Is DCPS a Better Place to Work Under Henderson...

[Anonymous]

...than it was before?

She seems so much more rational than her predecessor that I've actually considered working in the system.

The PR has been great lately. From the outside it appears the issues with an inept central office are no longer a problem and the working environment has become better for teachers and admin. There's also the Impact bonuses and night of acknowledgement at the Kennedy Center. Seems as though DCPS is doing a lot to treat their employees well.

Those with the inside scoop, am I deceived? Would I be making a HUGE mistake to transfer?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:...than it was before?

She seems so much more rational than her predecessor that I've actually considered working in the system.

The PR has been great lately. From the outside it appears the issues with an inept central office are no longer a problem and the working environment has become better for teachers and admin. There's also the Impact bonuses and night of acknowledgement at the Kennedy Center. Seems as though DCPS is doing a lot to treat their employees well.

Those with the inside scoop, am I deceived? Would I be making a HUGE mistake to transfer?

Is this another DCPS post?

[Anonymous]

Its the same system. Nothing has changed. Just less media. And if you are going to pick a district based on a bonus structure- god speed. You will have your work cut out for you!

[Anonymous]

This must be a DCPS post. Agree with 16:39. System is beyond dysfunctional. I would run the other way - and fast.

[Anonymous]

HUGE mistake indeed. Stay where you are.....
Eveything is still the same.

[Anonymous]

WOWZERS! Well thanks for the feedback because I really had DCPS pinned as this really innovative, functional place ripe for tremendous talent like myself.

After reading that they're hiring the wife of SWW's principal to be his assistant principal, red flags went up about the level of dysfunction and bad calls that must still exist. I've never heard of anything so damned demoralizing and stupid in all my life!

And the bonuses would've been the cherry not the icing and whipped cream itself. No amount of money would've made me even consider the DCPS dysfunction that clearly existed before Henderson. I only gave it consideration because I thought it had gotten much better.

[Anonymous]

Look at the stats. Look at the % of teachers in the district with more than 5 years of teaching experience. Its low, and has not grown. Teacher retention is a huge indicator of how 'well' a district is performing. Have several friends who have taught in DC and then left... no one misses it. I am still in it, and will not be a job basher- per se, but I am just used to the BS now. However, if I were starting the process all over again would never started up in DCPS.
It was a bleeding heart that lead me in and kept me in against better judgement. Now, staying is a more practical issue for me.

[Anonymous]

Look at the stats. Look at the % of teachers in the district with more than 5 years of teaching experience. Its low, and has not grown. Teacher retention is a huge indicator of how 'well' a district is performing. Have several friends who have taught in DC and then left... no one misses it. I am still in it, and will not be a job basher- per se, but I am just used to the BS now. However, if I were starting the process all over again would never started up in DCPS.
It was a bleeding heart that lead me in and kept me in against better judgement. Now, staying is a more practical issue for me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:WOWZERS! Well thanks for the feedback because I really had DCPS pinned as this really innovative, functional place ripe for tremendous talent like myself.

After reading that they're hiring the wife of SWW's principal to be his assistant principal, red flags went up about the level of dysfunction and bad calls that must still exist. I've never heard of anything so damned demoralizing and stupid in all my life!

And the bonuses would've been the cherry not the icing and whipped cream itself. No amount of money would've made me even consider the DCPS dysfunction that clearly existed before Henderson. I only gave it consideration because I thought it had gotten much better.

Your smartest move is to avoid DCPS. I too read the post about the SWW principal hiring his wife as assistant principal and immediately thought- only in DCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WOWZERS! Well thanks for the feedback because I really had DCPS pinned as this really innovative, functional place ripe for tremendous talent like myself.

After reading that they're hiring the wife of SWW's principal to be his assistant principal, red flags went up about the level of dysfunction and bad calls that must still exist. I've never heard of anything so damned demoralizing and stupid in all my life!

And the bonuses would've been the cherry not the icing and whipped cream itself. No amount of money would've made me even consider the DCPS dysfunction that clearly existed before Henderson. I only gave it consideration because I thought it had gotten much better.

Your smartest move is to avoid DCPS. I too read the post about the SWW principal hiring his wife as assistant principal and immediately thought- only in DCPS.

Poor DCPS.

Poor poor kids.

And yes only DCPS would even THINK something like that was okay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

And the bonuses would've been the cherry not the icing and whipped cream itself.

There's no money left for bonuses anymore anyways. They'll still hand them out, but take it from sources that need the money more (like getting an actual curriculum and curriculum resources!).

[Anonymous]

Henderson is Rhee without the massive ego, and with a tiny bit of actual experience. She is continueing Rhee's policies, but doesn't pose for Time magazine...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Henderson is Rhee without the massive ego, and with a tiny bit of actual experience. She is continueing Rhee's policies, but doesn't pose for Time magazine...

Right!?!?! That is what bugs me about Rhee. I thought her policy and demeanor was needed, but the showmanship? C'mon! She should have spent a little more time charming those who lived in all parts of the city.

Sorry to hijack the thread with that rant.

[Anonymous]

OP, you've obviously managed to attract some of the biggest Rhee and/or Henderson haters to respond here (maybe some who've been let go and now have a little too much time on their hands to troll around here and spew fire). If this is what you wanted to hear, then by all means (though why ask?). If you want an honest opinion from those actually in the system, you should go ask them. I know a great many great teachers in DCPS who enjoy their work. There are many schools who have a turnover of virtually zero. I'm sure their days aren't all rosy but no less than their often less well paid peers in charters or privates. And it's also clear that some DCPS are rockier terrain than others, comes with the territory.

[Anonymous]

Rate your principal and now rate the chancellor. What lazy SOB at headquarters was in charge of pulling this data?

Is it better, just look at the education committee of the council the love-fest they have with Henderson is unbelievable. Even the Washpo has diluted the DC portion on education reporting. There's nothing to report out of the ordinary absolutely not one iota.

The fat lady has sung at DCPS, time to go home.