Vern Williams Leaving Longfellow?

[Anonymous]

Don't want to discredit Mr. Williams but let's not exaggerate his influence either. The number one factor that Longfellow has been so successful is because of its student demographics. There are constant supplies of extremely high IQ students year over year, which would make any teacher look good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had Vern Williams for math in 1988. It was terrible. He only taught to the "genius" kids. If you didn't have an IQ of 140 or above, he basically let you flunk out. Made no attempt at working with kids who needed clarification.

Never understood why everyone made such a fuss over him. I have 100% more respect for the teachers that don't let students fall between the cracks.

Nearly 30 years later and you're still blaming the teacher for your failure. It must stuck to be pushing 50 and still have the maturity level of a 16 year old.

NP here. Someone who had Vern Williams in middle school in 1988 would be closer to 40 than 50. Just thought I'd point that out since this is a math-related thread.

Ha!

[Anonymous]

I also had Mr. Williams in 1988-89, and have kept in touch with him over the years. Re his age, he may be old, but apart from glasses and a little salt in his hair, he is unchanged. Re his teaching technique, I can 100% guarantee that he would spend as much extra time as desired by any student so requesting to help with the curriculum. I was in his class in 7th grade but not one of the brilliant stars who went on to his Algebra/Geo. 8th grade class.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know where he is now and what he is doing? He isn't in BASIS anymore because our neighbor's kid is in 8th grade and said there
is no math teacher named Williams. I didn't have him at Longfellow but I remember that some of my friends who did thought so highly of him. He should return to FCPS.

[Anonymous]

It took like 10 seconds to find out he’s at Nysmith now.

[Anonymous]

I believe he is at nysmith

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It took like 10 seconds to find out he’s at Nysmith now.

I heard that Mr. Huang, another math teacher extraordinaire left Longfellow and is at the Basis.

[Anonymous]

^^ I wonder if these teachers become eligible for county pension after 20 years, after which they move to teach at a private for higher pay. They are relatively young.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^^ I wonder if these teachers become eligible for county pension after 20 years, after which they move to teach at a private for higher pay. They are relatively young.

Why would it be any different from the principals who retire from FCPS and take jobs in other jurisdictions?

I don't know if the private schools pay more when you factor in benefits, but if you're teaching smaller classes in private schools and getting a pension from the county, it's not a bad deal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It took like 10 seconds to find out he’s at Nysmith now.

I heard that Mr. Huang, another math teacher extraordinaire left Longfellow and is at the Basis.

Nope. He is a Trinity Falls Church. He may have been at Basis at some point. Basis gets many itinerant teachers - not the best record of retention.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It took like 10 seconds to find out he’s at Nysmith now.

I heard that Mr. Huang, another math teacher extraordinaire left Longfellow and is at the Basis.

Nope. He is a Trinity Falls Church. He may have been at Basis at some point. Basis gets many itinerant teachers - not the best record of retention.

To be more precise, Trinity School at Meadow View (in Falls Church).

[Anonymous]

My kid had Ms. Postlewaite at Longfellow (spelling may be wrong) and I love her. Son had a great foundation in math from her.

2nd kid had a different teacher and w covid and remote learning, their grounding in high school math is noticeably worse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^^ I wonder if these teachers become eligible for county pension after 20 years, after which they move to teach at a private for higher pay. They are relatively young.

They won't pull full retirement after 20 years UNLESS their age and years of service add up to "the magic number," which differs based on when they started in FCPS.

[Anonymous]

Longfellow still seems to be preparing kids well. McLean just won the Liberty District Scholastic Bowl championship today.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Longfellow still seems to be preparing kids well. McLean just won the Liberty District Scholastic Bowl championship today.

Very true. And thanks for mentioning the Scholastic Bowl. Congrats to McLean! (and to the runners-up at district rival W-L).