RM IB coordinator is leaving the school

[Anonymous]

Ms. Hoover is more than a magnet coordinator. She breaks down the IB process for the students in such a way that the students do not get overwhelmed. She provides the support needed for the students, she tries to understand the unique circumstances of each student and provide help to the best of her abilities. She has done A LOT of work to increase the awareness of the IB program amongst the various college admissions committee.

She had a lot of support from the previous Principal. The new Principal does not like the IB program. He might think that the stucture of the IB program has been in place (thanks to Hoover!) and so they can do without her. The fact is sometimes it is the effort of one person that brings glory to an organization. Hoover is that person. She was not only on the side of the students, but she made things happen due to her vast network and knowledge. The students has great belief in her abilities to sort things out. She is like a mother hen protecting her chicks.

And yes, I can vouch from personal experience that even the best students got senioritis after they were admitted to colleges in the first semester of senior year. And they then trotted over to Ms. Hoover to tell her that they have decided to notwork towards the IB Diploma. Hoover would remain calm, understanding and patient and talk it over with them and convince them to get the diploma. She did this kind of hand-holding of students every single day. She knew what was going on in their lives.

If she decides to leave the program because it was long hours and a lot of work - I will completely understand even though I feel that it will be a HUGE loss to RMIB. And I am equally sure that she will have no problems getting a job in one of W schools or a better position with MCPS or another school district.

I am again surprised that the movers and shakers influential parents of RMIB students are not doing what needs to be done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ms. Hoover is more than a magnet coordinator. She breaks down the IB process for the students in such a way that the students do not get overwhelmed. She provides the support needed for the students, she tries to understand the unique circumstances of each student and provide help to the best of her abilities. She has done A LOT of work to increase the awareness of the IB program amongst the various college admissions committee.

She had a lot of support from the previous Principal. The new Principal does not like the IB program. He might think that the stucture of the IB program has been in place (thanks to Hoover!) and so they can do without her. The fact is sometimes it is the effort of one person that brings glory to an organization. Hoover is that person. She was not only on the side of the students, but she made things happen due to her vast network and knowledge. The students has great belief in her abilities to sort things out. She is like a mother hen protecting her chicks.

And yes, I can vouch from personal experience that even the best students got senioritis after they were admitted to colleges in the first semester of senior year. And they then trotted over to Ms. Hoover to tell her that they have decided to notwork towards the IB Diploma. Hoover would remain calm, understanding and patient and talk it over with them and convince them to get the diploma. She did this kind of hand-holding of students every single day. She knew what was going on in their lives.

If she decides to leave the program because it was long hours and a lot of work - I will completely understand even though I feel that it will be a HUGE loss to RMIB. And I am equally sure that she will have no problems getting a job in one of W schools or a better position with MCPS or another school district.

I am again surprised that the movers and shakers influential parents of RMIB students are not doing what needs to be done.

+1. I totally agree re Ms. Hoover.

I wonder if this is a result of power struggle between two. I mean, Ms. Hoover is like a "principal for RMIB" and maybe the new principal didn't like that. I have heard the new guy is not a supporter of "school within a school" model. I am sure, with Hoover's credential, she won't have any problem finding a new adventure... If this turns out to be true, it's a tremendous loss to RMIB program. Thank god my kids are out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ms. Hoover is more than a magnet coordinator. She breaks down the IB process for the students in such a way that the students do not get overwhelmed. She provides the support needed for the students, she tries to understand the unique circumstances of each student and provide help to the best of her abilities. She has done A LOT of work to increase the awareness of the IB program amongst the various college admissions committee.

She had a lot of support from the previous Principal. The new Principal does not like the IB program. He might think that the stucture of the IB program has been in place (thanks to Hoover!) and so they can do without her. The fact is sometimes it is the effort of one person that brings glory to an organization. Hoover is that person. She was not only on the side of the students, but she made things happen due to her vast network and knowledge. The students has great belief in her abilities to sort things out. She is like a mother hen protecting her chicks.

And yes, I can vouch from personal experience that even the best students got senioritis after they were admitted to colleges in the first semester of senior year. And they then trotted over to Ms. Hoover to tell her that they have decided to notwork towards the IB Diploma. Hoover would remain calm, understanding and patient and talk it over with them and convince them to get the diploma. She did this kind of hand-holding of students every single day. She knew what was going on in their lives.

