Wyngate Elementary?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I work for mcps and Goshen is a much better fit for her style of leadership. It was a poor placement to begin with.

How so?

What was her “style of leadership “ that would make her more successful in a less affluent area?

Exactly why I asked how so, exactly why I hate DCUM a lot of times, and exactly why I made the earlier comment regarding how Bethesda parents don’t make leading a school easy. She isn’t the first Black female leader in that area to have faced constant pushback for just doing her job. And before people say “oh it’s not about race”, would another leader of a different background in that area be moved 2 YEARS into their position? There are just people in that area who implicitly won’t respect those that are different from them, and because of the constant measuring/competition, the people of color are seen as lower. She was highly qualified as well.

The long term principal of NBMS who retired a couple of years ago was Black and everyone loved him. And everyone loved Mr. McCall (which I think I’m spelling wrong) who basically functioned as the AP for a period under Ms Leister. I don’t know who you are talking about but I can’t think of any examples of other Black leaders in that school cluster who had problems with the parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I work for mcps and Goshen is a much better fit for her style of leadership. It was a poor placement to begin with.

How so?

What was her “style of leadership “ that would make her more successful in a less affluent area?

Exactly why I asked how so, exactly why I hate DCUM a lot of times, and exactly why I made the earlier comment regarding how Bethesda parents don’t make leading a school easy. She isn’t the first Black female leader in that area to have faced constant pushback for just doing her job. And before people say “oh it’s not about race”, would another leader of a different background in that area be moved 2 YEARS into their position? There are just people in that area who implicitly won’t respect those that are different from them, and because of the constant measuring/competition, the people of color are seen as lower. She was highly qualified as well.

The long term principal of NBMS who retired a couple of years ago was Black and everyone loved him. And everyone loved Mr. McCall (which I think I’m spelling wrong) who basically functioned as the AP for a period under Ms Leister. I don’t know who you are talking about but I can’t think of any examples of other Black leaders in that school cluster who had problems with the parents.

Not just that cluster, but Bethesda in general. But yes, let’s point to the other rare examples of diverse leadership to justify giving a principal 2 years to set their vision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The principal before Wallen was really great and everyone was sad when he left for central office. He was super involved—knew practically every kid by name and knew which ones had challenges, even though her only been there a couple years. He was really good at the disciplinary stuff too — responded quickly but with a warm and understanding touch. Spent every morning out front greeting kids and families. The replacement was largely invisible to the kids. My kid couldn’t name her and had never met her even after she’d been there a year. She didn’t even go to the annual field day event, which the previous principals had always opened with a big welcome. It just was a really weird vibe—it seemed like she did not want to be there and had little interest in meeting the kids and families. Hopefully she’ll be happier at her new school. I really hope they find someone good for WYngate as it has been a great school with a really friendly involved parent community.

Principals — especially in their couple of years, and especially those in their first assignment — are pulled in all directions with learning how to deal with paperwork and just learning the dynamics of the new role. I agree it’s important to be present, but just because the person wasn’t as present as one wants, doesn’t mean they don’t care per se. Besides, it’s hard to firmly define “present” because the person may not want to be omnipresent, and cultural norms play a role. For example, with a new principal, if MCPS gives them a certain task, they may not know whether or not it can wait. And we’ve all been in new roles where we feel that we have to overprove ourselves to our new colleagues . It just doesn’t sound like she was given much of a chance, especially with the comparison to her predecessor?

