What is happening at Chesterbrook Elementary?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Now that the assistant principal is leaving, I worry about the balance at Chesterbrook. I think the principal is so stressed right now that it casts on to teachers. The principal gets in her own head a lot and pushes her agendas. She caters a lot to the parents and that dictates how the school is run for the teachers. Teachers are afraid to speak up and when they do, they feel it doesn’t matter. It is a stressful time and only the third week of school. She is still pushing for live platform changes, new policies, new ideas, delegating work, etc when teachers are finally figuring out what is working. Teachers feel very overworked and stressed with the constant pressure and changes. If the principal learns to ease back and give teachers more autonomy, she has incredible leadership potential. I hope it gets better, covid and a new ap search are definitely not helping things.

Unfortunately, I didn’t want to wait it out so I left. I’m still in touch with everyone there and care about Chesterbrook so much.

Interesting. As a parent, I'm not a huge fan of the principal. I don't see that she caters to the parents (or maybe I'm just not in the select group!) But I agree that she doesn't give the teachers autonomy. She strikes me as a tech-obsessed control freak who thinks like a politician (smile and say agreeable things to everyone but then ignores everything that isn't in line with her thinking). I also get the impression that the younger teachers, especially, are afraid to question her or push back if her guidance is unclear. I agree that she has potential, but until she learns to relax and trust the expertise of her teachers, and stop trying to control every single thing that occurs at the school, more and more teachers will leave and parents will be frustrated. Meanwhile, the students pay the price.

She is super stressed right now and it does bleed to the teachers. You can tell. She also doesn’t really have experienced teachers anymore. And these young teachers are now tasked with training new younger teachers, which is another added stress. This effects their ability to teach our children. She needs to hire more experienced teachers but she doesn’t want to look bad because she has no clue how to run an elementary school. So she keeps hiring new teachers who she can control. She’s be better suited at a middle school. I think she could be a competent leader there.

[Anonymous]

Typically when a lot of teachers leave, it is because of the principal. Witness: Shrevewood last year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Typically when a lot of teachers leave, it is because of the principal. Witness: Shrevewood last year.

I mean two years ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Per email from Chesterbrook's principal, "most of the third grade team is leaving Chesterbrook next year."

3 of 4 "core teachers" and both special ed teachers are departing. 1 retirement, 2 moves out of the area, and 2 moves to other elementary schools within FCPS. The two moves within FCPS raise red flags; both are experienced teachers who have spent their entire careers (decade and a half each) at Chesterbrook. Both are excellent and highly esteemed, as are the two moving out of the area.

It's not surprising that parents are alarmed. Chesterbrook has had a lot of turnover over the past 5 years, and the current principal is in her 2nd year, so whether parents like her or not, it's natural to wonder what effect the leadership change has on the teachers' experiences and desire to remain.

So just two teachers left for other FCPS. Jeez, why don't you just ask these two people instead of trying to stir up rumors?

[Anonymous]

Kirkpatrick needs to go. She has no elementary experience at it is so apparent in her interactions. It is her way or the highway. Beaty is a huge loss! The PTA needs to get involved and help Chesterbook before it is too late.

[Anonymous]

Honestly, I’m glad that there is a total shift in the school! CES has been a soul crushing school for decades, it needs to be cleaned and riddled of the old attitudes and develop a new caring culture. It breaks my heart to see them break kids spirits and absolute lack of empathy! The principal has been trying to change this and I’m sure the old guard, and the new teachers that were indoctrinated under the old guard don’t like it. I’m hopeful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, I’m glad that there is a total shift in the school! CES has been a soul crushing school for decades, it needs to be cleaned and riddled of the old attitudes and develop a new caring culture. It breaks my heart to see them break kids spirits and absolute lack of empathy! The principal has been trying to change this and I’m sure the old guard, and the new teachers that were indoctrinated under the old guard don’t like it. I’m hopeful.

Another ES in the area needs a deep cleanup. A new principal sometimes makes problems worse.

[Anonymous]

Who is Farris Thomas?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Who is Farris Thomas?

Obviously a friend of Kirkpatrick!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Who is Farris Thomas?

The release had a lot of information - has been with FCPS for over 15 years first as a teacher at McLean HS, and then as an administrator at Carson MS and most recently an AP at Irving MS.

[Anonymous]

Yes, a friend of Kirkpatrick who has NO elementary background!

[Anonymous]

Kirkpatrick continues to pack Chesterbrook with her buddies from Carson who have no elementary experience. Compare Farris Thomas' resume to Liz Beaty's. Interesting to note they both have Special Ed. experience, which presumably is to help Kirkpatrick avoid the fate of Bob Fuqua.

Originally from New Jersey, Mrs. Farris Thomas attended James Madison University and began her career in education with Fairfax County Public Schools in 2004. Her career in education began at McLean High School where she was an English teacher and the English department chair. From there she became the instructional coach and testing coordinator at Carson Middle School, where she developed an extensive background in instructional coaching to assist teachers in development of Project Based Learning (PBL) units as well as incorporating Portrait of a Graduate skills. Mrs. Thomas has been trained by the Buck Institute in California for PBL integration in instruction and developed the curriculum and taught the FCPS Academy course for PBL. As an academy instructor, she worked with elementary, middle and high school educators to support PBL integration across FCPS. It was at Rachel Carson that Mrs. Thomas began her role in administration serving as the administrator for English and the World Languages department. Most recently, she has served the Washington Irving school community for the past five years as the Assistant Principal where she supervised the special education department and English department. Mrs. Thomas’ strong work creating positive behavior intervention supports for students and supporting the needs of the special education community earned her recognition as a finalist for the 2019 Outstanding Administrator of the year from Fairfax County Special Education PTA (SEPTA). Mrs. Thomas also wears the hat of a proud mom to three beautiful young daughters, Macie, Evie and Josie.

Dr. Liz Beaty has an extensive background in education and is beginning her 24th year with Fairfax County Public Schools, having 20 years as a special education teacher at Virginia Run ES, Oakton ES, Deer Park ES and Union Mill ES. At Union Mill she also served as the local screening chairperson and team lead. For the past three years, Dr. Beaty has served Braddock Elementary School as the Assistant Principal where she supervised the special education department, upper grades, served as the School Testing Coordinator, facilitated the co-teaching initiative and developed a deep knowledge of best practices for working with English Language Learners and Advanced Academic students. In addition to her work with FCPS, she is an adjunct professor at George Mason University. Dr. Beaty is also the proud mom of three daughters, all graduates of Fairfax County Public Schools.

[Anonymous]

Her fate will not be like Fuqua's. He was at Chesterbrook for 18 years, she won't last that long- not even close.

[Anonymous]

I know Farris, and she is absolutely wonderful - kind, student-focused, smart, cares about teachers and families. Give her the opportunity to become part of the community and assess based on your experience with her rather than your displeasure with the current principal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know Farris, and she is absolutely wonderful - kind, student-focused, smart, cares about teachers and families. Give her the opportunity to become part of the community and assess based on your experience with her rather than your displeasure with the current principal.

Coming from the principal?