comes out to 16.3 per year, which is 7.3% turnover per year (for retirements, not including any promotions or other moves within the system).

What's the average turnover for principals in other districts?


The average principal turnover rate in the US is 22%. So FCPS is relatively low.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No. I'm just tired of every post being about teachers and how awful they have it. It's like toxic masculinity or black lives matter. At some point, people just stop listening. There is never a bright spot, every topic becomes about them, it's too much. This is an optional forum for parents. There is not one teacher that ever needs to come on here. Not one teacher needs to answer for anything anyone says here. It's a parent board. The religious people are tired of having to deal with athiests coming on their board. Well, I'm tired of every parent thread on schools being about how awful parents and kids are. We can't even talk about anything here without this one specific teacher coming on here all the time to bash students and parents. She has no idea why principals are leaving and they aren't even leaving at a greater rate than anywhere else. She's not a principal. She's an English teacher and she occupies every thread on here. She's the same English teacher who complains that she grades all these assignments all the time and we all told her that she was the only one so it wasn't necessary because the other English teachers weren't and she still went on a tirade about how terrible her job was. She has a martyr complex. There are so few essays in FCPS to begin with and anything done at home is worth so little if at all. They are all formative assignments and not summatives. So I smell something fishy with some at-home assignment needing a phone call about plagiarism. Most FCPS teachers aren't even grading formative work, must less checking for plagiarism. Why would this even be an issue in FCPS if they are all about assessments in class for the majority of grades? The story doesn't add up. And why come on a mommy board to make every topic about teacher woes against parents if not to incite? Go on your own teacher association forum. This post is about principals. This "teacher" can't even make their comments about the actual topic at hand.

ALL posts on this forum get derailed, that is nothing new. This post has covered SB members to vouchers to teachers. This is not just “a parent forum,” anyone can post on it. But since we’re discussing it, parents 1000% start every discussion about how bad FCPS and the teachers are. Every. Single. One.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No. I'm just tired of every post being about teachers and how awful they have it. It's like toxic masculinity or black lives matter. At some point, people just stop listening. There is never a bright spot, every topic becomes about them, it's too much. This is an optional forum for parents. There is not one teacher that ever needs to come on here. Not one teacher needs to answer for anything anyone says here. It's a parent board. The religious people are tired of having to deal with athiests coming on their board. Well, I'm tired of every parent thread on schools being about how awful parents and kids are. We can't even talk about anything here without this one specific teacher coming on here all the time to bash students and parents. She has no idea why principals are leaving and they aren't even leaving at a greater rate than anywhere else. She's not a principal. She's an English teacher and she occupies every thread on here. She's the same English teacher who complains that she grades all these assignments all the time and we all told her that she was the only one so it wasn't necessary because the other English teachers weren't and she still went on a tirade about how terrible her job was. She has a martyr complex. There are so few essays in FCPS to begin with and anything done at home is worth so little if at all. They are all formative assignments and not summatives. So I smell something fishy with some at-home assignment needing a phone call about plagiarism. Most FCPS teachers aren't even grading formative work, must less checking for plagiarism. Why would this even be an issue in FCPS if they are all about assessments in class for the majority of grades? The story doesn't add up. And why come on a mommy board to make every topic about teacher woes against parents if not to incite? Go on your own teacher association forum. This post is about principals. This "teacher" can't even make their comments about the actual topic at hand.

Too damn bad-DEAL with it! Gosh you cry a lot-same person on every teacher bashing thread I'm sure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At least some of them are retiring to get FCPS pensions while collecting a salary in a new division.

I get the impression Reid actually expects some results from principals and the ones who quit were used to Brabrand’s do-nothing style.

+1. I also get a strong sense from community meetings that Reid is out here pushing for real results - especially for the most disadvantaged and those lagging far behind the norm. I think some principals, specifically those closer to retirement, realize it's going to be hard work to fix the failing schools and jumping ship to a system with less expectations is an easy way out.