Well, her predecessor was only there a couple of years. But he was very collaborative with the parents—his style was just to sort of smooth waters. (Which was honestly not the style of the principal who preceded him.). I don’t know if anyone complained about Wallen or what happened, but I did hear many people voicing some disappointment that she did not seem as engaged with the children or parents. And a number of younger teachers left for other schools (not older ones retiring). I did hear from one staff person that she was frustrated that Ms Wallen did not seem as present or engaged in the school. It may be that coming out of the pandemic expectations were even higher than they ordinarily would have been, as I think everyone really wanted more community and more active involvement to get the ship back on course.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The principal before Wallen was really great and everyone was sad when he left for central office. He was super involved—knew practically every kid by name and knew which ones had challenges, even though her only been there a couple years. He was really good at the disciplinary stuff too — responded quickly but with a warm and understanding touch. Spent every morning out front greeting kids and families. The replacement was largely invisible to the kids. My kid couldn’t name her and had never met her even after she’d been there a year. She didn’t even go to the annual field day event, which the previous principals had always opened with a big welcome. It just was a really weird vibe—it seemed like she did not want to be there and had little interest in meeting the kids and families. Hopefully she’ll be happier at her new school. I really hope they find someone good for WYngate as it has been a great school with a really friendly involved parent community.

Principals — especially in their couple of years, and especially those in their first assignment — are pulled in all directions with learning how to deal with paperwork and just learning the dynamics of the new role. I agree it’s important to be present, but just because the person wasn’t as present as one wants, doesn’t mean they don’t care per se. Besides, it’s hard to firmly define “present” because the person may not want to be omnipresent, and cultural norms play a role. For example, with a new principal, if MCPS gives them a certain task, they may not know whether or not it can wait. And we’ve all been in new roles where we feel that we have to overprove ourselves to our new colleagues . It just doesn’t sound like she was given much of a chance, especially with the comparison to her predecessor?

Well, her predecessor was only there a couple of years. But he was very collaborative with the parents—his style was just to sort of smooth waters. (Which was honestly not the style of the principal who preceded him.). I don’t know if anyone complained about Wallen or what happened, but I did hear many people voicing some disappointment that she did not seem as engaged with the children or parents. And a number of younger teachers left for other schools (not older ones retiring). I did hear from one staff person that she was frustrated that Ms Wallen did not seem as present or engaged in the school. It may be that coming out of the pandemic expectations were even higher than they ordinarily would have been, as I think everyone really wanted more community and more active involvement to get the ship back on course.

Wiebe was at Wyngate for 6 years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I work for mcps and Goshen is a much better fit for her style of leadership. It was a poor placement to begin with.

How so?

What was her “style of leadership “ that would make her more successful in a less affluent area?

Exactly why I asked how so, exactly why I hate DCUM a lot of times, and exactly why I made the earlier comment regarding how Bethesda parents don’t make leading a school easy. She isn’t the first Black female leader in that area to have faced constant pushback for just doing her job. And before people say “oh it’s not about race”, would another leader of a different background in that area be moved 2 YEARS into their position? There are just people in that area who implicitly won’t respect those that are different from them, and because of the constant measuring/competition, the people of color are seen as lower. She was highly qualified as well.

The long term principal of NBMS who retired a couple of years ago was Black and everyone loved him. And everyone loved Mr. McCall (which I think I’m spelling wrong) who basically functioned as the AP for a period under Ms Leister. I don’t know who you are talking about but I can’t think of any examples of other Black leaders in that school cluster who had problems with the parents.

Principal Sumner? No, nobody loved him - we made fun of his radio persona behind his back, called him a figurehead, and even the kids thought he was a joke. It was a celebration when he left, until his replacement showed her head (hint, her rant in the cafeteria was posted on YouTube right before she was forced to take a 6-week break)

[Anonymous]

The way she spoke to some of the teachers and office staff was degrading and condescending. She sent out an email to the entire staff putting an office staff member on the spot because they made an error. No leader should put people on blast- it’s a private conversation, not reprimanding a person in front of everyone else. She didn’t go out of her way to make kids, parents, or teachers feel welcome and it’s a good thing that she left.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I work for mcps and Goshen is a much better fit for her style of leadership. It was a poor placement to begin with.

How so?

What was her “style of leadership “ that would make her more successful in a less affluent area?

