Churchill science teacher escorted off campus today?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are there any schools in MCPS that teachers think have a decent culture? I think parents would trust the opinions of teachers if there was a way they could be candid with their responses. A few years back, teachers complained at a non-high school my children attended that the principal would watch teachers as they filled out the climate surveys so teachers were afraid to report what they truly thought of their work environment. The intimidation by the principal kept the climate survey scores up asome good teachers left for other schools.

'

You know, it doesn't even really matter. Our school's climate surveys are consistently terrible. Year after year. And, nothing changes. Staff morale is terrible, and it filters down to the students. Non-W Focus school, but I think it's similar at other schools also.

Same and our principal gets mad at us for being honest on the climate survey because it just creates more work for her. She acts like she wants to improve morale but refuses to see the part she plays in creating poor morale. She’d rather just blame others and then stand in front of the staff and cry about how hard she works. She’s the most inefficient leader I’ve ever worked for and can’t see her own weaknesses.

[Anonymous]

Teachers seemed to have high hopes at Churchill that a new principal would be an improvement. Has there been an improvement or are problems continuing to be ignored?

I would think it would be discouraging to good teachers that someone who kissed a child in any fashion returns to school within a week of being reported.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Teachers seemed to have high hopes at Churchill that a new principal would be an improvement. Has there been an improvement or are problems continuing to be ignored?

I would think it would be discouraging to good teachers that someone who kissed a child in any fashion returns to school within a week of being reported.

Wait, he’s back in class?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

As an MCPS teacher at two middle schools in the last 10 years, this does not match my experience at all. It is not behavior you find in most schools.

I also haven’t seen this where I have taught in 15 years, but I have witnessed so much racism and homophobia by staff. I’m going to believe you because I know I have reported coworkers for saying soul crushing things to children, particular black and brown boys. They didn’t seem to face any consequences.

I work in a high school in MCPS and i see quite the opposite. I see total coddling of these kids. Afraid of a lawsuit to report their awful behavior and language.

Possibly the kids who were verbally abused by teachers in MS are acting out now in HS?

I think that when teachers blow up it is because they have become completely frustrated that particular black/brown boys are not being held accountable by parents, admin, staff, etc. As a teacher, it has happened to me. I have seen other teachers get completely frustrated as well. It is not because of their race/heritage. It is because of basic human frustration. To be quite honest, after being a teacher I have learned not to trust particular groups of AA teenage boys. These are the "high flyers" of the building, and I know these students well. That is not racism. This is knowing that I have to put my foot down, draw a line, and state clearly what is ok and not ok. These are students who push boundaries. So, it is very important set those strict boundaries. Often times this helps me build a relationship with those students. They often like the tough teachers, if they have a reason to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

As an MCPS teacher at two middle schools in the last 10 years, this does not match my experience at all. It is not behavior you find in most schools.

I also haven’t seen this where I have taught in 15 years, but I have witnessed so much racism and homophobia by staff. I’m going to believe you because I know I have reported coworkers for saying soul crushing things to children, particular black and brown boys. They didn’t seem to face any consequences.

I work in a high school in MCPS and i see quite the opposite. I see total coddling of these kids. Afraid of a lawsuit to report their awful behavior and language.

Possibly the kids who were verbally abused by teachers in MS are acting out now in HS?

I think that when teachers blow up it is because they have become completely frustrated that particular black/brown boys are not being held accountable by parents, admin, staff, etc. As a teacher, it has happened to me. I have seen other teachers get completely frustrated as well. It is not because of their race/heritage. It is because of basic human frustration. To be quite honest, after being a teacher I have learned not to trust particular groups of AA teenage boys. These are the "high flyers" of the building, and I know these students well. That is not racism. This is knowing that I have to put my foot down, draw a line, and state clearly what is ok and not ok. These are students who push boundaries. So, it is very important set those strict boundaries. Often times this helps me build a relationship with those students. They often like the tough teachers, if they have a reason to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone with a daughter reconsidering having her take AP Biology at Churchill next year? What are the options to ask for another teacher if a parent doesn’t want their daughter with the teacher?

Because of an unsubstantiated rumor? The school contacted the police, the police removed the teacher from the building and investigated, the teacher is back in school. Doesn't that indicate to you that the rumor is untrue? I'm not saying that you shouldn't listen to kids, but you should also keep in mind that they do lie, exaggerate, and rumor-monger. Often. It's kind of horrible that you all think this man's career should be over if nothing actually happened. I went to Churchill when the Mr. Misenheimer was arrested for molesting students (which he had been doing for YEARS under Joan Benz), so I believe that these men should be punished, but only if the police find that there was actual wrong-doing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone with a daughter reconsidering having her take AP Biology at Churchill next year? What are the options to ask for another teacher if a parent doesn’t want their daughter with the teacher?