I agree with this. It's easy to keep swimming along with the stream, especially if you've been doing it long enough to be close to retirement. Do you really care at that point if the system works or if the stream is clean? Do you care if it is a downright toxic environment for a not-insignificant portion of students? Or do you just want to come in and punch a clock and not have to actually manage anyone or be in charge of fixing anything for the next couple of years?

My guess would be just to punch a clock. That's what I'd want to do, but then again, I don't work in a public environment where I'm expected and entrusted to be a guardian working in the best interest of minors. The system stinks, and when you are in charge of managing a stinky system, then you can't afford to just coast through. If you aren't up to right the ship, then the most responsible thing is to jump ship.

And we are. Nobody wants to work with a parent like you that’s going to try to guilt them into loving an almost impossible job.

Okay twinkle toes. Here’s the thing very few people love their jobs. You are lucky if you do, but most don’t. Love has nothing to do with conducting yourself in a capable, competent and professional manner.

If you want to be the adult equivalent of a schoolyard bully, in total control, and not have your actions be questioned or criticized then may I suggest the FFX county Sheriff’s Office. I hear the county is hiring prison guards.

Go work out your anger, aggression and control issues on the career cons. Warning though when they don’t like you they won’t just grumble and complain to the higher ups. They’ll probably just shank you in the kidney and call it a day.

Hope a career spent policing cafeteria food fights and hallway dilly dalliers hasn’t made you soft.

Oops. Three words in and you already lost. You should have saved yourself the effort of typing out the rest of your subsequent BS.

DP

What exactly do you not agree with in the post? Do you agree that most people don’t love their jobs? Teachers are not unique in that respect. They also complain when anyone criticizes them. If they want a job where they aren’t criticized, look elsewhere but that would be hard to find.

Are you for real?

That PP bolded the first three words for a reason. Referring to someone as "twinkle toes" is offensive. It is a derogatory term that is inherently homophobic.

You honestly thought that was an appropriate term to use? Even if you thought it was being used to refer to a dancer, that would be a bizarre use of it in context. It was clearly used in a derogatory manner.

Besides the twinkle toes comment, what part of the post do you disagree with? You refuse to comment on the body of the post which is telling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No. I'm just tired of every post being about teachers and how awful they have it. It's like toxic masculinity or black lives matter. At some point, people just stop listening. There is never a bright spot, every topic becomes about them, it's too much. This is an optional forum for parents. There is not one teacher that ever needs to come on here. Not one teacher needs to answer for anything anyone says here. It's a parent board. The religious people are tired of having to deal with athiests coming on their board. Well, I'm tired of every parent thread on schools being about how awful parents and kids are. We can't even talk about anything here without this one specific teacher coming on here all the time to bash students and parents. She has no idea why principals are leaving and they aren't even leaving at a greater rate than anywhere else. She's not a principal. She's an English teacher and she occupies every thread on here. She's the same English teacher who complains that she grades all these assignments all the time and we all told her that she was the only one so it wasn't necessary because the other English teachers weren't and she still went on a tirade about how terrible her job was. She has a martyr complex. There are so few essays in FCPS to begin with and anything done at home is worth so little if at all. They are all formative assignments and not summatives. So I smell something fishy with some at-home assignment needing a phone call about plagiarism. Most FCPS teachers aren't even grading formative work, must less checking for plagiarism. Why would this even be an issue in FCPS if they are all about assessments in class for the majority of grades? The story doesn't add up. And why come on a mommy board to make every topic about teacher woes against parents if not to incite? Go on your own teacher association forum. This post is about principals. This "teacher" can't even make their comments about the actual topic at hand.

ALL posts on this forum get derailed, that is nothing new. This post has covered SB members to vouchers to teachers. This is not just “a parent forum,” anyone can post on it. But since we’re discussing it, parents 1000% start every discussion about how bad FCPS and the teachers are. Every. Single. One.

Because it's a parent page. Who did you think would? Other teachers? There are some that complain about their principals and coworkers but for the most part they have other pages to do this stuff. I think you are expecting too much from this page. Facebook is a highlight reel. DCUM is a problem reel. It's not life. It's just a webpage where people post problems for crowdsourcing.