Melissa Kim is leaving Deal

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
How about this: The primary was a referendum on Rhee and she lost.

Well. A year later, we have the loss of someone as valuable as Kim. The brain drain will continue. I am disappointed, but not surprised. The trend towards stupidly voting against your interest will also continue.

Can you explain the connection of Fenty's loss to Kim's leaving? Kim preceded Rhee and DCPS is still run by Rhee disciples. I don't see any connection to the 2010 election.

I'd sooner wave a bloody steak in front of a rabid pitbull. No thanks.

[Anonymous]

Kim is beloved by her students. I have never seen kids love their principal so much.

[Anonymous]

She was horribly, horribly mean to the teachers that work at DEAL. Leadership through verbal (yes screaming and cursing) abuse and fear, rather than through genuine respect. Never seen anything like it. Shocking, especially since the parents loved her so much. Like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:
I'd sooner wave a bloody steak in front of a rabid pitbull. No thanks.

LOL! Great response.

[Anonymous]

I've liked her ever since, shortly after her arrival, Marion Barry led a protest against her!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She was horribly, horribly mean to the teachers that work at DEAL. Leadership through verbal (yes screaming and cursing) abuse and fear, rather than through genuine respect. Never seen anything like it. Shocking, especially since the parents loved her so much. Like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

I don't know anything about this and would ask about your source, but I have observed that (perhaps as a result?) the teachers appear to behave much more professionally at Deal than at any other DCPS where my child has been a student or in which I have myself taught.

Although I would certainly hope Kim at least spoke to her faculty in an appropriate manner, it seems to me that a teacher with a grievance could say "abuse and fear", while a parent could say "high expectations with no tolerance for slackers". I have noticed that the teachers are required to take on a lot of collateral duties and spend a significant amount of time coordinating with other faculty, which has got to be incredibly time consuming. But as the consumer of their services, I've appreciated that the teachers give 110% and would frankly expect that they're pressured to do so one way or another.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Remember at times we ALL get caught up on the name instead of the results. Such as we all love McDonald's until one comes up on the no-no list for restaurants. That is how I equate Deal...many love it but didn't like the head chef. The chef moves on but does the reputation suffer.

This happened when Neal left Eastern, when Ellis retired from Shaw and so on.

ITA. Never, ever, ever, ever (ever), choose a DC school based primarily on the principal, the reputation, or the scores. Sounds insane, I know, but these should be secondary concerns. DC is a little different than other places in the area because of charter school options, OOB lottery, PS3/PK4 entry, sibling preferences, etc.

Chef turnover is a pretty good analogy.

I'm just glad Kim is staying in education instead of opening a froyo shop.

[Anonymous]

Who was the principal before Kim???? See all of sudden there's silence but he too was recognized for being such a patron saint amongst educators. Although he left under a fund-raising cloud but the love his students had for him was abundant.

I wonder what the hype would have been if we heard just the opposite. Such as we heard that this company was offering Kim a lucrative deal and she would have rathered stayed with DCPS. How many would have been singing her accolades???

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Who was the principal before Kim???? See all of sudden there's silence but he too was recognized for being such a patron saint amongst educators. Although he left under a fund-raising cloud but the love his students had for him was abundant.

I wonder what the hype would have been if we heard just the opposite. Such as we heard that this company was offering Kim a lucrative deal and she would have rathered stayed with DCPS. How many would have been singing her accolades???

yes, but how often are job offers that somone turns down made public? your scenario doesn't make a lot of sense.

signed, an east of the park, only wish I was in the Deal boundary area parent

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She was horribly, horribly mean to the teachers that work at DEAL. Leadership through verbal (yes screaming and cursing) abuse and fear, rather than through genuine respect. Never seen anything like it. Shocking, especially since the parents loved her so much. Like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

I don't know anything about this and would ask about your source, but I have observed that (perhaps as a result?) the teachers appear to behave much more professionally at Deal than at any other DCPS where my child has been a student or in which I have myself taught.

Although I would certainly hope Kim at least spoke to her faculty in an appropriate manner, it seems to me that a teacher with a grievance could say "abuse and fear", while a parent could say "high expectations with no tolerance for slackers". I have noticed that the teachers are required to take on a lot of collateral duties and spend a significant amount of time coordinating with other faculty, which has got to be incredibly time consuming. But as the consumer of their services, I've appreciated that the teachers give 110% and would frankly expect that they're pressured to do so one way or another.

I think there is a big difference between having high expectations/being tough AND being abusive. If she were abusive or mean those teachers would not stay and you would have high turnover. I definitely think she could rub some people the wrong way but to say she is abusive, I'm not buying it. In addition to being professional, many of the teachers come across as really loving their jobs - something I was surprised by and pleased to see.

The true mark of her leadership will be if it all hangs together in her absence. And I guess we will find out soon.

[Anonymous]

I am a Deal teacher and I usually do not post on this board. Dr. Kim is incredibly professional and thoughtful about her interactions with teachers. She has served as a mentor for me as well as other teachers on staff. She has pushed many of us further than we thought we could go. I am heartbroken to see her go, but am excited that she will bring her high standards and enthusiasm to others.

The poster who writes that she is abusive is clearly not a teacher who works at Deal. There were tears in the room when she made her announcement. She will be missed by most of us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a Deal teacher and I usually do not post on this board. Dr. Kim is incredibly professional and thoughtful about her interactions with teachers. She has served as a mentor for me as well as other teachers on staff. She has pushed many of us further than we thought we could go. I am heartbroken to see her go, but am excited that she will bring her high standards and enthusiasm to others.

The poster who writes that she is abusive is clearly not a teacher who works at Deal. There were tears in the room when she made her announcement. She will be missed by most of us.

unfortunately, there's no way of knowing if you or the PP is authentic. Or perhaps you both are and have had different experiences with Kim.

Did anyone ask why she was leaving in October?

[Anonymous]

It's explained in the email. There's nothing weird about the timing.

[Anonymous]

A principal leaving mid-year is unusual in both public and privates. However, the timing of the news means folks who are interested in privates can apply for next year.

[Anonymous]

Who said she was making more money with the new job?