Springbrook HS Staff Letter

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has there been any changes to principal evaluations recently? You know, with the whole JB scandal from last year? Or does the principal/admin union not want there to be any changes.

Maybe if bad principals were held accountable, good ones would stay and we wouldn't have this shortage. How many strong principals have left the school system that might otherwise have had some steam left in them to keep doing good work?

The system is flawed as mediocre principals are often promoted to Directors to supervise other mediocre or worse principals. Once in a while a highly effective principal is promoted, but it is mostly a shell game.

And the BOE knows this and is completely complicit in this shell game.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did Springbrook letter writing teachers hear back, from Taylor or anyone? Maybe it was mentioned in a previous post didn't read all of them.

Supposedly Valentine and Donna Redmond-Jones addressed the letter during ILT, but that’s all that’s been shared thus far.

Correct. Supposedly Dodd has met with the EFRs today.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have no affiliation with Springbrook HS but everything mentioned in the letter seems so minor. It is as if the principals before were very relaxed and then she comes in and puts rules and practices in place. Observations are a given, it does not matter how many times a year. You can have one every day…. I don’t understand how teachers hate her and then expect a glowing reference from her when they try to leave. Nicknames to students is not unheard of and unless a child stated it made them uncomfortable, then it’s not a big deal. I was expecting her to call people crackers and the n word as a nickname. Transfer out teachers. There is a teacher shortage.

Another thing to consider is that nicknames is often cultural. In the black community, we nickname out of love to be honest with you. Our pets have nicknames. Our children, our siblings, and friends.....and most of the time those nicknames show endearment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have no affiliation with Springbrook HS but everything mentioned in the letter seems so minor. It is as if the principals before were very relaxed and then she comes in and puts rules and practices in place. Observations are a given, it does not matter how many times a year. You can have one every day…. I don’t understand how teachers hate her and then expect a glowing reference from her when they try to leave. Nicknames to students is not unheard of and unless a child stated it made them uncomfortable, then it’s not a big deal. I was expecting her to call people crackers and the n word as a nickname. Transfer out teachers. There is a teacher shortage.

Another thing to consider is that nicknames is often cultural. In the black community, we nickname out of love to be honest with you. Our pets have nicknames. Our children, our siblings, and friends.....and most of the time those nicknames show endearment.

Without saying too much, it isn’t about those kind of nicknames…..

It’s regarding the derogatory ones she gives people she doesn’t like.

Nicknames are fine. But calling a trans student by their dead name and then telling them that you’ll never remember what to call them and making up a nickname they don’t like is not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have no affiliation with Springbrook HS but everything mentioned in the letter seems so minor. It is as if the principals before were very relaxed and then she comes in and puts rules and practices in place. Observations are a given, it does not matter how many times a year. You can have one every day…. I don’t understand how teachers hate her and then expect a glowing reference from her when they try to leave. Nicknames to students is not unheard of and unless a child stated it made them uncomfortable, then it’s not a big deal. I was expecting her to call people crackers and the n word as a nickname. Transfer out teachers. There is a teacher shortage.

Another thing to consider is that nicknames is often cultural. In the black community, we nickname out of love to be honest with you. Our pets have nicknames. Our children, our siblings, and friends.....and most of the time those nicknames show endearment.

White people like nicknames too. Don’t get excited. lol.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She shuts down and silences students who question administration. Any bad publicity is covered up, from fighting and vaping, to mold in classrooms, to the three teachers dismissed in the last calendar year for inappropriate interactions with children.

I'm actually more concerned about three teachers being dismissed for inappropriate behavior with students. I know of one who is being investigated but had not heard of the other two. That to me is more concerning than anything else.

[Anonymous]

SV has strong leadership qualities and a vision. Her "people skills" and rationale for making her own rules sometimes--- for the sake of her vision, might be the downfall. She can be very inspiring and motivating and supportive to certain students and staff, but to others it can be the complete opposite.

[Anonymous]

This times 100.