If she decides to leave the program because it was long hours and a lot of work - I will completely understand even though I feel that it will be a HUGE loss to RMIB. And I am equally sure that she will have no problems getting a job in one of W schools or a better position with MCPS or another school district.

I am again surprised that the movers and shakers influential parents of RMIB students are not doing what needs to be done.

Senioritis? Those kids work their asses off for years staying up all hours everyday working, working and working. Maybe if the workload wasn't that enormous, they would still want to to the IB program. The fact is, the kids deserve some downtime. They are kids, not robots. If that many don't want to finish, it is a problem with the program. Coaxing kids into staying into something they don't want, is not a positive. Maybe the principal sees this and realizes the IB program sucks and these kids would be getting into incredible colleges without it - and having a little bit of a life.

I mean look at the colleges that are now starting to back away from accepting AP courses. Kids bust their behinds for them only to find out they need to retake in college anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have heard from a reliable source that RM IB coordinator is leaving RM next year. She is apparently very good - however the principal is trying to dismantle the structures she had put in. DC is accepted into RM and Blair. Based on this information DC has decided to go to Blair. Just wanted to let everyone know before they send in decision letter this week.

Why on earth would this lead a kid to change her mind? The IB coordinators are bureaucrats who fill out paperwork for the IBO, not teachers. Good grief.

You obviously have no idea how RM IB program works or what Ms. Hoover is to RM. Responsible adults must not indulge in discussion which they have no clue about. She is not a bureaucrat by any stretch of that word! She is everything you want in a coordinator, a compassionate education professional. She takes her role seriously to understand what direction IB is heading, advocates for the students and the programs. Yes teachers are important, but without her RM IB program will suffer immensely. If you do not believe me see the example of Clemente without Helen Nixon and Dr. Richard combination. Please ask parents who experienced then and now situation for Clemente!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ms. Hoover is more than a magnet coordinator. She breaks down the IB process for the students in such a way that the students do not get overwhelmed. She provides the support needed for the students, she tries to understand the unique circumstances of each student and provide help to the best of her abilities. She has done A LOT of work to increase the awareness of the IB program amongst the various college admissions committee.

She had a lot of support from the previous Principal. The new Principal does not like the IB program. He might think that the stucture of the IB program has been in place (thanks to Hoover!) and so they can do without her. The fact is sometimes it is the effort of one person that brings glory to an organization. Hoover is that person. She was not only on the side of the students, but she made things happen due to her vast network and knowledge. The students has great belief in her abilities to sort things out. She is like a mother hen protecting her chicks.

And yes, I can vouch from personal experience that even the best students got senioritis after they were admitted to colleges in the first semester of senior year. And they then trotted over to Ms. Hoover to tell her that they have decided to notwork towards the IB Diploma. Hoover would remain calm, understanding and patient and talk it over with them and convince them to get the diploma. She did this kind of hand-holding of students every single day. She knew what was going on in their lives.

If she decides to leave the program because it was long hours and a lot of work - I will completely understand even though I feel that it will be a HUGE loss to RMIB. And I am equally sure that she will have no problems getting a job in one of W schools or a better position with MCPS or another school district.

I am again surprised that the movers and shakers influential parents of RMIB students are not doing what needs to be done.

Senioritis? Those kids work their asses off for years staying up all hours everyday working, working and working. Maybe if the workload wasn't that enormous, they would still want to to the IB program. The fact is, the kids deserve some downtime. They are kids, not robots. If that many don't want to finish, it is a problem with the program. Coaxing kids into staying into something they don't want, is not a positive. Maybe the principal sees this and realizes the IB program sucks and these kids would be getting into incredible colleges without it - and having a little bit of a life.

I mean look at the colleges that are now starting to back away from accepting AP courses. Kids bust their behinds for them only to find out they need to retake in college anyway.

NP - I think you are twisting PP's words. Frankly, I don't know what your agenda is. It's clear you have no experience with RMIB or have any interest in sending your kids to RMIB. So, what gives?

[Anonymous]

The "Team Jennifer posts" here are amusing. It's nice to have friends, but must they write such amateurish supporting posts?

[Anonymous]

Actually, I am curious as to what reasons are provided for striving towards the completion of an IB diploma when one has already been accepted to a college or university.

