Why is everyone at Holton-Arms leaving?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Could be possible, but most of these comments are related to the HoS personality or comments she made, not to specific policies or actions. It seems that some teachers dislike her, not that they dislike how she manages the school. Unfortunately that’s the life of an adult. Bosses are not always liked.

It is both, and you know that. It is really shocking how many people needlessly choose to condone abusive and vengeful leaders.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, penny has a nervous energy. She is a very anxious leader and it’s hard to take her seriously sometimes. She told the girls on multiple occasions that the dog Gigi is her anxiety emotional support dog.

This is such an inappropriate comment to make to students.

I wonder how many of these posters are disgruntled teachers not wanting to be held to expectations. And the other complaints are from parents who believe teachers above anything, forgetting that teachers are also human and may not know all or be right all the time.

Any adult in a position of leadership and authority should know better than to tell children that she requires an "anxiety emotional support dog." This is such a bare minimum I can't believe anyone doesn't see that.

You don't make your own narcisstic problems a concern of kids.

That's a pretty screwed up thing to say. There's nothing shameful about having anxiety.

Are you kidding?

I didn't say it was "shameful." But anyone with an ounce of discretion would know that it's inappropriate for an adult in a position of leadership to share this with kids. Way TMI. It's not their problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, penny has a nervous energy. She is a very anxious leader and it’s hard to take her seriously sometimes. She told the girls on multiple occasions that the dog Gigi is her anxiety emotional support dog.

This is such an inappropriate comment to make to students.

I wonder how many of these posters are disgruntled teachers not wanting to be held to expectations. And the other complaints are from parents who believe teachers above anything, forgetting that teachers are also human and may not know all or be right all the time.

Any adult in a position of leadership and authority should know better than to tell children that she requires an "anxiety emotional support dog." This is such a bare minimum I can't believe anyone doesn't see that.

You don't make your own narcisstic problems a concern of kids.

That's a pretty screwed up thing to say. There's nothing shameful about having anxiety.

DP, anxiety should not be why we no longer have programs. We should not be making curricular decisions based on an individual's anxiety.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Could be possible, but most of these comments are related to the HoS personality or comments she made, not to specific policies or actions. It seems that some teachers dislike her, not that they dislike how she manages the school. Unfortunately that’s the life of an adult. Bosses are not always liked.

It is both, and you know that. It is really shocking how many people needlessly choose to condone abusive and vengeful leaders.

It is shocking how many people don’t see how offensive and despicable is to have a companion dog for anxiety. How on earth a person could reveal that. I’ve never seen such level of incompetence. It’s way better what we parents do, just taking medication for anxiety without telling anyone about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Could be possible, but most of these comments are related to the HoS personality or comments she made, not to specific policies or actions. It seems that some teachers dislike her, not that they dislike how she manages the school. Unfortunately that’s the life of an adult. Bosses are not always liked.

It is both, and you know that. It is really shocking how many people needlessly choose to condone abusive and vengeful leaders.

Two very big words to throw around. Not everything people don’t like is abuse. And reminding someone of boundaries and consequences in a workplace is not vengeful. Sounds like people did what they needed to do which is to move on.

[Anonymous]

I just want to call a spade a spade. This is a troll post about the HoS, not a genuine thread to provide feedback on things to improve at school. I am sorry, but the Board chooses the HoS, not the teachers. Suck it up.

[Anonymous]

So is it a troll or is it teachers?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just want to call a spade a spade. This is a troll post about the HoS, not a genuine thread to provide feedback on things to improve at school. I am sorry, but the Board chooses the HoS, not the teachers. Suck it up.

When a board full of business people who are not educators picks a HOS in an effort to make a school run more like a business you end up with a poor leader who doesn't communicate well and tells teachers that they are replaceable. The movement of teachers and upper level administrators away from this school over the past three years is downright scary. Sure, some movement happens with a new head. But this is absurd. This many educators would not be leaving in such a short time if the head was a strong leader.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just want to call a spade a spade. This is a troll post about the HoS, not a genuine thread to provide feedback on things to improve at school. I am sorry, but the Board chooses the HoS, not the teachers. Suck it up.