Exactly why I asked how so, exactly why I hate DCUM a lot of times, and exactly why I made the earlier comment regarding how Bethesda parents don’t make leading a school easy. She isn’t the first Black female leader in that area to have faced constant pushback for just doing her job. And before people say “oh it’s not about race”, would another leader of a different background in that area be moved 2 YEARS into their position? There are just people in that area who implicitly won’t respect those that are different from them, and because of the constant measuring/competition, the people of color are seen as lower. She was highly qualified as well.

How do you know she was moved? Maybe she left on her own accord.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I work for mcps and Goshen is a much better fit for her style of leadership. It was a poor placement to begin with.

How so?

What was her “style of leadership “ that would make her more successful in a less affluent area?

Exactly why I asked how so, exactly why I hate DCUM a lot of times, and exactly why I made the earlier comment regarding how Bethesda parents don’t make leading a school easy. She isn’t the first Black female leader in that area to have faced constant pushback for just doing her job. And before people say “oh it’s not about race”, would another leader of a different background in that area be moved 2 YEARS into their position? There are just people in that area who implicitly won’t respect those that are different from them, and because of the constant measuring/competition, the people of color are seen as lower. She was highly qualified as well.

How do you know she was moved? Maybe she left on her own accord.

I have insider knowledge of the situation. She was pushed out, and for a school that already lacks diversity, it’s going to really turn people off in the future — staff and families alike.

[Anonymous]

IMO Ms Wallen was not a good fit. She was an extremely poor communicator and also defensive. I think she’ll be fine and have seen her improve already but her shortcomings were an especially bad match for a parent community who are extremely involved in their children’s educations and have high expectations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bump this thread up. The frictions between the new principal and teachers/PTA are enhancing at Wyngate. While parents have kept on reporting the situation to her boss, his attitude was basically "training her is my job" to shovel the dirt under the carpet again and again. Now teachers may carry a strike or mass leaving next semester, and parents are devastated. Where to go next? Any experience or suggestions from this board?

Every time there is a new Principal there is a mass exodus of established/legacy teachers. This is not new or news. Wyngate is a strong ES in a terrrific cluster with a great community

It's not just a teacher thing. PTA got really intense relationship with this principal too.

Maybe because almost every Bethesda school has parents who think they know better than trained educators. And that bratty behavior gets passed down to the kids. She probably said “I don’t take nonsense” and looked around. Good on her.

Often the parents are better educated and more knowledgeable than the principal in a Bethesda school. It sounds like she wasn't a good fit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bump this thread up. The frictions between the new principal and teachers/PTA are enhancing at Wyngate. While parents have kept on reporting the situation to her boss, his attitude was basically "training her is my job" to shovel the dirt under the carpet again and again. Now teachers may carry a strike or mass leaving next semester, and parents are devastated. Where to go next? Any experience or suggestions from this board?

Every time there is a new Principal there is a mass exodus of established/legacy teachers. This is not new or news. Wyngate is a strong ES in a terrrific cluster with a great community

It's not just a teacher thing. PTA got really intense relationship with this principal too.

Maybe because almost every Bethesda school has parents who think they know better than trained educators. And that bratty behavior gets passed down to the kids. She probably said “I don’t take nonsense” and looked around. Good on her.

Often the parents are better educated and more knowledgeable than the principal in a Bethesda school. It sounds like she wasn't a good fit.

NP - having an advanced degree doesn’t make someone more qualified in the field of education (or any other that isn’t their speciality). But thinking it is is exactly in line with the cliquish entitlement of that community.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bump this thread up. The frictions between the new principal and teachers/PTA are enhancing at Wyngate. While parents have kept on reporting the situation to her boss, his attitude was basically "training her is my job" to shovel the dirt under the carpet again and again. Now teachers may carry a strike or mass leaving next semester, and parents are devastated. Where to go next? Any experience or suggestions from this board?

Every time there is a new Principal there is a mass exodus of established/legacy teachers. This is not new or news. Wyngate is a strong ES in a terrrific cluster with a great community

It's not just a teacher thing. PTA got really intense relationship with this principal too.

Maybe because almost every Bethesda school has parents who think they know better than trained educators. And that bratty behavior gets passed down to the kids. She probably said “I don’t take nonsense” and looked around. Good on her.