Is it simply to complete a goal, once undertaken? Is it a notion of "paying it forward," based on an argument that the hard work of prior students who completed their diplomas paved the way for their own acceptance from colleges or universities that were familiar with RM's track record with IB? Presumably the schools do not make their offers of admission contingent on the students successfully earning an IB diploma, and you might think the students do deserve some down time in their senior year.

You can't read anything about the IB program at RM without coming away with the sense that it's mostly PARENTS of IB diploma candidates and recipients who are most heavily invested in the reputation of the IB program there and the fiefdom of the IB coordinator.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The "Team Jennifer posts" here are amusing. It's nice to have friends, but must they write such amateurish supporting posts?

probably because they are actual parents and not professional boosters, don't you think? parents supporting the coordinator... how silly is that!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The "Team Jennifer posts" here are amusing. It's nice to have friends, but must they write such amateurish supporting posts?

Ok, I am one of the "Team Jennifer poster". Can you please enlighten me what is so amateurish? I am not a friend of Jennifer, just a RM IB parent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The "Team Jennifer posts" here are amusing. It's nice to have friends, but must they write such amateurish supporting posts?

Someone seems to have a "sour grapes" syndrome here!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The "Team Jennifer posts" here are amusing. It's nice to have friends, but must they write such amateurish supporting posts?

Someone seems to have a "sour grapes" syndrome here!

I think she is the same poster who said all of the IB kids are drugs. I think she's high or drunk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The "Team Jennifer posts" here are amusing. It's nice to have friends, but must they write such amateurish supporting posts?

Someone seems to have a "sour grapes" syndrome here!

I think she is the same poster who said all of the IB kids are drugs. I think she's high or drunk.

or BOTH!

[Anonymous]

There is one poster who is not familiar with RMIB and usually rants here about drugs and pressure cooker environment and what not.

Obviously, her kids did not get into the program. I am fairly sure that the kids of someone she knew got into the program - and this person was smarter, richer, prettier, more accomplished than the RMIB hater.

Seriously, her ignorance of the program and her hatred for RMIB is not normal. It is a personal vendetta. Normal and mentally stable people who do not have kids in RMIB or any other association with it, usually do not care about reading RMIB threads.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is one poster who is not familiar with RMIB and usually rants here about drugs and pressure cooker environment and what not.

Obviously, her kids did not get into the program. I am fairly sure that the kids of someone she knew got into the program - and this person was smarter, richer, prettier, more accomplished than the RMIB hater.

Seriously, her ignorance of the program and her hatred for RMIB is not normal. It is a personal vendetta. Normal and mentally stable people who do not have kids in RMIB or any other association with it, usually do not care about reading RMIB threads.

-

Agreed - all the posts about pushy parents and pill-popping kids are malicious. However, there have been numerous posts over the years about the large workload (hours of homework) and high stress level at RMIB in particular so it is important to be honest about that especially during a time when families are trying to use this forum to make a decision about whether or not to attend the program. Hopefully it is possible to do that without ascribing bad motives to parents who choose to send their kids there or saying hateful things about the kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is one poster who is not familiar with RMIB and usually rants here about drugs and pressure cooker environment and what not.

Obviously, her kids did not get into the program. I am fairly sure that the kids of someone she knew got into the program - and this person was smarter, richer, prettier, more accomplished than the RMIB hater.

Seriously, her ignorance of the program and her hatred for RMIB is not normal. It is a personal vendetta. Normal and mentally stable people who do not have kids in RMIB or any other association with it, usually do not care about reading RMIB threads.

-

Agreed - all the posts about pushy parents and pill-popping kids are malicious. However, there have been numerous posts over the years about the large workload (hours of homework) and high stress level at RMIB in particular so it is important to be honest about that especially during a time when families are trying to use this forum to make a decision about whether or not to attend the program. Hopefully it is possible to do that without ascribing bad motives to parents who choose to send their kids there or saying hateful things about the kids.

I've been following this and other IB threads and I do believe that message has been consistent and correctly stated. I have not seen any posts from current parents or past students who stated otherwise. IB program is tough (and at times it can even get brutal) but it is incredibly rewarding programs. All these factors go hand-in-hand. If your kid is smart but doesn't study hard (and if you don't think that will change), IB is not for your kid, IMHO.