Because of an unsubstantiated rumor? The school contacted the police, the police removed the teacher from the building and investigated, the teacher is back in school. Doesn't that indicate to you that the rumor is untrue? I'm not saying that you shouldn't listen to kids, but you should also keep in mind that they do lie, exaggerate, and rumor-monger. Often. It's kind of horrible that you all think this man's career should be over if nothing actually happened. I went to Churchill when the Mr. Misenheimer was arrested for molesting students (which he had been doing for YEARS under Joan Benz), so I believe that these men should be punished, but only if the police find that there was actual wrong-doing.

There's no indication that the school made a report to CPS or the police or that these agencies conducted an investigation. A thorough investigation would require students and staff who were witnesses to be interviewed.

[Anonymous]

There are also actions that are not criminal or child abuse but fall into gross misconduct of a teacher that could be considered sexual harassment. Failure to protect students from such a teacher would be a Title IX violation by MCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone with a daughter reconsidering having her take AP Biology at Churchill next year? What are the options to ask for another teacher if a parent doesn’t want their daughter with the teacher?

Because of an unsubstantiated rumor? The school contacted the police, the police removed the teacher from the building and investigated, the teacher is back in school. Doesn't that indicate to you that the rumor is untrue? I'm not saying that you shouldn't listen to kids, but you should also keep in mind that they do lie, exaggerate, and rumor-monger. Often. It's kind of horrible that you all think this man's career should be over if nothing actually happened. I went to Churchill when the Mr. Misenheimer was arrested for molesting students (which he had been doing for YEARS under Joan Benz), so I believe that these men should be punished, but only if the police find that there was actual wrong-doing.

Mr. Misenheimer admitted to having oral sex with a student. I was appalled to see that school continued Blast for the last 20 years which was his creation and legacy. I don't care how popular that show was, they at least could have changed the name of the show. Maybe the new principal should know a little more about the history of Blast.

[Anonymous]

BTW, the girls the Mr. Misenheimer, the creator of Blast, was sending sexual messages to were 14-15 year olds.

[Anonymous]

Mr. Misenheimer was arrested and charged in 1999. He plead guilty that same year.

[Anonymous]

Joan Benz was principal when Mr. Misenheimer was arrested in charged, yet she let his personal creation, BLAST, continue for the next 20 years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone with a daughter reconsidering having her take AP Biology at Churchill next year? What are the options to ask for another teacher if a parent doesn’t want their daughter with the teacher?

Because of an unsubstantiated rumor? The school contacted the police, the police removed the teacher from the building and investigated, the teacher is back in school. Doesn't that indicate to you that the rumor is untrue? I'm not saying that you shouldn't listen to kids, but you should also keep in mind that they do lie, exaggerate, and rumor-monger. Often. It's kind of horrible that you all think this man's career should be over if nothing actually happened. I went to Churchill when the Mr. Misenheimer was arrested for molesting students (which he had been doing for YEARS under Joan Benz), so I believe that these men should be punished, but only if the police find that there was actual wrong-doing.

Mr. Misenheimer admitted to having oral sex with a student. I was appalled to see that school continued Blast for the last 20 years which was his creation and legacy. I don't care how popular that show was, they at least could have changed the name of the show. Maybe the new principal should know a little more about the history of Blast.

One of my best friends was one of the victims of Mr. Misenheimer. There were more than one. It sickens her every time she Churchill advertising Blast.

[Anonymous]

Hard to believe that Churchill (aka Dr. Benz) allowed James Misenheimers production of BLAST to continue for another 20 years. The had only been doing it for 10 years when he was arrested for having sex with 10th graders. She should have ended it right then and there.

The just had the 30th anniversary of BLAST, no reason they could not have changed the name of the show that he created.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hard to believe that Churchill (aka Dr. Benz) allowed James Misenheimers production of BLAST to continue for another 20 years. The had only been doing it for 10 years when he was arrested for having sex with 10th graders. She should have ended it right then and there.

The just had the 30th anniversary of BLAST, no reason they could not have changed the name of the show that he created.

Everyone in the school knew that this 30 year old was trying to fool around with all the girls.