Often the parents are better educated and more knowledgeable than the principal in a Bethesda school. It sounds like she wasn't a good fit.

NP - having an advanced degree doesn’t make someone more qualified in the field of education (or any other that isn’t their speciality). But thinking it is is exactly in line with the cliquish entitlement of that community.

I think you are underestimating just how many people in that area have ed-psych, PhD. Ed., etc in that area. They do often know more about what they are observing than others in the room.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bump this thread up. The frictions between the new principal and teachers/PTA are enhancing at Wyngate. While parents have kept on reporting the situation to her boss, his attitude was basically "training her is my job" to shovel the dirt under the carpet again and again. Now teachers may carry a strike or mass leaving next semester, and parents are devastated. Where to go next? Any experience or suggestions from this board?

Every time there is a new Principal there is a mass exodus of established/legacy teachers. This is not new or news. Wyngate is a strong ES in a terrrific cluster with a great community

It's not just a teacher thing. PTA got really intense relationship with this principal too.

Maybe because almost every Bethesda school has parents who think they know better than trained educators. And that bratty behavior gets passed down to the kids. She probably said “I don’t take nonsense” and looked around. Good on her.

Often the parents are better educated and more knowledgeable than the principal in a Bethesda school. It sounds like she wasn't a good fit.

Just because you’re a lawyer or doctor or whatever and you raised a kid, doesn’t mean you know more than someone who works in education on a day to day basis.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bump this thread up. The frictions between the new principal and teachers/PTA are enhancing at Wyngate. While parents have kept on reporting the situation to her boss, his attitude was basically "training her is my job" to shovel the dirt under the carpet again and again. Now teachers may carry a strike or mass leaving next semester, and parents are devastated. Where to go next? Any experience or suggestions from this board?

Every time there is a new Principal there is a mass exodus of established/legacy teachers. This is not new or news. Wyngate is a strong ES in a terrrific cluster with a great community

It's not just a teacher thing. PTA got really intense relationship with this principal too.

Maybe because almost every Bethesda school has parents who think they know better than trained educators. And that bratty behavior gets passed down to the kids. She probably said “I don’t take nonsense” and looked around. Good on her.

Often the parents are better educated and more knowledgeable than the principal in a Bethesda school. It sounds like she wasn't a good fit.

Just because you’re a lawyer or doctor or whatever and you raised a kid, doesn’t mean you know more than someone who works in education on a day to day basis.

No doubt that is true. But a place like Wyngate has lots of demanding lawyer/doctor type parents and the right principal will be up to the task of communicating with them from day 1. You know what they say about first impressions, they stick!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bump this thread up. The frictions between the new principal and teachers/PTA are enhancing at Wyngate. While parents have kept on reporting the situation to her boss, his attitude was basically "training her is my job" to shovel the dirt under the carpet again and again. Now teachers may carry a strike or mass leaving next semester, and parents are devastated. Where to go next? Any experience or suggestions from this board?

Every time there is a new Principal there is a mass exodus of established/legacy teachers. This is not new or news. Wyngate is a strong ES in a terrrific cluster with a great community

It's not just a teacher thing. PTA got really intense relationship with this principal too.

Maybe because almost every Bethesda school has parents who think they know better than trained educators. And that bratty behavior gets passed down to the kids. She probably said “I don’t take nonsense” and looked around. Good on her.

Often the parents are better educated and more knowledgeable than the principal in a Bethesda school. It sounds like she wasn't a good fit.

NP - having an advanced degree doesn’t make someone more qualified in the field of education (or any other that isn’t their speciality). But thinking it is is exactly in line with the cliquish entitlement of that community.

I think you are underestimating just how many people in that area have ed-psych, PhD. Ed., etc in that area. They do often know more about what they are observing than others in the room.

No, I’m not. I have a PhD (clinical psychology) and a BS in education - pretty relevant fields. I still don’t know how to run a school better than a principal does. I do know enough to recognize my limits.