Anonymous wrote:SV has strong leadership qualities and a vision. Her "people skills" and rationale for making her own rules sometimes--- for the sake of her vision, might be the downfall. She can be very inspiring and motivating and supportive to certain students and staff, but to others it can be the complete opposite.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:SV has strong leadership qualities and a vision. Her "people skills" and rationale for making her own rules sometimes--- for the sake of her vision, might be the downfall. She can be very inspiring and motivating and supportive to certain students and staff, but to others it can be the complete opposite.

This is a job that requires high emotional intelligence, i.e. “people skills.” Unfortunately, it seems SV is seriously lacking in that department. Having worked with her, she is not open to feedback, it is her way or the highway.

[Anonymous]

I am a student at Springbrook and I can confirm that Ms Valentine is the WORST principal ever. She’s so rude to students and gives student nicknames that make them uncomfortable.. None of the staffs like her but they have to put on an act when ever they walk into school. 6 of my teachers out of 7 actually truly hate Ms valentines and wish they had a new principal. Someone needs to control her , she’s gon insane I’ve never in my life experienced a principal who could be so cruel and dirty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have no affiliation with Springbrook HS but everything mentioned in the letter seems so minor. It is as if the principals before were very relaxed and then she comes in and puts rules and practices in place. Observations are a given, it does not matter how many times a year. You can have one every day…. I don’t understand how teachers hate her and then expect a glowing reference from her when they try to leave. Nicknames to students is not unheard of and unless a child stated it made them uncomfortable, then it’s not a big deal. I was expecting her to call people crackers and the n word as a nickname. Transfer out teachers. There is a teacher shortage.

Another thing to consider is that nicknames is often cultural. In the black community, we nickname out of love to be honest with you. Our pets have nicknames. Our children, our siblings, and friends.....and most of the time those nicknames show endearment.

Yes, but the school culture doesn't just encompass the black community. Just like any other culture - what you do in your culture may not fly in the workplace or school setting and can be considered offensive to others. Call people by their preferred names and pronouns - it's that simple.

[Anonymous]

It seems there are a lot of rumors and assumptions circulating. It’s important to note that not everyone at Springbrook agrees with the letter. While it represents a group of teachers, it does not reflect the views of all teachers.

I believe cultural differences and misunderstandings are at play. Yes, she is flawed—like all people—but everyone deserves the opportunity for redemption. Now that their voices have been heard, she should be given the chance to address the concerns and make the necessary changes.

Just as teachers are placed on improvement plans, she should be given a plan to develop her leadership skills. While her tactics may not work for everyone, data shows some positive outcomes: there are fewer students in the hallways, graduation rates have improved, and she has created opportunities for educators who might have otherwise been overlooked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It seems there are a lot of rumors and assumptions circulating. It’s important to note that not everyone at Springbrook agrees with the letter. While it represents a group of teachers, it does not reflect the views of all teachers.

I believe cultural differences and misunderstandings are at play. Yes, she is flawed—like all people—but everyone deserves the opportunity for redemption. Now that their voices have been heard, she should be given the chance to address the concerns and make the necessary changes.

Just as teachers are placed on improvement plans, she should be given a plan to develop her leadership skills. While her tactics may not work for everyone, data shows some positive outcomes: there are fewer students in the hallways, graduation rates have improved, and she has created opportunities for educators who might have otherwise been overlooked.

Sounds like you haven’t worked there long because I’ll tell you - there are absolutely more students in the hallways than I’ve ever seen in my years here. The reason graduation rates have improved is because we are intimated and bullied into passing kids who otherwise wouldn’t. I have personally watched reading, AP, and IB scores plummet under Valentine. I’m tired of the cultural differences narrative. If the roles were reversed and we were discussing a white leader over a majority black staff, would you offer the same excuse? Why is “culture” an acceptable excuse for her tactics?

[Anonymous]

She’s not going anywhere.

[Anonymous]

I never said I worked there. I’m sure that if it were a white man acting the same way, no one would care. But as you stated, it’s only a group of white teachers targeting a Black female leader because their feelings are hurt. Of course, there will always be a negative narrative about the school. It’s unfortunate that these white teachers are upset simply because a Black leader is holding them accountable for ensuring that Black and Brown students have the same opportunities and advantages as their white peers. How ironic — this group of teachers wants to attack anyone who supports Valentine, yet they expect everyone else to offer them unwavering support.