When a board full of business people who are not educators picks a HOS in an effort to make a school run more like a business you end up with a poor leader who doesn't communicate well and tells teachers that they are replaceable. The movement of teachers and upper level administrators away from this school over the past three years is downright scary. Sure, some movement happens with a new head. But this is absurd. This many educators would not be leaving in such a short time if the head was a strong leader.

Maybe it’s by design. The new teachers that come know exactly what they are signing for. If you are not happy with conditions you can leave. Problem solved.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just want to call a spade a spade. This is a troll post about the HoS, not a genuine thread to provide feedback on things to improve at school. I am sorry, but the Board chooses the HoS, not the teachers. Suck it up.

When a board full of business people who are not educators picks a HOS in an effort to make a school run more like a business you end up with a poor leader who doesn't communicate well and tells teachers that they are replaceable. The movement of teachers and upper level administrators away from this school over the past three years is downright scary. Sure, some movement happens with a new head. But this is absurd. This many educators would not be leaving in such a short time if the head was a strong leader.

Maybe it’s by design. The new teachers that come know exactly what they are signing for. If you are not happy with conditions you can leave. Problem solved.

You just came right out and said that the board purposely picked a head of school who is not a strong leader. I was thinking it was just a mistake, a bad choice that happens sometimes. But on purpose? That's just crazy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just want to call a spade a spade. This is a troll post about the HoS, not a genuine thread to provide feedback on things to improve at school. I am sorry, but the Board chooses the HoS, not the teachers. Suck it up.

When a board full of business people who are not educators picks a HOS in an effort to make a school run more like a business you end up with a poor leader who doesn't communicate well and tells teachers that they are replaceable. The movement of teachers and upper level administrators away from this school over the past three years is downright scary. Sure, some movement happens with a new head. But this is absurd. This many educators would not be leaving in such a short time if the head was a strong leader.

Maybe it’s by design. The new teachers that come know exactly what they are signing for. If you are not happy with conditions you can leave. Problem solved.

You just came right out and said that the board purposely picked a head of school who is not a strong leader. I was thinking it was just a mistake, a bad choice that happens sometimes. But on purpose? That's just crazy.

The only crazy thing here is your obsession for Penny.

[Anonymous]

If teachers are truly secondary of the needs of an unbalanced head, then the BoT should just say as much. It might go something like this:

“We hired this woman, and you will abide by her decisions. Question nothing; just obey. If she appears unsettled or impulsive, you will simply fall into line because your job is to teach, nothing more.”

Sounds like something Jeff Bezos might say at a board meeting. Instead, I want:

…a head of school who sets a positive tone that inspires the best within my DD’s teachers.

…a head of school who listens, empathizes, and seeks agreement with her faculty.

…a head of school collaborates with stakeholders and does not lead solely by executive order.

…a head of school who knows how and when to make tough decisions but at the same time understands the limits of her power.

…a head of school cares about children and the well-being of their families and demonstrates such care through consistent action.

My DD’s best teachers hold their supervisors to high expectations, and as well they should. I am far more willing to trust a twenty-year veteran teacher than a newly established head who has yet to prove her leadership mettle.

[Anonymous]

Penny started off her Holton tenure by coming after black families. No one seemed to mind too much. Now the school is falling apart and parents are just now starting to ask questions.

The same dynamic is happening in our country. Hope this is a reminder that we are all stronger when we speak up for each other, even if those policies don’t directly impact us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Penny started off her Holton tenure by coming after black families. No one seemed to mind too much. Now the school is falling apart and parents are just now starting to ask questions.

The same dynamic is happening in our country. Hope this is a reminder that we are all stronger when we speak up for each other, even if those policies don’t directly impact us.

Just a couple of troll teachers are asking questions (also in previously blocked threads)....

[Anonymous]

I would avoid calling on the Board to take action. I get the impression they are protecting the administration. Perhaps the Head has a few years on her contract, so buying her out might be too costly. Hard to say.

Parents, if you have doubts or questions, speak with your DD's advisor. I did. Our conversation revealed some disturbing details about the school's leadership. We're not prepared to change schools--yet--but we're keeping a closer eye on things.